16 things on new Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s summer checklist

There really isn’t going to be much of a honeymoon phase with the Leafs and Brad Treliving. There will be an introductory press conference and then likely an expectation that we start seeing some decisions coming out of his office by next week at the latest.
At this point the state of the Auston Matthews and to a somewhat lesser extent William Nylander contracts need to be resolved, and that is certainly on the list and is a process that will need to start early. So we’ll double back to that, but while the Matthews contract is the most significant thing to consider this summer it doesn’t necessarily come up first on the timeline of things that need to be taken of and doesn’t have a hard deadline in June. Here’s the full list of things on the go (and this list is somewhat dependent on what Brad Treliving will be able to do as far as the draft for the Leafs.)
1. Kalle Loponen and Josh Pillar (due today)
Okay, so this is far from the priority for the Leafs or for Brad Treliving, but June 1st is expiration date for Loponen and Pillar’s time on the Leafs reserve list and they are free to go wherever now.
Pi …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

3 Toronto Raptors players who hurt their trade value in 2023

3 Toronto Raptors players who hurt their trade value in 2023

The Toronto Raptors’ roster is going to look much different at the end of the offseason, as Masai Ujiri is likely well aware of how poorly the team performed down the stretch. The bench needs multiple players that can come in and make an impact, and more shooting is needed everywhere. The Raptors are right […]
3 Toronto Raptors players who hurt their trade value in 2023 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Jose Berrios tosses five innings in return from WBC, Daulton Varsho hits his first homer of spring, and more as the Blue Jays beat the O’s 2-1

I’m not going to lie, it’s incredibly difficult to go from last night’s World Baseball Classic finale back to following along with Grapefruit League games. Just one more week to go!

The Blue Jays sent what might be their Opening Day lineup to the field in Dunedin on Wednesday and beat the Orioles by a score of 2-1. Let’s go through the noteworthy things from the game…
Things worth mentioning…

Jose Berrios returned to the mound for his first start since the disastrous inning he tossed for Peurto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Berrios getting lit up by Venezuela generated some panic among those who follow the Blue Jays but Pete Walker wasn’t overly concerned about it, saying on Blair and Barker “I didn’t get to watch it live, so at first I was a bit concerned, but after I replayed the entire game I wasn’t concerned. The pitch selection and sequencing was nothing like what we’ve been working on all winter.”
Berrios went five innings against the Orioles and allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out five. It’s also worth pointing out that this was much like how a lot of his “good” starts went last season, as Berrios would look dominant at times but also had a lot of loud contact resulting in outs because of the play of the defence behind him.

José Berríos got up to 77 pi …

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Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Manny Machado re-signs with the San Diego Padres, and what this could mean for Matt Chapman and the Toronto Blue Jays

Matt Chapman is going to make a lot of money after the 2023 season.

According to Jeff Passan, the San Diego Padres are signing third baseman Manny Machado to an 11-year, $350 million deal. Notably, this will remove the player option he had for the 2023-2024 off-season.

BREAKING: Star third baseman Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres are finalizing an 11-year, $350 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Machado helped turn around the franchise. He’ll stay as the ascendant Padres seek their first championship.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2023

Why does this affect the Jays? Well, Matt Chapman is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, and an already weak position player class has only gotten weaker, especially at third base.
According to this MLB Trade Rumours article, Chapman and Machado were the only two significant third basemen set to be available. Justin Turner (player option), Joey Wendle, Gio Urshela, and Brian Anderson are… fine, but they aren’t stars.
If a team wishes to upgrade the hot corner through free agency, their best bet is Chapman, which kind of puts the Jays in a tough spot.
It’s been said that Chapman loves Toronto and wishes to remain a Blue Jay, but as one of the best free agents available, could the Jays muster up the payroll to re-sign him? Likely not.
So jumping ahead an entire season to the next off-season, what would the Jays do? For starters, Chapman will surely get a qualifying offer as he’s a fantastic player. This means the Jays would be entitled to a compensation pick in the 2024 draft if he signs elsewhere. Of course, the Jays could always find a way to extend him before free agency, but with Scott Boras as …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

Raptors mock draft: Which players should Toronto target?

Raptors mock draft: Which players should Toronto target?

As it becomes clear that the Toronto Raptors are not going to win anything of significance this season, Raptors mock draft season is starting to come sooner than most expected. The Raptors have all but one of their future draft picks, and they could add more if one of their stars ends up getting dealt […]
Raptors mock draft: Which players should Toronto target? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

How the Leafs can make the most of a buyers market

How the Leafs can make the most of a buyers market

I’m going to hit you with the analogy that no one asked for and it’s the tale of two Christmas lists. My eight year old’s Christmas list consisted of specific Lego sets either new or discontinued, obscure items that needed to be ordered from small online vendors that would take two months to ship, and the hottest video games of the moment. My three year old’s Christmas list consisted of three words, “dinosaurs and cars.” Thanks to some great advice from my boss who informed me that most stores start their Boxing Day Sale pricing on Christmas Eve, I felt comfortable taking my chances that most retailers would still have Dinosaurs and/or Cars available.
The purpose of that painfully dull anecdote is to contrast the behaviours of a seller’s market (my eight year old’s Christmas), and a buyer’s market (my three year old’s Christmas). Trends that can certainly emulate NHL teams at the trade deadline. And according to Elliotte Friedman on the Leafs Morning Take the NHL is very much leaning towards a buyers market, and that can have a huge benefit for the Leafs.

“Sellers are worried that they might be the person who goes home alone at the bar at 2 AM.”
– @FriedgeHNIC on potential buyers market. #NHL
Leafs Morning Take – Jan. 26
Full …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

2 bench stars emerge in tough Toronto Raptors loss vs. Pacers

2 bench stars emerge in tough Toronto Raptors loss vs. Pacers

The Toronto Raptors were not going to send their best lineup out on the floor against the Indiana Pacers. Names like Otto Porter Jr. and Thad Young had to move into the starting lineup due to Pascal Siakam’s groin injury, Precious Achiuwa’s ankle ailment, and Fred VanVleet coming down with a sickness. After struggling to […]
2 bench stars emerge in tough Toronto Raptors loss vs. Pacers – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Scottie Barnes demolishes Nikola Vucevic with Space Jam-esque slam

Scottie Barnes demolishes Nikola Vucevic with Space Jam-esque slam

Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors are going to need a unified, collaborative effort from all of their big names if they are going to replace the standout play of Pascal Siakam in the next few weeks. Barnes stepping up and playing like a No. 4 overall pick would certainly be a big help. While […]
Scottie Barnes demolishes Nikola Vucevic with Space Jam-esque slam – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

3 Toronto Raptors who could lose their roster spot midseason

3 Toronto Raptors who could lose their roster spot midseason

The Toronto Raptors are going to use the 2022-23 preseason to gauge just how strong the bench will be. Considering that they have their starting lineup completely figured out, the first few exhibitions in October will be used to ensure that this team is as well-rounded as possible. While the core of this team is […]
3 Toronto Raptors who could lose their roster spot midseason – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: SF Otto Porter Jr.

Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: SF Otto Porter Jr.

Historically, the Toronto Raptors are not a team that is going to spend a ton of money in free agency. In spite of their past desire to lay low in the offseason, the Raptors went and splashed the cash and nabbed Otto Porter Jr. away from the reigning champion Golden State Warriors. Porter was a […]
Toronto Raptors 2022-23 season preview: SF Otto Porter Jr. – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