Salary Room for Lester to Jays Now?

[Ziggyy108]

If your going to pay a lefty pitcher that much money for that much term, why not just sign Lester who is proven in the AL East and keep your prospects?

 

exactly. this was the main problem with the Marlins deal

[BlueRocky]

Yes we probably have enough payroll to pay a guy $20mill~

Still not sure if either Lester or shields deserve the type of contract they're asking for.

Scherzer's probably outside our reach.

 

Too bad we missed the David Price sweepstakes at the deadline and he's still in contract.

He would be my first choice if we could pay that kind of money for a pitcher for 5+ years

[FireAlexAnthopoulos]

The final bidding on Jon Lester involves more than just the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants, an official of one club in the bidding told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Wednesday.

 

The identity of the fourth team isn't known to the other clubs involved.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11975072/jon-lester-bidding-includes-fourth-team

 

http://media.tumblr.com/9cdd056fcc690b0d05f1b7a0388b11ab/tumblr_inline_nfwzvbYwUi1s3qunm.gif

[Hipfan]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11975072/jon-lester-bidding-includes-fourth-team

 

http://media.tumblr.com/9cdd056fcc690b0d05f1b7a0388b11ab/tumblr_inline_nfwzvbYwUi1s3qunm.gif

 

The fourth team is the Dodgers: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/jon-lester-rumors-wednesday-2.html

[FireAlexAnthopoulos]

^ ESPN says there's a "mystery team" AND the Dodgers are involved, separately.

[King]

I can't understand how this board can turn up their nose at Lester but drool over a playoff choker like Shields.

 

lol

[Maahfaace]

lester isnt coming to Toronto, his first choice would be atlanta considering he is from there, the jays would have to massively overpay and give 7 or 8 years which is against team policy....not happening

[Stangstag]

I can't understand how this board can turn up their nose at Lester but drool over a playoff choker like Shields.

 

Did you even WATCH the wildcard game? Lester choked that game.

 

Anyways, Lester is the better pitcher but he will cost far more than Shields. Shields would be the better deal. We probably don't have the money for Lester anyways.

[baloojayz]

No aces please, waste of that saved money

[GD]

I can't understand how this board can turn up their nose at Lester but drool over a playoff choker like Shields.

 

[G-Snarls]

lester isnt coming to Toronto, his first choice would be atlanta considering he is from there, the jays would have to massively overpay and give 7 or 8 years which is against team policy....not happening

 

I agree. Zero chance on Lester

 

I am very intrigued though that AA said SP agents were calling him saying their clients were suddenly interested after Russell Martin was acquired.

[canadiansportsjunkie]

I don't see the Jays overpaying for Lester ( years ) or Lester wanting to play here.

 

I prefer the value of Shields anyway

[glory]

Shields will sign for five years. He's the guy to go after if you want to overpay a free agent starter. Otherwise, a cheaper risk on a guy like McCarthy or Liriano isn't a bad option.

[L54]

I agree. Zero chance on Lester

 

I am very intrigued though that AA said SP agents were calling him saying their clients were suddenly interested after Russell Martin was acquired.

 

I would have to think Liriano was one of them.

[L54]

McCarthy, Lowrie, and a combination of a couple bullpen pieces (trade, FA, rule 5, I don't really care).

[G-Snarls]

I would have to think Liriano was one of them.

 

For sure. He was probably upset the Pirates didn't keep him.

[G-Snarls]

How much will Liriano get? He turned down a QO so he's compensated but he'd only cost us the second rounder now. Seems like an intriguing target.

[jays76]

Yes we probably have enough payroll to pay a guy $20mill~

Still not sure if either Lester or shields deserve the type of contract they're asking for.

Scherzer's probably outside our reach.

 

Too bad we missed the David Price sweepstakes at the deadline and he's still in contract.

He would be my first choice if we could pay that kind of money for a pitcher for 5+ years

 

Great insight, Price was a serious missed opportunity considering his salary and the cost. He also would've galvanized us last yr and potentially got us the wildcard, that being said I guess we can't cry over spilled milk especially with this off season so far. Personally I'd rather spend the money on Liriano or McCarthy as many are suggesting plus Lowrie and a closer. It's a long season and there will be plenty of opportunities to make a trade for a front end starter if needed (Hamels, etc). Buerhle's expiring contract and a few decent prospects puts in a position of flexibility to do that and make other necessary tweaks if we're really going for it..

[GreekFatAss]

Prior to trading Happ and non tendering free agents, Davidi reported we had between 10-12 million to re-sign Melky.

 

Since then we have, reduced by $3.9 million in trading Happ for Saunders and non tendered 6.2 million reducing the commitment by 10.1 million.

 

Since we are now at 125.7 million and have lowered the threshold by 10.1 we would have been at 135.8 million when Davidi said we had 10-12 to spend which would mean the total budget should fall between $145-147 million giving us a total of 20-22 million to spend atm which could increase by another $5 million by dealing Navarro.

