Blue Jays to Teams: "We can't take on any extra money."

[Gorlak]

There's lots of moves AA can do that don't involve trading top prospects.

 

Not really. Other than relievers or bench players. With no money, getting good players without giving up top prospects is impossible. Pillar is a tick above waiver wire fodder.

[ElNik2013]

WTF, Ang........ tu eres maricon amigo, it's your choice, good luck brah!!

 

 

 

My guess would be Ang is the one wearing the sunglasses.

[Gorlak]

Teams that are selling don't want those players.

[Gorlak]

If the Jays are sellers they may as well go all in. Wouldn't get very good prospects for any of those players, Janssen may get you something of value.

[xposbrad]

Who's "everybody". It all depends my man. We don't want the team's GM, whomever he is at any point, trading 2 top prospects for 38 year old trick-pitchers. Or for 30+ year old, injury prone SS in decline and with 100+M remaining on his contract which would take him into his mid 30's.

 

Trade D'Arnaud and Syndergaard for a Matt Latos? Sure.

 

Again, as stated above, some of us suspect meddling from above the GM, but the GM still has to work out good deals.

 

Bang on, wtf was that malakas so fixed on a late 30s knuckleballer? At the time, TDA and Synd were highly regarded prospects. The shape of this team could have been entirely different had AA targeted a young #1 or #2 stud.

[Gorlak]

None of them get you a top 50 prospect.

[Gorlak]

Together they would, in some capacity, with an MLB piece, have you not just seen what Street hauled?

 

Pull your head out of your ass, and wake up!!

 

Also....quote who you're talking to, it isn't hard.

 

They could, but that is an elaborate trade for bit pieces, What team needs a closer, lefty specialist, and a centerfielder.

[oakville69]

It wouldn't surprise me if most of the Rogers' brass didn't even know who Farrell was. But if that's the case I'd be very worried for their shareholders. Imagine if a telecom exec left Rogers to go to Bell and Rogers' immediate response was a spiteful price war against Bell? I doubt that Farrell leaving was a driver for the spending.

 

Honestly, I couldn't point my finger at a single reason why this has happened. It's just been a very odd and disheartening situation. Was it the NHL $$$ spent? Rogers trying to get their financials in order for Bay Street? Lack of trust in AA? If so, why don't they just can him? Is AA just riding it out and half-assing the job knowing the writing is on the wall? Even if the payroll is frozen, he still has some options to shed then re-add if he worked hard at it but it seems that he refuses to do so. This is the same man who fought tooth and nail to get Rasmus here through two other GMs and a dozen players. Creative moves like with Olivo. Now his major thing is waiver wire fodder and being bridesmaid for Kinsler. The AA from a few years ago would have made the Kinsler trade work even if it took a couple other stage-setting moves. His heart for this job was a lot more apparent three years ago than now.

 

Now that you mention it, Rogers investment in hockey may be a factor in reducing the jays budget. hockey revenue may be more certain than baseball. The injuries to the jays over the past two seasons show how easily 15-20 million in payroll can be on the DL for a year.

[GNick49]

@elliottbaseball 12s

Blue Jays telling teams in trade talks that they "can't take on any extrta money."

 

We knew that last spring when they tried to sign Santana

[CHRIS]

You're in the dark, Janssen/Cecil/etc, and Rasmus ring a bell?

 

Technically these guys could be moved to clear salary, but I can't see AA having the intestinal fortitude to trade Janssen.

 

The whole situation is so bizarre in that to bolster this club, they seemingly have to make, in essence, 3 team deals in order for the salaries to work out.

 

Seems contrary to everything the team has said in the past about money being available when the time is right.

[oakville69]

Seems contrary to everything the team has said in the past about money being available when the time is right

 

Very true . If this year isn't the right time, then when will it ever be?

[Angrioter]

My guess would be Ang is the one wearing the sunglasses.

 

Sorry, I'm a white guy!!

[ElNik2013]

Sorry, I'm a white guy!!

 

 

 

I see, so you're the shy guy taking the picture...probably haven't told your family, have you? Thanks for the clarification.

[Angrioter]

I see, so you're the shy guy taking the picture...probably haven't told your family, have you? Thanks for the clarification.

 

Latins are open mind. I'm maricon when I have no money to feed my 8 children ..

 

Send you DM

[jays76]

The Marlins trade was the fastest way to improve the team quickly. I agree that AA's original plan of getting JJ or AS Or JP was more prudent.

