Offseason Roster Thread 2016-17

[Bobthe4th]

Bolsinger is also 29 already and has had arguably one good season in his career. I'm not convinced we couldn't sign a similar replacement or two even if he was claimed.

[BTS]

Bolsinger is also 29 already and has had arguably one good season in his career. I'm not convinced we couldn't sign a similar replacement or two even if he was claimed.

 

He does have a 3.77 xFIP and 4.22 FIP (1.3 fWAR) over 36 starts. And he projects as a league-average starter. I think you're underrating him, especially as a guy making the minimum. He's a 1-2 WAR SP making 500k that you can store in the pen until you need him.

[Bobthe4th]

He does have a 3.77 xFIP and 4.22 FIP (1.3 fWAR) over 36 starts. And he projects as a league-average starter. I think you're underrating him, especially as a guy making the minimum. He's a 1-2 WAR SP making 500k that you can store in the pen until you need him.

 

I hope you're right, I'm sure the front office would snap your hand off if you offered them 2 WAR from him!

 

I'm not convinced, but if the front office think he's that good then yes you have to give him one of the bullpen places.

[Terminator]

He does have a 3.77 xFIP and 4.22 FIP (1.3 fWAR) over 36 starts. And he projects as a league-average starter. I think you're underrating him, especially as a guy making the minimum. He's a 1-2 WAR SP making 500k that you can store in the pen until you need him.

 

Agreed 100%. He's a very legit #6 SP. Could be in the backend of a lot of big league rotations this year. Very good K rate and groundball rate.

[Terminator]

What is it that you like about Bolsinger? I'll admit to not seeing him much, but he's never impressed me when I have watched him pitch. His stats don't jump out as anything to write home about either.

 

Check out his K rate. Projects be over 8 per 9 which is great for a starting pitcher. His groundball rate is also really good.

[glory]

I'd be pretty surprised if they option Loup. He's only the second lefty in the pen, and I think he's better than guys like Floyd and Bolsinger on a per-batter basis. Maybe not a lock, but I don't think they should option him, and I'd be surprised if they do.

 

I think they might option him because they don't want to lose Sparkman and they can't really afford to lose Bolsinger. So that puts the pen as Osuna, Grilli, Howell, Smith, Bolsinger, and Sparkman. If Biagini starts in the bigs instead of AAA, then that's your 7 guys right there. If Biagini starts in AAA as a SP, then that opens up a spot for Loup.

 

I think Floyd as a RP has potential. Just call up Loup after Floyd's arm falls off.

[Brownie19]

Isn't there a strong likelihood that Sparkman doesn't make the club and is sent back to KC? Biagini's the outliner, not the norm - especially on a team that should contend. Obviously we'll give him a long look, but I'd be surprised if he makes the team.

[KingKat]

Is it possible you start Loup in AAA and give Sparkman the first month to see what he has. And hang onto Bolsinger.

 

Half our games in April are against TB and BAL. You have Howell for Brad Miller and Chris Davis if you have to play matchups. TB has a few other LHBs but they're not great. Outside of Davis, BAL has Smith and Kim, meh.

 

One series vs. BOS. Howell for JBJ.

 

One series vs. STL. Howell for Carpenter.

 

I dunno.. you could probably get away with it.

 

Seems plausible. Another possibility would be to simply try and work out a trade for Sparkman.

[Grant77]

Seems plausible. Another possibility would be to simply try and work out a trade for Sparkman.

 

Expectations for a Rule V pickup seem rather high, perhaps due to our experience with Biagini last year. It's exceedingly rare for such a player to carve out a role on a contending team. I'm not against giving him a shot if he earns it in ST, but the smart money is on him not making it.

[Abomination]

So we have 5 locks for the pen: Osuna, Grilli, Smith, Loup, Howell. Who takes the last two spots? Apparent candidates:

 

Joe Biagini - has options

Ryan tepera - has options

Danny barnes - has options

Matt Dermody - has options

Chad Girodo - has options

Glenn Sparkman - has to be retained on 25-man or offered back to KC

Brett Oberholtzer - no options

Mike Bolsinger - no options

Jeff Beliveau - no options

Bo Schultz - no options

Gavin Floyd - on MiLB deal

Lucas Harrell - on MiLB deal

T.J. House on MiLB deal

 

Assuming they pitch well, the most likely choices are probably Bolsinger and Sparkman.

