And They're Off

This year's edition of the 25 Man Roster Challenge is a shitshow. No other way to put it. Shout out to our IT/Excel wizard who spent a lot of time putting this challenge into a format that allowed us to compare ballots and makes notes.

Let's get to it!

We received 19 ballots and none of them are identical. (How does that keep happening? Seriously.) The following 16 names appeared on all ballots:

Aaron Sanchez
Marcus Stroman
Marco Estrada
J.A. Happ
Roberto Osuna
Ryan Tepera
Danny Barnes
Aaron Loup
Russ Martin
Justin Smoak
Yangervis Solarte
Josh Donaldson
Steve Pearce
Curtis Granderson
Kevin Pillar
Randal Grichuk

As always if just one of these players can't answer the bell on opening day, things get interesting in a hurry.

Fast Facts:

• Six players only appeared on one ballot. These names will be bolded. Consider them the long shots.
• The Carrera Era just might be over. Only five ballots think he heads north with the team.
• As expected Joe Biagini is the X factor. Ten ballots think he's a starter, four went with RP and five have him in Buffalo.

Many thanks to all that joined us and good luck!

Team Mr. Defending Champion, Sir
16-10
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Devon Travis
Jason Vargas
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Taylor Guerrieri
Teoscar Hernandez
Tim Mayza

The Blue Jay Hunter gets right down to business by selecting three players that only appear on two ballots. No doubt a risky play but the title goes through him.

Team Slaycock
13-20
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Jason Vargas
John Axford
Jorge De La Rosa
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Troy Tulowitzki

The 36 soon to be 37 year old LHP De La Rosa transitioned from starter to reliever last year with mixed results. He signed late last year on February 19th so there's still time.

Team Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame
16-16
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Matt Dermody
Tim Mayza
Troy Tulowitzki

Our boy representing St. Marys, Ontario fires in a CanCon heavy ballot with a unique 8 man pen/4 man rotation set up.

Team @gregorMLB
18-15
Aledmys Diaz
Andrew Cashner
Craig Breslow
Devon Travis
Joe Biagini
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Troy Tulowitzki

Another solid submission from the MLB beat reporter for Blue Jays.

The Ant Farm
15-16
Aledmys Diaz
Andrew Cashner
Craig Breslow
Devon Travis
Joe Biagini
Taylor Guerrieri
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Troy Tulowitzki

Very similar ballot to Gregor, which is a very good place to be.

Waiting On Guerrero
13-16
Aledmys Diaz
Andrew Cashner
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Tim Mayza
Troy Tulowitzki

This ballot contained a short comment with it. Pretty much sums up this challenge perfectly.
There is no way in fuck this is the final roster but this year is a tough one.

Team @Kendodd23
17-14
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Andrew Cashner
Ezequiel Carrera
Gift Ngoepe
Joe Biagini
Luke Maile
Matt Dermody
Teoscar Hernandez

This was our first ever twitter ballot (thank you 280 characters) and it did not disappoint. Only ballot without Morales on it, which means we have to type Morales 18 times. Cheers.

Team Jimmy Triggs
16-16
Craig Breslow
Devon Travis
Ezequiel Carrera
Jake Petricka
Joe Biagini
Kendrys Morales
Lance Lynn
Luke Maile
Troy Tulowitzki

This ballot has two long shots on it. Could be a case of overthinking it. Could be glorious.

@PATSandJAYS
17-13
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis
Jamie Garcia
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Troy Tulowitzki

Another ballot banking on the free agent SP market.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

So right here is where we called it a night. Today changed some stuff and we aren't feeling the whole redo the post thing.

Only finished half of the 25 Man Roster Challenge reveal post last night. Probably should have powered through. #Garcia #Cashner #OhMy

— 1 Blue Jays Way (@1BJW) February 15, 2018

.@BlueJays sign LHP Jaime García to 1-year, $8M deal with club option for 2019.

— MLBRosterMoves (@MLBRosterMoves) February 15, 2018

The #Orioles pick up starter Andrew Cashner, signing him to two-year, $16 million contract, per @masnRoch

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 15, 2018

 

And to a lesser extent...

Jake Petricka ahead of schedule and throwing off flat ground but still recovering from off-season elbow operation, so he's in minor-league camp for now #BlueJays

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) February 15, 2018

 

Right. Big day. That pretty much makes @PATSandJAYS the pace horse in this race. He is the only participant that has a shot at a perfect ballot, health permitting.

Back to the roll out. The last 10 are Biagini as an SP heavy. Which isn't the kiss of death by any means as he is still in play in the bullpen. Gibby wins this arm wrestling match with Shatkins every time.

Team mlbdepthcharts

18-15

Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Ezequiel Carrera
Joe Biagini
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Matt Dermody
Troy Tulowitzki

Former roster challenge champion runs a mega site dedicated to tracking team rosters. He's a true ringer folks.

Team Last Row 500's
13-18-1
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Danny Jansen
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini

Kendrys Morales

Matt Dermody
Tim Mayza
Troy Tulowitzki

Love the Danny Jansen pick. Zero chance he makes the squad but we like the thought of him making the squad.

Team Jay Ballz
15-16
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis
Ezequiel Carrera

Joe Biagini

John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Matt Dermody

Troy Tulowitzki

Our boy Jay Ballz lays down the 5 man OF. He is a NL fan after all. Go Phillies! Boo.

The Human Rain Delay
12-18
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Craig Breslow
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini

Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Matt Dermody

Troy Tulowitzki

Team Jays Are My 2nd Favourite Team
14-17
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini

Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile
Matt Dermody
Tim Mayza

Troy Tulowitzki

Three lefties in the pen? That's a luxury generally reserved for good teams gentlemen.

Team okokbluejays
18-15
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini
John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Troy Tulowitzki

Curtis Granderson's Slammies

15-16

Al Alburquerque
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis
Ezequiel Carrera

Joe Biagini

John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Troy Tulowitzki

Team Jeff Lewis
15-15
Al Alburquerque
Aledmys Diaz
Craig Breslow
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini

John Axford
Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Troy Tulowitzki

These three ballots are pretty darn close to being identical.

Team I Like Nuts
16-14-1
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini
John Axford

Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Tim Mayza

Troy Tulowitzki

Good luck honey!

Team @1BJW
18-15
Aledmys Diaz
Carlos Ramirez
Devon Travis

Joe Biagini
John Axford

Kendrys Morales
Luke Maile

Matt Dermody

Troy Tulowitzki

Probably shouldn't have helped Team I Like Nuts with her ballot.