Blue Jays Free Agent Thread-Who should we sign?

[Orgfiller]

How about Ramon Laureano? Maybe Whit Merrifield?

 

I also wonder what the Reds are up to...do they think they are still in a compete window? Eugenio Suárez and Nick Senzel could be available.

 

It's not impossible....Trent Grisham was traded last offseason. He's the type of guy we'd love to add.

 

Why would the A's give up Ramon Laureano?

[wilko]

Groshans has not played for a season and a half. Not to mention Barreto was great too....... If he is still owed $190M for 6 then it would be 5 yr and about $160 M after 2021. In the current business environment, I don't see Arenado getting more than $160 M guaranteed as a 31 year old - he is very good but this is NOT a 5 tool Trout/Betts level -player. Higher likelihood the deal turns into a financial boondoggle in the later years (Tulo like) than it is that they lose him after 1 year.

 

Groshans or Martin plus a good pitching prospect for Arenado would be a big short term win and likely overall win

 

It's not worth the gamble of potentially getting one year for Arenado. Let's say he doesn't opt out and wants to stick around. Now the Jays have a massive contract guaranteed to a guy that will be 35 when it's over.

[max silver]

Who do you suggest for the left side of the infield on the FA market that can move the needle the way Arenado can (D and O both, notwithstanding a s***** 2020 pseudo-season)?! Maybe Simmons if he bounces back, maybe Semien, but only really had one outstanding season in 2019. Turner is older than dirt and likely will rather stay with the Dodgers than move to a team that may be stuck playing in Buffalo again (can't f***ING believe I am saying that but April will be here before you know it, and everyone is still running around with their hair on fire COVID wise). Do you really want to wait 3 years for Groshans to 'maybe' become an elite MLB player, or get the bird in hand now?

 

 

'Fun' days ahead

 

I'd rather wait one more year when the MLB free agent class at shortstop has potential to be absolutely stacked. Francisco Lindor, Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Trevor Story are all scheduled to become free agents next offseason. Of course there's no guarantee all guys make it there without signing extensions with their existing teams, but this is why I don't see a need to rush into a risky trade this offseason.

 

A little patience with our prospects has potential to pay off very nicely. And if you let a guy like Groshans mature a bit more in the minor leagues, his trade value is only going to increase as he gets closer to MLB ready, provided of course he continues to improve as expected. I don't think Austin Martin is very far away, I suspect he'll be up by early 2022. This is a guy with a 65 hit tool and athleticism to match. Here's what Keith Law has to say about his potential as a third baseman:

 

He should play third base. I saw him there as a sophomore and he was ridiculous. He had issues throwing this spring before the college season ended, so Vandy tried him out in the outfield, but as long as that’s behind him (and I’ve heard he’s been fine) he has a chance to be a plus-plus defender at third.

 

https://theathletic.com/2168808/2020/10/30/blue-jays-prospects-qa-keith-law-on-nate-pearson-austin-martin-and-more/

[max silver]

Worked out pretty well for the Dodgers and Betts. Not saying we're on the cusp of a world series like the Dodgers but trading for Lindor gives you the rights to negotiate an extension now.

 

The trade only happens if we're able to get the extension done which is the advantageous part of trading for him. In free agency, its a total free-for-all and you're not guaranteed anything.

 

I view Betts as being a clear rung above Lindor in that Betts is an MVP calibre player who is elite everywhere on the baseball field, from hitting, to fielding to running. Lindor has a premium glove but the bat isn't nearly as good, and his value on the bases looks to be trending in the wrong direction as well. I have visions of Jason Heyward as a glove first player given a huge free agent contract, and have the feeling that a mega contract to Lindor could end up being a similarly poor value.

[Brownie19]

Why would the A's give up Ramon Laureano?

 

Because we offer them something they value more? Why did the Brewers give up Trent Grisham?

 

I'm just tossing out ideas bruh.

