Blue Jays kicking tires on Shields

[Angrioter]

Ben Nicholson-Smith

#BlueJays kicking tires on Shields per @JonHeymanCBS. Interesting, though there are limits to what #Jays can spend.

[L54]

AA is going to have to get creative with payroll to have a shot.

 

Navarro trade in the works?

[Angrioter]

MLBTR

The Blue Jays are “kicking the tires” on Shields, which is a surprise to Heyman given their payroll limitations.* This isn’t the first time Toronto has been linked to Shields, though it remains to be seen if the Jays can create the financial space to sign Shields even at a lowered price tag.

[Angrioter]

AA is going to have to get creative with payroll to have a shot.

 

Navarro trade in the works?

 

Alex could hire a thug and free us from Jose Reyes contract.

[TwistedLogic]

Now that it's been reported by Heyman, I'm finally convinced that the Jays won't sign Shields.

[Angrioter]

Sanchez > Shields 19M

 

I dont want see Sanchez pitching out of the bullpen.

[Abomination]

AA is going to have to get creative with payroll to have a shot.

 

Navarro trade in the works?

 

I wonder if there's a team out there that wants Buehrle? His salary is a bit high, but they know what they'd be getting and it would only be a 1 year commitment (plus a draft pick I'd assume). Someone is bound to have a bad injury this spring and not want a long term commitment. Shields would be an upgrade for us, and if his price really has dropped into the 15-17M range, then you could even structure it to replace Buehrle's salary this year and a drop next year when payroll is going to be tight (no need to backload it).

 

I don't think it'll happen, but lots of possibilities of ways to be creative. There's even the Scherzer method from this year.

[Dick_Pole]

I don't see the benefit of dumping Buehrle to pick up Shields. Longer commitment and a minimal upgrade. I'd rather that the Jays have the flexibility for next year's FA crop. Plus the Jays have the benefit of one more year of Hutchison/Stroman/Sanchez/Norris development along with the lower level guys. The team will have a much better idea where they stand with the young SPs next year, and if we're lucky, might not even need to replace Buehrle and can allocate all extra funds to shoring up the positional holes which I'm sure will still be an issue next year.

[L54]

I wonder if there's a team out there that wants Buehrle? His salary is a bit high, but they know what they'd be getting and it would only be a 1 year commitment (plus a draft pick I'd assume). Someone is bound to have a bad injury this spring and not want a long term commitment. Shields would be an upgrade for us, and if his price really has dropped into the 15-17M range, then you could even structure it to replace Buehrle's salary this year and a drop next year when payroll is going to be tight (no need to backload it).

 

I don't think it'll happen, but lots of possibilities of ways to be creative. There's even the Scherzer method from this year.

 

I'd rather keep Beuhrle than deal him, and I don't really know if any teams would be willing to take on that entire contract, even as a salary dump. You are right though, there are definitely ways to get creative.

 

I'd love to see him in Toronto, but only if he's paid like a #2, and not like "Big Game James".

 

600 innings from Shields, Buehrle and Dickey would be about as sure of a thing as you can get.

[Abomination]

I'd rather keep Beuhrle than deal him, and I don't really know if any teams would be willing to take on that entire contract, even as a salary dump. You are right though, there are definitely ways to get creative.

 

I'd love to see him in Toronto, but only if he's paid like a #2, and not like "Big Game James".

 

600 innings from Shields, Buehrle and Dickey would be about as sure of a thing as you can get.

 

Well, Shields IS an upgrade over Buehrle, and probably gives you an extra 20 innings too. You're right though, those guaranteed innings from those three would be huge. It would take a massive load off the pen, and with them not being overworked, probably results in an improved pen too.

[L54]

Well, Shields IS an upgrade over Buehrle, and probably gives you an extra 20 innings too. You're right though, those guaranteed innings from those three would be huge. It would take a massive load off the pen, and with them not being overworked, probably results in an improved pen too.

 

There's no doubt Shields is an upgrade over Buehrle. Taking a load off the pen would provide a big boost as well.

 

All this being said, I'm sure I'll wake up tomorrow and he'll be a Padre or something.

[Abomination]

There's no doubt Shields is an upgrade over Buehrle. Taking a load off the pen would provide a big boost as well.

 

All this being said, I'm sure I'll wake up tomorrow and he'll be a Padre or something.

 

Yeah, I don't believe we'll sign him either. Fun to speculate and try to find ways to make it work though.

[jays_fever]

Having 3 pitchers going into the season with a great track record of throwing 200+ innings a season would be pretty awesome. Norris would be a very good weapon to have in AAA when the inevitable injury occurs

[Spanky99]

Ben Nicholson-Smith

#BlueJays kicking tires on Shields per @JonHeymanCBS. Interesting, though there are limits to what #Jays can spend.

 

Heyman said on the MLB Show this morning he thinks the Jays should go after Shields, now he tweets this 12 hours later...click bait?

[Spanky99]

There's no doubt Shields is an upgrade over Buehrle. Taking a load off the pen would provide a big boost as well.

 

All this being said, I'm sure I'll wake up tomorrow and he'll be a Padre or something.

 

This man, that's where Kenny Ken thinks he's going.

