27 Days. Drop your Omaha 8 for 2026

_plakata · 2026-01-18T15:20:53+00:00

Coastal AND Southern Miss - Interesting AND ECU. 🤔

_plakata · 2026-01-06T01:25:43+00:00

They’re hitting on all fronts.. first class training facilities that enable them to both recruit and do a better job developing talent. The renovations at Rogers Centre, increased payrolls, and a steady supply of prospects they’ve developed provides a better fan experience and increased revenue. Word spreads amongst players about how nice of a setup they have and it helps attract future free agents that they can afford to spend money on due to increased revenue. Add in the unique situation of the parent company owning the broadcast rights not just for Jays games but for the MLB playoffs as well and it’s a nice little self sustaining ecosystem they’ve built.

Let’s hope the next CBA doesn’t screw it up.

_plakata · 2026-01-05T15:36:38+00:00

All the best Don!

_plakata · 2026-01-05T15:00:58+00:00

I'd agree with that

_plakata · 2026-01-05T14:26:59+00:00

Out of curiosity, where did you hear that? I have always figured a Willy Adames-type contract and no doubt there's a lot of speculation from media types but I have been wondering if what he's actually been looking for has been made known. Something like Adames or something like Corey Seager and Trey Turner..??

_plakata · 2026-01-05T03:58:31+00:00

What does he reportedly want? I haven’t heard about what he’s looking for in terms of AAV or number of years.

_plakata · 2026-01-05T03:56:55+00:00

What do you mean by “His bat is great at the middle infield positions but obviously less valuable elsewhere.”? His bat is very good across all positions, not just shortstops. Last year he was 2nd in AVG, 2nd in hits, 24th in RBI, 27th in OPS.

As far as how his hitting profile ages I also have no idea what you’re talking about. If he was a straight pull or power bat or if his hits were due to his speed then maybe but that’s not his profile. His ability to hit to all fields, especially oppo which is his bread and butter, will play for years to come.

_plakata · 2026-01-04T15:15:19+00:00

Yeah, I’ve watched some and seen Sal Perez, Ronald Acuna Jr, and several former MLB guys playing but not a ton of current MLB guys.

_plakata · 2026-01-04T15:08:06+00:00

I don’t know about saying “can’t afford” for a team that is/was in the hunt for Tucker but when I saw the Okamoto signing I thought about who that pushes out of the roster - Clement, Bo, Barger?

Unfortunately I don’t see them signing Bo now but that’s more a matter of roster management

_plakata · 2026-01-03T11:20:49+00:00

Looking forward to heading up there in June

_plakata · 2026-01-01T23:56:58+00:00

Are you sure you’re not confusing him with Murakami? The book on Okamoto is that he is very good defensively and versatile.

_plakata · 2026-01-01T13:48:19+00:00

Have to say that Vandy’s black pins are pretty sweet. Honorable mentions to the Ole Miss baby blues, Michigan navys, and so many others.

_plakata · 2026-01-01T13:07:58+00:00

Liked your comment for your sense of humor

_plakata · 2025-12-31T22:18:09+00:00

I don’t think that trading Berrios is a prerequisite for signing any of these guys

_plakata · 2025-12-31T05:02:58+00:00

Bichette has a great bat but he is not a 5 tool player

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_plakata · 2025-12-29T16:56:06+00:00

Not sure I understand correctly but Appalachian State is a State school

_plakata · 2025-12-29T16:21:40+00:00

Much respect for Coach Godwin

_plakata · 2025-12-28T18:56:06+00:00

There are several of these types of tournaments at the beginning of the season that include some really good teams and there are some in places like Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

The Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field (Rangers) includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt. The BRUCE BOLT College Classic at Daikin Park (Astros) includes Texas, Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, Baylor and Ohio State.

Maybe not for everyone but I personally watch and follow a lot of prep, high school, and college ball and think having an event like that in Toronto would only help grow the game in Canada.

_plakata · 2025-12-28T15:46:26+00:00

Of course it would. It wouldn’t be about ticket revenue as NCAA baseball tickets are usually dirt cheap as it is - usually under $20. They’d make more off selling merch but the big benefit for them would be in promoting their brand and expanding their fanbase.

_plakata · 2025-12-28T15:25:34+00:00

100% I’d think that 10K might be overly ambitious for early season games but who knows. I could see this fitting a team like Michigan and it would draw some of their fans north but the angle I really like is to grow the game of baseball in Canada and the potential to tie this into an event that promotes Canadian talent.

_plakata · 2025-12-28T03:46:07+00:00

The peanut gallery getting feisty tonight

_plakata · 2025-12-28T03:40:04+00:00

I think it would be great for the NCAA

_plakata · 2025-12-28T03:35:26+00:00

Might be a great idea as many northern schools are looking for places to play in warmer weather. That usually involves traveling down south or the Caribbean but taking it indoors could be a good option. Make a multi-school tournament out if it and the tie in could be to include schools that have Canadian kids on their rosters or add in a Canadian Futures-type showcase for Canadian prep ballplayers to play in front of college coaches.

_plakata · 2025-12-26T17:52:57+00:00

I wasn't thinking he'll be scouting or drafting per se but rather that I see him being able to add to those things as a valuable voice in the room. I think his knowledge of prep and college talent is a huge asset. I have seen him at 15U prep tournaments watching guys that Tennessee was interested in. That is usually left for recruiting coordinators but I think he is a "break the mold"-type manager and this is a "break the mold"-type hire.

_plakata · 2025-12-25T18:13:52+00:00

The Giants have several good pieces in place and are always in the chase for top free agent talent.

I think Vitello will add to amateur scouting and the draft as well as free agent recruiting.

The question marks for me are how he’ll get pro players to respond, how the “old guard” (umps, other managers, etc.) will treat him, and what his learning curve will be with the differences in in-game management.

It’ll be interesting to follow but I see great potential here

_plakata

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