Bob McCown: There may be no limit to payroll

[Stangstag]

McCown said their payroll for 2014 would be $150MM... this rumour doesn't carry water IMO.

 

Well the jays DID have a deal in place for Santana for 14 million. That would have made a 150 million payroll right? So maybe McClown is right

[xposbrad]

Break the mother f***ing bank. Sign John Lester. Sign Andrew Miller. Sign Nick Markakis. Boom.

 

Swap Tomas with Markakis. But, Tomas/Miller/Lester = only 40m more , then you swap happ+ for a 2b.

[gbill2004]

These are the moves I'd like to see:

 

Miller

Kendricks

Lester

Melky

[TwistedLogic]

These are the moves I'd like to see:

 

Miller

Kendricks

Lester

Melky

 

Miller's going to cost far too much, and there's several other relievers on the market that are basically as good as he is.

[gbill2004]

Miller's going to cost far too much, and there's several other relievers on the market that are basically as good as he is.

 

Curious...who are these other relievers as good as Miller who are available?

[Stangstag]

Curious...who are these other relievers as good as Miller who are available?

 

Neschek

[TheHurl]

Alex on Prime time right now about Martin.

 

"he handles the pitchers well, frames well and with the bat makes contact...all those things that are becoming increasingly important"

 

Good thing someone invented making contact...he never would have figured it out that it was important.

[KingKat]

Alex on Prime time right now about Martin.

 

"he handles the pitchers well, frames well and with the bat makes contact...all those things that are becoming increasingly important"

 

Good thing someone invented making contact...he never would have figured it out that it was important.

 

We DIDN'T identify catcher as a position to upgrade.

[TwistedLogic]

Curious...who are these other relievers as good as Miller who are available?

 

I made a post about this yesterday: http://www.bluejaysmessageboard.com/threads/4083-Jays-sign-Martin-So-what-s-next-priority?p=456306&viewfull=1#post456306

 

That doesn't even count the fact that you can probably get relief guys in trade (which is what AA has always been known for) that will also cost a fraction of what Miller will set you back.

[Mikeleelop]

These are the moves I'd like to see:

 

Miller

Kendricks

Lester

Melky

 

kendricks has NTC with Toronto on his no trade list

[cusstown]

Baseball is the only sport I'd take McCown's theories on seriously, so this is quite interesting, and frankly makes total sense from Rogers' perspective with the money being poured into baseball, the growing international appeal, their low brand value.

[Governator]

Baseball is the only sport I'd take McCown's theories on seriously, so this is quite interesting, and frankly makes total sense from Rogers' perspective with the money being poured into baseball, the growing international appeal, their low brand value.

 

Someone missed the press conference.

[AdamGreenwood]

There may be no limit to Bob Mccown's stupidity.

[xposbrad]

It's good there won't be a limit to payroll. AA will need no limits if he wants to build a winner here.

[pickoff22]

FWIW I ran into my account representative with the Jays (sales rep for my seasons and ticket packs) 2 days ago. Asked him about the Martin signing and if it had caused a spur in ticket sales. He basically said no - people are waiting for Melky to be resigned. Many ticket pack holders have said once he resigns, they resubscribe.

 

His reaction was that he was surprised by how many people were hung up on Melky and that even if the Jays don't resign him in particular that they expect to be involved in other FAs that "are just as good". He said that he fully expects us to be active in FA signings and said don't be surprised to see "2 or 3 more signings" - of course that doesn't mean 2 or 3 top FAs, but his point was that there's money to be spent to bring in players to help them win.

 

Most importantly he echoed comments about the commitment from Rogers. He spoke of the fact that the new CEO was transitioning last year and wasn't fully comfortable committing dollars to a product he didn't really understand. This year he has shown clear support from a financial standpoint and the money is there to spend. This doesn't mean there's an "unlimited" payroll available obviously, but money isn't a constraint like it was last offseason. This is not the first time I've heard something similar from someone within the organization in the last month (and these same people admitted money was an issue last year during the season).

 

And before people say it's just a way for him to make sure I resubscribe, that's a non-issue. My tickets are locked in already so it's not just a sales job.

 

Again, anything Jays related you have to take with a grain of salt, but there's a clear change in "vibe" surrounding the Jays offices this offseason and a belief that front office has a boatload more flexibility.

[Governator]

You take what AA says with a grain of salt. The press conference gave us nothing.

 

Well sure I get that but McCowan is giving an opinion, a thought, a 'sense' of what he feels is happening. There's no truth or fact about it, it's less than a rumour. The fact though is that AA worked harder than ever to land Martin and he was their #1 target and the most important piece they decided they had to land. The fact that they backloaded the contract so hard tells us that for 2015 there is not an unlimited budget. I take common sense over either.

