Official MiLB/Prospects Thread

[Krylian]

The Jays have 30 mil in payroll committed next year. Those 2 cost 65. You don't stop spending if you have those 2. You would need to commit to 160 170 in payroll. You literal could build a contender through free agency next year if you got those 2 and you wouldn't have to trade off all your prospect capital.

 

The problem is I don't see any scenario in which Cole isn't a Yankee next year and the odds of getting Rendon are a long shot.

 

The Yankees have money to spend, the sox have money to spend, the dodgers and cubs always seem to have money. The Marlins have money to spend in theory. Who else has money to spend?

 

If the Jays have a shot at either Rendon or Cole they should overpay, extend the extra year and do whatever it takes. There just aren't many truly elite free agents that come available. Outside of that there's plenty of pitching you can add, but you're probably looking for value.

 

The odds of contending in 2020 are extremely long, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't add pieces that can help you in 2021 or 2022.

 

Overpaying for Free Agents has always been a solid recipe for success.

[Jimcanuck]

The Jays have 30 mil in payroll committed next year. Those 2 cost 65. You don't stop spending if you have those 2. You would need to commit to 160 170 in payroll. You literal could build a contender through free agency next year if you got those 2 and you wouldn't have to trade off all your prospect capital.

 

The problem is I don't see any scenario in which Cole isn't a Yankee next year and the odds of getting Rendon are a long shot.

 

The Yankees have money to spend, the sox have money to spend, the dodgers and cubs always seem to have money. The Marlins have money to spend in theory. Who else has money to spend?

 

If the Jays have a shot at either Rendon or Cole they should overpay, extend the extra year and do whatever it takes. There just aren't many truly elite free agents that come available. Outside of that there's plenty of pitching you can add, but you're probably looking for value.

 

The odds of contending in 2020 are extremely long, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't add pieces that can help you in 2021 or 2022.

 

Agree with the last statement. But disagree with going all in with the goal of contending in 2020.

 

Significant financial risk with FA signings, which is why teams generally wait until the team is further along the win curve before tapping heavily into the FA market.

[Bobthe4th]

So the idea is to stick with the same team that lost 100 games. And likely lose 100 games again. All while sitting on the most payroll space in the league. Then do it all over again because we "just lost 100 games". And before you know it the core isnt cheap anymore. It's a self defeating idea. You cant just wait for the rookies to win 90 games on their own before spending money... that's how you end up with a one year window.

 

We punted this year to get all the s*** contracts off the books and reset for next year and the future. Theres no reason to do that again next year. If we go into the year with a 50M dollar payroll then I will be beside myself with rage. And so should Rogers - what a total waste of 50 million dollars that would be

 

You're over simplifying things. The main aims of Shatkins this season were to work out who was part of the core going forward, trading anyone with value but isn't a part of that core (exceptions - Giles got injured and I assume Smoak had no market), and writing off payroll for players that weren't valuable enough to get a decent return (Morales, Tulo, Martin).

 

One of the main reasons this squad hasn't been near .500 is that not enough players that could be part of the future core have established themselves. Hernandez and Tellez haven't progressed. Fisher, Grichuk and McKinney have all been terrible. The only young starter who has shown anything is Thornton. We've had some injuries too.

 

We are not signing Cole, there are other teams that can offer better situations and just as much money. We are not increasing payroll >$100m on the 6 or 7 players we'd need to turn ourselves into a contender. We will be looking for people like Kay, Merryweather and Borucki to establish themselves in the rotation. We will be giving our collection of s*** outfielders more time to see if any of them don't suck. We will be giving time for Vlad to see if he can stick at 3B. Time for Gurriel to see if he is now a full time outfielder or can be used as a super utility player (who starts every day but at different positions). We will be acquiring some vets, maybe 1 or 2 mid tier starters, and getting (hopefully) a nice return for Giles.

 

A .500 season and 4 to 5 more core pieces established = a good year next year. Ideally that's what this year would have been, but it didn't turn out like that.

 

Again, I think that the front office will follow this strategy, I'm not advocating for them to do it. But "no reason" is obviously not the same as not agreeing with this strategy.

[Boxcar]

Lmfao @ 6 or 7 players.

 

See, this is why I don't have very deep takes on Basketball or Football. When you don't know what you're talking about, it quickly becomes very obvious.

[KevinGregg]

Agree with the last statement. But disagree with going all in with the goal of contending in 2020.

 

Significant financial risk with FA signings, which is why teams generally wait until the team is further along the win curve before tapping heavily into the FA market.

 

The Jays have a different situation than most other teams though. We have a ton of cash. Way more than anyone else. Free agency is providing wins at all time high efficiency. Use the money to buy wins in free agency to move up the win curve. If injuries don't bite us in the ass, then you can see where you are at the deadline and add from there. You don't have to always be making Prospect for aging broken down veteran trades. Maybe we flip Groshans for a decent high level pitching prospect for example.

