Post what you think the budget will be

[Howard Roark]

I know I sound like a whiner in saying this, but when does s*** EVER go right for this team? In my 20 or so years following this club, every season we either have the pitching but can't score runs, or we have the offence but horrible pitching. Every season we were done in by being lacking on one side of the ball, and the last few seasons a new wrinkle has been added to this dance in the form of being snakebitten by injuries, especially to our starting pitching. It's just worn me down as a fan, to be honest. I barely even followed this club for the last 2 months of this season, this coming from someone who considers themself a borderline-obsessive fan for the past 2 decades.

 

Something just feels different this time, I can't even put my finger on it. This franchise just feels cursed, man. It just feels like no matter who we pick up, the baseball gods will find a way to f*** us.

[Howard Roark]

As much fun as it is to blast AA for this season, the team did get really unlucky and some of those 20 wins will be made up without doing anything. You have to expect some of Morrow, Dickey, Lawrie, and the young pitchers to take a step forward as impact players in 2014.

 

The only thing I expect from Morrow going forward is around 10 starts a year of xFIP 4.50 ball.

 

I refuse to expect a 900 year old knuckleballer who has already HAD his peak seasons to "take a step forward".

 

Lawrie I like, obviously. He'll net us a great haul in 2-3 years when the rebuild begins.

[jaysblue]

Trade for Ramos and sign Tanaka or Santana is the absolute most we can hope for I think.

 

Instead of Ramos, how about going after Devin Mesoraco from Cincy? He has never been given a chance with Hanigan there. Though with Dusty Baker fired, I'm sure Mesoraco will be used properly.

[jaysblue]

I say the team bumps payroll $20-$25 million which is reasonable.

 

They need to upgrade behind the plate, and Carlos Ruiz is likely the best fit in terms of what he'll bring to the table and cost. I like Salty, though I doubt he puts up a 3.6 WAR again and hits above .270 especially with that extremely high BABIP of .372 which is unsustainable. I could see an increase in power output however.

 

The Jays need to bring in a second baseman and likely another starter or two to fill out the rotation. A high order that's for sure.

[GD]

Instead of Ramos, how about going after Devin Mesoraco from Cincy? He has never been given a chance with Hanigan there. Though with Dusty Baker fired, I'm sure Mesoraco will be used properly.

 

he's had a 70 wRC+ in his career so far going into his age 26 season and I don't want to take a risk on that in such an important season.

[jaysblue]

he's had a 70 wRC+ in his career so far going into his age 26 season and I don't want to take a risk on that in such an important season.

 

That's why Ruiz makes the most sense in my opinion. Won't cost as much as McCann and Salty. Meso would be a nice buy low, though the Jays need a safer bet behind the plate for next season and Ruiz delivers that.

[GD]

That's why Ruiz makes the most sense in my opinion. Won't cost as much as McCann and Salty. Meso would be a nice buy low, though the Jays need a safer bet behind the plate for next season and Ruiz delivers that.

 

If next year was a transition year I'd like Meso but I like Ruiz, McCann, Navarro, Salty, ANYONE SERIOUSLY PLEASE NO MORE JPA

[jaysblue]

If next year was a transition year I'd like Meso but I like Ruiz, McCann, Navarro, Salty, ANYONE SERIOUSLY PLEASE NO MORE JPA

 

I don't believe much in Navarro. Ruiz would be my first choice, and Salty would be my second choice. I don't expect Salty to hit like he did this season, though I think at the Rogers Centre he could put up solid HR totals. Obviously McCann is the best of the bunch, though realistically he's not coming here unfortunately

[kgm1]

165 million, so about 25 million after arbitration.

 

You do realize some of that 25 mil was ate up with the jump in Buehrle and Reyes contracts . I know everyone thinks that since the 25 mil TV revenue kicks in AA should be able to add 25 mil but most of that is gone already .

[kgm1]

That's why Ruiz makes the most sense in my opinion. Won't cost as much as McCann and Salty. Meso would be a nice buy low, though the Jays need a safer bet behind the plate for next season and Ruiz delivers that.

