New Years resolutions for the Leafs, Raps and Jays

Now that the new year is upon us and many of us are looking to get in some exercise after overindulging during the holiday season, here's the Leafs, Raps and Jays resolutions for 2024. Enjoy.

For the Leafs, it's time to grow up.

No, not figuratively considering the Leafs are, on paper, one of the oldest teams in the National Hockey League. No, I'm referring to how this team acts on the ice night in and night out. A team that fancies themselves as a contender should not be putting in lifeless performances against the bottom-dwellers on a consistent basis. It's truly amazing how many points this team has choked away this season largely because they didn't come prepared to play.

Losses to Columbus, Ottawa, Chicago - getting absolutely manhandled by Buffalo 9-3 just a few days before Christmas - all of these debacles continue to provide substantial evidence the Leafs are not where they need to be mentally if they're to be taken seriously by many around league circles. This is a recurring theme for this club since 34, 16, 88 and 91 started jumping over the boards.

Enough is enough boys.

For the Raps, it's time to embrace change.

For many Raps fans, I think it's safe to say: IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME.

Masai finally pulled the trigger on a significant deal recently and you can clearly tell via the social media sphere that fans are re-engaged. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have reinvigorated a fanbase that was starving for something, ANYTHING other than the status quo. Many pundits believe a Barnes-Quickley duo should work well and early signs suggest that might very well be true. Time will tell. Regardless, Raptors management have started to change course - and hopefully they realize more meaningful moves need to be made.

For the Jays, it's time for some dingers!

Ohh... it felt like it was yesterday when we were all tracking a plane that we thought had Shohei. Instead it was one of the dudes from Shark Tank/Dragon's Den. And now? Well... Kevin Kiermaier and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be speaking to the media tomorrow. So... there's that.

After last season's tumultuous season that resulted in them backing into the playoffs, only to get dispatched in two games to the Minnesota Twins - adding insult to injury was the pitching change debacle in Game 2 with Berrios - fans were left scratching their heads. What do you do with this team?

Well, for one, the idea of bringing the band back together does not sound particularly interesting, especially considering the team's struggles offensively in 2023. Yes, Kiermaier has those intangibles we all love and Jays fans adore him for it. And sure, IKF will bring a quality glove to several positions on the field. But with free agency not overflowing with big bats, one has to wonder where do the Jays turn to jumpstart this offence?

Yes, Shohei would've done wonders to this lineup but he's now counting down the days until his big payouts begin in umm... 2034. Hey Atkins, pull off a blockbuster and get this team a significant bat in the middle of this lineup ASAP.