Raptors rumors: 3 Cleveland Cavaliers players worth trading for

Raptors rumors: 3 Cleveland Cavaliers players worth trading for

The Toronto Raptors must make it a necessity to look at every possible angle from which this roster can be improved. If that means trading with a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could be a threat to their designs on Eastern Conference domination, then so be it. The Cavs might look to jettison some […]
Raptors rumors: 3 Cleveland Cavaliers players worth trading for – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Leafs need to be flexible with Knies, Holmberg should be an option, and the 11/7: Leaflets

Tonight the Leafs make their fourth attempt at eliminating the Lightning from the playoffs, the second attempt this season. The previous three haven’t gone particularly well, but as the saying goes, the fourth or fifth time is the charm. And if you are looking for some additional optimism, the Leafs haven’t been defeated in three straight games since October so with this current iteration of the Leafs the wheels seem far less likely to come off. I’m sure absolutely none of that is comforting and when it comes to all the numbers, being favourites in the series, and the knowledge that this dynasty of failure can’t go on forever, it doesn’t change that an entire generation hasn’t seen the Leafs live up to their potential. It would be great if that changes tonight and we can raise the bar from “just win a round” to “win it all.”
Deploying Knies differently
It was very cool to see Knies up in the top six for game five. We won’t reflect on how that game went for the Leafs, but certainly no one is hanging anything on Knies and he has established himself as a competitor that Sheldon Keefe wanted out with the best of the Leafs forwards to …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

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

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 rumors: Fred VanVleet named team’s biggest “flight risk”

Raptors rumors: Fred VanVleet named team’s biggest “flight risk”

The Toronto Raptors have some big ecisions to make in free agency this offseason, as three porhected starters in Fred VanVleet, new trade addition Jakob Poeltl, and Gary Trent Jr. could all bolt when the offseason kicks off. VanVleet is being courted by teams like the Orlando Magic, who believe that they are a veteran […]
Raptors rumors: Fred VanVleet named team’s biggest “flight risk” – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors: OG Anunoby injury comes at worst possible time

Raptors: OG Anunoby injury comes at worst possible time

The Toronto Raptors are fighting as hard as they can to make sure that they can stay alive in the Eastern Conference. Despite going into their matchup against the Golden State Warriors relatively healthy, the latest OG Anunoby injury update sandblasted all of their positive vibes away. Anunoby was fouled hard while going up for […]
Raptors: OG Anunoby injury comes at worst possible time – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors’ win vs. Hornets proved Precious Achiuwa is the biggest X-factor

Raptors’ win vs. Hornets proved Precious Achiuwa is the biggest X-factor

The Toronto Raptors are getting prepared to make one last earnest charge at a postseason spot with this roster, as key names like Precious Achiuwa haven’t always been available due to injuries. With one of the easiest remaining schedules in the second half, they had a golden opportunity to start hot against the Charlotte Hornets. […]
Raptors’ win vs. Hornets proved Precious Achiuwa is the biggest X-factor – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

This Raptors trade target may be a better fit than Jakob Poeltl

This Raptors trade target may be a better fit than Jakob Poeltl

The Toronto Raptors will likely make some move of note in the next few months, as the club’s 2-7 record in the last nine games is a painful illustration of how the roster has stagnated. Home wins against the Kings and Nets were choked away in brutal fashion. The Raptors’ two biggest issues are a […]
This Raptors trade target may be a better fit than Jakob Poeltl – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Digging into eight proposed trades involving Blue Jays catchers!

It’s the time of year when we all make hypothetical trade suggestions. It doesn’t help that this off-season has felt incredibly slow. Grab a snack and get curled up, this article is going to be a long one.

A few days ago, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic wrote an article pitching eight trades involving Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk. She spoke with the other team’s beat writers of The Athletic to compile these trades, while former general manager Jim Bowden gave his assessment.
As a somewhat rational Jay fan, I also wanted to take a look at these trades and give my opinion. The fact of the matter is that some of these trades actually make sense, and I want to dig into those ones in particular.
We’ll start by looking at Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk by the numbers and attempt to gauge their value.
Danny Jansen:
The 2022 season was a career year for the 27-year-old catcher, at least with the bat. He slashed .260/.339/.516 in 248 plate appearances and had a 10.1 K% and 17.7 BB% during that time.
Where he really impressed though, was the fact that he hit a career-high 15 homers in such a short span, which was good enough for a 140 wRC+ and 2.6 fWAR.

FREE TIP: To shift Danny Jansen, place your outfielders BEHIND the wall pic.twitter.com/N7y35YnNoG
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 27, 2022

Defensively, he just hasn’t been the same as his 2019, whe …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

5 very bold predictions ahead of Raptors’ 2022-23 season debut

5 very bold predictions ahead of Raptors’ 2022-23 season debut

Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors are finally set to make their 2022-23 season debut against Donovan Mitchell and the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers. Winning 48 games was an exceptionally high total, given the preseason expectations placed on this team last year, but they won’t be viewed as surprise darlings this year. Siakam, 2021 All-Star Fred […]
5 very bold predictions ahead of Raptors’ 2022-23 season debut – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