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Asianiac_24 wrote:This team is going to struggle even competing for a WC spot this year. We have numerous guys that are #9 level hitters in our everyday lineup (Varsho, KK, IKF, Biggio, maybe even Kirk), one guy who is getting there (Springer), a legit star (Bo), and 2 above average hitters (JT/Vlad).

Hitting is overrated. Focus on the Run Prevention numbers of guys like Varsho, KK, Biggio, IKF, and Kirk at the end of the year instead of their hitting numbers. Then feature it on a montage on Opening Day 2025 at the Rogers Centre.

Asianiac_24 wrote:This team is going to struggle even competing for a WC spot this year. We have numerous guys that are #9 level hitters in our everyday lineup (Varsho, KK, IKF, Biggio, maybe even Kirk), one guy who is getting there (Springer), a legit star (Bo), and 2 above average hitters (JT/Vlad).

Agreed. There are just way too many offensive holes in the lineup to seriously contend, and expecting the same level of performance and health from the pitching staff as a whole is unrealistic (as we have seen so far). There are at least 5 spots in the lineup right now where you’re going to get a 1-2 WAR with below average to average offense (Varsho as a LF, IKF, Kirk, Kiermaier, Biggio). Turner is 39 so as great as he’s been so far, it’s difficult to expect him to turn back the clock as the sample size increases. It’s going to be very difficult to compete with that, although some of that can be fixed with Jansen replacing Kirk and the team actually playing Davis Schneider. Ultimately, if Vlad and Bichette are not superstars, then it’s hard to see this team doing anything meaningful because the complimentary pieces likely won’t be able to carry them like they did last year.

It’s still very early though. Just have to hope the offense turns things around to compensate for the pitching regression. The early returns are not good.

Congratulations to Shapiro for finally building a real ball park for Toronto.

Only thing missing is a real ball team to play there.

this team is a train wreck

Vlad on pace for a 1-1.5 WAR season.

Does no one in the front office question why so many of our guys constantly underperform offensively? Seriously, what does Guillermo have on Shatkins?

Mehar wrote:

Asianiac_24 wrote:This team is going to struggle even competing for a WC spot this year. We have numerous guys that are #9 level hitters in our everyday lineup (Varsho, KK, IKF, Biggio, maybe even Kirk), one guy who is getting there (Springer), a legit star (Bo), and 2 above average hitters (JT/Vlad).

Hitting is overrated. Focus on the Run Prevention numbers of guys like Varsho, KK, Biggio, IKF, and Kirk at the end of the year instead of their hitting numbers. Then feature it on a montage on Opening Day 2025 at the Rogers Centre.

Note to Shatikins....
Preventing runs only works when you can score more than they do.

I would flip Bo,and Vlad in the batting order.It may give Vlad more chances to drive in his buddy.
This FO has no imagination about baseball,and the wrong imagination about analytics.

Why is springer batting lead off still?

“Its early”

We play in the al east.

linery88 wrote:I would flip Bo,and Vlad in the batting order.It may give Vlad more chances to drive in his buddy.
This FO has no imagination about baseball,and the wrong imagination about analytics.

People are too quick to lump Biggio with the assorted detritus on this team. When healthy - and he appears to be healthy - he's a good player. I also think, with proper coaching, Varsho can knock enough out of the park to be an everyday player.

When Jansen returns, the everyday lineup ought to be:

RF Springer
SS Bichette
1B Vlad
DH Turner
LF Schneider
C Jansen
2B Biggio
3B Clement
CF Varsho

Bench:

Kiermaier/Varsho
Vogelbach/Turner
Kirk/Jansen
IKF

Lateral Quicks wrote:Vlad on pace for a 1-1.5 WAR season.

Does no one in the front office question why so many of our guys constantly underperform offensively? Seriously, what does Guillermo have on Shatkins?

I don't think it's Guillermo. He has been the hitting coach since 2019, and the offense was actually good up until 2023. Someone came into the organization prior to the 2023 season and was given way too much autonomy with the offensive side of things.

“Damage is kind of a scary word”… he wants good swings in good pitches, not just chasing power.

“I don’t really see us as a huge power club. But we do have a chance for, I think, four or five guys hitting 20 or above. That would be good for us.”