 

I have been saying get Ruiz all offseason . Sure we all love MCann,s Bat but he will get 5/75 or similar while Ruiz you should get for Russel Martin type money . Sign Ruiz , trade a PKG of BP arms to AZ for Cahill would cost about 16 ml . Hopefully AA has that much . About as cheap an offseason as we can go

[kgm1]

<<<<>>>>>

 

GD stole that line from one of my posts . """Our whole f***ing team is a two year stopgap so why not Ruiz. """"" Thought he was making fun of the post because they wanted Ramos

[GD]

Speaking of buy low, I wouldn't mind seeing the Jays kicking tires for Espinosa.

 

Espinosa would be interesting as an option.

 

<<<<>>>>>

 

GD stole that line from one of my posts . """Our whole f***ing team is a two year stopgap so why not Ruiz. """"" Thought he was making fun of the post because they wanted Ramos

 

Wasn't making fun, I genuinely loved that, found it really hilarious.

[kgm1]

Espinosa would be interesting as an option.

 

 

 

Wasn't making fun, I genuinely loved that, found it really hilarious.

 

 

Unfortunately but for a few guys it is true

[kgm1]

You do realize Ken, that I'm answering your question right? 165 million. You had a similar thread last year, people called me nuts, living in fantasy land, etc, I was the only one even close saying 115-120 million. After all the money they made this year, and how happy Rogers were after their last quarter, I believe we'll be at 160-165 million, so a 25 to 30 million dollar hike.

 

Yep You and Mac were the only ones in the ballpark Jay. And you may be right again . And if you are then AA should be able to add the pieces to give us a shot

[kgm1]

To add pretty much anything AA needs the 150 mil . That is still only 2 players of average cost . Unless he starts trading high priced assets . 16 mil could probably get him Ruiz plus a salary dump type pitcher in a trade .Which would mean the holes at 2nd and LF would have to be filled internally .

 

Then it would be as Hurl keeps saying "" HOPE and PRAY

[kgm1]

Everyone, keep in mind that they would back-load contacts. Reyes is the only player guaranteed to be on the 2016 payroll, so there's some flexibility there. Adding two top free agents doesn't mean adding $36M to the 2014 payroll. It may actually mean adding only $12M.

 

Choo at 6/102 could be 8, 8, 14, 20, 26, 26.

Ruiz at 3/24 could be 4, 7, 13.

Santana at 4/48 could be 5, 11, 12, 20.

 

I hear what your saying and in this type of year and position the Jays are in that could happen . Still I absolutely HATE back end loaded contracts .

[z3r0s]

I hear what your saying and in this type of year and position the Jays are in that could happen . Still I absolutely HATE back end loaded contracts .

 

I've always loved the idea of front loading contracts. It doesn't work with the Jays as currently constituted, but I don't understand why it is never done. I get the future value of money thing, but it makes too much sense to front load FA contracts when you have other core pieces under control so you can extend those guys later. It would also increase the trade value of guys who are nearly FA's.

[z3r0s]

Why are so many writing off Melky??? I mean the guy had both hammies strained and a quad strain, not to mention a tumour removed from his spine, I'd like to think we're going to have a much better Cabrera in 14' the power is obviously going to come back when healthy, this goes for his defense and baserunning ability. Sorry Ken, this is more to all then you.

 

I've been asking the same since before we found out about the tumor. The guys who write him off usually don't offer much of an explanation, except for the standard 'something something ROIDS something something'.

[Sammy225]

Why are so many writing off Melky??? I mean the guy had both hammies strained and a quad strain, not to mention a tumour removed from his spine, I'd like to think we're going to have a much better Cabrera in 14' the power is obviously going to come back when healthy, this goes for his defense and baserunning ability. Sorry Ken, this is more to all then you.

 

I don't know how much his defense is going to improve but I am with you in terms of his bat being a lot better than last season. I am thinking that I would like to see Melky at DH and drop Lind. I can't see Lind coming back and this way we can add another bat to the outfield. I would not be opposed to taking a look at Nelson Cruz could be had for a decent price.

