And We're Off!

We are all set for another super fun and exciting spring training in quiet Dunedin, Flow Ride A!

 

For almost 15 years straight – thanks again, COVID – we have lived and died with any news coming out of camp that pertains to injury or general performance. It would have been really swell if the signing of lefties Amir Garrett and old friend Ryan Yarbrough on minor league deals had happened prior to pitchers and catchers formally reporting--nobody took Yarbrough, and we think it makes a whole lot of sense for him to get a bullpen job.

 

This year, we had eight willing participants step forward and answer the call. Let’s examine the ballots.

 

The following 15 names appear on all of them:

 

Chris Bassit

Jose Berrios

Bo Bichette

Ernie Clement

Bowden Francis

Kevin Gausman

Chad Green

Vlad

Jeff Hoffman

Alexander Kirk

Yariel Rodriguez

Anthony Santander

Max Scherzer

George Springer

Erik Swanson

 

The Swanson news from earlier this week is interesting, as he is a bit behind with the dreaded forearm soreness.

 

From there it does get a little murky, which is something we noted as the ballots started rolling in. In our vast experience of running this thing, that generally means that your Toronto Blue Jays do not have a strong roster and quite a few jobs are still up for grabs.

 

Team Hall of Fame

12-16

 

Addison Barger

Ryan Burr

Yimi Garcia

Tyler Heineman

Leo Jimenez

Brendon Little

Joey Loperfido

Nick Sandlin

Davis Schneider

Myles Straw

Will Wagner

 

We appreciate the support from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame once again. Guess they were too busy being awesome, and missed the news on the trade for the platinum glove winner this offseason.

 

Team Blue Jay Hunter

17-13

 

Barger

Burr

Garcia

Andres Gimenez

Heineman

Little

Loperfido

Nathan Lukes

Sandlin

Straw

Wagner

 

Hat tip to the Godfather of Blue Jays blogs

 

Team Last Row 500’s

14-15

 

Christian Bethancourt

Burr

Gimenez

Jimenez

Little

Loperfido

Lukes

Zach Pop

Sandlin

Schneider

Wagner

 

Why take just one G/Jimenez north with the club when you can take both? No Yimi…..what do you know that we don’t know?

 

Team Jimmy Triggs

15-15

 

Barger

Garcia

Gimenez

Heineman

Little

Lukes

Tommy Nance

Sandlin

Schneider

Straw

Wagner

 

Mr. Defending Champion, Sir

11-19

 

Andrew Chafin

Garcia

Gimenez

Yasmani Grandal

Lukes

Orelvis Martinez

Nance

Alan Roden

Sandlin

Schneider

Straw

 

Yowser! Where do we begin on this one? The Champ is back to defend, and he went off the board. Start with a few free agents still out there in Chafin & Grandal, add a couple of top prospects in Martinez & Rodon, and subtract Wagner from the mix. Easily our favourite ballot of the Roster Challenge this year. Let’s see how it works out for him.

 

Team I Like Nuts

14-15

 

Garcia

Gimenez

Heineman

Little

Loparfido

Lukes

Nance

Pop

Schneider

Straw

Wagner

 

The only ballot not containing Sandlin, AKA the other guy in the trade for the platinum glove winner.

 

Team @1BJW

15-13

 

Barger

Betancourt

Burr

Garcia

Giminez

Little

Loparfido

Sandlin

Schneider

Straw

Wagner

 

Clearly the best ballot and most realistic shot at winning.

 

The Ant Farm

12-16

 

Barger

Burr

Garcia

Gimenez

Heineman

Little

Lukes

Martinez

Sandlin

Straw

Wagner

 

Big shout out to our in-house Tech Guy; none of this is possible without him.

 

We do appreciate all of you who decided to join us again. The number of entries for this challenge is dwindling faster than the number of home-grown infielders we have under contact for the 2026 season, but we’re glad to have you all. Good luck!