Weekly Takes - Monday, September 7th Edition

Weekly Takes - Monday, September 7th Edition 

1. A day after not loving the Kevin Gausman trade (which may be an all-time bad take with the way Brett Bateman has bursted onto the scene), I was very happy with Ross Atkins’ deadline day.

The Jays needed a number three starting pitcher to go with Dylan Cease and Trey Yesavage in 2027 and they went out and got a #2 in Jose Soriano. 

Arjun Nimmala is a tough prospect to trade, but you make that trade every day of the week if you are Toronto.

Adding a controllable, optionable starter in Spencer Arrighetti for a player you were not going to bring back (Daulton Varsho) is a huge win, too. He goes into 2027 as your #7, with Spencer Miles as your #6.

The Jeff Hoffman trade is for multiple lottery balls, but growing the prospect system heading into a winter where you have to add at least two significant bats is ideal.

2. For all the criticism John Schneider has received since becoming the Jays manager, his coaching performance in 2026 has been as good as any manager in baseball.

A lineup that cannot hit and a rotation that has been patched together all season long.

Schneider deserves his due.

3. If you are a Raptors fan, it had to feel extra special to see the NBA come down hard on the Clippers.

Not only did the Clippers circumvent the cap, they tried prying Kawhi Leonard away from the Raptors all year long. It worked for them… until it ended up being the biggest disaster in NBA history.

Truly breathtaking. And Kawhi ended up running back into Toronto’s arms?

4. My 2027 NFL Predictions…

AFC East 

1. Buffalo (1)

2. New England (WC2)

3. New York Jets (x)

4. Miami (x)

AFC North 

1. Baltimore (2)

2. Pittsburgh 

3. Cincinnati 

4. Cleveland (x)

AFC West 

1. LA Chargers (3)

2. Kansas City (WC1)

3. Denver (WC3)

4. Vegas 

AFC South 

1. Houston (4)

2. Jacksonville 

3. Tennessee 

4. Indianapolis  

NFC East

1. Philadelphia (3)

2. Dallas (WC2)

3. New York

4. Washington 

NFC North

1. Chicago (2)

2. Detroit (WC3)

3. Minnesota 

4. Green Bay

NFC South 

1. New Orleans (4)

2. Carolina 

3. Tampa Bay

4. Atlanta 

NFC West 

1. LA Rams (1)

2. Seattle (WC1)

3. San Francisco 

4. Arizona (x)

Super Bowl Prediction: LA Rams defeats Buffalo

• Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen 

• Offensive Player of the Year: Jahmyr Gibbs 

• Defensive Player of the Year: Will Anderson 

• Rookie of the Year: Jeremiyah Love 

• AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jeremiyah Love

• Defensive Rookie of the Year: Rueben Bain

• AP Coach of the Year: Kellen Moore