Blue Jays non-tender Smoak, Dirks and Mayberry

[LongTimeReader]

I really could see this happening. A Moreland/Navarro swap makes sense for both teams I think.

 

After you have Moreland at DH you need a RHB on the bench other than pillar to platoon at DH. An interesting free agent IMO is corey hart. I think he would be cheap as a bounce back canadate and a good platoon with Moreland. After those 2 moves the blue jays need a LW and bullpen help. I really hope they go to free agency to fill both holes instead of trading any more prospects. LW can be filled by one of Markakis/Cabrera/Aoki. Those are my preferances in order. I also see the jays signing 2 pen arms. One of which will Jason Grilli I think (past interest from club and Martin connection). I would like the jays to sign a second arm and would love it if they could like Romo who could come at a decent deal if we promise him the chance to close.

After these moves the team is stacked!

 

1.Reyes-SS

2.Markakis-LF

3.Bautista-RF

4.Encarnacion-1B/DH

5.Donaldson-3B

6.Martin-C

7.Moreland/Hart- DH/1B

8.Izturis/Goins/Travis-2B

9.Pompey-CF

 

Bench

Thole-C

Pillar-OF

Goins-IF

Hart/Moreland-PH

 

Dickey

Stroman

Buerhle

Hutchison

Happ

 

Estrada

Loup

Redmond

Sanchez

Cecil

Grilli

Romo

 

Why would you give Markakis more ABs than Donaldson, Bautista, etc. ???

[baloojayz]

Looks like something is in the works for 1B with Lind gone and now Smoak, maybe something big???

[LongTimeReader]

Looks like something is in the works for 1B with Lind gone and now Smoak, maybe something big???

 

Would be sweet

[TwistedLogic]

Yeah, ever since I saw the names that were non-tendered, I've been wondering if AA made a move tonight. The Donaldson thing wasn't reported until a day after he actually made the trade, so who knows, maybe he got something done and we've just yet to hear about it. It just seems like a strange move unless he was really confident about something happening.

[Ziggyy108]

Yeah, ever since I saw the names that were non-tendered, I've been wondering if AA made a move tonight. The Donaldson thing wasn't reported until a day after he actually made the trade, so who knows, maybe he got something done and we've just yet to hear about it. It just seems like a strange move unless he was really confident about something happening.

 

That was my thought when I saw them get non tendered.

 

Weather or not it happens it tomorrow, he clearly has a plan to fill some of these holes

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Get ready for the signing of Kyle Banks! Seems more like a AA kinda move, Lf/1st covered! Scouts tell him he could be lighting in a bottle, next EE or Bautista this time around. We're getting him for cheap entering his prime!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Also could Headley slide across the diamond and play first base?

[Jimcanuck]

Travis was playing OF (CF?) for the Tigers so there's that...

 

Morneau is ideal for this team

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Morneau I like but what would that take plus I thought Smoak might have been used there in a trade as well. But he is gone! Lil surprised too.

[canadiansportsjunkie]

It's exciting time to be a Jays fan. AA has many options to go with right now. Moreland would be a nice move and I never thought of Banks but I like it.

 

I can also see Grilli

 

AA keeping us thinking!

[KingKat]

Mayberry doesn't really do anything that isn't covered by Pillar and Valencia so that one is a no brainer. Dirks and Smoak is more surprising given the absence of lh hitters on the lineup but the Jays probably know more about Dirks and hit outlook than we do. Health was a question mark and if the probability of him being nothing more than a sunk cost was high, you can't blame AA for moving on. Smoak seemed, at the least, to bea very solid platoon option from the left side and a Smoak/Valencia platoon at either 1B or DH seems like it would provide pretty decent production but we'll see what AA has in mind. He seems pretty serious about committing as little money as possible towards the DH spot.

[saskjayfan]

It's exciting time to be a Jays fan. AA has many options to go with right now. Moreland would be a nice move and I never thought of Banks but I like it.

 

I can also see Grilli

 

AA keeping us thinking!

 

Grilli is one guy that I've wanted. I don't think he will cost that much, but with these DFAs there are obviously some things brewing. I was kind of hoping they would keep dirks.

[Westfan]

Only one that surprises me is Smoak. His defence and road splits gave me some hope. EE just isn't very good defensively

[Governator]

I have a feeling Izturis/Travis is our 2B starting the season

[saskjayfan]

I have a feeling Izturis/Travis is our 2B starting the season

 

I have no issue with this....left field, dh and pitching should be more of a priority as far as I'm concerned.

