Toronto Raptors draft: Could Corey Kispert be the pick at No. 7?

Toronto Raptors draft: Could Corey Kispert be the pick at No. 7?

This Toronto Raptors draft could end up with the squad drafting a potential successor to Kyle Lowry, a new starting center, or some wing help on a team looking to bounce back after a moribund season. However, if the front office wants to draft a safe player that could contribute immediately, look for them to […]
Toronto Raptors draft: Could Corey Kispert be the pick at No. 7? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Meet the Sellers: Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s much the same for the Pittsburgh Pirates this year.

They have a record of 23-44, 15 games back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. As a result, the Pirates are an obvious seller.
The Pirates and Blue Jays are a perfect match in my opinion, not only because of the pieces that could be available but because of Pittsburgh’s general manager, Ben Cherington. Cherington has a Blue Jays connection, as he was recently the vice-president of baseball operations for the team from 2016-2019. He should have more knowledge of the Blue Jays farm system than most general managers in baseball. 
The Pirates have some very intriguing bullpen pieces, starting pitchers, and a utility player the Blue Jays should have interest in. As I explained in the Marlins segment, these three positions are the main positional needs for the Blue Jays. With regards to the bullpen, the Pirates probably have the most valuable relief pitcher available for trade, and the Blue Jays need to pounce on the opportunity.
Here are some players that fill the Blue Jays’ needs…
Richard Rodriguez
As I stated above, the Pirates have arguably the best relief pitcher available this season. That relief pitcher is …

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Author: Eric Lightfoot / Blue Jays Nation

Toronto Marlies report cards: Goalies

One of the fascinating parts to this season for the Toronto Marlies was their goaltending.
The team had eight goaltenders dress for them this season, which is likely a record for Toronto. In the midst of it all, we saw Joseph Woll take a massive step this season. We even got to see Frederik Andersen play a few games. That was weird.
Since there were so many goalies that played, I’ve narrowed down the grading to the net-minders who have an immediate impact to the Leafs organization heading into next season.
That means Andersen, Kai Edmonds, Angus Redmond and Andrew D’Agostini won’t be featured. But I do want to mention the last player on that list.
The rise of Andrew D’Agostini
D’Agostini, a 28-year-old from Scarborough anchored the Marlies down at the start of their season.
Toronto’s goalie depth was thin after they had injuries, as well as losing Aaron Dell on waivers. The Leafs’ would have to call up Joseph Woll which meant that D’Agostini was the AHL starter.
With most of his time spent in the ECHL and SPHL, the 28-year-old was thrown in and asked to float.
He did more …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Toronto Raptors: 1 draft day trend that must be broken in 2021

Toronto Raptors: 1 draft day trend that must be broken in 2021

This Toronto Raptors draft will be one of the most pivotal in recent franchise history, as Masai Ujiri, or whoever succeeds him in Toronto, could have their highest draft pick since they took Jonas Valanciunas fifth overall in 2011. While the Raptors have been able to lean on stars like Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and […]
Toronto Raptors: 1 draft day trend that must be broken in 2021 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Top Toronto Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo taking coaching job in Italy

Top Toronto Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo taking coaching job in Italy

Of all the many weird quirks that this most recent Toronto Raptors season threw at fans, the brief 3-game stretch in which head coach Nick Nurse and almost every player with a pulse were ruled inactive due to the league’s health and safety protocols has to rank up there. Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo had to […]
Top Toronto Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo taking coaching job in Italy – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Rumours: Dougie Hamilton being shopped as a sign and trade, and how interest should the Leafs be?

Rumours: Dougie Hamilton being shopped as a sign and trade, and how interest should the Leafs be?

The other thing this does: allows Hamilton to see if the Hurricanes do make the best offer for him…potentially allowing for a return if he doesn’t like what he sees out there. Very interesting manoeuvre by team and player
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 14, 2021

Following up on @FriedgeHNIC report on the Dougie Hamilton situation with Carolina. Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry was granted permission yesterday to speak to clubs which could encourage a sign and trade and option of an 8th year on term. Neither side is any rush at this point.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 14, 2021

So this might be less of a rumour and more of a factual statement based on what Elliotte Friedman is reporting, and what Darren Dreger is confirming. It might also not involve the Leafs in anyway, but given the lack of other rumours out there and the fact that Toronto fans have speculated on Hamilton joining the Leafs since pretty much the day Toronto’s pick was used by Boston to draft him, we might as well join in and talk about Dougie Hamilton this week.
First off, I want to remind you that your museum joke isn’t particularly clever. So …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Toronto Raptors: Why OG Anunoby was snubbed from All-Defensive team

Toronto Raptors: Why OG Anunoby was snubbed from All-Defensive team

While this outcome may have been expected when even the talents of Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam were unable to salvage this season, the Toronto Raptors were shut out of NBA Awards voting. Even the great OG Anunoby was unable to end up taking home any sort of trophy. While Chris Boucher did get some […]
Toronto Raptors: Why OG Anunoby was snubbed from All-Defensive team – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

So, who’s starting in place of Steven Matz?

Steven Matz tested positive for COVID. This now leaves an open start in the rotation and begs the question, who will start in the third game against the Yankees on Thursday? 

Bullpen day:
I find this highly unlikely. The Jays have 13 games in a row from the 8th of June until the 20th. To me, wasting bullpen arms that have struggled since the end of April is not a wise decision. Their designated long man and my favourite pitcher on the staff, Trent Thornton, is likely not stretched out to go more than a few innings.
This bullpen has also been incredibly shaky, especially during the past three weeks. There have been at least seven games by my count that have been lost due to the bullpen. Why expose them to further work when you have four options available in triple-A?
I think that a bullpen day is admitting defeat which shouldn’t be happening against a fellow AL East rival who is currently chasing you.
TJ Zeuch:
Following Zeuch since he was drafted in 2016 is… difficult. I do actually like Zeuch and I believe that the Blue Jays management does as well. With all that being said, his AAA …

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Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Raptors draft: Toronto to work out Wichita State PG Tyson Etienne

Raptors draft: Toronto to work out Wichita State PG Tyson Etienne

This Toronto Raptors draft got infinitely more interesting at the trade deadline, as Toronto picked up two second-round picks thanks to the Matt Thomas and Terence Davis trades. If they want to add another guard to the mix, they could find their perfect match in Wichita State scorer Tyson Etienne. Etienne hasn’t been given a […]
Raptors draft: Toronto to work out Wichita State PG Tyson Etienne – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors: Spencer Dinwiddie deal makes sense with or without Kyle Lowry

Raptors: Spencer Dinwiddie deal makes sense with or without Kyle Lowry

This Toronto Raptors free agency period needs to involve a thorough investigation of the point guard market, as the potential departure of Kyle Lowry could leave a humungous hole in the middle of this squad. If the front office is in a gambling mood, they could choose to add Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie […]
Raptors: Spencer Dinwiddie deal makes sense with or without Kyle Lowry – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