Offseason Roster Thread 2019-2020

[Bobthe4th]

Am I being too negative? When I look at the roster it really seems pretty abysmal - there are so many holes that it seems onerous to expect free agency to fix it.

 

Basically - we have a young core but you can't get too hyped by it. Guerrero didn't really come out showing that he is the greatest MILB hitter of a generation. Bichette, let's face it, came out red hot but he's no lock or even likely to be that player. There was an article noting that Bret Lawrie had higher upside and look what happened there.

 

Biggio and Jansen didn't hit - neither of them scream future all-star.

 

 

And those are the four of the five guys being counted on as the "Core"

 

Gurriel is the other and if his bat holds he is probably the best "currently" of the core group.

 

CF and RF are poor - no one at first/dh and I am not sold on second.

 

We have no true #1, #2, or even #3 starter. Outside of Giles (who we may trade) the bullpen has no shut down pitcher. Not a single truly reliable reliever.

 

And people want to try and make the playoffs? This team looks to have so SO many holes.

 

Yes you are being pessimistic. It's true the young core is mostly potential, but there's a hell of a lot of it!

 

Vlad is a few adjustments away from being a superstar. Bo has started excellently. Jansen only needs to be ok with the bat to be very good. Those 3 alone are more promising (partly because they are already in the majors) than anything the majority of rebuilding teams have. When you add in McGuire, Gurriel, Biggio, Pearson, the glut of AAA starters competing for a rotation spot, and tonnes of payroll flexibility, it's not hard to imagine competing as early as 2021.

[saskjayfan]

Am I being too negative? When I look at the roster it really seems pretty abysmal - there are so many holes that it seems onerous to expect free agency to fix it.

 

Basically - we have a young core but you can't get too hyped by it. Guerrero didn't really come out showing that he is the greatest MILB hitter of a generation. Bichette, let's face it, came out red hot but he's no lock or even likely to be that player. There was an article noting that Bret Lawrie had higher upside and look what happened there.

 

Biggio and Jansen didn't hit - neither of them scream future all-star.

 

 

And those are the four of the five guys being counted on as the "Core"

 

Gurriel is the other and if his bat holds he is probably the best "currently" of the core group.

 

CF and RF are poor - no one at first/dh and I am not sold on second.

 

We have no true #1, #2, or even #3 starter. Outside of Giles (who we may trade) the bullpen has no shut down pitcher. Not a single truly reliable reliever.

 

And people want to try and make the playoffs? This team looks to have so SO many holes.

 

so Biggio who put up a wRC+ of 114 can't hit and Bichette is the next Lawrie. Run away chicken little.

[Krylian]

so Biggio who put up a wRC+ of 114 can't hit and Bichette is the next Lawrie. Run away chicken little.

 

You're forgetting Biggio's batting average. Clearly he can't hit.

[glory]

Half the league is tanking.

 

Yeah, no incentive for most teams to sign free agents when they don't value wins in 2020. I feel like the Jays can benefit from this the longer it drags on, but it's not going to make for a fun off season.

[Deadpool]

 

On the interest in ace Gerrit Cole: “If this were major-league Christmas, we’d be looking at 30 stockings that would clearly want a lump of Cole.”

 

And on client Nick Castellanos: “Old St. Nick delivers once a year. Young St. Nick delivers all season. You’ve got a pretty good market for that kind of player.”

 

 

I'm no Scott Boras fan, but I've never hated him more than I do right now.

[DigitalRock]

The MLb off season is almost unbearable. In the NBA a minute into free agency and 600 million is already spent by clubs. A week into the NHL free agency and anyone worth signing is already signed.

 

In baseball a month into free agency you're lucky if 2 of the top 40 free agents have signed with clubs.

 

My guess is the league will make some changes next bargaining agreement.

[Orgfiller]

The MLb off season is almost unbearable. In the NBA a minute into free agency and 600 million is already spent by clubs. A week into the NHL free agency and anyone worth signing is already signed.

 

In baseball a month into free agency you're lucky if 2 of the top 40 free agents have signed with clubs.

 

The NBA has rampant tampering going on throughout the season, that's why everyone signs for huge contracts the minute free agency opens up, even though teams and agents aren't allowed to be talking to one another before this happens. The offseason is then a slog just like the MLB's until a handful of trades and contract extensions are made days before the next season begins as teams try to figure out the cap situation.