[LGBJ29]

I don't see the point in keeping Valencia. He made sense when we had a 3b carousel but where does he fit now? He's not a good enough hitter to get 1b or DH time

[TDotttt2005]

For some reason, I believe what McCown continues to say, that the Jays are going after Lester. Maybe this is a move to clear salary to fit him in (Lower 2015 salary until Buerhle comes off books). If this happens, Dickey+ could be moved to acquire an outfielder.

 

I like that this does signify that more big moves are definitely coming. I wouldve liked to see Estrada non-tendered as well. I know AA likes that he can be a swingman, but there are the Esmil Rogers', Carlos Villanueva's that can give you the same thing and cost far less (I believe Rogers just signed for $1.5m). Estrada is going to be taken yard a hell of a lot.

[glory]

I'm guessing Valencia is back-up 3B/1B and platoon partner for whichever 1B/DH option the Jays get (assuming that player hits from the left side). Pillar is likely the fourth OF now. Just need a back-up IF that can play SS and we have all the positions covered on the bench.

[Governator]

I'm guessing Valencia is back-up 3B/1B and platoon partner for whichever 1B/DH option the Jays get (assuming that player hits from the left side). Pillar is likely the fourth OF now. Just need a back-up IF that can play SS and we have all the positions covered on the bench.

 

Actually now Pillar is our LF

[KingKat]

I don't see the point in keeping Valencia. He made sense when we had a 3b carousel but where does he fit now? He's not a good enough hitter to get 1b or DH time

 

Valencia's splits still play at 1B/DH against lefties and just because Donaldson is a better bet for health doesn't mean a backup 3B who can hit a bit isnt's a useful contingency.

[LGBJ29]

I'm guessing Valencia is back-up 3B/1B and platoon partner for whichever 1B/DH option the Jays get (assuming that player hits from the left side). Pillar is likely the fourth OF now. Just need a back-up IF that can play SS and we have all the positions covered on the bench.

 

Yeah that makes sense. I thought he would have platooned well with Smoak, but I guess AA has a different lefty hitting 1b/dh in mind

[READERsince2006]

I'm guessing Valencia is back-up 3B/1B and platoon partner for whichever 1B/DH option the Jays get (assuming that player hits from the left side). Pillar is likely the fourth OF now. Just need a back-up IF that can play SS and we have all the positions covered on the bench.

 

thats not a bad bench, each guy serves as good platoon/bench guys

 

id like to get kawasaki back, played decent defence and wasn't an easy out, took walks. not sure if his stupidity plays into the new clubhouse but i would welcome him back for league minimum

[KingKat]

thats not a bad bench, each guy serves as good platoon/bench guys

 

id like to get kawasaki back, played decent defence and wasn't an easy out, took walks. not sure if his stupidity plays into the new clubhouse but i would welcome him back for league minimum

 

As long as Kawa is willing to take MiLB deals, I don't see why you wouldn't keep bringing him back. A lot of people seem determined to hate him just as much as the casuals love him but he's a useful guy to have around. Bats from the left, shows some plate discipline and covers all the infield positions. That works well when you have the luxury to taxi him to and from Buffalo as needed.

[BTS]

What's up with Kawa. He was arb-eligible, right?

[READERsince2006]

As long as Kawa is willing to take MiLB deals, I don't see why you wouldn't keep bringing him back. A lot of people seem determined to hate him just as much as the casuals love him but he's a useful guy to have around. Bats from the left, shows some plate discipline and covers all the infield positions. That works well when you have the luxury to taxi him to and from Buffalo as needed.

 

exactly and when were on a budget but paying Thole 1.75mil we have to save with guys like kawasaki and pillar at 500K each.

 

both serve their purpose backing up multiple positions and provide good at bats when used in those specific roles

[xposbrad]

I interpret this as a good sign. This means there is no intention to go with scrubs anywhere outside of 2B.

 

That's most likely not true. I don't see a big 1b signing if that's what you are thinking. Maybe the team sees EE playing 2/3 of games at 1b, and would rather a league min guy to back him up. Remember, Navarro is slotted in as a DH. So that means EE is starting at 1b.

[Terminator]

Also could Headley slide across the diamond and play first base?

 

He could but then he loses a lot of his value which is tied to the great defense he provides at 3B.

[Stangstag]

That's most likely not true. I don't see a big 1b signing if that's what you are thinking. Maybe the team sees EE playing 2/3 of games at 1b, and would rather a league min guy to back him up. Remember, Navarro is slotted in as a DH. So that means EE is starting at 1b.

 

AA pretty explicitly stated that Navarro would be traded before the season starts.

[baubau]

AA pretty explicitly stated that Navarro would be traded before the season starts.

 

When was this? Not doubting you but wondering if I missed something somewhere in regards to this.

[Spanky99]

AA pretty explicitly stated that Navarro would be traded before the season starts, if it makes sense for the team.

 

FTFY

 

cf