The guy who made that quote came into the organization in 2023, and got promoted in 2024. He also needs to get rid of those sideburns.

Oh look, our best hitter is getting his SECOND OFF DAY in as many weeks. Turner has been an everyday player his entire career, and is also DHing. There is ZERO reason to be load managing him this early in the season, and this often, when he is our best hitter in every offensive category imaginable. Thats like sitting April Chapman for the sake of sitting him. Does this ballclub not want to win?? Do they really think that they have the luxury to throw away ballgames in April by never putting out all our best hitters at the same time?
Like, wtf are we even doing??

Lateral Quicks wrote:

linery88 wrote:I would flip Bo,and Vlad in the batting order.It may give Vlad more chances to drive in his buddy.
This FO has no imagination about baseball,and the wrong imagination about analytics.

People are too quick to lump Biggio with the assorted detritus on this team. When healthy - and he appears to be healthy - he's a good player. I also think, with proper coaching, Varsho can knock enough out of the park to be an everyday player.

When Jansen returns, the everyday lineup ought to be:

RF Springer
SS Bichette
1B Vlad
DH Turner
LF Schneider
C Jansen
2B Biggio
3B Clement
CF Varsho

Bench:

Kiermaier/Varsho
Vogelbach/Turner
Kirk/Jansen
IKF

I like Biggio.If he got more playing time if it were possible,and a secured batting slot,he would improve as any player would/should.If not then bench him or send him down,or whatever.
Same for Clement or Davis,and they would also improve if they played regularly,and batted in a consistent slot.When this team was an offensive juggernaut there was hardly ,if ever,any constant moving,and shifting of lineups like there is now.
Varsho has bad mechanics.His back foot lifts up in the air,instead of staying on the ground,and twisting to "Squash bugs"
He is easy to pitch to if a pitcher doesn,t groove one.If it wasn,t for his defense he would hardly play.Guillermo,or Mattingly must see the defect in Varshos swing by now.Someone or both of them should work with him to fix that.

WuTang_OG wrote:

Read on Twitter

Gotta love days where Jansen is playing in AAA for the third time this week when Brian Serven is getting starts.

Not a serious org

Randle McMurphy wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

Read on Twitter

Gotta love days where Jansen is playing in AAA for the third time this week when Brian Serven is getting starts.

Not a serious org

Gotta love sitting our best player for the 2nd time in two weeks despite him being a full time DH. Dude is hitting over .350 and an ops over .1000

But i guess we dont REALLY need his bat to win ballgames. Our offensive juggernauts at the top of the order can carry this mighty offense by themselves.

Ranger One wrote:

Randle McMurphy wrote:

WuTang_OG wrote:

Read on Twitter

Gotta love days where Jansen is playing in AAA for the third time this week when Brian Serven is getting starts.

Not a serious org

Gotta love sitting our best player for the 2nd time in two weeks despite him being a full time DH. Dude is hitting over .350 and an ops over .1000

But i guess we dont REALLY need his bat to win ballgames. Our offensive juggernauts at the top of the order can carry this mighty offense by themselves.

Baseball is a tough sport for DHs with the standing around and hitting every 45 minutes or so, high performance department gotta get that rest day in

Wonder what the under/over is for the inning when the fans start BOOING heavily if getting manhandled again.

Michael Bradley wrote:

Lateral Quicks wrote:Vlad on pace for a 1-1.5 WAR season.

Does no one in the front office question why so many of our guys constantly underperform offensively? Seriously, what does Guillermo have on Shatkins?

I don't think it's Guillermo. He has been the hitting coach since 2019, and the offense was actually good up until 2023. Someone came into the organization prior to the 2023 season and was given way too much autonomy with the offensive side of things.

“Damage is kind of a scary word”… he wants good swings in good pitches, not just chasing power.

“I don’t really see us as a huge power club. But we do have a chance for, I think, four or five guys hitting 20 or above. That would be good for us.”

The guy who made that quote came into the organization in 2023, and got promoted in 2024. He also needs to get rid of those sideburns.

Just say his name already. Who?

when can votto return?

Goodbye Kevin Kiermaier, it was nice knowing you lmao. Varsho and Davis pretty much need to play everyday.