Jays sign Morales 3 years 33M

[CHRIS]

Signing Morales, at this early stage, would be so demoralizing in the context of the Jays' chances of signing EE or JB to a reasonable contract. Even if some of us already see the writing on the wall.

 

In the context of early signings, I was going to make a Maicer Izturis joke/reference; but I couldn't remember his name, and had to google, "blue jay player second baseman falling up dugout stairs" in order to recall what it was. That sort of killed any joke/reference momentum.

[Angrioter]

Smoak's extension

[Olerud363]

We have Lind... in Smoak!

 

That's a great point... I forgot that Adam Lind had some really bad seasons, and bounced back. Given more chances because he had gaurenteed money....

 

Obviously Smoak has never really had a good season, but I think he could still provide something. Just saying there is a chance that the contract will still provide some value.

 

Lind bounced back after people thought he wouldn't.

[xposbrad]

Edwin's agent is looking for 5/125, are you willing to give 3/60 to sign Morales?

 

lol

 

His agent can be looking for 5/250 , he's not getting over 100m. He's also not getting 5 years. I can see 3/75. He doesn't exactly have the athletic body that will take him into his late 30s, so I'm sure most teams know even at 3 years, there's a good chance they get burned on that last year. Edwin is 34 to start the next MLB season.

[Governator]

lol

 

His agent can be looking for 5/250 , he's not getting over 100m. He's also not getting 5 years. I can see 3/75. He doesn't exactly have the athletic body that will take him into his late 30s, so I'm sure most teams know even at 3 years, there's a good chance they get burned on that last year. Edwin is 34 to start the next MLB season.

 

He's not exactly a CFer either... He's going to get a 4 year deal at minimum.

[fatcowxlive]

if Morales means $10-$13AAV, I'll take my chances with Smoak instead

[jaysblue]

I'd still look at Beltran as a DH & part-time corner outfielder. Would be a perfect fit for this lineup. Likely would take a 2 year deal in the $36-40 million range.

 

Matt Holliday could be really interesting as a DH/1B as well. Wonder if Tulo can help recruit him to play here. A one year deal worth $12-15 million might be able to get him here.

 

I know Beltran and Holliday are old, though both can at least still provide above average production if healthy and only require a short term commitment versus resigning EE at 5 years.

[Brownie19]

I'd still look at Beltran as a DH & part-time corner outfielder. Would be a perfect fit for this lineup. Likely would take a 2 year deal in the $36-40 million range.

 

Matt Holliday could be really interesting as a DH/1B as well. Wonder if Tulo can help recruit him to play here. A one year deal worth $12-15 million might be able to get him here.

 

I know Beltran and Holliday are old, though both can at least still provide above average production if healthy and only require a short term commitment versus resigning EE at 5 years.

 

Easy with all those original thoughts...

[Krylian]

These options are really gross, guys.

[thatoneguy]

These options are really gross, guys.

 

So is Morales for "half" of what EE could get.

 

Kind of a bummer of a start for the offseason, tbh.

[Jonn]

I wouldn't hate Morales. But I have higher hopes.

[Gary]

Morales is a great option if Edwin signs elsewhere. He'd mash in Rogers Centre.

[BlueJayWay]

Morales is a pretty good little hitter. Limitation is that he's basically just a DH. I wouldn't mind it depending on the cost. It feels like something that would happen later in the off season though.

[Stangstag]

These options are really gross, guys.

 

I disagree

[Spanky99]

These options are really gross, guys.

 

Slim pickings on the FA listings, bro.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/2016-17-mlb-free-agents.html

[Krylian]

Slim pickings on the FA listings, bro.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/2016-17-mlb-free-agents.html

 

I like Eddie, but the main problem is we're not going to jack the payroll up... And there are plenty of spots that need filling. If all of a sudden Rogers announced that the payroll was going to jump to 175, then ya, get Eddie back... But that ain't happening.

[Spanky99]

I like Eddie, but the main problem is we're not going to jack the payroll up... And there are plenty of spots that need filling. If all of a sudden Rogers announced that the payroll was going to jump to 175, then ya, get Eddie back... But that ain't happening.

