As I await the coming of NFL playoff games and try to find more work that doesn't suck (or at least helps pay bills), I ponder the news bits that have come along recently. I don't think any of the starters are supplanted barring Spring Training mishaps, whether in the lineup or the pitching rotation. However, the recent signing of Chas McCormick and the random lurking of a Dylan Carlson around Cubs camp
Ibáñez was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in November and became a free agent after that. He has spent the last three seasons in Detroit, hitting a combined .251/.304/.392 with 20 home runs, 96 runs, 94 RBI and a 93 wRC+ in 304 games. The right-handed hitter also spent two seasons with the Texas Rangers from 2021-22. Over his career, he's hit .254/.305/.389 with 28 home runs, 140 runs, 128 RBI, 10 stolen bases, a 92 wRC+ and 3.6 WAR across 420 games.
According to the Fangraphs depth chart, the Blue Jays rank lower in shortstop ( 21st), centre field (18th), left field (16th), second base (15th) and third base (12th) this offseason, indicating that the team will have to bring in players who can boost their rankings to the top half by spring training, ideally. The depth chart reaffirms that not having an all-star like Bo Bichette has left a massive dent in Toronto's roster, proving that the Blue Jays can't remain complacent in bidding for well-rounded players.
The casual observer might have thought the Toronto Raptors' defensive pressure against the Atlanta Hawks wasn't working. The Raptors couldn't stop fouling and were in the bonus after six minutes of the first, with more than half of Atlanta's points coming at the free throw line. Jalen Johnson shed Toronto's full-court pressure with ease, driving around defenders, getting to the rim for layups, and drawing oodles of those aforementioned fouls.
