NBA Rumors: Immanuel Quickley’s projected contract could make him Fred VanVleet replacement

NBA Rumors: Immanuel Quickley’s projected contract could make him Fred VanVleet replacement

The Toronto Raptors will likely make a very concerted effort to keep Fred VanVleet on the roster, but that doesn’t mean that they have already locked in their star point guard for the next few years. Contingency plans need to be made, and a division rival may have one of the best possible replacements right […]
NBA Rumors: Immanuel Quickley’s projected contract could make him Fred VanVleet replacement – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Mitch White’s build-up to a starter’s workload delayed by an off-season shoulder injury

There are very few interesting internal competitions at Blue Jays’ spring training this year as the team’s roster appears to largely be set.

One of the few battles worth talking about is for the fifth spot in Toronto’s starting rotation, which is between Yusei Kikuchi and Mitch White. But based on this injury update from manager John Schneider on Thursday, Kikuchi has the inside edge to earn that spot out of camp.
White apparently suffered a right shoulder impingement earlier in the off-season and it’s delayed his build-up to a starter’s workload…

Mitch White had a right shoulder impingement earlier this off-season.
He’s past it now, but that delayed his build-up to a starter’s workload. It’s still White vs. Kikuchi for the No. 5 job, but that will be an early factor. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 16, 2023

Both Kikuchi and White are looking to rebound after difficult performances for the Blue Jays last season.
Kikuchi inked a three-year, $36 million deal last off-season and posted a 5.19 ERA with the club. He was ultimately moved out of the starting rotation in August and pitched the rest of the season as a reliever. White was acquired from the L.A. Dodgers ahead of the trade deadline to give the Blue Jays some much-needed starting depth but he put up a 7.74 ERA over 10 appearances.
The expectation is that one of Kikuchi or White will be the fifth starter and the other will be a swingman in the bullpen, as Ross Stripling was for the first coupl …

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Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Timelines and expectations for Matthew Knies as a Maple Leaf

Timelines and expectations for Matthew Knies as a Maple Leaf

Matthew Knies could very well be in his last couple of months of college hockey. The Leafs very much wanted to add him last spring after his breakout freshman season and Olympic appearance, but with the Minnesota Golden Gophers coming up short on the national title there was some unfinished business Knies wanted to attend to and with the Gophers having some additional high profile returning players and even more significant freshman additions in Logan Cooley and Jimmy Snuggerud, the desire to return to the NCAA was strong.
Since that time, Knies has continued to be a top prospect for the Leafs. Some flaws with Knies might have been acknowledged at the Leafs summer prospect camp where he failed to stand out, and in the summer World Juniors, Knies couldn’t buy a goal even if he was useful in creating space for his linemates Logan Cooley and Matthew Coronato. There might have been concerns, but those are largely gone now that Knies is sitting on a new career best 17 goals (in 5 fewer games than last season) which are good enough for the 3rd best in the country. He also finds himself in the top 20 in the country in scoring and 30t …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Raptors rumors: Chris Boucher could be traded to make salaries match

Raptors rumors: Chris Boucher could be traded to make salaries match

The Toronto Raptors are in a very difficult situation, as they need to decide which players from this roster should be around for the long haul and which names should be sent away in order to get some more productive players in town. Chris Boucher has found himself squarely in the crosshairs.  Boucher started the […]
Raptors rumors: Chris Boucher could be traded to make salaries match – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors insider hypes up Spurs trade that brings back shooter

Raptors insider hypes up Spurs trade that brings back shooter

With the Toronto Raptors scheduled to begin a very challenging stretch of games and trade season starting to get kicked into high get when the December 15 restrictions are lifted, Masai Ujiri might need to start getting GMs on the phone in an attempt to improve this roster. With the San Antonio Spurs committed wholly […]
Raptors insider hypes up Spurs trade that brings back shooter – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

The Jays are apparently close to signing Don Mattingly, could be as soon as Wednesday morning

Long-time big league manager Don Mattingly is “very close” to signing with the Toronto Blue Jays

Per Joel Sherman, the 61-year-old legend Mattingly signing with the Jays could be announced as soon as Wednesday morning!

The announcement of Mattingly’s hiring is now expected as early as Wednesday morning. https://t.co/5lMxR4zyPG
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 30, 2022

News continued to pour in, but Mattingly noted on Jon Heyman and Sherman’s podcast that he’s in talks with a mystery team (the Jays per this NYPost article.) 