[L54]

For sure. He was probably upset the Pirates didn't keep him.

 

I think him, and a lot of Pirates fans haha.

 

Maybe its McCarthy? IIRC hasn't he been quoted saying something or tweeting about the use of advanced stats? If so, he would certainly know how much he could benefit from Russell Martin.

[L54]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/08/brandon-mccarthy-pitcher-wins-and-rbi-absurd/

 

A quick search resulted in this interview. Basically says that the arbitrary wins and RBIz are what gets a player paid, when in reality they hold no merit.

 

This makes me giddy, especially if it was McCarthy who AA was talking about.

 

I'm making my first bold prediction on this board (and the old board). McCarthy is a Jay at the end of the off season.

[G-Snarls]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/08/brandon-mccarthy-pitcher-wins-and-rbi-absurd/

 

A quick search resulted in this interview. Basically says that the arbitrary wins and RBIz are what gets a player paid, when in reality they hold no merit.

 

This makes me giddy, especially if it was McCarthy who AA was talking about.

 

I'm making my first bold prediction on this board (and the old board). McCarthy is a Jay at the end of the off season.

 

Good target and we know AA is high on him

 

He tried to get him before didn't he?? (or was it someone else he tried to get before Sanchez and Dickey)

[L54]

Good target and we know AA is high on him

 

He tried to get him before didn't he?? (or was it someone else he tried to get before Sanchez and Dickey)

 

Hopefully there's mutual interest there. I can't remember if AA has been linked to him or not, but judging from his offseason so far, I'm sure he's a thought.

 

I think adding another starter at this point along with a couple bull pen pieces is what should be next. If it's between a starter and MIF help, I'll take the starter.

[ScientificReason]

McCarthy would be a good pickup.

[G-Snarls]

Hopefully there's mutual interest there. I can't remember if AA has been linked to him or not, but judging from his offseason so far, I'm sure he's a thought.

 

I think adding another starter at this point along with a couple bull pen pieces is what should be next. If it's between a starter and MIF help, I'll take the starter.

 

Same. I'm probably good with Goins/Izturis/Travis for 2B if we added a starter and shored up the pen. Adding a starter like McCarthy would also allow Sanchez to start the year in Buffalo or in the pen, both preferable to having him in the starting rotation to start the year IYAM.

[BlueRocky]

Prior to trading Happ and non tendering free agents, Davidi reported we had between 10-12 million to re-sign Melky.

 

Since then we have, reduced by $3.9 million in trading Happ for Saunders and non tendered 6.2 million reducing the commitment by 10.1 million.

 

Since we are now at 125.7 million and have lowered the threshold by 10.1 we would have been at 135.8 million when Davidi said we had 10-12 to spend which would mean the total budget should fall between $145-147 million giving us a total of 20-22 million to spend atm which could increase by another $5 million by dealing Navarro.

 

Could trade Navarro for a vending machine. But it wouldn't help if the pitchers are looking for 6+ years.

 

But does picking up McCarthy accomplish the goal of getting a front line starter? Not sure how legit are those 14 games in NYY.

What's the point of getting another #2-#4 guy, we got plenty of those.

Rather pay more for a stud.

[L54]

My thoughts exactly. Pushes everyone down on the depth chart and starts Sanchez is AAA where I think he should start.

 

What would Everth Cabrera cost? Obviously much cheaper than Lowrie or Drew. Might be able to afford McCarthy+him.

[LongTimeReader]

Could trade Navarro for a vending machine. But it wouldn't help if the pitchers are looking for 6+ years.

 

But does picking up McCarthy accomplish the goal of getting a front line starter? Not sure how legit are those 14 games in NYY.

What's the point of getting another #2-#4 guy, we got plenty of those.

Rather pay more for a stud.

 

Navarro for a vending machine? If anything Navarro is a great backup catcher/ bench option. He's no JPA.

[L54]

Could trade Navarro for a vending machine. But it wouldn't help if the pitchers are looking for 6+ years.

 

But does picking up McCarthy accomplish the goal of getting a front line starter? Not sure how legit are those 14 games in NYY.

What's the point of getting another #2-#4 guy, we got plenty of those.

Rather pay more for a stud.

 

I think McCarthy would become the second best starter on the staff. He's more of a number 2 than a 4.

 

At the end of the day he's an upgrade on Estrada, and shouldn't cost a fortune.

[BlueRocky]

Navarro for a vending machine? If anything Navarro is a great backup catcher/ bench option. He's no JPA.

 

The point is, not sure if giving away his contract would help increase their chances of signing the pitcher they're looking for.

 

But if you can get McCarthy AND acquire an upgrade at 2B instead #1 pitcher, that would be swell too.

Edited December 4, 2014 by BlueRocky