Blue Jays Sign Jose Bautista

[bones10]

Tabby on SN commenting on the signing. "Bautista is still big and strong".

 

I cant wait to listen to those two idiots again :')

[george09]

[Bobthe4th]

How the f*** is a backup catcher a bigger need than outfield?

 

Because we have 4 OFs plus Pearce and Barney, and no MLB proven backup catcher.

 

It's not that much of a stretch.

[bones10]

Because we have 4 OFs plus Pearce and Barney, and no MLB proven backup catcher.

 

It's not that much of a stretch.

 

I thought we had Navvaro still? Whose currently are back up catcher if not?

[wamco]

 

165 total payroll for this season is surprising as the tweet suggests. Payroll was 164 last year

[glory]

Because we have 4 OFs plus Pearce and Barney, and no MLB proven backup catcher.

 

It's not that much of a stretch.

 

Well, one of those OF's is awful defensively and 36 years old, the other is a replacement level player who is likely to regress (Carrera), and the other is a platoon 4th OF (Upton). I mean, Jimenez isn't good or anything, but at least his position is usually occupied by a s***** player. The outfield definitely should be a higher priority.

[Stangstag]

He got more slightly more than the QO. Is what I said wrong?

 

The qualifying offer was a formality... Everyone knew Bautista was going to decline.

[JaysFan4Ever]

I thought we had Navvaro still? Whose currently are back up catcher if not?

 

A.J. outrighted to AAA last spring Jimenez. The Jays signed a guy to a minors deal with an invite to ST, who has put up some decent offensive numbers in the minors, is only 26, can play 1B too, not like we need more of that, but when I checked his SB to CS ratio, it's to be desired. I would figure they would want a guy who could keep the runners from stealing bases like it's nothing, and can have enough of a bat that they could rest Martin, or DH him, a few times a week. A.J. could surprise everyone, but with his history of injuries, I don't see it translating well to the bigs, unless his defense makes up for it. Having someone who could not just be a solid back up, but, if Martin were to need some time off, or win up on the DL, could step up and add some kind of offense instead of our old friend Thole's kind of output.

[Captain Adama]

Well, one of those OF's is awful defensively and 36 years old, the other is a replacement level player who is likely to regress (Carrera), and the other is a platoon 4th OF (Upton). I mean, Jimenez isn't good or anything, but at least his position is usually occupied by a s***** player. The outfield definitely should be a higher priority.

 

IMO Pompey's gonna have an realistic shot of making the starting OF out of spring training.

[KingKat]

I thought we had Navvaro still? Whose currently are back up catcher if not?

 

Navarro is not under control (and also not at a very good option even if he were). A.J. Jimenez is currently the backup catcher. He's been in the system for a long time. He can't hit a lick.

[bones10]

Navarro is not under control (and also not at a very good option even if he were). A.J. Jimenez is currently the backup catcher. He's been in the system for a long time. He can't hit a lick.

 

Concerning... would be nice to see a backup catcher that actually play defense, rather than what we had with thole these last 3 years.

[Ray]

I mean, Josh Thole IS still on the market. And he is left handed........

[Bobthe4th]

IMO Pompey's gonna have an realistic shot of making the starting OF out of spring training.

 

Not if Gibbons has anything to say about it.

 

It really would be ideal though if Pompey could surprise everyone and win a place on the roster at spring training.

[george09]

How much will Pagan cost?

[Bobthe4th]

Navarro is not under control (and also not at a very good option even if he were). A.J. Jimenez is currently the backup catcher. He's been in the system for a long time. He can't hit a lick.

 

There's also Mike Ohlman who could end up "winning" the role if we don't sign anyone and AJ has a poor spring training.

[Terminator]

How much will Pagan cost?

 

More than Pompey who is a similar or better player.

[TholesWeirdEye]

How much will Pagan cost?

 

Probably between $8-12 Million.

[Brownie19]

Concerning... would be nice to see a backup catcher that actually play defense, rather than what we had with thole these last 3 years.

 

It appears we can't attract any of the solid backups because nobody wants to sit behind Russell (when there are other opportunities to play more throughout the league). The remaining backup catchers are f***ing hot garbage and likely don't offer much more upside than Jimenez (besides they have more experience). IMO, if we're going to "upgrade" our backup catcher, we're best to do that via trade. Christ maybe we can pull a miracle and trade Smoak for some 3rd catcher with a hint of upside.

 

Valbeuna + a reliever + Bud Norris on a minor league deal and it will be one hell of an offseason IMO.

[JaysFan4Ever]

Unless the Jays are counting on Upton Jr. somehow having another career resurgence, and I use that term loosely, where he might get more ABs and hit well, LF could certainly use an upgrade, especially a LHH. Oddly enough Zeek has hit LHP well, at least over the past few years, but he's not likely going to be able to put up regular numbers, or even match last year. He had his moments, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He filled in defensively better than I thought, and can play all 3 positions, but I don't want to hold my breath on Upton/Zeek being our LF platoon. If they don't bring someone in, worse case, maybe Pompey surprises everyone and can take the job. The Jays could also save money if they released Zeek since I think you only have to pay 1/5 of an arbitration eligible player's salary if they're released before the start of the season. Bring him back on a minor league deal if they want. I remember hearing that they might try Gurriel in the OF at times this year to see how he can play there, and if he manages to surprise everyone, he could wind up in the OF this year, but I think he's more of a 2018 option at the earliest.

