Saturday, December 31, 2016

Goodbye 2016


So here it is. The final post of 2016.

Nine months ago this site came into being . Since then there's been so much that's happened, mostly good. (All communities have their bumpy times and we've weathered those quite well.) I didn't know what would become of this when I started. I only knew that I wanted to have a place for the community to hang out when our site for all intents and purposes disappeared.

It turned out to be a wonderful gamble.

I am so grateful for all of you and for your contributions that make this such a great place to hang out (even you, lurkers!).

Happy new year! May 2017 be even better.

Friday, December 30, 2016

Transaction Fridays?

Ross Atkins being a sexy beast

So, an end-of-year present maybe?

Thursday, December 29, 2016

In Memoriam


So there's been a lot of celebrity deaths this year. There will probably be more before Sunday. But since the last few days have had a lot and there's nothing baseball-related to talk about, share the losses that rocked you the most and why. It can be from anytime this year.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Hump Day chat


Until people start stepping up, you're stuck with chat posts. Remember, politics is verboten.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Prospect Porn


I wanted this to be a series but no one was interested in writing it. So share below the stories of the prospects in the system you are most excited about.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

The Night Before JITHmas




nocramps posted this in last weekend's Party Weekend thread but it really needs to be immortalized so I share it for all of you. Have a happy and safe holiday!

Friday, December 23, 2016

Last minute Chistmas gifts for the baseball fan.




Ho fucking ho.
You procrastinated again this year. You're permanently hung over from being festive too many times and way too hard. Tis the season.
What's a person to do? Start shopping for the baseball friends you know and I'm here to help.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

I remember.



The baseball off season is a time of angst and speculation. Worry about roster construction, payroll parameters, budgets, who is out of options, depth signings, organizational changes is enough to drive a fan to the point of drink,drank,drunk.So while we get concerned over the current state of affairs, as we consider the future of our beloved Blue Jays, let's remember what happened last off season leading up to opening day. It's about to happen all over again.
Remember.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Hump Day chat


It's 5 days until Christmas and the middle of the work week if you're a 9 to 5er. Feel free to chat about anything but politics.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Revisiting the pace of game rule changes

(I tried finding a photo with the timer in the shot but it was a no-go.)

The other big rule change in 2016 was pace of game. As this article explains:

Monday, December 19, 2016

Revisiting the neighbourhood play rule change


Back in March, Smasher talked about how the new sliding rule could be beneficial:
With the new rule in place, middle infielders like Tulo and Goins will have more time and space to turn the majestic DP's that we all know, love, and have become accustomed to. Happ, Dickey and Estrada were all among the top 77 pitchers in baseball in inducing ground-balls. Double plays aside, this bodes well when your team is one of the most talented defensively up the middle in all of baseball. Factor in the new dirt infield that will slow up ground balls that much more, thus increasing the range of Tulo/Goins and you can see why I am excited about the prospect of an improved team defense.
Who stands to benefit the most? Well arguably that would be your team Ace Marcus Stroman who pitched to a cool 4.17 Ground ball to Fly ball rate. Now obviously his 2015 is a small sample size but we can all agree that he's the best pitcher on the staff. So add in that he seems to be getting more ground ball outs, now has a slower dirt infield and the team has improved the defense of its middle infielders? It seems to bode well for the Blue Jays.
Well, it certainly wasn't at first. We were screwed a few times by it. But did we benefit as well? Discuss.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

So let's talk about the National League


Let's shake things up a bit. What do you think the National League is going to look like next year? Who are going to be the teams to beat? Will the Diamondbacks be relevant again? Will the Rockies finally be competitive again? Will the Padres be relevant?

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Hump Day chat


It's the dog days of the off-season. There's no news. So here's an open thread to talk about everything but politics. (None of us really want to go there, right?)

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

The 2006 Blue Jays


Suggested by the wiener (6 months ago!) who said it was the best team of the Riccardi era. Better than 2008?  What are your thoughts?

Monday, December 12, 2016

Travelling to other ballparks


With it being cold and snowy across most of the country, I think it's time to bring up this idea suggested by Warren with additions from Karen. Warren suggested talking about the experiences of travelling to see the Jays in other ballparks (something I don't get to do because I'm a girl). Karen expanded the idea to wondering about your favourite stadium and best/ worst road experience.

Food, beer, fanbases!


Saturday, December 10, 2016

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

Friday, December 9, 2016

Transaction Fridays! (Maybe)


It's the day after the Winter Meetings so things likely won't happen. But who knows?

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Yet More Winter Meetings Mayhem


So no big Jays signings yesterday. Chi Sox get the Nats prospects anyway by trading Adam Eaton. Royals trade pain in the ass Wade Davis to the Cubs. Yankees get domestic abuser Chapman back. Lots of speculation around what's going to happen with JB and EE.

Ross still needs sleep.

Shapiro is stuck having to talk to the troll on the right.

Hazel has yet another dress I covet.

It's the final day of the Winter Meetings!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Even More Winter Meeting Mayhem


Lots of stories coming out of the winter meetings and for those of you who haven't read through the previous thread. Some highlights because I'm too lazy to compose coherent sentences.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Winter Meeting Mayhem!


So, it's been busy so far, huh?

Ross certainly looks tired. (Wish I could embed this video and this video.)

Discuss.

Monday, December 5, 2016

News and views in Blue Jay Land


Editor's note: RADAR wrote this for Friday but I deferred it to today. Any dated info is my fault.


It seems that there was a meeting, between the brain trust of the Blue Jays and the local media. Which provided some insights into the direction the Jays may be taking in the future. Scheduled ahead of the winter meetings and shortened by an MLB conference call to update Shapiro and Atkins on the new CBA.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Party weekend!


Every weekend is an open thread to shoot the shit. There will be a challenge each week but don't feel confined by it.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Transaction Friday!


With the new CBA settled, today should see some things happen. Fingers crossed for a fun day!

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Praise Hallelujah, there's a new CBA


Details are still coming in but a tentative agreement was reached last night. Highlights (thanks to CBC and TSN):