Offseason roster thread 2014

[Abomination]

Also, for whatever it's worth (which might be negative), MLBTR has us taking home Melky, Lowrie, and K-Rod this offseason.

[Hawkins]

Not sure where AA is going with the Lind trade but I hope there is more to come. Angels are looking to move Kendrick for a lefty in the pen. I propose something much bigger, Burlehre, Reyes and Cecil for Hamilton and Kendrick plus 10 million towards Hamilton for 2016 and 2017 to balance out the difference between Reyes and Hamilton. That would allow AA to leave Lawrie at 3rd and save 7 million to replace Melky when he leaves.

[Angrioter]

Not sure where AA is going with the Lind trade but I hope there is more to come. Angels are looking to move Kendrick for a lefty in the pen. I propose something much bigger, Burlehre, Reyes and Cecil for Hamilton and Kendrick plus 10 million towards Hamilton for 2016 and 2017 to balance out the difference between Reyes and Hamilton. That would allow AA to leave Lawrie at 3rd and save 7 million to replace Melky when he leaves.

 

Bro, Hamilton is done!!

[TheHurl]

Assuming that this Estrada deal opens up the door for a Happ sell-high, then I like everything they've done.

 

14M for Lind + Happ turned into like, ~5M for Estrada + Smoak.

 

Bench spot made more flexible because your DH is no longer a platoon player.

 

9M in funds.

 

Now if they don't spend those funds....

 

Sounds like they are letting Melky walk too.

 

It's still seemingly going sideways rather than forward.

[Chappy]

It's still seemingly going sideways rather than forward.

 

The fact that AA has been really active early on is a decent sign that he may be aggressive in moving this team forward this winter. I would be shocked if we don't see one sizeable upgrade in the infield (2B or 3B) and one other major upgrade in the OF or rotation.

[nmrch]

It's still seemingly going sideways rather than forward.

 

How do you go "forward" with waiver pickups and trading the likes of Adam f***ing Lind who has no value?

[Laika]

It's still seemingly going sideways rather than forward.

 

Pretty hard to move forward without spending any capital. They're moving sideways into a marginally better situation.

[Deadpool]

Bro, Hamilton is done!!

 

Jeebus wouldn't let him fail at basing the ball!

[Jimcanuck]

Pretty hard to move forward without spending any capital. They're moving sideways into a marginally better situation.

 

Moving sideways while getting younger is not bad though.... If Estrada means MB can be moved and Sanchez moves into rotation, freeing up ~$19M for other needs....

 

Bold prediction.... 2015 is the year MB falls off a cliff

[RealAccountant]

recent moves have been somewhat optimistic for me

 

1. AA has finally given up on some constantly injured players for me. I have long blamed Morrow, Mcgowan and Lind all of which seemingly get hurt at the most crucial times of the year.

2. AA has gone back to buying low. Both Estrada and Smoak have failed to reach their potential. Estrada was really good when he used to use his curve ball a lot. But his fastball has lost some speed.

 

Still decent changing moves.

[KingKat]

recent moves have been somewhat optimistic for me

 

1. AA has finally given up on some constantly injured players for me. I have long blamed Morrow, Mcgowan and Lind all of which seemingly get hurt at the most crucial times of the year.

2. AA has gone back to buying low. Both Estrada and Smoak have failed to reach their potential. Estrada was really good when he used to use his curve ball a lot. But his fastball has lost some speed.

 

Still decent changing moves.

 

I like Estrada a lot but is trading one your best hitters for him really buying low?

[RealAccountant]

I like Estrada a lot but is trading one your best hitters for him really buying low?

 

Thing is Lind was never one of the Jays best hitters, since he couldn't hit at at all against left handed pitching. -

 

Not being able to hit against 40% of the pitchers out there,

plus not being able to field a position and contributing nothing to defense, yet carrying a roster spot,

plus missing an average of 2 months a year.

 

Lest people forget, Lind bats between 2 top 10 hitters in all of baseball. Or either after them.

[Abomination]

AA has finally given up on some constantly injured players for me. I have long blamed Morrow, Mcgowan and Lind all of which seemingly get hurt at the most crucial times of the year.

 

If I remember right, I think AA made reference to something about injured players and steering away from them at the end of last year.

[KingKat]

Thing is Lind was never one of the Jays best hitters, since he couldn't hit at at all against left handed pitching. -

 

Not being able to hit against 40% of the pitchers out there,

plus not being able to field a position and contributing nothing to defense, yet carrying a roster spot,

plus missing an average of 2 months a year.

 

Lest people forget, Lind bats between 2 top 10 hitters in all of baseball. Or either after them.

 

Both players had a 1.6 WAR last year. Estrada had 3.2 the year before and Lind had 1.8 WAR. Without going point by point through your argument, I guess it's not a stretch to say it was a buy low especially when you factor that Estrada is cheaper.