Don Mattingly was on The Show podcast @nypostsports with @Joelsherman1 & @JonHeyman today.
Mattingly says there is a team he is talking to that is very interesting to him.
Who is the mystery team that may end up hiring the Yankees legend and ex-Marlins manager? pic.twitter.com/BiC1oM3QxX
— Jake Brown (@JakeBrownRadio) November 29, 2022

 
Let’s look at what the veteran manager could offer.
The 61-year-old spent the last seven seasons managing the eternally rebuilding Miami Marlins, amassing a 443-587 record, which isn’t that bad when you factor in the team considers itself a small market.
Miami only had a winning record once in the seven years, coming in the plague season. However, early in his tenure (when they had good players), they sat around .500. Mattingly also spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they went 446-363 in that span. Overall, he has an 889-950 record for a 48.3 win percentage.
However, the Jays re-sign John Schneider earlier in the off-season, so this begs the question, what role would he fill as a bench coach? As far as my research goes, there are no vacancies for the coaching staff, so I’m not too sure. Prior to becoming a manager, Mattingly’s job was that of a hitting coach.
Now, there are also questions about his leadership style, which is why I don’t see a fit. Unlike Charlie Montoyo and even Jon Schneider, Mattingly has never really allowed his players to be expressive. The most recent example of this came early in the 2022 season, when he sat Miami Marlins star Jazz Chisholm the day after hitting a home run.
As you may know, the Bahamian-born Chisholm is a rather expressive player, which is great for the game. However, Mattingly spent his 14-year career with the New York Yankees, even becoming their captain. So that begs the question if his hardass policies would affect the Jays, who enjoy having fun. Perhaps his policies would take a back seat as a bench coach? Perhaps it’s to help mentor John Schneider as he moves into his first full-season? What will happen to the home run jacket?
So many questions, but first he has to be announced. Expect updates to this article once he officially signs!
As always, y …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

Stock up, Stock down as Raptors difficult opening stretch ends

Stock up, Stock down as Raptors difficult opening stretch ends

Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors navigated a very challenging stretch to begin the season with plenty of aplomb and flair. Despite seven matchups against teams expected to be in the playoffs, Toronto came out of it with a 4-3 record amid some injury problems. Things aren’t getting too much easier in the week ahead. […]
Stock up, Stock down as Raptors difficult opening stretch ends – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

BJN Radio – Ep. 120: Three BOLD off-season predictions, thoughts on MLB’s playoff format, and more!

Though the playoff run ended very quicky, there’s plenty to talk about in Blue Jays land.

We took a look back at Toronto’s two-game sweep to Seattle in the wild-card series with a different perspective now that the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers and 101-win Atlanta Braves also got dropped in five-game sets. Does it matter that the higher-seeded teams are losing if it adds more drama and excitement?
After that, we talked about off-season stuff, including whether Shohei Ohtani wants out of Anaheim, which Blue Jays could ink long-term contracts this winter, who the most realistic trade partners would be, and the arbitration projections MLBTR made for 13 players.
We also made three bold predictions for the off-season that we’ll be sticking to no matter what!
You can listen to the episode here…
POINTSBET IS LIVE IN ONTARIO

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Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Norman Powell looking forward to facing old Raptors teammates

Norman Powell looking forward to facing old Raptors teammates

The Toronto Raptors have very few holdovers from the 2019 championship team still on the roster, as Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are among the few who have survived all of Masai Ujiri’s roster purges. Norman Powell was not so lucky, as the Tampa season prompted a trade. Powell was sent to the Portland Trail […]
Norman Powell looking forward to facing old Raptors teammates – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

The Bo Bichette Redemption Tour continues

In sports, it’s very easy to hyperbolize and dramatize statements like “That guy carries the offense!” and “That’s a one-man team!” For the Toronto Blue Jays right now, it is quite literally a one-man show on offense, as Bo Bichette once again carried the offense during a critical game in September for the Toronto Blue Jays. They defeated Tampa Bay 3-2 behind a gutsy two-run home run from Bichette to give the Blue Jays the lead in the bottom of the 8th.

Bichette’s home run was off of Rays closer Jason Adam, who has been shoving for the Rays all year. Bo, last week’s AL Player of the Week, battled amidst a seven-pitch at-bat against Adam, taking tough sliders and fouling off fastballs. On pitch number seven, Bichette pulled a slider over the left field fence for his 24th home run of the season. It was a little mind-boggling why the Rays even pitched to Bichette with an open base and considering how well he has been swinging the bat.

BO KNOWS CLUTCH!
Bo Bichette gives the Blue Jays the lead in the bottom of the 8th! pic.twitter.com/b9w8HzI23p
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 13, 2022

The homer was extremely reminiscent of Bichette’s go-ahead home run late last year against the Yankees, taking a Clay Holmes sinker over the right field fence to lead Toronto to victory. Both home runs were in the bottom of the 8t …

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Author: Evan Stack / Blue Jays Nation