[Bobthe4th]

The Jays have 30 mil in payroll committed next year. Those 2 cost 65. You don't stop spending if you have those 2. You would need to commit to 160 170 in payroll. You literal could build a contender through free agency next year if you got those 2 and you wouldn't have to trade off all your prospect capital.

 

The problem is I don't see any scenario in which Cole isn't a Yankee next year and the odds of getting Rendon are a long shot.

 

The Yankees have money to spend, the sox have money to spend, the dodgers and cubs always seem to have money. The Marlins have money to spend in theory. Who else has money to spend?

 

If the Jays have a shot at either Rendon or Cole they should overpay, extend the extra year and do whatever it takes. There just aren't many truly elite free agents that come available. Outside of that there's plenty of pitching you can add, but you're probably looking for value.

 

The odds of contending in 2020 are extremely long, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't add pieces that can help you in 2021 or 2022.

 

 

The Padres have payroll space and California to offer. IMO Cole ends up in California - Padres, Angels, Dodgers etc.

[Boxcar]

Overpaying for Free Agents has always been a solid recipe for success.

 

It would probably be pretty hard to overpay for Rendon, possibly Cole as well.

[Jimcanuck]

The Jays have a different situation than most other teams though. We have a ton of cash. Way more than anyone else. Free agency is providing wins at all time high efficiency. Use the money to buy wins in free agency to move up the win curve. If injuries don't bite us in the ass, then you can see where you are at the deadline and add from there. You don't have to always be making Prospect for aging broken down veteran trades. Maybe we flip Groshans for a decent high level pitching prospect for example.

 

Fully expect the BJs to be active in the free agent market, but not to the extent of building a legit 2020 contender. Not the time.

 

Also, the top free agents that the BJs would need to vault into minimum 80 win level will be in high demand. FA is not really providing wins at high efficiency for these types of players, not when you look at the contract duration and the expectation of negative value in the later years eg tulo, martin

[Barkerfan23]

The Padres have payroll space and California to offer. IMO Cole ends up in California - Padres, Angels, Dodgers etc.

 

Padres are a terrible franchise. Still cant belive the Hosmer contract

[Brownie19]

I don't see how they can avoid signing either a CF or a RF (with Grichuk moving to CF). Fisher, Teoscar, and McKinney are all LF'ers, and that's being kind to them. Neither of them are going to move Gurriel from that spot (nor should they), and none of them hit well enough to be worth a damn at DH. Not sure how they are going to go about this but they definitely need a OF from outside the org.

 

One name on the FA market that jumps out at me on the pitching side is Porcello. Not because I like him, but because he seems like someone the Jays would sign. There's a Ben Cherington connection as well.

 

I see no reason why Gurriel or Teo can't play RF...

[Orgfiller]

It would probably be pretty hard to overpay for Rendon, possibly Cole as well.

 

You think it'll be hard to overpay for two 29 year old stars coming off career years which will probably net them MVP and Cy Young respectively, both of them being Boras clients? I'm not sure I share that optimism, not that I even disagree with overpaying for either of them given what it would mean to the competitive window for the Jays.

Edited September 18, 2019 by Orgfiller

[Brownie19]

It would probably be pretty hard to overpay for Rendon, possibly Cole as well.

 

I would have said the same thing about Machado last offseason and here he is shiting the bed in 2019...

Edited September 18, 2019 by Brownie19

[Deadpool]

Maybe we flip Groshans for a decent high level pitching prospect for example.

 

This is just not the type of trade that ever happens.

[Laika]

I would have said the same thing about Machado last offseason and here is shiting the bed in 2019...

 

Huh.... he kind of is!

[TBJ12]

Padres are a terrible franchise. Still cant belive the Hosmer contract

 

Hosmer with 0.0 fWAR since being signed.

[Jimcanuck]

AFL starts tonight folks

[saskjayfan]

Overpaying for Free Agents has always been a solid recipe for success.

 

Scherzers contract seemed like an overpay and it’s worked out pretty good. Never getting the player isn’t a great recipe either and sometimes things work out. If cole’s market is 7 210 and no one is willing to go 8 240 and that would get cole to sign I would do that deal in a heartbeat.

[Boxcar]

You think it'll be hard to overpay for two 29 year old stars coming off career years which will probably net them MVP and Cy Young respectively, both of them being Boras clients? I'm not sure I share that optimism, not that I even disagree with overpaying for either of them given what it would mean to the competitive window for the Jays.

 

Free agent pay is not proportional to their projected WAR. For example, as a 6-7 WAR player, Rendon probably tops out at around 30MM or a bit more per year. A 3 WAR guy could make 20-25MM. Imo, you're more likely to overpay a mid-tier FA than a star.

[Boxcar]

I would have said the same thing about Machado last offseason and here he is shiting the bed in 2019...