[GNick49]

Ben Nicholson-Smith

#BlueJays kicking tires on Shields per @JonHeymanCBS. Interesting, though there are limits to what #Jays can spend.

 

Norris be in AAA and Sanchez closer....pass!

[Angrioter]

AA, Sanchez isn't Delin Betances!!

[Key22]

Adding Shields would be what AA was hoping for 2 years ago. Have a solid rotation with young upside and veterans and a strong offense.

 

Shields allows both Sanchez and Norris and Estrada to be placed solidly in the pen. It's a ripple effect. But Shields supposedly wants a west coast club and San Diego is his home - the Jays would most definitely have to outbid San Diego and probably in both years and dollars. He'd sure be nice because he would also help us add depth for injury. If MB or Dickey go down so do their 200 innings. I think they're going to stand pat though. With Luck Stroman is going to be a true shut down Ace and Sanchez turns out to have worked out his walks problem and is the next Roy Halladay. If both those happen AND Dickey and Beurhle just do what they usually do then the team has a decent chance. Anything less than that however, and we're probably not sniffing the playoffs.

[RealAccountant]

I don't see the benefit of dumping Buehrle to pick up Shields. Longer commitment and a minimal upgrade. I'd rather that the Jays have the flexibility for next year's FA crop. Plus the Jays have the benefit of one more year of Hutchison/Stroman/Sanchez/Norris development along with the lower level guys. The team will have a much better idea where they stand with the young SPs next year, and if we're lucky, might not even need to replace Buehrle and can allocate all extra funds to shoring up the positional holes which I'm sure will still be an issue next year.

 

If you think Shields is a minimal upgrade over Burly I got some bad news

[Angrioter]

I don't see the benefit of dumping Buehrle to pick up Shields. Longer commitment and a minimal upgrade. I'd rather that the Jays have the flexibility for next year's FA crop. Plus the Jays have the benefit of one more year of Hutchison/Stroman/Sanchez/Norris development along with the lower level guys. The team will have a much better idea where they stand with the young SPs next year, and if we're lucky, might not even need to replace Buehrle and can allocate all extra funds to shoring up the positional holes which I'm sure will still be an issue next year.

 

Buehrle 36: 20M (19 salary and 1 Signing bonus) and 1.5 Wins Steamer projection

Shields 33: ~19M and 3 Wins Steamer projection

[GNick49]

If you think Shields is a minimal upgrade over Burly I got some bad news

 

Not much difference in the stats. Shields career ERA is 3.72 compared to Buehrle's 3.81. Shields WHIP is 1.22 compared to Buehrle 1.28. If anything Buehrle likely better pitcher considering Rogers Center. His HR9 with Toronto 0.9, and HR/FB 5%. When Shields was at Tampa HR9 was 1.1, his HR/FB was 9%. Which will jump at Rogers. Shields much better off at non-homerun ballpark. He's #3 starter at Rogers.

 

Shields history at Rogers Centre not good. He's had 10 career starts, a 4-3 record, 4.09 ERA. But 20 home runs allowed in 70 innings.

[Atothe]

This might be legitimate because Shields isn't a boras client and Heyman only shills for Boras clients when it comes to rumors

[glory]

If it was Kenny reporting it, then I might believe it, but Heyman is a s*** peddler. Only leaks things for agents.

 

Shields would be the best of both world's: win now and keep all prospects. Basically what they should have done in 2013. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Regardless, do a Miami Marlins deal here. First year salary is $5-10M, then trade him to San Diego a year later during his heavily backloaded years.

[Spanky99]

This might be legitimate because Shields isn't a boras client and Heyman only shills for Boras clients when it comes to rumors

 

Silly Wabbit!!!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Until the headline reads AA steals James shields tires sometime " after midnight" it will sadly remain at

" two minutes to midnight" .... " forevermore" as tire kickers seldom do buy!

[SaskJaysFan_2]

I'd love this move.

 

Keeps Norris in AAA and Sanchez can be closer for one year (or more) taking care of that bullpen.

 

Shields takes over MB's role as dependable 2-3 guy for the next three years after this season.

 

As others have said, this would save the bullpen ~ 40-50 innings. Keep them more rested than last year.

 

And with Martin framing, I doubt Shields regresses to the extent many feel.

 

Honestly, I think it's a perfect fit. And may give us 2 more WAR in that SP position. That could make the difference.

[ScientificReason]

not going to happen, rogers won;t give us a bit more money to make this team a legit contender, never want to go all the way, and they wonder why we finish third almost every year.

 

we are relying on too many young pitchers to produce and improve at the MLB level. Sanchez and norris should be in the minors this season. Sanchez in the bullpen maybe, thats it.

[L54]

I'd rather sign Oliviera to play 2b for us.

 

I can't say rather without knowing the dollars, but I do agree he seems to be a great fit right now.

[KingKat]

What team is going to want to take on Buehrle's salary rather than offer Shields Buehrle money? The only reason to do this would be if you prefer a shorter commitments to a lesser player over a longer commitments to a better player for roughly the same AAV. The team that seems most likely to have this mindset is the Jays themselves.

[Laika]

No thanks.