Blue Jays Sign Jose Bautista

[Gary]

Curious if anyone is interested in picking up an affordable Saunders deal in addition?

 

I think, if there are still deals to be made, that the FO is still looking for an OF. I think we can all agree that the OF is still too rickety, even with Bautista. I also think the FO is wary of putting too much weight on a recovering Pearce by sticking him in the OF. As much as I'd like Valbuena, 1B is adequately covered while one corner OF spot is still running with a low-WAR platoon.

Saunders has said publicly that he wants to play full-time.

[intentional wok]

Pearce being expected to play regular OF concerns me, although maybe my concerns are unwarranted?

 

If I'm overreacting, then I want Valbuena. Someone tell me I'm overvaluing the situation, but having Valbuena spot start at 3rd to give JD a DH game is a lot better than giving those ABs to Barney.

[Terminator]

Curious if anyone is interested in picking up an affordable Saunders deal in addition?

 

I think, if there are still deals to be made, that the FO is still looking for an OF. I think we can all agree that the OF is still too rickety, even with Bautista. I also think the FO is wary of putting too much weight on a recovering Pearce by sticking him in the OF. As much as I'd like Valbuena, 1B is adequately covered while one corner OF spot is still running with a low-WAR platoon.

 

He's probably the best OF left on the market but him and Bautista in the corner OF is garbage defensively. It's not like we couldn't use offensive players either though so if he came dirt cheap I'd still probably take him.

[fatcowxlive]

That's fine, but then how can you say it's been weak when factoring the context of the team's position entering the offseason? It's not like they've been idle and it appears as though they are aware of the holes, but there's only so much you can do. Say you trade Estrada for Dyson, then we're left with a hole in the rotation; spend a lot of prospect capital on acquiring older and expiring vets and we're back at square one. Sure it might be weak if you expected another Donaldson-esque fleecing, but that's not very realistic. Can you elaborate on why you believe it's been a weak offseason if you agree with their moves to date?

 

Okay, let me explain. Its not weak as in Shapiro & Atkins did a bad job. It's weak as in, we didn't fill all our holes.

 

Now, lets (like you say) put it in context. Shapiro & Atkins picked up this team just off of their first postseason appearance in 20+ years, a lot of old people with big/immovable contracts and a bad farm system, with 2 of the 3 biggest (aging) sluggers on the team being on the last year on their contract. This offseason, we still have an empty farm that we can't call up from or trade from and the FA market is one of the worst in recent memory. What they did has been really great.

 

I guess weak with no context then, IMO its really not their fault that the holes aren't filled

[Laika]

Pearce being expected to play regular OF concerns me, although maybe my concerns are unwarranted?

 

If I'm overreacting, then I want Valbuena. Someone tell me I'm overvaluing the situation, but having Valbuena spot start at 3rd to give JD a DH game is a lot better than giving those ABs to Barney.

 

Well, yes they are a bit unwarranted. Pearce playing to OF is probably less concerning than Michael Saunders, outfielder by trade, playing the OF.

[BTS]

Okay, let me explain. Its not weak as in Shapiro & Atkins did a bad job. It's weak as in, we didn't fill all our holes.

 

Now, lets (like you say) put it in context. Shapiro & Atkins picked up this team just off of their first postseason appearance in 20+ years, a lot of old people with big/immovable contracts and a bad farm system, with 2 of the 3 biggest (aging) sluggers on the team being on the last year on their contract. This offseason, we still have an empty farm that we can't call up from or trade from and the FA market is one of the worst in recent memory. What they did has been really great.

 

I guess weak with no context then, IMO its really not their fault that the holes aren't filled

 

I don't see the holes you keep mentioning. We can all agree that a good OF/1B would be great. What other holes are there? There's backup catcher, where it's probably unrealistic to expect anyone tangibly better than Jimenez to want to play behind Martin. There's the bullpen, which already has six good arms (Osuna, Grilli, Biagini, Loup, Barnes, Sparkman). I mean, sure, a vet backup catcher and good pen arm would be nice, but neither are really necessary. And there are still two months left to add them.

[Gary]

I'm just glad I won't have to look at RA Dickey's smug face anymore this season.

[intentional wok]

Well, yes they are a bit unwarranted. Pearce playing to OF is probably less concerning than Michael Saunders, outfielder by trade, playing the OF.

 

How can you be sure though? Pearce hasn't played a MLB game since going under the knife. Shatkins must know they have no way of being certain what his throwing arm will be like. I think it's worth erring on the side of caution here.

 

Though I agree Saunders hurts to watch out there, I don't think that makes Pearce's maybe-elbow a safer proposition.

[RealAccountant]

Saunders/Upton platoon as well as a Smoak/Pearce platoon is more than ideal

 

I would predict such an offense would be the best in franchise history.

 

Vs LhP

 

Pearce

Donaldson

Morales

Bautista

Upton

Tulo

Martin

Travis

Pillar

 

Vs RHP

 

Bautista

Donaldson

Morales

Saunders

Tulo

Smoak

Martin

Travis

Pillar

[G-Snarls]

Saunders has said publicly that he wants to play full-time.

 

Only a s*** team would guarantee him full time

[Governator]

I'm just glad I won't have to look at RA Dickey's smug face anymore this season.