[Abomination]

Some interesting quotes in Shi's column yesterday: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/lind-deal-one-piece-of-a-developing-puzzle/

 

...and make trading someone like J.A. Happ, who’s been generating lots of interest, possible.

 

“The fact that (Edwin Encarnacion) can (play at first base or DH) gives us the flexibility, the fact that Estrada can (pitch as a starter or reliever) gives us the flexibility, the fact that (Aaron) Sanchez can (pitch as a starter or reliever) gives us the flexibility because we don’t know ultimately what we’ll come away with. But we at least will be able to pursue those players without restrictions or being blocked.”

[kgm1]

If I remember right, I think AA made reference to something about injured players and steering away from them at the end of last year.

 

 

Yes AA stated that adding players with a record of health was going to be a priority.

[GD]

"The fact that (Edwin Encarnacion) can (play at first base or DH) gives us the flexibility"

 

A 1B who can DH? GREAT FLEXIBILITY

[LunchBox]

"The fact that (Edwin Encarnacion) can (play at first base or DH) gives us the flexibility"

 

A 1B who can DH? GREAT FLEXIBILITY

 

A DH who can sort of play 1B, but yeah I was thinking the same.

[Jimcanuck]

"The fact that (Edwin Encarnacion) can (play at first base or DH) gives us the flexibility"

 

A 1B who can DH? GREAT FLEXIBILITY

 

Maybe he meant, 1B, 3B, LF, and DH?

[Abomination]

"The fact that (Edwin Encarnacion) can (play at first base or DH) gives us the flexibility"

 

A 1B who can DH? GREAT FLEXIBILITY

 

What makes the quote interesting is the fact that they may have a 1st baseman / DH in mind this offseason (Billy Butler maybe?)

[kgm1]

Jays are at around 126 million with the est Arb awards with an est. 6 million added cost year to year in the exchange rate. AA has no choice but to cut payroll.

 

The team may not be any better but after a pitcher is moved it will be cheaper and THAT is Rogers,s mandate. If they can afford to hang on to Buehrle and move Happ the rotation should be OK. Since I don't see a payroll fit for melky the offense took a big hit but the defense with Smoak at 1st and whoever in left will be stronger.

[kgm1]

I don't have a problem with gutting payroll. If it was done right we could retool the team and trim payroll while still being competitive, AA however is not capable of such a thing.

 

I don't really mind the moves so far. Smoak could be a surprise for us and his defense will be way better at 1st. Just depends what moves these ones open up. I have no idea of the value of Happ and suspect he goes for a high leverage reliever that is controllable.

[SaskJaysFan_2]

At this point I am for dumping Buerhle and Happ and with what we have already let leave for financial flexibility and fill the hole at 2B, LF and a couple pen arms. Trading for another cheaper starter and infielder who can hit would not hurt either. I am really hoping we can solidify the infield for the inevitable Lawrie and Reyes injuries.

 

Totally agree.

 

Do you think Jed Lowrie would be a fairly reasonable signing for 2B? Izturis could play super-sub. Lawrie, barring injury, mans 3B. This would not stretch the payroll too much, and perhaps allow for a Cabrera re-sign in LF. Plus, with MB gone, one of the young pups has a chance to make some noise.

[woods of ypres]

Doesn't belong here, but:

[fireballW]

Totally agree.

 

Do you think Jed Lowrie would be a fairly reasonable signing for 2B? Izturis could play super-sub. Lawrie, barring injury, mans 3B. This would not stretch the payroll too much, and perhaps allow for a Cabrera re-sign in LF. Plus, with MB gone, one of the young pups has a chance to make some noise.

 

I'd keep Happ. He showed some nice signs. He seems like he could/should be durable enough and he has always been a player that AA saw something in. Since he has two reasonably priced years left, I would keep him. I think his value will go up. Buehrle would be nice to trade but then I'd need to people whine on here about what they got back, as if MB should actually command some sort of return. That would be annoying to watch so I won't be sad if we keep him.

[TDotttt2005]

LOL at Jeff Blair hinting that the Jays are very interested in, and will sign Russell Martin as a free agent.

[KingKat]

This is just a nothing post linking to Davidi's piece but I'm sharing it because I love the pic they used for Happ.

 

http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/620207

 

[KingKat]

 

 

Who does he think he is? Madison Bumgarner?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

LOL at Jeff Blair hinting that the Jays are very interested in, and will sign Russell Martin as a free agent.

 

Wow we could field Canadian's up the Middle next year, Marketing Dream! Martin c, Lawrie 2nd, Pompey cf. I can almost see the Poster now! United we stand on guard for thee! Lol

[RealAccountant]

Neither Martin or Navarro can't catch Dickey so I cant see this happening.

 

Plus I can totally see Martin being offered Stupid Money.