[Jays24]

You need to learn how to spell or alternatively f*** off

 

ETA what a bunch of jackals all attacking the new guy.

 

Loll I feel your pain. Posting here put me on pins and needles at first.

[Orgfiller]

Because we offer them something they value more? Why did the Brewers give up Trent Grisham?

 

I'm just tossing out ideas bruh.

 

Because they could? In theory their OF was Yelich, Cain and Avisail Garcia coming off a decent year with the Rays. They obviously didn't think much of Grisham or believed he would be this good and liked Urias more to improve their infield. The A's seemingly love Laureano and they have no one to replace him with. As a competitive team they'd likely prefer back MLB or near-MLB ready pieces, with their weakest positions being 2B, SS and SP. How exactly are we going to address that need? Are we giving them back an outfielder who can't/shouldn't be playing CF for their CF?

[glory]

How about Ramon Laureano? Maybe Whit Merrifield?

 

I also wonder what the Reds are up to...do they think they are still in a compete window? Eugenio Suárez and Nick Senzel could be available.

 

It's not impossible....Trent Grisham was traded last offseason. He's the type of guy we'd love to add (recognizing he didn't come cheap).

 

If the Indians are such a hot mess financially, then maybe they'd look to move Ramirez, but $9m + 2 cheap team options for a MVP candidate can't be that expensive even by Cleveland standards. Plus once they move Lindor they should be fine from a payroll standpoint. Finding a pre-breakout star like Grisham would be great but harder to do that without a 2020 minor league season to go on. They'd have to really guess right.

 

I'm sure the Jays can (and will) make some trades, but for a star at a position like CF or SS/3B seems really unlikely. I recall reading they were very close to trading for Joe Musgrove at the deadline but it fell apart at the last minute. I could see trades like that happening. Solid/mid-tier players with 2 years of control for prospect depth. A trade for a legit star with years of control left seems much harder. That's why I don't mind the free agent option, even if it means a slight overpay. Of course if they sign Bauer instead, then they can be a little more creative in finding the position players.

[Brownie19]

Because they could? In theory their OF was Yelich, Cain and Avisail Garcia coming off a decent year with the Rays. They obviously didn't think much of Grisham or believed he would be this good and liked Urias more to improve their infield. The A's seemingly love Laureano and they have no one to replace him with. As a competitive team they'd likely prefer back MLB or near-MLB ready pieces, with their weakest positions being 2B, SS and SP. How exactly are we going to address that need? Are we giving them back an outfielder who can't/shouldn't be playing CF for their CF?

 

Dude, someone asked who trade targets would be at CF/2nd/3rd who are young and have control left. I spent 3 minutes scanning fangraphs and threw out a few names. You're really upset with one of those suggestions - I get it. Can we let it go? Why did the A's trade Josh Donaldson coming off an 88-74 season? Don't know, but they did.

[Orgfiller]

Dude, someone asked who trade targets would be at CF/2nd/3rd who are young and have control left. I spent 3 minutes scanning fangraphs and threw out a few names. You're really upset with one of those suggestions - I get it. Can we let it go? Why did the A's trade Josh Donaldson coming off an 88-74 season? Don't know, but they did.

 

He asked which of those do we figure would be available in trade. I'm not upset at all lol and it's weird you would think I am, you seem upset that I'm calling you out on what I find to be a dumb suggestion.

[Brownie19]

He asked which of those do we figure would be available in trade. I'm not upset at all lol and it's weird you would think I am, you seem upset that I'm calling you out on what I find to be a dumb suggestion.

 

I guess I am. I'll go back into my cave.

[Ray]

[Jays24]

Somebody sign a major league contract already. f*** lol

[TheHurl]

Can we ban the new guy?

 

Yes...now can everyone stop responding to the guys they know are past trolls who we banned

[jaysguy44]

Yes...now can everyone stop responding to the guys they know are past trolls who we banned

 

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