Happy Wednesday. My wife seems quite a bit better today. Far more awake. Still, occasionally, a cat will jump up on her and land on that knee, and there will be a scream. But she’s making it to the bathroom on her own, with the walker and doing her exercises.
One of the things about playing the Yankees (or Red Sox, likely Dodgers too) is that 99% of the pictures we get to use are of the Yankees. Of course, the pictures we get of the Jays are mostly of Vlad. I often think I use too many photos of him, but that’s what we get.
Daulton Varsho hit his second home run in two games for Dunedin yesterday. He’s 4 for 8 in his three games. He should be moved up to Buffalo. After two or three games, they will likely bring him back to Toronto, maybe after the weekend.
All the talk is about the trade deadline. David Singh, at Sportsnet, writes that the Jays will ‘consider more than talent’.
“At the trade deadline it’s just very important to add high-character guys,” Bassitt said during batting practice on Monday before the Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 4-1 at Rogers Centre in the first of a three-game set. “A lot of the time your character can basically supersede your talent, so to speak. Like if you’re not really bringing a positive mentality or a positive work ethic, or [you’re bringing] off-the-field issues, I don’t really want you. I don’t care how good you are.
“The reality is if you bring low-character guys in, all of a sudden one person can start dragging down three or four people and then you have issues.”
So they aren’t trading for Aroldis Chapman (thank you, Jays, I’d hate to have to find a new team). But I wonder what the definition of low character is? Or high-character for that matter.
It does seem that the Jays players really get along. I guess it is easy to all get along when you are winning, but there are a lot of smiles on the bench. A lot of pulling for each other. Guys like Springer, Bichette, Guerrero and Scherzer seem to keep things light.
I wonder if the team has a list of players they would refuse to trade.
I’m starting to think it is likely the Jays will look for a power-hitter to fill the hole left by Anthony Santander. I don’t believe Santander will be back this season, so a rental DH might be an idea (though I like Springer being DH).
We should have a contest to guess what the Jays pick up: a reliever, starting pitcher, DH, infielder, or outfielder (I really can’t see them getting an outfielder).
I don’t think they’ll add a starter. I don’t see the prospect capital needed to get one. And I can’t imagine they can get someone better than Eric Lauer, who would be the one losing his spot. But I guess a reliever or two might find their way to Toronto. And maybe a rental power-hitter.
Yesterday’s Umpire Scorecard. Alejandro Kirk is a good framer.