[z3r0s]

Its a tough situation as in the 'ideal' world you would see signings through-out the off-season, but its hard to see a system that would make that happen. I do think they should have a signing deadline well in advance of spring training however. There are enough story lines in ST that I really don't want to still be wondering where the top FA's will sign during that time.

 

Something like an player can't play until the all-star break if not signed by date X or something. I think you would have to put in exceptions for guys that literally CAN'T find employment before then, due to being fringe or injured. Maybe you get around the signing date if your contract doesn't exceed $X dollars or something.

[xposbrad]

Am I being too negative? When I look at the roster it really seems pretty abysmal - there are so many holes that it seems onerous to expect free agency to fix it.

 

Basically - we have a young core but you can't get too hyped by it. Guerrero didn't really come out showing that he is the greatest MILB hitter of a generation. Bichette, let's face it, came out red hot but he's no lock or even likely to be that player. There was an article noting that Bret Lawrie had higher upside and look what happened there.

 

Biggio and Jansen didn't hit - neither of them scream future all-star.

 

 

And those are the four of the five guys being counted on as the "Core"

 

Gurriel is the other and if his bat holds he is probably the best "currently" of the core group.

 

CF and RF are poor - no one at first/dh and I am not sold on second.

 

We have no true #1, #2, or even #3 starter. Outside of Giles (who we may trade) the bullpen has no shut down pitcher. Not a single truly reliable reliever.

 

And people want to try and make the playoffs? This team looks to have so SO many holes.

 

Well, we thought Vladdy JR would tear the league up, and he struggled. It's not a bad prospect pool, but there are teams who had rookies or young guys putting up higher WAR totals than the Jays, that's for sure. That's why I think this team still needs to test out and see who develops, sometimes you never know when or if they will ever break out. But people here thinking this team is even close to competing in 2021 are a bit delusional. There are so many holes and unknowns, like will Vladdy stay as an average MLBer or be elite? Can he even stick at third, who knows. There isn't much trade bait left on the team aside from Giles, so, we'll see how Shatkins can acquire more high end young talent.

[glory]

I think an ideal situation would be the bulk of the off season being done in Nov-Dec, and then a lull with deals here and there in Jan-Feb heading into spring training. Right now it's the opposite, with moves starting in Jan/Feb and bleeding into March-beyond, which makes the off season feel unbearably long. You want to feel some level of excitement about potential signings, trades, etc, . That just isn't there anymore. Some of that might be Boras having so many clients, and he waits and waits and waits before his clients sign, but obviously there is a larger problem within baseball that needs to be addressed in the next CBA.

 

Seriously, it's almost Thanksgiving and so far we got the Chase Anderson trade, and two relievers signing with the Braves. I can't think of anything else that has happened. That's insane.

[Bobthe4th]

I think an ideal situation would be the bulk of the off season being done in Nov-Dec, and then a lull with deals here and there in Jan-Feb heading into spring training. Right now it's the opposite, with moves starting in Jan/Feb and bleeding into March-beyond, which makes the off season feel unbearably long. You want to feel some level of excitement about potential signings, trades, etc, . That just isn't there anymore. Some of that might be Boras having so many clients, and he waits and waits and waits before his clients sign, but obviously there is a larger problem within baseball that needs to be addressed in the next CBA.

 

Seriously, it's almost Thanksgiving and so far we got the Chase Anderson trade, and two relievers signing with the Braves. I can't think of anything else that has happened. That's insane.

 

TBH as long as major deals are done before spring training (and I agree that potentially something needs to be done to facilitate that) I don’t think it really matters too much. If most transactions were done before the new year there would be a big gap before the season starts.

 

A connected but bigger problem is that there are too many teams that won’t be making exciting deals at any point in the offseason.

[BTS]

Deadline is today to add people to the 40-man before the Rule-V. Should be some roster movement soon.

[Deadpool]

Deadline is today to add people to the 40-man before the Rule-V. Should be some roster movement soon.

 

Has anyone posted a list of who is at risk/a possibility to be taken from the Jays?

