David Popkins basically saying the main stat he uses is wRC+ and how he uses stats like xBA and average exit velocity makes me so happy, imagine the Blue Jays had Popkins as the hitting coach in 2023.
We don’t talk enough about George Springers season
5.2 WAR (16th) while playing 55% of his games at DH
3rd best hitter in MLB by wRC+ (166) behind only Judge & Ohtani
What’s even crazier is the fact he was an average hitter from 2023-2024 (99 wRC+)
The #BlueJays now have two Rule 5 pitchers chasing a bullpen gig in Spring Training (Spencer Miles, Angel Bastardo).
I still like this setup for Toronto. Give them a shot, and if they don't work out, those are the 40-man spots that get cleared for a veteran Minor League signing.
The Winter Meetings are for dreamers.
Ross Atkins didn’t want to say much… at all… but the #BlueJays are still swinging big.
More on Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker:
https://t.co/2C5X7IlZbX
We can deduce a few things from the Yariel move:
1) 29 teams passed on claiming Rodriguez ($17M over next 3 years)
2) Blue Jays would have been OK to see him leave for no return
2) Jays prefer to have Rodriguez off the 40-man, freeing up valuable space for someone else
“I think there is a legitimate possibility for Kyle Tucker and the Toronto Blue Jays.”
@jonmorosi cites a couple of reasons why the 4x All-Star could be a fit in Toronto.
Another element of the #BlueJays' Cody Ponce signing: He added a splitter in Korea as his top secondary pitch.
The Jays' (largely successful) love affair with the pitch continues.
The #BlueJays' already excellent rotation grows even deeper. The Ponce addition is some 2027 business done early, too. As it stands:
Dylan Cease
Kevin Gausman (FA after '26)
Trey Yesavage
Shane Bieber (FA after '26)
Cody Ponce
José Berríos (opt-out after '26)