Latest news with #BlueJays
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s kind words about Aaron Judge are harmless at worst
After a 29-13 stretch entering the All-Star break, the once-floundering Toronto Blue Jays overtook the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. While he doesn't have a realistic chance at winning AL MVP right now, five-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has unquestionably played like Toronto's MVP during this time. That likely won't stop Yankees fans from reading way too much into Guerrero Jr.'s choice (but ultimately harmless) comments about New York star Aaron Judge near the end of All-Star week. While speaking to MLB media through a translator on Tuesday, Guerrero said that his favorite part of this year's All-Star festivities was getting the chance to "talk more" with Judge. While I know that anyone associated with the Yankees probably widened their eyes just hearing this, these are definitely not the comments they seem. Don't jump the gun, folks: For one, Guerrero, noting that he enjoyed interacting with Judge the most, takes on an entirely different tenor if he doesn't have a long-term contract lined up. But he does. The Blue Jays gave him a contract extension worth half a billion over 14 years in early April. As it stands, he's historically wealthy and won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2040 (which doesn't feel like a real year, but I digress). For the other, the Blue Jays are good! They're tied for first in MLB in batting average (.258) and have the fifth-most team hits in baseball (838). Their starting pitching does leave a lot to be desired (they're just 22nd in team ERA), but that's always something they can address at the trade deadline. It's not that hard to imagine this Toronto team contending for a World Series. And if Guerrero is handsomely paid as the best player on a good team, why would he really entertain leaving? Because he complimented another star in the league who happens to play on a division rival? Make it make sense. Of course, if Guerrero were a pending free agent, the idea of him jumping ship to the Bronx Bombers wouldn't feel all that implausible. That's not to say the Yankees would never swing a blockbuster trade. But there's a HUGE difference between thinking that Toronto would willingly trade a generational star to a team it plays 19 times a year (it most certainly wouldn't) versus luring Guerrero in on the open market. Plus, again, the Blue Jays are good. Guerrero has no reason to look for greener pastures. Never mind that, for now, the Yankees don't even present a greater opportunity. My advice to Yankees fans is to hold your horses. You're the Yankees. You can probably always get another star from somewhere else because you usually do. Until further notice, Guerrero doesn't feel like a realistic option. He was just being nice about Judge here. That's all.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
2025 MLB predictions: Why the Red Sox could push for AL East crown
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Yankee fans beware, the Red Sox are coming. After all looked lost in Beantown just two weeks ago, the Bombers' biggest rival is right in the thick of the American League East race with the arrow pointing way up. The Red Sox went into the MLB All-Star break on a 10-game winning streak and it appears the team might be coming together, giving the Yankees, who also have to deal with the division-leading Blue Jays, some serious competition for the top spot. Young outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Roman Anthony have flashed star potential of late. After years of dealing with injuries, Trevor Story is showing signs of the player he was during his days with the Colorado Rockies. Garrett Crochet is giving Tigers ace Tarik Skubal a run for the AL Cy Young award. Catcher Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox congratulates Aroldis Chapman #44 after their 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty Images They've looked so good of late, both ESPN's Jeff Passan and The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal touted Boston as a possible World Series contender. Despite being just three games behind Toronto, and one game back of the Yankees, the Red Sox are a significant +600 long shot to win the division at most major sportsbooks. With the Blue Jays playing a bit over their head, sporting a run differential of just +17, the AL East is a toss up, at this point. Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting The Yankees are still a -130 favorite despite recent struggles, followed by the Blue Jays at +185. With a much better payout available on a team right in the mix, I'm putting my money behind the Red Sox. The play: Red Sox to win the AL East (+600, FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays second-half storylines to watch: What will surge mean for deadline?
