Tuesday bantering

I didn’t get round to doing a post yesterday as my i spent my evening going out on a (long overdue) date with my wife. We went to the movies to watch Widows. If you haven’t seen it yet, i heartily recommend it. Stylish, tense, violent and as much an examination of US politics and race as it is a heist movie. And anything with Viola Davis in is worth my money.

Anyway, after a few quiet days on the Blue Jays news front, today some minor (league) action!

We claimed Drake! No not that Drake, the other Drake. Oliver Drake to be precise. Whoever he is, i imagine we did call him on his cellphone....

Drake briefly pitched for the Blue Jays last season, allowing four hits, three runs and striking out two over 1 2/3 innings through two games in late July.

He has also pitched for the Brewers, Indians, Angels and Twins in 2018 and had a 5.29 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 17 walks.

The only good thing about claiming him on waivers is that it means we can say goodbye to Mark Leiter Jr., who was one of the numerous September call-ups. He pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing 11 runs (10 earned) with four walks and nine strikeouts.

So long Mark, try not to set light to the dumpster as you exit Rogers Centre.

We have finally filled out our coaching staff. In doing so, we have said goodbye to the long serving bullpen coach Dane Johnson and replaced him with Matt Buschmann from the Giants.

And in a whiskey tango foxtrot decision, we appear to be retaining the services of Luis Rivera at 3B. So look forward to some more TOOTBLANNING AND FARTSLAMMING next season.

In other Jays news, here is what to expect from the Jays non tender options. What will become of Yangervis Solarte? I think he should retire and start a salsa class at Rogers Centre.

Although the AFL is finished, there are still some interesting snippets:

Vlad Jnr leads the Top 25 AFL Prospects List (with Nate Pearson also included at number 10.

And here’s the 2018 All-Arizona Fall League Team. Guess who is at 3B?

Atlanta stuck a sizable toe in the trade market today by deciding to bring back Brian McCann on a one-year, $2 million deal.

I think he will be playing catcher. That or he will be the enforcer of the unwritten rules.

Atlanta then decided they should go get another slightly intense player; our former beloved Bringer of Rain, Josh Donaldson. Josh joins them on a one-year, $23 million contract. Nice work if you can get it.

And in getting Donaldson, does it give Atlanta the best infield in baseball?

In other trade related news:

The Royals have claimed former Jay Conner Greene off waivers from the Cardinals. Greene was acquired alongside Dominic Leone in last offseason’s Randal Grichuk trade. In his lone season with the Cards, Greene had serious control issues as he walked 63 batters in 88 innings between AA and AAA.

The Twins have claimed first baseman C.J. Cron off waivers from the Rays. Cron might well be the short term resolution at first base following Joe Mauer’s retirement.

The Pirates have signed a free agent outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall. The very versatile but oft injured Chisenhall is getting a 1 year deal worth $2.75M.

And Seattle are said to be looking for someone to take Robinson Cano off their hands. Cano is still owed $120m over the final five years of his 10-year, $240MM contract..so good luck with that Mariners.

Trevor Bauer (when not injuring himself with a drone or being a massive asshat) can throw a decent baseball. But, wait...WHAT DARK MAGIC IS THIS?!?