 

Yeah, I think it'll be Bolsinger and Sparkman too (although we could run with an 8 man pen early on perhaps). My preference would be Biagini and Dermody.

[Brownie19]

Expectations for a Rule V pickup seem rather high, perhaps due to our experience with Biagini last year. It's exceedingly rare for such a player to carve out a role on a contending team. I'm not against giving him a shot if he earns it in ST, but the smart money is on him not making it.

 

There's an echo in here...

[wk680]

Yeah, I think it'll be Bolsinger and Sparkman too (although we could run with an 8 man pen early on perhaps). My preference would be Biagini and Dermody.

 

8 man pen seems like a highly unlikely scenario. With only 25 roster spots, 8 relievers (13 pitchers), leaves you only 3 spots on the bench. Those spots would be a 4th outfielder, backup infielder (Barney) and backup catcher. Oh yes, this would make the majority of this board absolutely giddy that Smoak would be outrighted to AAA! Then again, an injury in spring training could clear the path for him to remain even in this unlikely 8 man pen scenario:(

 

Overall, it seems unlikely to be anything but 7 in the pen with 2 lefties. That likely sets up a situation where either Loup makes it or is forced to compete for a spot with others, including Oberholtzer, House, Dermody and Girodo. Maybe there is an outside chance that one of Oberholtzer or House (both with MLB starter experience) could be a lefty swingman out of the pen?

 

So we have 5 locks for the pen: Osuna, Grilli, Smith, Loup, Howell. Who takes the last two spots? Apparent candidates:

 

Joe Biagini - has options

Ryan tepera - has options

Danny barnes - has options

Matt Dermody - has options

Chad Girodo - has options

Glenn Sparkman - has to be retained on 25-man or offered back to KC

Brett Oberholtzer - no options

Mike Bolsinger - no options

Jeff Beliveau - no options

Bo Schultz - no options

Gavin Floyd - on MiLB deal

Lucas Harrell - on MiLB deal

T.J. House on MiLB deal

 

Assuming they pitch well, the most likely choices are probably Bolsinger and Sparkman.

 

How do you go about determining who has options remaining? I tried unsuccessfully to find a source online for this info.

[Spanky99]

How do you go about determining who has options remaining? I tried unsuccessfully to find a source online for this info.

 

http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-toronto-blue-jays/

[KingKat]

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[/font]

 

How do you go about determining who has options remaining? I tried unsuccessfully to find a source online for this info.

 

http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-toronto-blue-jays/

[Grant77]

There's an echo in here...

 

Lol sorry, I just looked at the very last post.

[Grant77]

http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-toronto-blue-jays/

 

I'd note that this list isn't always accurate because special exemptions for players are rather common and undisclosed, especially for ones that have been injured.

[Spanky99]

I'd note that this list isn't always accurate because special exemptions for players are rather common and undisclosed, especially for ones that have been injured.

 

Best I've ever found.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[TheHurl]

I'd note that this list isn't always accurate because special exemptions for players are rather common and undisclosed, especially for ones that have been injured.

 

actually not common at all. There are exactly two exemptions. Those that qualify for a 4th option (not completed 5 years of professional baseball...much less common now with not being able to sign draftees to major league contracts). The second exemption is simple...spending the entire year on the DL.

[Grant77]

actually not common at all. There are exactly two exemptions. Those that qualify for a 4th option (not completed 5 years of professional baseball...much less common now with not being able to sign draftees to major league contracts). The second exemption is simple...spending the entire year on the DL.

 

I won't argue over the definition of common, but there are several examples every year so I always try to find a second source if the player has been injured.

[Ehjays]

Isn't there a strong likelihood that Sparkman doesn't make the club and is sent back to KC? Biagini's the outliner, not the norm - especially on a team that should contend. Obviously we'll give him a long look, but I'd be surprised if he makes the team.

 

Odds are always against the Rule V draft pick not only making the team, but sticking with them the entire year. Let alone being any type of impact player. But I think a few things are working in Sparkmans favour here.

A) The team has just went through this experience and came out absolutely pleased with their new asset.

If you are gonna carry a guy, the pen is probably the best spot to carry him as you can have him come in during blowouts and other

lower profile innings.

C) The team selected Sparkman using the same method they selected Biagini with and they are confident they have another diamond in the rough. With some of the more

higher profile players exposed in the draft, Sparkman was THEE guy the Jays had tabbed as theirs from the start.....so they say.

