Weekly Takes - Monday, September 30 Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, September 30 Edition

1. My early takeaways from the Maple Leafs preseason thus far...

• Max Pacioretty looks good, but I still cannot see his fit on the team, outside of bumping out Nick Robertson, which should not happen. I guess, in theory, the Leafs could trade Calle Jarnkrok, but that would make them quite worse defensively and on the penalty kill.

• Steven Lorentz has positioned himself nicely to make the team as the 12/13th forward with Connor Dewar injured to begin the year.

• Easton Cowan was always going to be in tough to make the team, given the depth, but he has no chance after a rather average training camp. It sucks that he has to go back to junior instead of going to the AHL.

1. Here is what the Blue Jays need to do as early as of this blog posting...

• Fire Ross Atkins, who has no business overseeing the operation any longer. No general manager should get to oversee a second rebuild if the first one never led to any playoff success.

• Fire John Schneider, the manager who oversaw the most disappointing era in franchise history.

1. Here is what the Jays need to do as the offseason progresses, in order of importance...

• Re-sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr., making him a Blue Jay for life.

• Make a decision on Bo Bichette, one way or another. You cannot go into 2025 with him unsigned.

• Do everything in their power to get out of George Springer's contract

• Sign/trade for an impact third basemen and corner outfielder

• Sign/trade for at least three MLB relievers

• Sign/trade for a catcher who can split time with Alejandro Kirk

1. That would leave the Blue Jays with a roster of...

Starting Rotation...

1. Jose Berrios

2. Kevin Gausman

3. Bowden Francis

4. Chris Bassitt

5. Jake Bloss

Bullpen...

Closer: Jordan Romano

RH Setup: Vacant

LH Setup: Vacant

Mid Innings: Chad Green, Hagen Danner, and Vacant

Long Relief: Yariel Rodriguez

Lineup...

1. SS Bichette

2. DH Spencer Horwitz

3. 1B Guerrero Jr.

4. 3B/RF Vacant

5. RF/3B Vacant

6. 2B Orelvis Martinez/Will Wagner (Platoon)

7. C Kirk/Vacant (Platoon)

8. CF Daulton Varsho

9. LF Joey Loperfido/David Schneider (Platoon)

Bench

• Backup C: Kirk/Vacant (Platoon)

• Backup INF: Martinez/Wagner (Platoon)

• Second Backup INF: Ernie Clement

• Backup OF: Loperfido/Schneider (Platoon)

That leaves Leo Jimenez, Jonatan Clase, and Addison Barger on the outside-looking-in.

1. My MLB Playoffs Predictions...

Wild Card...

• Astros beat Tigers in 3

• Royals beat Orioles in 2

• Brewers beat Mets in 2

• Padres beat Braves in 3

Division Series'

• Astros beat Guardians in 4

• Yankees beat Royals in 5

• Phillies beat Brewers in 4

• Dodgers beat Padres in 4

Championship Series...

• Yankees beat Astros in 6

• Phillies beat Dodgers in 7

World Series...

• Phillies beat Yankees in 6

1. The Raptors were right to retire Vince Carter's number.

Yes, he quit on the city, his teammates, and management (albeit, an awful management staff who he rightfully had no loyalty to), but he inspired an entire generation of kids in the GTA to play basketball (which can be quantified by the amount of Toronto-born players drafted into the NBA from 2013-2016 ish), he made the Raptors relevant and cool, and he helped change the culture of the city.

There are always going to be bad things to mention in regard to Carter, but time heals all wounds and the good will always outweigh the bad when it comes to him.

Would I have liked #7 to go up first? Yes. But Carter is going into the Hall of Fame, it's the Raptors 30th anniversary, and it would look dumb for the Nets to retire his number before the Raptors.

Now was the time.

1. I love the Knicks trading for Karl Anthony-Towns, as it raises their ceiling.

But their depth is a major concern.

It may be hard to truly have an opinion on the Knicks until the buyout window after the trade deadline.

1. After four weeks, I despise writing off teams that I liked coming into the NFL season, but I am out on the Cowboys and Bengals.

The Cowboys will make the playoffs, but neither are contending for anything important.

Too flawed. Both teams missed their chance.