 

It's almost a toss up as to what might be needed more: LF or back-up catcher. I know that's not what most anyone typically says, but with Martin getting up there in years, how he was banged up last year, and hopefully doesn't get hurt in the WBC playing SS, he's going to need some time off, either half a day at DH, or a full day, at least once a week, maybe two, so someone is going to need to fill in, who can call a good game, hit well enough that they're not a black hole in the line up, or at least be able to sacrifice runners over, move them along, keep opposing runners from stealing too much, and if Martin needs extended time, or a DL stint, someone who can step in, maybe not replace Martin's production, but not be an AB where you can go get a drink, and not miss anything. LF would be ideal with at least one guy, or someone who can be a better platoon than the light hitting Zeek, and Upton who looked lost last year. Granted he went from full time to bench player, so that might have impacted some of his hitting, but he wasn't exactly someone you wanted to see out there daily, or platooning. If the Jays could wind up getting someone for the right price, who can be a regular, I could see Rogers opening up and giving out some money, especially if the Jays can find a taker for Upton Jr and his $1M (I've seen that's all they're paying him this year, since they used the other $4M last year, but even if it's $5M this year, they could eat even half to get an A ball player and save a little bit, Zeek, outright him and if he walks, he forfeits his salary, or release him, and pay him 1/5 his salary saving some money, nickel and diming I know), but it's what they can get, how they can get it, and if that person is worth it. A LHRP is also needed. Internal options may work out, but someone with a track record would be ideal. Or like some said, save some money for the deadline, or during the year, end of ST when teams try moving players.

[intentional wok]

IMO Pompey's gonna have an realistic shot of making the starting OF out of spring training.

 

He'll have to really steal the job. Does the team not lose Carrera if they try to option him (unless he accepts the assignment)?

[Jonn]

The qualifying offer was a formality... Everyone knew Bautista was going to decline.

 

But a lot of people thought he was taking less after he declined it...

[TholesWeirdEye]

More than Pompey who is a similar or better player.

 

You're comparing Pompey with Pagan? Dude had 135AB's in the bigs. Albeit he didn't really get a fare shake so far with the Jays.He has the potential to be good but who's to say? Should they wait it out and see how he does in ST? Will Pagan need a wheelchair soon?

[BTS]

He'll have to really steal the job. Does the team not lose Carrera if they try to option him (unless he accepts the assignment)?

 

He's out of options, yes. The other option is punting Smoak.

[JaysFan4Ever]

He'll have to really steal the job. Does the team not lose Carrera if they try to option him (unless he accepts the assignment)?

 

I think he's out of options from what I've read, so they'd have to send him outright, which he could refuse the assignment and become a FA, but I think he'll forfeit his money he's owed of he does that.

[Terminator]

You're comparing Pompey with Pagan? Dude had 135AB's in the bigs. Albeit he didn't really get a fare shake so far with the Jays.He has the potential to be good but who's to say? Should they wait it out and see how he does in ST? Will Pagan need a wheelchair soon?

 

It was partly in jest but it does highlight a point in that a lot on this board are pushing for spending resources on guys who are projected to be marginal improvements (and in some instances worse) instead of using a cheap 24 year old who has the skills to be an okay player for us.

[BTS]

I think he's out of options from what I've read, so they'd have to send him outright, which he could refuse the assignment and become a FA, but I think he'll forfeit his money he's owed of he does that.

 

Decent chance he'd get claimed on waivers I think.

[JaysFan4Ever]

He's out of options, yes. The other option is punting Smoak.

 

It would be nice if a team was willing to take him, even if it meant eating half his contract. Not ideal, but some money saved, a position opened up. Unless the Jays include a prospect or two (a la reverse of the Liriano trade last year) I don't see anyone taking on his entire salary unless they were desperate. I still wonder what made them give him that extension. Even if they thought EE was gone, they knew they could have grabbed someone who could play an adequate 1B e.g. Pearce, or even JB, or Tellez, or any number of guys who could play a decent defense at 1B without handing out that kind of money for a guy who might have some pop, but swings and misses badly at seemingly every time the Jays needed someone to at least make contact.

[intentional wok]

A Wild Card contender really has no excuse to f*** around with roster details and options for mediocre players. The Blue Jays can't really afford to see if Zeke can replicate what really amounted to mediocre stability. If there's a better option, take it immediately, whether that involves giving Pompey a legit shot or signing someone else. I'd also be happy with punting Smoak. I'm a Pearce OF skeptic as well, FWIW.

[Terminator]

You can pay $7M for a backup C and a LH reliever. Or you can pay $8-$10M for Valbuena or Greg Holland. Easy decision for me. Holland gave the Royals almost 1 win pitching with a broken arm. Valbuena had 2 wins last year in 90 games.

 

You're not getting the most use out of the remaining budget by using it on a backup C and a LH reliever.

 

I'm all for signing Valbuena. Between injuries among Bautista, Pearce, Donaldson, Travis, etc. there will be plenty of AB's for him here. Holland is a no-brainer as well. Mediocre lefties are going for 20 mil in this market and that's ridiculous. I'd rather have the guy with the potential to be a lights-out late inning guy.

[Ray]

If we do get rid of Smoak, we'd probably take on another player with similar salary or more. I don't think Smoak is the right guy to be trading if you want salary relief.

 

Maybe the Mets take him for something. They lost out on James Loney who's basically Smoak v2 and need some 1B depth. $4 million is really nothing in the grand scheme of things.