In 2024, the Blue Jays must decide if they’re going to s**t or get off the toilet

Some see the new year as a fresh start. A chance to recalibrate and reset.

And if anyone needs a fresh start, it would be those who have a connection to the Blue Jays – players, coaches, front office staff and fans.

2023 was a test of patience. On-field struggles mixed with off-the-field controversies, creating a toxic cocktail. The season ended with the Jays getting stuck in the mud again; swept in the Wild Card round (again!) in hair-pulling fashion.

As if that wasn’t enough, there was the Shohei Ohtani insanity of December 8-9.

It felt like I was the only one taking everything with the proverbial grain of salt. Didn’t matter who said what or who was allegedly on a plane. Others chose to invest their time and spiritual fandom and got burned.

Ohtani in a Jays uniform would have been awesome! Objectively though, it was hard to imagine him turning down an offer to stay in Los Angeles and play for the sexier LA baseball team.

Life shall go on.

Regardless, this current incarnation of Blue Jays are at a pivotal point:

12 months from now and assuming they haven’t been signed to long-term contracts, Vladdy and Bo will be preparing for their final full seasons before becoming free agents.

The outcome of the 2024 season could determine the direction of the team. If there’s vast improvement, then chances of keeping Vladdy, Bo or both are favourable.

However, if the Jays continue to struggle and there’s more regression, then serious consideration must be given to the idea of transitioning, retooling and rebuilding. Whether welcomed or not, we’ll have to start thinking about the franchise players – the sons of MLB stars, anointed to take the Jays to the Promised Land – being traded for younger talent before they reach free agency.

It all depends on how 2024 goes. Over the next 365-ish days, the Jays must decide if they’re going to shit or get off the toilet.

It’s not a pleasant place to be, but it is what it is. The Jays are capable of winning the World Series. In reality, they are capable of getting to the playoffs, but can’t advance further. That cannot continue.

I am reminded of where things were before the 2015 season.

Similar to the current squad, that Jays team was also at a “shit or get off the toilet” position.

Led by AA and Gibby, the talented team was not living up to expectations. Added to this was Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion approaching free agency. Something needed to happen because everyone was restless.

What did AA do? Signed Russell Martin and acquired Josh Donaldson. He also picked up Devon Travis and Marco Estrada.

Months later, with the Jays barely keeping their heads above water, AA traded for Tulo, David Price and Ben Revere.

We all know what happened after that.

AA chose to go all in and now, Ross Atkins is at a similar critical juncture.

Will Atkins go all in? Will he make a deal or two that saves his reputation and sends him to sainthood, just like AA?

Let the story play out.

Many feel someone else should take the wheel from Atkins, myself included. But if and until that happens, we have to accept what we can’t control. Some of us will remain hopeful, while others anticipate/expect failure.

Something will need to happen. A direction must be picked. It’s understandable if you’re feeling weary and excited at the same time because I am too.

ER

PS: Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for hearing me out. Wishing you only the best in 2024.

Death of the long-time Blue Jays broadcaster

Ben Wagner could be the one that got away.

Like many, I was very disappointed when Rogers Media decided not to renew his contract.

Wagner handled play-by-play duties for only six seasons. As pointed out by others, he had to navigate A LOT during his tenure.

Different colour commentators, calling games in a studio off a monitor, forced into an on-field reporting role and his greatest challenge, which is also his greatest talent: Flying solo in the booth.

Sadly, it has all come to an end.

Wouldn’t surprise me if this was a financial decision. However, I wonder if there were other factors.

A few months ago, Wagner pulled the curtain back on the disagreement between Alek Manoah’s camp and team management. Could that have played a role in Sportsnet’s decision not to renew his contract?

Regardless, it’s possible someone felt they could replace Wagner with an individual as talented and at a cheaper rate. Alternatively, maybe simulcasting the audio feed from the TV broadcast is going to be the new (ugly) normal.

Whatever the reason, it appears Rogers is sending out a clear and sorrowful message: The days of the long-time radio broadcaster are over.

No longer will we have a Tom Cheek calling 4000+ straight games; a Jerry Howarth painting a picture for 36 seasons; a Mike Wilner answering postgame phone calls for nearly 20 seasons.

The radio broadcaster is the familiar voice that transcends generations of fandom. They are woven into the fabric of the team. Loved and respected by many; a constant during the summer. The players and coaches might change, but the voices of the Jays and other teams are the consistent presence.

We have been blessed with the incredible talent that has dictated the history of the Jays in real-time. But now, that role could be voiceless. An unfortunate fate for future generations of fans.

And if the radio side is being sliced, what’s to suggest the television crew is safe? Pat Tabler was already axed and it could only be a matter of time before Buck Martinez is forced into retirement. There could even be discussions about when to replace Dan Shulman, Hazel Mae, Jamie Campbell and Joe Siddall.

Meanwhile, a question mark hangs in front of the radio booth. Assuming there’s no simulcast, who will be the new voice(s) of the Jays?

There are plenty of candidates to consider. When and if Rogers unveils the new radio team, another question will emerge:

How long will these new voices last until Rogers finds suitable and inexpensive replacements for them?

10 years? Five years? Maybe three or less? Perhaps we should all place bets using one of the gazillion sports gambling sites that have been inundating us with flashy advertisements and celebrity endorsements.

Forgive me for being facetious, but this feels like reality. I do hope I’m wrong and someone at the executive or financial level at Rogers understands the importance of live baseball on the radio.

As for Ben Wagner, I hope he finds a new play-by-play gig and enjoys much success, making the person who signed off on his termination remorseful.

ER

PS: Happy Holidays!!!

I want to live in a world where Jose Bautista is enshrined in Cooperstown, gosh darn it

The Hall of Fame ballot was recently released and all corresponding debates commenced.

I always look forward to filling out my ballot, even though it won’t be counted.

You have to be a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for it to count. I’ll never be a member and that’s fine.

It’s more fun to pretend anyway 😉

As always, my personal directives remain unchanged: I vote based on thoughts, feelings, emotions, bias and a little Baseball-Reference.com. Rules be damned!

Getting an ✖️ this year –

Jose Bautista, Mark Buehrle, Bartolo Colon, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Mauer, Manny Ramirez, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Francisco Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte, Matt Holliday, Chase Utley

Damn right I’m voting for Joey Bats! We should ALL vote for Joey Bats! In my extremely biased opinion, he should be elected unanimously!

Prove me wrong.

Actually, don’t. I know what you’re going to say.

You’re a goof, Eric. Bautista was a great player, but he’s on the cusp at best.

He was a late bloomer. There weren’t enough individual achievements and no World Series titles to affect his case. St. Mary’s for sure, but don’t hold your breath for Cooperstown.

Your point is valid. Nevertheless…

Joey Bats pulled the Blue Jays out of the ashes. He gave us hope and captained an exciting era that we had been desperately craving since 1993.

2015-16 doesn’t happen without Joey Bats. He is the rebirth, the revolution, the conductor. Everything that has occurred since 2010 – it all starts with Joey Bats.

Returning to reality, only a select few have had the privilege of playing in the majors. Of that select few, only a fraction enter the Hall of Fame. Just to have your name on the ballot is an achievement in itself.

It would be great if Joey Bats gets elected; but if it doesn’t happen, he was already playing with house money.

It’s all up to you, legit and mature BBWAA members. No pressure.

ER

PS: I went on Jay Bird Watching this past Monday (Nov. 27) to chat about all those silly trade rumours.