[Sammy225]

Haha.....than we'd hear all the whining about Roids.

 

I'd rather sign Lind with a power hitting Rhb like Baker, obviously because I believe Melky will be fine when healthy, it's just LF. Sign Ruiz and Tanaka trade a couple BP arms plus for another starter or 2nd base upgrade. Give or take some other tweaks

Woohoo.....haha!!!!

 

I think him and Melky would get along great together lol.

[z3r0s]

Haha.....than we'd hear all the whining about Roids.

 

I'd rather sign Lind with a power hitting Rhb like Baker, obviously because I believe Melky will be fine when healthy, it's just LF. Sign Ruiz and Tanaka trade a couple BP arms plus for another starter or 2nd base upgrade. Give or take some other tweaks

Woohoo.....haha!!!!

 

Sign Cruz and Peralta. Make Canada the post roid heaven

[Sammy225]

Sign Cruz and Peralta. Make Canada the post roid heaven

 

Its like the MLBs halfway house for steroid users lol

[kgm1]

Why are so many writing off Melky??? I mean the guy had both hammies strained and a quad strain, not to mention a tumour removed from his spine, I'd like to think we're going to have a much better Cabrera in 14' the power is obviously going to come back when healthy, this goes for his defense and baserunning ability. Sorry Ken, this is more to all then you.

 

And I should add that the 25 mil post wasn't meant for you . I worded that all wrong .

 

About Melky . I defended his injuries during the year . I posted I felt sorry for him watching him run in the outfield in obvious pain and should have been DLed most of the year . Still I wasn't in favor of the contract . He was a 4th OF till he got on the juice and now 2 years older and serious injuries later I'm not convinced he can be replacement level .

However a healthy Melky definitely plays way better than last year . How could he not . he was so crippled he couldn't run . Just don't believe he will be improved enough .

 

Really hope I'm wrong . Hope he spends the offseason in the Dominican pumped up on HGH and the Roids to get to peak form. HGH should be a legal drug IMO . just helps recover from injuries . IF stem Cell inj are legal then why not HGH.

[kgm1]

Haha.....than we'd hear all the whining about Roids.

 

I'd rather sign Lind with a power hitting Rhb like Baker, obviously because I believe Melky will be fine when healthy, it's just LF. Sign Ruiz and Tanaka trade a couple BP arms plus for another starter or 2nd base upgrade. Give or take some other tweaks

Woohoo.....haha!!!!

 

Agreed with your offseason Jay . Hope your right on the money end so AA can do those things. Don't understand the hate for Lind since Lind isn't easy to replace and Melky at DH won't give us the same production . If He can't play the OF then he is a bench bat at best and that eliminates a lot of options .

[kcjaysfan]

He was a 4th OF till he got on the juice and now 2 years older and serious injuries later I'm not convinced he can be replacement level .

 

So are you suggesting that he was using PEDs while he was on the Royals? I'm not saying that he wasn't, but he played a full season there and didn't fail any drug tests

[TheHurl]

opening day $148M, Overall $159

[JaysRap]

Ya man, I thought the same when it came to Nelson Cruz. Trade Bautista for a front line starter and sign Cruz. You'll get a drop off in production but if we project that other hitters in the line up bounce back PLUS you add to the rotation, it's win-win.

[kgm1]

So are you suggesting that he was using PEDs while he was on the Royals? I'm not saying that he wasn't, but he played a full season there and didn't fail any drug tests

I absolutely believe he was on the roids with the Royals

[kgm1]

I still think Jaysblue has the most realistic senario for the offseason . I have been thinking the same way since the off season started

 

He added Ruiz and traded two top BP arms for Cahill . That (depending on what arms were traded) added about 16 mil to the budget but filled the huge hole behind the plate and gave us a 200 inning GB pitcher . We all want more but that puts us around 150 mil and I just hope AA has that much .

[connorp]

So are you suggesting that he was using PEDs while he was on the Royals? I'm not saying that he wasn't, but he played a full season there and didn't fail any drug tests

 

Melky aside, I think it's established fact that "passed drug tests" means nada