Sports fans! It is with solemn feelings that I welcome you to the final issue of the Fall 2015 Benchwarmer Report. Fear not, though—we’ll be back this January to provide you with more biweekly homer sports content than you can handle. So, without further ado, let’s wrap up the term with news and commentary on our favourite sports teams!
Jays
Following a thrilling and unexpected run into the post-season, interim general manager Tony LaCava and new President Mark Shapiro have been busy. They have signed two former Jays starters in J.A. Happ ($36 million, 3 years) and Jesse Chavez (acquired via trade with the Oakland A’s for reliever Liam Hendriks). In addition, they have resigned last season’s Kinder surprise, Marco Estrada ($26 million, 2 years).
It appears that the management duo has given up hope on resigning ace free agent David Price, though LaCava has said that he “hasn’t ruled anything out.” Nevertheless, it appears that Rogers is bent on winning on the cheap if they can. Still, the signings are good in that none of the studs in baseball’s most potent lineup were moved. But one has to think this is could easily be a step down from last season’s starting rotation…
Raps
Up-and-coming starting centre Jonas Valanciunas broke his left hand several games ago in a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Though this was thought to be a body blow for the Raptors at first glance, offseason acquisition Bismack Biyombo has been sensational ever since. Widely criticized as a one-dimensional defensive specialist, Biyombo not only led the way defensively as usual, but also pitched in an 11 (points)-12 (rebounds) double-double against the conference leading LeBron (Cleveland) Cavaliers.
Speaking of off-season acquisitions, hometown Pickering boy Cory Joseph has been phenomenal coming off the bench. In a backcourt with studs Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, Joseph has been a great fit, picking up 30 to 35 minutes a game. His buzzer-beater three-pointer Friday night against the Washigton Wizards sent the Raptors to a stingy yet thrilling victory in what coach Dwane Casey called “our worst offensive performance of the season.”
The Raptors have won their last four games coming in to Sunday’s tip-off against the struggling Phoenix Suns at the ACC.
Leafs
Mired in the throes of a rebuild? Or maybe not? That is the question Mike Babcock has forced us to ask as his system has actually begun to bear fruit. Yes, the Leafs dropped one to Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (second in the East) this Saturday, but hey, who doesn’t lose one to Ovie every now and then, especially if you’re the Leafs. Nevertheless, the ol’ Maple Buds have won five of their last ten, including 2 overtime or shoot-out losses. Goaltender James Reimer has regained his form and the starting goalie’s job. Playoffs? No way. But they might do just well enough to just miss that last good draft pick…
Canadiens
The league-leading Montreal Canadiens have hit some bumps in the road. Superstar goaltender Carey Price got back between the posts only to re-suffer a “leg injury” that will now require “tests.” Doctors think this could be a knee injury. At the Benchwarmer Report, we think this could be bad news. Nevertheless, backup Mike Condon has been up to challenge (see issue 4) and if the Canadiens can keep up Therrien’s insufferable “system” they should still stay at the top of the pile.
The Habs have won six of their last ten, including two overtime or shootout losses. Interestingly, the two regulation losses came at the hands of the youthful Arizona Coyotes and struggling Colorado Avalanche. That’s all you need to know right there about how strong this team is: They can take days off against weaker teams (relative to them anyway)… Joking aside, if they can keep this up, expect the stranglehold on the Eastern Conference to continue through the rest of the season and even into the playoffs.
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