[L54]

Thomas Hatch and Espinal Santiago need to be added. Not sure about the rest

[glory]

Has anyone posted a list of who is at risk/a possibility to be taken from the Jays?

 

Based on what is out there, it appears Hatch is a lock to be kept, Espinal is very likely, and Wall/Palacios are borderline. As far as risks for being taken, mostly minor league RPs so nothing that stood out.

 

The interesting part is that for every player they add they’ll need to drop someone. So who they drop will be something to watch for.

[Deadpool]

Based on what is out there, it appears Hatch is a lock to be kept, Espinal is very likely, and Wall/Palacios are borderline. As far as risks for being taken, mostly minor league RPs so nothing that stood out.

 

The interesting part is that for every player they add they’ll need to drop someone. So who they drop will be something to watch for.

 

Are they not at the point where they can put people back on the 60 day IL?

[Terminator]

[BTS]

 

Should be Urena and Maile

[Terminator]

Yeah those two seem like the most obvious to me as well.

[jerb]

 

 

Keegan Matheson

@KeeganMatheson

 

#BlueJays add RHP Thomas Hatch (No. 30 prospect) and INF Santiago Espinal to 40-man roster.

 

LHP Tim Mayza outrighted to AAA and RHP Justin Shafer DFAd

[Terminator]

https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/opinion/2019/11/20/flexible-blue-jays-are-firm-in-their-conviction-to-add-pitching-this-off-season.html

 

“One of our biggest challenges is that, often times, the hardest thing to do in sports is to be patient,” Atkins said. “We have some young players that have not realized their full potential yet. Whether that’s Brandon Drury, Billy McKinney, Derek Fisher, Teoscar Hernandez, there’s a group of guys we feel are going to continue to get better and be good major-league talent for some time to come.

 

For the love of god, please cut the cord on Brandon Drury. The guy has been among the worst players in baseball 2 years running and is now eligible for arb.

[BTS]

Should be Urena and Maile

 

Yeah those two seem like the most obvious to me as well.

 

We’re dumb.

 

There’s no way Urena survives the offseason though. He sucks and is out of options.

[Slade]

We’re dumb.

 

There’s no way Urena survives the offseason though. He sucks and is out of options.

 

Yea he's not making it through the offseason. I have no issues with these two getting left off the 40 man.

[Dick_Pole]

We’re dumb.

 

There’s no way Urena survives the offseason though. He sucks and is out of options.

 

Who is cheaper? Urena or Drury? That's rhetorical since we know who heads to arbitration this year. The one who is slated to earn more than league minimum is the less valuable non-asset.

[TheHurl]

If the Jays would like middle infield version of Elvis in this years Rule 5...Wander Javier is your guy. Was a top 100 prospect as an 18 year old in the Appy. Then lost all of 2018 to a torn labrum. Didn't hit in his return last year.

[glory]

Yea he's not making it through the offseason. I have no issues with these two getting left off the 40 man.

 

Yeah, Mayza is going to miss all of 2020 and Shafer is not an asset. Don't mind those two being removed. There will be a lot of movement on the 40 man roster in the next few months as we add free agents, trades, etc.

[Ehjays]

If the Jays would like middle infield version of Elvis in this years Rule 5...Wander Javier is your guy. Was a top 100 prospect as an 18 year old in the Appy. Then lost all of 2018 to a torn labrum. Didn't hit in his return last year.

 

I don't think they can make a pick if their 40 man is full. Not sure if they can release someone off the 40 man to select a guy.

[Abomination]

If the Jays would like middle infield version of Elvis in this years Rule 5...Wander Javier is your guy. Was a top 100 prospect as an 18 year old in the Appy. Then lost all of 2018 to a torn labrum. Didn't hit in his return last year.

 

I like Wander, but he's really raw. It's a lot harder to hide an infielder than a pitcher.

[Bobthe4th]

We’re dumb.

 

There’s no way Urena survives the offseason though. He sucks and is out of options.

 

I'd be happy with Espinal being the infield cover with both Urena and Valera DFA. Might as well give him a shot.

[Deadpool]

I'd be happy with Espinal being the infield cover with both Urena and Valera DFA. Might as well give him a shot.

 

I don't hate the idea of them giving Valera a bit of a look, but Urena needs to go for sure.