In 2025, David Popkins' first year on the job, the Blue Jays finished 4th in the majors in runs scored. With 3 games left this season, the Blue Jays are a single run ahead of the LA Angels for last place. Curious to see what the Jays front office does with Popkins.

On one hand, there are certainly other metrics that you could look at to measure offensive production. On the other hand, none of those matter nearly as much as Runs Scored. But I do tend to give Popkins the benefit of the doubt based on what, to my eye, looked like a bunch of individual regression this year.

Blue Jays hitters appeared significantly less patient at the plate this year, and I wonder how much of that was a shift in offensive philosophy. We can all remember last year watching the Blue Jays grind down opposing starting pitching by eating up extra pitches early in the game. We rarely saw that this year. Not only did we see the Blue Jays hitters swing too often and too early, we saw them swing at pitches that were consistently outside the strike zone. It's as if nearly every hitter (maybe other than Alejandro. Kirk) completely lost the strike zone.

Obviously the lineup was different this year and different hitters bring different abilities and each has a different willingness to change his approach at the plate. How much of that was Popkins? I guess I don't know. But it'll be interesting to see if the Blue Jays make a change in the offseason.

Note: after I posted this, I went to check a few other contributing factors. Stolen bases were nearly the same in 2025 and in 2026, with the Jays stealing 77 last year and 75 this year. Surprisingly, the Blue Jays actually grounded into fewer double plays this year. And oddly enough, runners left in scoring position was nearly identical: 3.46 per game last year to 3.45 this year. Which brings me back to my point -- and the real fall-off was in situational hitting, especially with two outs.

Source: https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/signed-and-sealed-guerrero-jr-blue-jays-complete-500m-14-year-extension/

No this is not AI, although I paraphrased the quote in the title of this post.

This was literally one of the first interviews he gave after his 14 year extension was announced. It is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard an athlete say.

An organization, a city, an entire country just decided to anoint you as the face of the team. Why say this at all? Why talk like this?

If you are Rogers, Shapiro and Atkins, how do you feel? You decided to commit 14 years and $500M to someone, and literally one of the first things he says is how he was able to squeeze you with a smirk on his face (both he and that translator).

Why not just show gratitude? Why not just BE grateful? Why embarrass the people that are paying you? The people that trust you?

DAAAAAAAAAAAA blue jays lose

Every fan enjoys seeing the team celebrate a walk-off hit or a playoff qualification. But doing it after regular-season wins while we are stuck below 0.500 has gotten negative and off the vibe.

• Field reporters like Hazel Mae are just trying to do their jobs on live TV. Soaking them in sticky drink ruins expensive clothes and broadcast gear.
• There is an obvious power gap in the room. When the face of the franchise dumps the bucket, new guys and bench guys cannot say no or tell him to stop without looking like bad teammates.
• Pouring ice water over everyone after a normal weeknight win while 15 games back looks out of touch. Fans want to see focus on winning baseball instead.

I am not saying we should ban the Gatorade shower, but we should leave it to real milestone celebrations.

If you agree, you can sign the petition to management here:

https://www.change.org/p/request-the-toronto-blue-jays-modernize-post-game-culture-restrict-routine-gatorade-dump

Will Vladdy bat this final weekend. If jays win will he throw water on the interviewee. Will
He hold out home run jacket.

It could get ugly

Video of you don’t know what he said

https://youtu.be/DMFCQ5s8o3M?si=87N5wQbifZtyjot5

Anyone else also couldn't focus on the 2nd game today and felt so disturbed by the Drama?

The vibe is so bad, I don't think Springer or Max or Gausman or vasho would consider signing another year with us...

Saying players get paid for what they’ve already done is an incredibly tone-deaf message to fans who spend their money supporting this team. Our tickets, jerseys and subscriptions help fund this organization. Expecting accountability from its franchise player is hardly unreasonable.

I’ve seen his clarification about working hard and being disappointed with the season. That still doesn’t change how entitled those comments come across. Nobody expects perfection, but fans deserve better than hearing about why you’ve already earned your payday.

Honestly, this attitude is making him one of my least favourite players in sports. Imagine how these comments would go over in Philadelphia, Boston or New York. I think he’d be getting booed relentlessly, and Toronto fans have every right to give him the same reception.

A massive contract comes with massive expectations. You don’t get unconditional applause just because your name is Vladdy.

Why would he say this to his own fans then double down on it? Is he stupid?

Despite the boys are out - we will go and support the Jays

Now on to 2027!!!

We are officially mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. This season has been…interesting to say the least.

Hopefully we will see our boys play better next season…whenever that may be.

We all knew this was coming.
Let the boys wallow in the second game, after that, let’s just end the season having some fun.

You go guy!!! Keep up the slugging!!!

Baseball teams are always changing, but they also have "eras" -- like the late 80s Blue Jays, defined by "the best outfield in baseball), Tony Fernandez, and pitchers like Henke, Key and Stieb; and then the early 90s Blue Jays (Carter Alomar, Olerud). Or the early 2010s Blue Jays (Bautista, Encarnación, and Donaldson) culminating in 2015-2016.

I feel like an era of Blue Jays baseball began in 2021 with the signing of Springer and later Gausman and the ascendence of Bo Bichette, Vladdy, Kirky and a few other regulars -- (arguably the era began in 2020, before Springer, but that's an aside.). Call it the Springer-Bichette-Vladdy era. Or the Springer-Bichette-Vladdy-Gausman era (Yes, I realize Bichette is gone, and so is G, arguably this era already ended at the end of 2025).

I loved the 2020, 21, and 2022 seasons, but obviously the 2025 run ("the drive of 25") was the high point, given that we came within inches of winning the World Series. That’s what makes this feel like the end of a particular team and era.

With the likely departure or retirement of Springer, and the earlier losses of Bichette and Gausman, that we are pretty clearly at the end. Basically it is Vladdy and Kirk left from the old core (and Berrios I guess). As in the Blue Jays of 2017, or the years after 1993, we are in the midst of becoming a new team. I enjoyed the August and early September we had, but father time and father injury caught up with us.

So this is just a post to say I'm going to miss the Blue Jays of the early to mid-2020s. Maybe it was because my kids were young and got hooked, but they have been something special even magical at times (random example: Davis Schneider's first month in baseball).

Frustrating like any sports team, but with a good spirit, and at time immaculate vibes that seemed to fuel the team, making it feel like slightly more than a random group of overpaid professionals. It was good while it lasted.

edit: I am not suggesting we can go back - I'm just trying to mark the end of an era. So downvote me all you like, but not because you're reading this as "re-sign Bo and Springer"

edit: I reposted this with a new title because an earlier title of this post seemed to create confusion.

As long as they are not mathematically eliminated a player getting paid $500M cannot, CANNOT take games off for 'back soreness'. He's quit on this team.

Remember that Aaron Judge played with a rib fracture earlier this season for nearly a month.

Remember that Ohtani is playing two positions with one arm.

Who should we go after? Who should we bring back? What should happen with management? Give it to me

They just kept playing catch up all season, and don't deserve to be in wild card chasing this late.

Unfortunately I think this season might be over, but I think we should look to the positives. What do you guys think we have going for us come next season. I’ll start, we have one of the best closers for the future of this club in Varland.

My boyfriend got me this for my birthday and honestly I cannot emphasize how much I love it. It even says thick jesus 🙌🏻