[o2cui2i]

The fact that they backloaded the contract so hard tells us that for 2015 there is not an unlimited budget. I take common sense over either.

 

scenario 2 could be that they cleared $ for this and next year so they can sign another FA now. Most of the jays contracts are gone in a year. that opens up a lot more $ going forward and make it easier to pay Martin.

[Governator]

scenario 2 could be that they cleared $ for this and next year so they can sign another FA now. Most of the jays contracts are gone in a year. that opens up a lot more $ going forward and make it easier to pay Martin.

 

That is much different than having no limits on payroll. That's just being crafty with contracts in order to add more players within a budget... I don't doubt they will add another solid FA or two as they have room within their budget to do it but to assume it's because of Roger's willingness to win and give golden tickets to buy anything they'd like is nonsense.

[TheHurl]

FWIW I ran into my account representative with the Jays (sales rep for my seasons and ticket packs) 2 days ago. Asked him about the Martin signing and if it had caused a spur in ticket sales. He basically said no - people are waiting for Melky to be resigned. Many ticket pack holders have said once he resigns, they resubscribe.

 

His reaction was that he was surprised by how many people were hung up on Melky and that even if the Jays don't resign him in particular that they expect to be involved in other FAs that "are just as good". He said that he fully expects us to be active in FA signings and said don't be surprised to see "2 or 3 more signings" - of course that doesn't mean 2 or 3 top FAs, but his point was that there's money to be spent to bring in players to help them win.

 

Most importantly he echoed comments about the commitment from Rogers. He spoke of the fact that the new CEO was transitioning last year and wasn't fully comfortable committing dollars to a product he didn't really understand. This year he has shown clear support from a financial standpoint and the money is there to spend. This doesn't mean there's an "unlimited" payroll available obviously, but money isn't a constraint like it was last offseason. This is not the first time I've heard something similar from someone within the organization in the last month (and these same people admitted money was an issue last year during the season).

 

And before people say it's just a way for him to make sure I resubscribe, that's a non-issue. My tickets are locked in already so it's not just a sales job.

 

Again, anything Jays related you have to take with a grain of salt, but there's a clear change in "vibe" surrounding the Jays offices this offseason and a belief that front office has a boatload more flexibility.

 

people love fat athletes

[burlingtonbandit]

FWIW I ran into my account representative with the Jays (sales rep for my seasons and ticket packs) 2 days ago. Asked him about the Martin signing and if it had caused a spur in ticket sales. He basically said no - people are waiting for Melky to be resigned. Many ticket pack holders have said once he resigns, they resubscribe.

 

His reaction was that he was surprised by how many people were hung up on Melky and that even if the Jays don't resign him in particular that they expect to be involved in other FAs that "are just as good". He said that he fully expects us to be active in FA signings and said don't be surprised to see "2 or 3 more signings" - of course that doesn't mean 2 or 3 top FAs, but his point was that there's money to be spent to bring in players to help them win.

 

Most importantly he echoed comments about the commitment from Rogers. He spoke of the fact that the new CEO was transitioning last year and wasn't fully comfortable committing dollars to a product he didn't really understand. This year he has shown clear support from a financial standpoint and the money is there to spend. This doesn't mean there's an "unlimited" payroll available obviously, but money isn't a constraint like it was last offseason. This is not the first time I've heard something similar from someone within the organization in the last month (and these same people admitted money was an issue last year during the season).

 

And before people say it's just a way for him to make sure I resubscribe, that's a non-issue. My tickets are locked in already so it's not just a sales job.

 

Again, anything Jays related you have to take with a grain of salt, but there's a clear change in "vibe" surrounding the Jays offices this offseason and a belief that front office has a boatload more flexibility.

 

This makes Rogers sound even more stupid. Don't give money to the team because the CEO doesn't understand anything about sports. Team had a chance to win last year but doesn't spend because the CEO was "transitioning". I don't know if if that makes Rogers the idiot or Beeston for failing him to convince him to spend.

[Sammy225]

This makes Rogers sound even more stupid. Don't give money to the team because the CEO doesn't understand anything about sports. Team had a chance to win last year but doesn't spend because the CEO was "transitioning". I don't know if if that makes Rogers the idiot or Beeston for failing him to convince him to spend.

 

To be honest i would doubt a ticket rep would know what the front office is doing for the off season. He maybe just spewing stuff just to get people to buy tickets.... May work off commission..... I would not really take a ticket reps word for much.

