The Blue Jays have signed reliever Yimi Garcia

A late Friday transaction! That’s what you love to see!

According to Jon Morosi, who cites former All-Star Carlos Baerga’s Instagram, the Blue Jays have signed relief pitcher Yimi Garcia. Baerga has been right about stuff in the past and I can’t possibly imagine anybody making up a fake transaction in regards to Yimi Garcia, so this seems legit.

Yimi García has agreed to a contract with #BlueJays, source confirms. Credit to Carlos Baerga, the 3-time All-Star infielder, for breaking the news on Instagram. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2021

So, who’s Yimi Garcia?
He broke into the big leagues with the Dodgers in 2014, pitched a lot in 2015, got hurt in 2016, missed all of 2017, and came back as a pretty effective arm in 2019. The Dodgers cut Garcia loose after that and he signed with the Marlins, where he would toss 15 scoreless innings in the shortened 2020 season.
Garcia was again good for the Marlins in 2021, as he put up a 3.47 ERA over 39 outings, though he outperformed his peripherals, 8.7 strikeouts per nine and 3.3 walks per nine. He was flipped to the Houston Astros ahead of the trade deadline and had the opposite situation, an ugly 5.48 ERA with good …

Read More

Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Pacers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 26

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Pacers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 26

The Toronto Raptors took their lumps on what became a rough West Coast road trip, but they did manage to get things pointed in the right direction when they took down the Grizzlies in Memphis. Even with that, the latest Raptors odds ate predicting another defeat for Nick Nurse. Toronto will take on Rick Carlisle […]
Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Pacers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 26 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Why the Leafs should be patient with calling up Josh Ho-Sang

“I’m happy where I am right now.”
That’s what Josh Ho-Sang said last week when asked about getting to the Leafs. He’s not worried about being a Maple Leafs player or playing in the NHL — the 25-year-old wants to be happy — that’s it.
A lot of fans recently have seen how well Ho-Sang has been doing with the Marlies. At the moment, he has seven points (six goals, one assist) in his first eight games. He’s playing incredibly well.
Well enough that when people see a goal he scores or his stats, they say, “Bring him up to the Leafs.” And that’s not entirely the best idea.
As a person, I want Ho-Sang to have all the success in the world. He’s playing incredibly well for Toronto in the AHL, and the 25-year-old is doing everything that’s asked of him.
The best option right now, though, is patience.
Ho-Sang has played eight games with the Marlies, which is not a sizeable amount of evidence. Arguing his case on why he should be in the NHL doesn’t make sense at this point. He’s shown how good he can be, but he …

Read More

Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

TLN Three Stars: Matthews and Tavares each pot two as the Maple Leafs drop the Bruins 5-2

In what has become somewhat of a recurring theme this past week, the Maple Leafs rode contributions from their most important players to a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. While it may look lopsided, this one was a much tighter affair than the score would indicate. The Maple Leafs came out strong early, though it was ultimately the Bruins that would break the ice on a Taylor Hall Powerplay marker.

Taylor Hall makes it 1-0 Boston pic.twitter.com/MWPa1nnrS8
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 6, 2021

The Buds didn’t appear phased, however, which was nice to see given their long history of mental struggles against the Bruins, as John Tavares was credited with what was undeniably one of the strangest goals I have ever seen. 

MITCH MARNER
Passing play pays off pic.twitter.com/B9WN4wuPBm
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 6, 2021

Despite the net coming off its moorings, the review determined it was a good goal as the Buds would eventually head to the first intermission knotted up at 1-1.
The second period remained relatively quiet until late in the period when Matt Grzelcyk took a high sticking call, which quickly opened the floodgates. Auston Matthews quickly cashed in to break …

Read More

Author: Jori Negin-Shecter / The Leafs Nation

Maple Leafs enter toughest stretch of the season needing to prove they can beat contenders

Despite what the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rather poor record to start the season may suggest, the team has yet to face much objectively tough competition. Other than the Carolina Hurricanes, every team the Maple Leafs have played thus far either finds themselves sitting at the bottom of the standings, or has begun the year as a pleasant surprise overachieving against preseason expectations. That all changes this week starting tonight with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights followed up by games against Tampa Bay and Boston later in the week. These three teams have been some of the NHL’s best over the past few seasons, and despite some slow starts of their own for Tampa and Vegas, both are currently sitting on three game winning streaks to surge back into the conversation of the NHL’s elite.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to be respected as members of the NHL’s elite, and be seen as true Stanley Cup Contenders they’ll need to snatch at least two wins from the three games against these formidable opponents. Vegas is due up first in tonight’s game, and with two matchups against divisional rivals on the horizon, it’s …

Read More

Author: Filipe Dimas / The Leafs Nation

The TLN Three Stars: Shesterkin spoils Matthews’ return, Leafs fall to Rangers in OT