 

If I recall correctly AA was trying to land JJ and Reyes for a long time prior to the trade, he was obsessed. The Marlins finally relented when the Jays agreed to take on Beuhrle who ironically became the most productive of the 3. Personally I can't blame AA for making this move, everybody thought we were a few players away from being a serious threat in the division with the aging Yankees & Red Sox. I don't care what people say about Escobar, he was a good fielder but a GIDP King at the plate and a completely useless bat. Nobody could've predicted the absolute implosion of JJ to those levels in spite of him and Reyes having a checkered injury history. That move had serious potential even though it backfired and I know it's easy for everyone to play Monday morning quarterback now and dump all over it but these are the same people who were excited as hell when it was announced. I would criticize the Dickey trade a little more questioning how successful he would be coming from the NL East to the AL East and particularly the Rogers Centre but it would still be a very tempting move to acquire a CY winner coming off a dominating season.

 

Injuries and a lack of chemistry killed us last year. This year we were healthy and having time to gel these moves were finally starting to produce results until the injury bug reared it's ugly head again (although in fairness we were starting to slide prior to the injuries). AA took a shot, and I give him credit for having the balls to do so. That said he's also gotta put on his big boy pants and face the heat from all us keyboard warriors and the media for the shot failing..but what bothers me is him (or the puppet masters above him) freezing the payroll. We've already come this far and we're only a handful of games out of first, let's make a trade or two and go for it! If we take on a few short term contracts you still have the option to blow it up if we don't make the playoffs. Clearly we're not rebuilding and we're contending here so make a decision and go one way or the other. Since technically we are contending sell the damn farm!! That may be an unpopular stance here but like I said if it all goes bad we can dismantle it in the off season (or maybe give it 1 last year?) and then re-coup our farm, youth movement, etc. with all the assets we'll get dealing the likes of Reyes, Bautista, EE, Rasmus, etc. Heck somebody will still take chances on Dickey and Buerhle. Go out and get Chase Headley and a Jorge De La Rosa or whoever, we are already all in anyways. The worst thing management can do is flounder and flip flop in the middle like this, they're playing a dangerous game with the fans and they could lose their shot at the playoffs AND a ton of fan support leading to even bigger revenue losses in the long run...

[jays76]

We knew that last spring when they tried to sign Santana

 

Btw- Where did that extra 15M go that AA said they had to sign Santana?? Hmmmmmmm.

[G-Snarls]

Anthopoulos has payroll flexibility in 2015

 

JEFF BLAIR

 

JULY 21, 2014, 9:38 AM

 

It was before the Toronto Blue Jays’ home opener on April 4 and Alex Anthopoulos had just tap-danced around a report that several members of the team had agreed to defer salary in an abortive effort to sign free agent Ervin Santana. The Blue Jays general manager was pulled aside and asked whether that meant he wouldn’t be able to sign Colby Rasmus or Melky Cabrera to contracts before they became free agents at the end of the season.

 

"Two different things," Anthopoulos responded. "Those contracts would be extensions. They wouldn’t come into effect this season. It wouldn’t have an impact on our 2015 payroll."

 

As things have materialized, signing either player is, at this time, not a priority for the Blue Jays. But in light of concern about whether Anthopoulos’ hands are tied approaching the trade deadline, the answer was telling. Anthopoulos is in a position to add a player or pitcher with a sizable contract for next year – providing he’s prepared to adjust should he not get an increase in payroll.

 

More to the point, he has flexibility in 2015: refusing club options held on Brandon Morrow, J.A. Happ, Adam Lind and Sergio Santos would save $28.5 million (Lind and Morrow have a $1-million buyout on a $7.5 million contract; Happ has a $200,000 buyout) while Rasmus and Cabrera make $15 million this season and another eligible free agent, Casey Janssen, makes $4 million. Of that group, you’d think the Blue Jays would want to bring back Janssen and Cabrera but both can be expected to test free agency. The rest are hardly core players. Of the remaining core, Mark Buehrle is due a $1 million bump to $19 million while Jose Reyes gets a $6 million increase to $22 million. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are earning roughly the same. So, there’s room – even without an increase in the Blue Jays $132 million payroll.

 

Payroll became an issue this weekend when*Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun tweeted*that the Blue Jays had told teams they can’t add payroll at the trade deadline. A Rogers executive, asked to comment on the report, issued a three word, e-mail response: "News to me."

 

Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi say the*Blue Jays are continuing to talk to the San Diego Padres about Chase Headley, who is still owed about $5 million this season. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says they’re in on Chase Utley.

 

Anthopoulos, for his part, did another tap dance Sunday when pressed about whether he can add money to the 2014 payroll. It’s not as draconian as it seems, since any player added would only be owed a pro-rated portion of his salary for 2014. It was going to take $14 million to add Santana in spring training as a free agent; it could take at most a third of that to make a significant addition at the deadline.

 

Perhaps Anthopoulos is in the same situation his predecessor, J.P. Ricciardi, found himself in: Ricciardi used to say he could ask for more money in-season. Once.