 

Shi speculated that if the Birds sign him(thinks it's possible), the parameters are definitely north of 160. *About an hour ago on Tim & Sid* He spoke with Shapiro this afternoon and got the feeling payroll is going up, significantly.

[THANOS]

Shi speculated that if the Birds sign him(thinks it's possible), the parameters are definitely north of 160. *About an hour ago on Tim & Sid* He spoke with Shapiro this afternoon and got the feeling payroll is going up, significantly.

 

Music to my ears Spanky.

[Spanky99]

Music to my ears Spanky.

 

Same... remember that's Shi either knowing something, or simply speculating. I get the feeling Shatkins shoots from the hip, which is good. Atkins said they have the resources to get better this year, also.

[Driveof85]

I'm fine with Morales. No compensation. Much shorter term. Probably half of what Eddie will sign for. Use that extra cash and put it into the OF.

 

I find the talk of saving money laughable. Who cares how much people cost? Rogers can afford to field the best team possible. Let's go after top tier free agents, just like back in the day with the Winfield, Morris and Stewart signings.

[Spanky99]

I find the talk of saving money laughable. Who cares how much people cost? Rogers can afford to field the best team possible. Let's go after top tier free agents, just like back in the day with the Winfield, Morris and Stewart signings.

 

Back in the day Labatt's owned the club. Back in the day..............

[Driveof85]

Doesn't matter. Winning costs money and they're not going to win the division let alone the WS without spending.

[Spanky99]

Doesn't matter. Winning costs money and they're not going to win the division let alone the WS without spending.

 

So what's the payroll parameter, I'd like to know?

[Mittens87]

One hundred and sixty million dollars

[G-Snarls]

One hundred and sixty million dollars

 

http://i.imgur.com/U0F0vK4.jpg

[BlueRocky]

Don't think 160mill is enough win the division without getting super lucky with some value pickups. Especially when our premium FAs would likely goto rivals in the AL.

I think the Jays can realistically give EE a competitive offer only if payroll is ~170mill.

 

I read somewhere the season ended with a payroll north of 150mill, which means ~10-15% payroll increase would be necessary for such a scenario.

 

They're starting at the ballpark @120mill after arb pay raises and picking up Grilli.

There's just not enough help from the farm, which means too many holes to fill with ~40mill payroll to play with, that's assuming EE, JB, Dickey, Saunders, Cecil all walk.

 

Signing Edwin alone would eat up more than half the flexibility. They'd still need 1-2 OFs, 2-3 Relievers, and a backup catcher, and hopefully one or two of them being competent left handed bats.

Edited November 9, 2016 by BlueRocky

[Dick_Pole]

I find the talk of saving money laughable. Who cares how much people cost? Rogers can afford to field the best team possible. Let's go after top tier free agents, just like back in the day with the Winfield, Morris and Stewart signings.

 

If the Jays could get the best players with 1-3 year long contracts like those guys and Molitor got at that time, I would say go for it. The problem is to get the best players now you are laying down money for 7 years with the expectation that the last two years are very likely going to be throwaways. I can't imagine the Jays, or any team for that matter, laying down $500+ million over 21 combined years to get the three best players available on the free agent market.

 

Your name and posts imply a very retro thinking and expectation. I like the idea of mimicking Gillick teams (largely done through Rule 5, signing young international players and good trades), but it's time to get it out of your head that the Jays can or even will want to sign free agents at will. It would cripple the budget in future years.

[Driveof85]

To be honest I'd be happier if they retain Bautista and sign Morales than sign Encarnacion alone.

[BlueRocky]

To be honest I'd be happier if they retain Bautista and sign Morales than sign Encarnacion alone.

 

Bautista wants multi year and 20m/per not happening.

[Krylian]

I find the talk of saving money laughable. Who cares how much people cost? Rogers can afford to field the best team possible. Let's go after top tier free agents, just like back in the day with the Winfield, Morris and Stewart signings.

 

You can find if laughable if you want, but the reality is that they're not going to crank the payroll up. That's just how it is... So you can't just load up on the most expensive talent cause the funds just aren't there. It's just how it is.