For the first time since what feels like the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Leafs faced a non-Canadian team tonight, welcoming the New York Rangers to Scotiabank Arena. It was a refreshing break from the monotony of the last 66 games: while last season’s North Division had some initial charm and ignited some hostilities between Canadian franchises, it quickly became overkill playing the same six teams over and over again for months. Let’s honestly never do it again. Variety is the spice of life.
Speaking of the overdue arrival of Americans, the Leafs also welcomed Auston Matthews back to their lineup for the first time this season after wrist surgery, and boy he came to play.
Recap
Before we get into a recap, a quick disclaimer: I watched the first period on any extremely pixelated treadmill television while chugging through a 5k run, so my recollections of the first 20 minutes are hazy.
Toronto got an early opportunity to break the ice when William Nylander was high-sticked by Barclay Goodrow during the second shift of the game. Our first glimpse of the new-look powerplay featuring Matthews was encouraging as the unit zipped the puck around, opening Matthews up for …

Read More

Author: Mark Norman / The Leafs Nation

This year the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing an 82 game long preseason

Take a moment to think about what a successful season for the Toronto Maple Leafs looks like this year. If the team dominates the regular season, winning the Presidents Trophy and setting all sorts of records but then once again fall in the first round of the playoffs, would anyone consider that a successful year? Even if the team went 82-0 during the season but once again got eliminated in game seven of the first round, would that be considered an achievement or would it only add to the team’s legacy of choking when it matters most?
Similarly, imagine if those same Toronto Maple Leafs struggled throughout the season, finished fourth in their division and barely made the playoffs only to finally slay the dragon and not just advance past the first round but perhaps go on the deepest playoff run this team has seen since The Scorpion King was in theatres. There’s little doubt that it would be seen as by far the most successful Leafs season in the salary cap era, and everyone would soon forget about the struggles of the regular season.
It’s become painfully clear that what happens this regular season doesn’t …

Read More

Author: Filipe Dimas / The Leafs Nation

Rumour Nest: Marcus Stroman said he would be open to a Blue Jays reunion

Rumours, yes rumours, not rumors. I am Canadian. What is a rumour though? Rumour was an album released in 1977, over two decades before I was born. It is by far the best album Fleetwood Mac released, in fact, it is one of the best albums, period.  Rumours could also be the source of drama when you were in high school. 

However, this is a Blue Jays blog site and neither of those rumours have anything to do with the beloved Blue Birds. This begs the question, why the heck am I writing about rumours.
Well, dear reader, since the Blue Jays season is done, I’ll be doing a new series about rumours surrounding potential trades/signings related to the Blue Jays.
Firstly, we’ll cover a rumour about a former Blue Jays, Marcus Stroman.

I’m definitely open to a reunion.
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) October 3, 2021

I think before we start, regardless of how you feel about Stroman as a player, it’s important to call out racism as you see it. He has received quite a lot of it throughout his career which is 100% unacceptable.
With all that being said, we’ll start with Marcus Stroman as the rumour …

Read More

Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

The Marlies get their goalie as Hutchinson clears and the Leafs put four more players on waivers

What a difference a year makes. Last year little thought was given to putting Michael Hutchinson on waivers, and instead some of us were worried what might become of Aaron Dell. Now, knowing the importance of a third string goaltender a bit more, especially in the pandemic era, there was a bit of nervousness about whether or not Hutch would be claimed, and today we are thankful to say he was not.

Michael Hutchinson (TOR) clears waivers.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 6, 2021

The Leafs do not need to immediately assign him to the Marlies, so we’ll see if he hangs around the Leafs camp for a few more days, but ultimately he’ll be a Marlie and the Leafs emergency callup option.
Hutchinson was not the only bit of waivers news for the Leafs today as four more players were placed on waivers today…

Kole Lind (SEA), Max McCormick (SEA), Joey Anderson (TOR), Carl Dahlstrom (TOR), Brennan Menell (TOR), Brett Seney (TOR) and Jonah Gadjovich (VAN).
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 6, 2021

Brennan Menell, Brett Seney, Joey Anderson, and Carl Dahlstrom have all been sent down, and while all will likely clear there might possibly be some interest in Brennan Menell or …

Read More

Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Raptors Preseason: Seeing Game 1 Live at Scotiabank Arena

Raptors Preseason: Seeing Game 1 Live at Scotiabank Arena

After what felt like decades, the Toronto Raptors made their triumphant return to Canada, as a win over the Philadelphia 76ers helped the franchise set the tone for what looks like a very promising season. After almost two years away, Raptors fans getting back in the arena was a sight to behold. The first thing […]
Raptors Preseason: Seeing Game 1 Live at Scotiabank Arena – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Avishai Sol / Raptors HQ