Anyone else following them as intently as I am right now? They are on fire after the trade deadline moves.

 

I'm a little concerned that AA left the minor league pitching cupboards a little too bare, especially with the Price trade. Even though they gave up the guys with the highest potential in Hoffman and Castro, I think the return was worth it, since Reyes had regressed so quickly. In getting Price though, AA gave up a couple of guys who would likely have been solid starters in a year or two in exchange for a rental. A very good rental, but a rental none the less. Without the Price move, I'm not sure if the Tulo and Revere moves alone would have provided the morale boost and buzz that we're seeing now that could propel them into the playoffs.

 

The positive thing is that we have most of our current position players returning next year, which will ensure very good defensive play and offensive continuity, but it will be a challenge to pull together a complete starting rotation and bullpen without being pretty active in free agency. Pitchers currently on the roster who they have no control over include Estrada, Buhrle, Price, Hawkins, and Lowe.

Key here was Stroman looked solid in the start. No true "Ace" on staff, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of production they can get out of this 5. If the bats are as hot as last year, they should be able to out slug everyone, as long as the arms can keep it under 5 or 6...

Keys are the young starters and the 20yr ole closer.     This team will score runs.

I'm excited to see what Tulo can do with a full year on this team...

If he makes it a full year healthy. 

I'm looking forward to watching Sanchez as a starter. Had a pretty solid spring, hope it continues on

I'd had high hopes for AS going into last season, and really thought he was going to be a breakout star, but he had a rough spring, didn't earn a starting spot, and then saw limited duty out of the 'pen. I'm glad he earned his way back into the rotation this year. He's young yet...has time to get seasoned.

He was a starter out of spring training he was really good as a reliever last year.

3 minutes ago, Jpan85 said:

He was a starter out of spring training he was really good as a reliever last year.

In limited time, sure.....I'd really hoped for a starting rotation role for him last year and post some solid numbers doing so. Again, he's young, so the middle-reliever spot was good for him to grow, I think. Hopefully he shows well this year!

What happened was Marco Estrada got hot and they did not want to put him back in the rotation after he came back from the oblique strain plus needed help in the bullpen. I have had him on my fantasy team all the way through the minors he was always going to be starter. The bullpen was out of of pure need. 

Hes not looking too shabs thus far

Maybe I spoke too soon lol

I am excited for baseball though it's going to be a special year for my Cubs.

Ugh cecil u bum. Why did they pull sanchez? 7 complete @ 90 pitches and was still throwing 96-97mph. Id have given him the 8th, n thats not in hindsight

What a ****ed up finish. Bautista totally hit the guy in the foot but that didnt cause the bad throw. BS

It's a long season as good as they may be they were not going to win 162

not expecting them to win every game,  but that was some straight bs. though it never shoulda got to that point, im still wondering why the F sanchez didnt come out for 8, those 2 runs cecil gave up were brutal. 

mlb has become all about pitch counts

pitch counts are really good stats to follow, especially on a per inning basis with the pitchers.  but what was sanchez at 90-95 range for pitches after 7 complete.  110+ is pushing it for a starter,  but the year is so early, and he's still throwing heat, there's no reason to not give him the 8th (maybe even 9th if he shut down the 8th like he had been doing) especially with Osuna unavailable tonight and a noon game tomorrow

He has never thrown I think it's 140 innings in a year so the y are going to be careful with him. Pretty much standard for young pitchers theses days. Rather have a few shorter outings early in the year.

On ‎2‎/‎22‎/‎2016 at 1:55 PM, Noeller said:

Raps and Leafs are pretty much able to do what they want, but until last year at the deadline, the Jays never had much of a budget. I'm not sure what the logic is, but Rogers doesn't see fit to pump money into the Jays organization, which is a real shame for the fans.

What. A. Shame.

Donaldson is the man, grand slam to blow this game wide open.  3hr 8 rbis in 4.5 games.  they need to lock this guy up for ever....and ever....and ever

Still arbitration eligible for a couple years so no hurry to do that

true, didnt realize he was 30 already too, that might be a little worrisome.  if he was locked up to a 5 year deal right now i'd be happier then resigning him at 32 and wondering if his play will drop significally when he reaches bautista's age (35)

Wonder whats up with tulo, it was either the tb series or one of their last spring games but goins had an issue with tulo not backing off a called pop up. And bumped into him here. Didnt he get hurt colliding with a fielder on a pop up? Calling a ball n backing off is as basic baseball as it gets, right up there with using 2 hands to catch

Venditte the switch pitcher finally got to come out closing the 9th, fun to watch