[glory]

Yeah not spending money in June or July 2014 when the team had like a 50% chance of making the playoffs was just bad business by Rogers. Deciding to spend it now when the probability of the playoffs is unknown instead of five months ago makes no sense.

[North of 60]

I think ownership has been pretty good.

 

JP and AA (more so) had more than enough money to build a contender. Sure, it wasn't Yankee or Red Sox money, but enough to compete with them. With less money, you have to be more creative and have less room for errors.

 

The GM'a here have a huge rep for taking bad contacts or giving them out. Basically selling low, buying high.

 

Had AA stuck to the original plan of slowing building assets, instead of going all-in 2 years ago, we'd have a real contender going into this season. Instead we have a rotation with no real ace, holes in the same positions, a bullpen in shambles, etc.

[L54]

I have to disagree. I don't think Yunel (if he's still even under contract), Syndergaard, TDA, Marisnick, Alvarez and whoever else make us a real contender this year.

[Frenchsoup]

I have to disagree. I don't think Yunel (if he's still even under contract), Syndergaard, TDA, Marisnick, Alvarez and whoever else make us a real contender this year.

 

Agreed, but all those guys are cheap and keep payroll down. You can then go get some FA's or international signings with the savings.

[RealAccountant]

I have to disagree. I don't think Yunel (if he's still even under contract), Syndergaard, TDA, Marisnick, Alvarez and whoever else make us a real contender this year.

 

Combined those guys are projecting to be twice as valuable as Dickey, Burly, and Reyes

[Hipfan]

I have to disagree. I don't think Yunel (if he's still even under contract), Syndergaard, TDA, Marisnick, Alvarez and whoever else make us a real contender this year.

 

Totally agree with this. The Marlins trade fell in his lap and who wouldn't take that trade? It hasn't worked out as expected but I also don't think it is as bad as people on this board make it out to be. Marisnick hasn't done anything, neither has Syndergaard, while TDA is starting to make his way in the league, it's still too early to tell about any of those guys. Alvarez is the only real surprise but I wonder if he would be as successful in the AL east as he is in the NL. If the Jays were playing those guys over what they have now, I don't believe they would have been in the thick of the playoff race like they were last year.

[Mikeleelop]

Totally agree with this. The Marlins trade fell in his lap and who wouldn't take that trade? It hasn't worked out as expected but I also don't think it is as bad as people on this board make it out to be. Marisnick hasn't done anything, neither has Syndergaard, while TDA is starting to make his way in the league, it's still too early to tell about any of those guys. Alvarez is the only real surprise but I wonder if he would be as successful in the AL east as he is in the NL. If the Jays were playing those guys over what they have now, I don't believe they would have been in the thick of the playoff race like they were last year.

 

you are referring to two separate trades

 

1. marlin trade included Alvarez, Marisnek etc

2. met trade for dickey included synderguard and darnaud

[Spanky99]

FWIW I ran into my account representative with the Jays (sales rep for my seasons and ticket packs) 2 days ago. Asked him about the Martin signing and if it had caused a spur in ticket sales. He basically said no - people are waiting for Melky to be resigned. Many ticket pack holders have said once he resigns, they resubscribe.

 

His reaction was that he was surprised by how many people were hung up on Melky and that even if the Jays don't resign him in particular that they expect to be involved in other FAs that "are just as good". He said that he fully expects us to be active in FA signings and said don't be surprised to see "2 or 3 more signings" - of course that doesn't mean 2 or 3 top FAs, but his point was that there's money to be spent to bring in players to help them win.

 

Most importantly he echoed comments about the commitment from Rogers. He spoke of the fact that the new CEO was transitioning last year and wasn't fully comfortable committing dollars to a product he didn't really understand. This year he has shown clear support from a financial standpoint and the money is there to spend. This doesn't mean there's an "unlimited" payroll available obviously, but money isn't a constraint like it was last offseason. This is not the first time I've heard something similar from someone within the organization in the last month (and these same people admitted money was an issue last year during the season).

 

And before people say it's just a way for him to make sure I resubscribe, that's a non-issue. My tickets are locked in already so it's not just a sales job.

 

Again, anything Jays related you have to take with a grain of salt, but there's a clear change in "vibe" surrounding the Jays offices this offseason and a belief that front office has a boatload more flexibility.

 

A sales Rep, seriously? He's talking out of his ass. As for the bolded part, I agree with you on that.

[jaysblue]

If we are going to blow the bank on a pitcher, why aren't we talking to Scherzer? The draft pick?

I'd go with Scherzer 9 times out of 10.

 

I'd go with Lester. I trust him more over a long term deal.