 

Machado has bad knees

[Orgfiller]

Machado has bad knees

 

So does Rendon, does he not?

[Abomination]

I would have said the same thing about Machado last offseason and here he is shiting the bed in 2019...

 

In fairness, a guy who wasn't willing to play or run hard in the playoffs in his FA year probably wasn't going to pick it up after securing a big deal. This is what he did in 2017, and probably what we'll see going forward. A plus player, but not worth his contract.

[Boxcar]

So does Rendon, does he not?

 

Correct, he does not.

[Spanky__99]

WTF is wrong with you? Just stop.

 

No.

[Barkerfan23]

I see no reason why Gurriel or Teo can't play RF...

 

You really want to play a guy who strikes out 34 percent of the time

[Spanky__99]

By Keegan Matheson @KeeganMatheson

10:00 AM EDT

 

TORONTO -- One year after throwing just 1 2/3 Minor League innings in an injury-shortened season, Blue Jays’ No. 1 prospect Nate Pearson has emerged as one of the best young arms in baseball.

 

With a 2.30 ERA split across three levels in 2019, ending in Triple-A Buffalo, Pearson will soon be knocking on the door of the Major Leagues. It’s no surprise that the big 23-year-old has been named the Blue Jays’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year by MLB Pipeline, with the 20-year-old breakout catcher Alejandro Kirk getting the nod as the top hitter.

 

Each team's Hitting and Pitching Prospects of the Year were chosen by the MLB Pipeline staff. To receive consideration, players must have spent at least half the year in the Minors and appeared on the team's Top 30 Prospects list.

 

Back in Spring Training, Pearson met with the Blue Jays’ pitching coordinator, Jeff Ware, the coordinator of player development, David Aardsma, and the club’s medical staff to chart a course for how he would build up after his abbreviated 2018 season. The group agreed to alternate his outings -- two innings then five innings, in rotation -- and check back in midseason.

 

The plan came together perfectly. Pearson threw 101 2/3 innings, striking out 119, and is set up for a full, healthy 2020, when he’s expected to make the jump to the Major Leagues.

 

“We were really fired up about the strides Nate made with his fastball command and then with the development of his slider,” said Gil Kim, the Blue Jays’ director of player development. “Those were two areas that we had prioritized this year. Nate cut his walk rate down a little bit and established his slider as a true putaway. He also gained a little bit more feel for his curveball and his changeup.”

 

Those within the organization, from top to bottom, are quick to praise Pearson for his commitment and consistency off the field. Pearson brings a strong pedigree dating back to the 2017 Draft, even as a name who soared up Draft boards late, which is a much different path than Kirk took.

 

The Blue Jays had scouts in Mexico several years ago to scout a player, but it wasn’t Kirk. He caught their eye, though, and the Blue Jays are thrilled that they stumbled across the young catcher, who impressed internally early on, but battled injuries.

 

“We can distinctly remember Ken Huckaby, our catching coordinator, watching him catch for the first time and saying, ‘Hey, this guy’s really got something here,'” Kim said.

 

Kirk, ranked Toronto's No. 12 prospect, opened the season with Class A Lansing before making the jump up to Class A Advanced Dunedin, where he kept rolling at the plate. Kirk finished the season hitting .290 over 92 games with seven home runs, 31 doubles and an OPS of .868.

 

What really stands out about Kirk is his advanced plate approach, as he walked 56 times compared to just 39 strikeouts in 2019. The Blue Jays expect him to continue developing behind the plate, particularly when it comes to game calling and managing a pitching staff, but his complete offensive profile is something that the organization is eager to see as he climbs through the levels.

 

“We’re excited about that because we feel confident that he’s a well-rounded hitter,” Kim said. “He’s not just all power or all contact or just a guy with a good eye. He’s able to combine all of those things together.”

[Todd]

Trading Jordan Groshans would be a huge mistake.

[Spanky__99]

Our AFL affiliate Scottsdale Scorpions rosters...

 

https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/teams/scottsdale-scorpions

 

Game 1 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-solar-sox/2019/09/18/606720#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606720

 

Game 2 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-saguaros/2019/09/19/606722#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606722

[Barkerfan23]

Our AFL affiliate Scottsdale Scorpions rosters...

 

https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/teams/scottsdale-scorpions

 

Game 1 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-solar-sox/2019/09/18/606720#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606720

 

Game 2 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-saguaros/2019/09/19/606722#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606722

 

Kevin Smith is officially no longer a prospect.

[Laika]

Our AFL affiliate Scottsdale Scorpions rosters...

 

https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league/teams/scottsdale-scorpions

 

Game 1 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-solar-sox/2019/09/18/606720#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606720

 

Game 2 Boxscore: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/scorpions-vs-saguaros/2019/09/19/606722#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=606722

 

Shittiest AFL attendees in recent memory?

[Spanky__99]

Shittiest AFL attendees in recent memory?

 

Holy s***, lol.