 

 

Unlike Barry Davis

[Bobthe4th]

I don't see the holes you keep mentioning. We can all agree that a good OF/1B would be great. What other holes are there? There's backup catcher, where it's probably unrealistic to expect anyone tangibly better than Jimenez to want to play behind Martin. There's the bullpen, which already has six good arms (Osuna, Grilli, Biagini, Loup, Barnes, Sparkman). I mean, sure, a vet backup catcher and good pen arm would be nice, but neither are really necessary. And there are still two months left to add them.

 

I think overall it's been a pretty good offseason.

 

It would go close to a great offseason if we did one or more of the following:

 

Upgraded Smoak

Upgraded Carrera/Upton

Upgraded the bullpen (you listed only six "good" arms including at least 3 that could easily not be good at all, but relievers are so volatile except the very top few, quantity is prob better than quality)

Got a backup catcher that could realistically give Martin 2 games off from catching a week.

[Gary]

Unlike Barry Davis

 

Barry has that boyish charming look.

[Governator]

After signing Bautista, Davidi said it would probably leave the Jays with $5MM left from their expected $160M budget to fill out a LH reliever, backup catcher. I don't think we're getting Michael Saunders or a LH bat for that matter.

[Gary]

After signing Bautista, Davidi said it would probably leave the Jays with $5MM left from their expected $160M budget to fill out a LH reliever, backup catcher. I don't think we're getting Michael Saunders or a LH bat for that matter.

Seems like a reasonable amount of money to fill those two positions.

[G-Snarls]

If Edwin had signed for 4/80 we wouldn't have been able to retain Bautista obviously

 

It was always going to be one of them kept at most

[FrozenRopes]

Now, Pagan or Saunders

[BTS]

After signing Bautista, Davidi said it would probably leave the Jays with $5MM left from their expected $160M budget to fill out a LH reliever, backup catcher. I don't think we're getting Michael Saunders or a LH bat for that matter.

 

Looks like Justin Smoak is going to cost the team a chance at a Moss/Saunders/Pagan/Valbuena.

[Governator]

Looks like Justin Smoak is going to cost the team a chance at a Moss/Saunders/Pagan/Valbuena.

 

He said that on 590 this morning, if they were to sign him to an $18MM contract for example purposes.

[glory]

After signing Bautista, Davidi said it would probably leave the Jays with $5MM left from their expected $160M budget to fill out a LH reliever, backup catcher. I don't think we're getting Michael Saunders or a LH bat for that matter.

 

Man, if that's all they have left to spend, then Carrera/Upton is probably the LF tandem in 2017, at least to start out. I'm guessing they will want to save some money for mid-season pick ups, and players like Moss, Pagan, Valbuena, etc, will probably require at least $5m, if not more.

 

Jose might be it as far as the off-season, unless they can save money elsewhere (damn I hate that Smoak extension).

[G-Snarls]

Here's how I'm looking at it:

 

If Edwin had signed for 4/80 we obviously wouldn't have been able to retain Bautista

 

It was always going to be one of them kept at most, not both. And maybe neither

 

Bautista for 2 years 38M is probably a better signing than Edwin for 4 years 80M

 

Silver linings

[burlingtonbandit]

Wonder if Rogers gives them a few extra Million after signing Bautista. He obviously impacts the franchise outside just his performance.

[burlingtonbandit]

Bautista for 2 years 38M is probably a better signing than Edwin for 4 years 80M

 

Silver linings

 

I'll go so far as to say Bautista at that is better than Edwin at 3/60.

[Laika]

Looks like Justin Smoak is going to cost the team a chance at a Moss/Saunders/Pagan/Valbuena.

 

I really doubt it. When Smoak was extended the team probably viewed the extension in part as an insurance policy. I don't think they would avoid making an upgrade because Smoak has a $4M contract

[Dr. Dinger]

1 year plus a club option? That's incredibly team-friendly, if accurate.

[Laika]

How can you be sure though? Pearce hasn't played a MLB game since going under the knife. Shatkins must know they have no way of being certain what his throwing arm will be like. I think it's worth erring on the side of caution here.

 

Though I agree Saunders hurts to watch out there, I don't think that makes Pearce's maybe-elbow a safer proposition.

 

You're right. Especially in the first half of the season, Pearce probably will not get pushed defensively.

[Dr. Dinger]

I really doubt it. When Smoak was extended the team probably viewed the extension in part as an insurance policy. I don't think they would avoid making an upgrade because Smoak has a $4M contract

 

I expect Smoak to be traded for Jay Bruce any day now. Not too worried about his rounding error of a salary.

[Gary]

Could Shartkins trade Smoak for a backup catcher, as a salary dump type move?

[Frenchsoup]

Is a Jose Reyes trade a crazy idea? Stick him in LF/RF and lead-off for ya? Cost would be minimal and the Mets have to shed salary.

[burlingtonbandit]

Is a Jose Reyes trade a crazy idea? Stick him in LF/RF and lead-off for ya? Cost would be minimal and the Mets have to shed salary.

 

Yes, very crazy. He'd probably be a terrible outfielder and he should not be hitting leadoff.