 

I know that’s not going to assuage the concern of Blue Jays fans, but that’s all I have for you.

[SAAviour]

The Blue Jays and Yankees both scouted Cliff Lee‘s final rehab start, CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury writes. Lee returns from the DL to start against the Giants tonight, and scouts from several teams are expected in attendance for Lee’s two scheduled starts prior to the July 31st deadline.

[SAAviour]

The Blue Jays could consider the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick if they aren’t able to make a higher-profile trade, CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury writes. A Jays scout watched Kendrick as he struggled in his start against the Braves on Sunday. It’s unclear what sort of return Kendrick might fetch — he has struggled this season, posting a 4.87 ERA, 5.5 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 over 125 2/3 innings. Kendrick is eligible for free agency after the season.

 

-please god no!

[G-Snarls]

Not Kendrick no

[Governator]

If Reyes continues to bat the way he has over the past month, I would think his overall season numbers should be good enough to trade in the off season. Still have to eat some salary mind you...

[pickoff22]

The Blue Jays could consider the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick if they aren’t able to make a higher-profile trade, CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury writes. A Jays scout watched Kendrick as he struggled in his start against the Braves on Sunday. It’s unclear what sort of return Kendrick might fetch — he has struggled this season, posting a 4.87 ERA, 5.5 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 over 125 2/3 innings. Kendrick is eligible for free agency after the season.

 

-please god no!

 

This is such a ridiculous suggestion. I know people love to bash AA's intelligence, but there's no way he would consider Kendrick given the current teams needs and rotation.

[G-Snarls]

This is such a ridiculous suggestion. I know people love to bash AA's intelligence, but there's no way he would consider Kendrick given the current teams needs and rotation.

 

This is the very definition of writers throwing s*** at walls

 

Happ > Kendrick

[pickoff22]

This is the very definition of writers throwing s*** at walls

 

Happ > Kendrick

 

I find it so frustrating to read the "rumours" out there these days. 98% have zero substance.

[xposbrad]

The Blue Jays and Yankees both scouted Cliff Lee‘s final rehab start, CSNPhilly.com’s Jim Salisbury writes. Lee returns from the DL to start against the Giants tonight, and scouts from several teams are expected in attendance for Lee’s two scheduled starts prior to the July 31st deadline.

 

Ya Cliff Lee is only 35, so this fits with AA's plan of targeting old vets for young prospects. Lee basically has 2 more years following this one under team control. His 2016 - $27.5 million club options ($12.5 million buyout) - 2016 club option guaranteed if he has 200 IP in 2015 or 400 IP in 2014-15 and is not on DL after 2015 with left elbow or left shoulder injury. Now, WTF did they not bid on Darvish if they are prepared to pay those kinds of numbers on a 35+ year old pitcher. Man, if this club only had a plan.

[Atothe]

Its like AA is trying to threaten fans if he gets Kyle Kendrick

[intentional wok]

This is such a ridiculous suggestion. I know people love to bash AA's intelligence, but there's no way he would consider Kendrick given the current teams needs and rotation.

 

Literally took the words out of my post.

 

Now, WTF did they not bid on Darvish if they are prepared to pay those kinds of numbers on a 35+ year old pitcher. Man, if this club only had a plan

 

The Marlins trade changed everything. Whatever was brewing beforehand in off-season 2011 changed in off-season 2012.

[BlueJaysGirl]

Ya Cliff Lee is only 35, so this fits with AA's plan of targeting old vets for young prospects. Lee basically has 2 more years following this one under team control. His 2016 - $27.5 million club options ($12.5 million buyout) - 2016 club option guaranteed if he has 200 IP in 2015 or 400 IP in 2014-15 and is not on DL after 2015 with left elbow or left shoulder injury. Now, WTF did they not bid on Darvish if they are prepared to pay those kinds of numbers on a 35+ year old pitcher. Man, if this club only had a plan.

 

Relax. There is no way in hell the Jays will pick this guy up. No way in hell. It took ten Jays scouts months of scouting not to put a proper bid in for Tanaka. One scout for an expensive pitcher means they're probably just officially ruling him out.

[burlingtonbandit]

If Reyes continues to bat the way he has over the past month, I would think his overall season numbers should be good enough to trade in the off season. Still have to eat some salary mind you...

 

If Hanley walks I bet they would take Reyes without the Blue Jays adding salary. Probably could get a decent prospect back in return as well.

[TBJ12]

Relax. There is no way in hell the Jays will pick this guy up. No way in hell. It took ten Jays scouts months of scouting not to put a proper bid in for Tanaka. One scout for an expensive pitcher means they're probably just officially ruling him out.

 

What would you have considered a proper bid? What did the Jays bid?

 

I don't blame the Jays for not giving Tanaka $175 million.