The Toronto Blue Jays are right where they want to be — first place, clear buyers and coming out of the All-Star break in the thick of a postseason race. It's exactly where the 2024 team wasn't. A 10-game winning streak helped the Jays overcome a down year and defy preseason expectations. But the post-break stretch will define the team's true ceiling. With questions surrounding Toronto's trade deadline plans, core sluggers and ailing pitching staff, here are three Blue Jays second-half storylines to watch. Advertisement The last time the Blue Jays made the playoffs, two of the club's starting pitchers earned Cy Young votes. Toronto's rotation had the third-best ERA in 2023 and provided the fifth-most innings from any starting staff. The 2025 Jays couldn't be more different. Eric Lauer is the only regular Blue Jays starter with an ERA or FIP under 3.75 at the All-Star break. The team's starters logged the seventh-fewest innings in the first half, and now Toronto's bullpen is leaking, too. Yimí García, Nick Sandlin and Ryan Burr all hit the injured list in the last two weeks. Toronto's back of the bullpen still contains solid leverage options, and the veteran rotation gives the offence a chance to win. But, overall, Toronto's team ERA (4.16) ranks 22nd. The 2023 Texas Rangers are the only franchise in the last 15 years to win the World Series with a below-average team ERA. There is hope for Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer. The trio's expected ERAs all sit at least one-quarter run below their actual, signalling potential post-break improvement. Rehabbing hurlers like Alek Manoah and Ricky Tiedemann could become late-season options for Toronto, while Sandlin and García are expected to return to the bullpen in the second half. But more injuries or significant second-half slides could push Toronto's pitching from a manageable concern to a costly catastrophe. There is no doubt general manager Ross Atkins will add to this Blue Jays roster at the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Jays sit atop the American League East, closer to a first-round bye than a Wild Card spot. It's buying time. But there are multiple paths to upgrading Toronto's roster. With injury concerns around Scherzer's thumb, churn in the bullpen and the uncertain status of Anthony Santander's hip, Andrés Giménez's ankle and Daulton Varsho's hamstring, Atkins could bring in floor-raising depth. The Jays could easily patch holes with guys like starter Tomoyuki Sugano, reliever Dennis Santana and infielder Amed Rosario and call it a deadline. Advertisement But there's a chance to raise the ceiling of this team, turning a surprise division leader into a real October threat. Those moves will cost more, draining a Blue Jays farm in the middle of a strong season, but there's room on this roster for a rotation leader, fire-breathing reliever and serious power threat. Likely, Atkins' deadline moves include a combination of depth and studs. But the magnitude of Toronto's additions will remain the juiciest storyline surrounding this team in the next two weeks. Expectations have grown at Rogers Centre, but the July 31 buys will dictate how high they get. Bichette owns the fourth-most hits in MLB at the break. Guerrero is Toronto's most valuable player by Baseball Reference WAR and rocks a career-high 13.5 percent walk rate. Neither is in the midst of a bad offensive season. But the Blue Jays' pair of sluggers earned MVP votes in three of the last four campaigns. For a long time, they've been the offence's driving force. While the 2025 Jays are enjoying their best hitting season in four years, Bichette and Guerrero are underperforming their career OPS averages by 9 percent. Both are on pace for 20 homers, which would mark career lows. Toronto's slugging success comes on the back of unexpected contributions — Addison Barger's breakout, George Springer's resurgence and guys like Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement. Neither Bichette, a pending free agent, nor Guerrero, after inking a $500 million extension, have rattled off the scorching hot streak they're known for. In July and August last year, Guerrero hit over .360 with 14 homers and an OPS over 1.100. September is often Bichette's top month, as he owns a lifetime .323 average and .890 OPS in the final 30 days. If Toronto's lineup depth falters, pressure on Bichette and Guerrero will rise in the second half. If the batting order maintains, hot streaks from the core pair could turn a division race into a late-season blowout. Either way, Bichette and Guerrero will be at the centre of the Jays' second-half hopes.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brent Rooker's three-run home run
Brent Rooker delivers decisive hit in Athletics' one-run win over Blue Jays On "A's Cast," Carlos Ramirez and Steve Sax discuss the Brent Rooker's clutch at-bat in the fifth inning that powered the Athletics' win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday at Sutter Health Rooker delivers decisive hit in Athletics' one-run win over Blue Jays originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area 1:15 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says Fenway Park ‘would be a great venue' for an All-Star Game, but when?
The Blue Jays (1991) and Orioles (1993) also are overdue to host the game again. 'Time is one issue. Level of interest of the club is another issue,' Manfred said. 'The Red Sox have certainly expressed interest.' Advertisement The Athletics haven't hosted since 1987, but they won't have a suitable facility until their new stadium is built in Las Vegas. The Rays have never hosted and won't be candidates unless they build a new stadium to replace Tropicana Field. The team is in the process of being sold, which could expedite that long-delayed process. The Rays are playing at 10,046-seat Steinbrenner Field in Tampa this season after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof of Tropicana Field. Manfred said he is confident the roof will be repaired in time for the 2026 season. The Rays, who are 1½ games out of a wild-card spot, would play any home playoff games at Steinbrenner Field this season. Peter Abraham can be reached at