D) This new FO is determined to build the farm in utilizing all the options available. Rule V is basically a free look at someone elses prospect.

Sparkman had worked his way up to double-A as a 23-year-old after a pair of excellent seasons in rookie ball and high-A ....Then Tommy John surgery

caused him to miss 2015 season....came back last year... not great numbers but Jays were satisfied enough and I think Royals felt they could sneak him through.

 

This is a low cost look at a young asset .....take all the time you want .....He could be a Gem!!

[Grant77]

Would a veteran executive like Shapiro really be swayed by their success with Biagini, even though he has overseen more than 20 Rule V drafts (of which, Biagini is his only success)? If Sparkman makes the team, it won't be because he is riding Biagini's coattails.

[TheHurl]

Would a veteran executive like Shapiro really be swayed by their success with Biagini, even though he has overseen more than 20 Rule V drafts (of which, Biagini is his only success)? If Sparkman makes the team, it won't be because he is riding Biagini's coattails.

 

I don't think they ever really participated in it (once...maybe twice). I remember an interview (with Jonah Keri) where he talked about he spent too much time developing systems to let someone from his system go. So he hated going into the Rule 5 with an open spot on the 40.

[z3r0s]

Just sign Pagan already! $3M seems to be 'the number' for FAs struggling to this OS. As long as he isn't butchering CF, he should provide league average D and has the potential to repeat his 105 RC+ in a better hitting environment/lineup.

 

A 1.5 WAR LF, combined with seeing less Smoak and more Pearce at 1B. All for a cheap 3M or less.

[KingKat]

Just sign Pagan already! $3M seems to be 'the number' for FAs struggling to this OS. As long as he isn't butchering CF, he should provide league average D and has the potential to repeat his 105 RC+ in a better hitting environment/lineup.

 

A 1.5 WAR LF, combined with seeing less Smoak and more Pearce at 1B. All for a cheap 3M or less.

 

I liked Pagan as a target from the very start. Some people didn't but he's pretty hard to lift your nose at now that he's pretty much the last man standing. He's an easy cheap upgrade (or at worst a negligible sunk cost if he sucks for some reason). Just do it!

[THANOS]

I liked Pagan as a target from the very start. Some people didn't but he's pretty hard to lift your nose at now that he's pretty much the last man standing. He's an easy cheap upgrade (or at worst a negligible sunk cost if he sucks for some reason). Just do it!

 

Well, it allows us to make Upton the 4th OF (which makes him a pretty good 4th OF) and send Carrera down, so that's great. And if Pompey spanks AAA as well, you can call him up, trade Upton, and make Pagan the 4th OF.

[KingKat]

Well, it allows us to make Upton the 4th OF (which makes him a pretty good 4th OF) and send Carrera down, so that's great. And if Pompey spanks AAA as well, you can call him up, trade Upton, and make Pagan the 4th OF.

 

The only hitch is that it seems like the team wants to hold on to Carrera for CF depth and not risk losing him to waivers. Seems like they liked what they saw of Zeke last year and Pompey and Cecilliani are probably still question marks in their mind. That's why I'm not really optimistic that it's going to happen.

[Spanky99]

Just sign Pagan already! $3M seems to be 'the number' for FAs struggling to this OS. As long as he isn't butchering CF, he should provide league average D and has the potential to repeat his 105 RC+ in a better hitting environment/lineup.

 

A 1.5 WAR LF, combined with seeing less Smoak and more Pearce at 1B. All for a cheap 3M or less.

 

He was the least of the OF'ers I wanted out there... but here we are, would love to take him on, now.

[TholesWeirdEye]

The only hitch is that it seems like the team wants to hold on to Carrera for CF depth and not risk losing him to waivers. Seems like they liked what they saw of Zeke last year and Pompey and Cecilliani are probably still question marks in their mind. That's why I'm not really optimistic that it's going to happen.

 

[Grant77]

I don't think they ever really participated in it (once...maybe twice). I remember an interview (with Jonah Keri) where he talked about he spent too much time developing systems to let someone from his system go. So he hated going into the Rule 5 with an open spot on the 40.

 

I believe Chris McGuiness made their roster one year and he made a few other selections, but nothing notable. Basically the point is that he hasn't suddenly changed strategies and will keep Sparkman now because of it. They got lucky with Biagini, but it doesn't happen very often and he knows that.

[Gary]

Pagan at $3 million is a wet dream.