Robbie Ray back on a 1 year 8 million dollar deal.

[Terminator]

[jerb]

 

 

Jeff Passan

@JeffPassan

 

First free agent deal of the offseason is done. Left-hander Robbie Ray and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, $8 million deal, a source familiar with the contract tells ESPN. Good start to the hot stove for Toronto, which will use Ray as a starter, and for Ray.

[RobinThicc]

Not mad at them taking a shot on Ray.

 

A little more than I expected him to get in this market though.

[jaysguy44]

Uh, ya this is a bit much..

[connorp]

I don’t feel the Covid discount. I guess we’ll have to see what other moves happen to put this deal in perspective

[P2F]

It's 1/8, you guys. There's not one thing to be mad at here.

[Laika]

Fantastic deal

[Terminator]

1 year, 8 million. This is right in line with Craig Edwards projection and basically a year short of the crowdsourced projection.

 

Plus, it's a one year deal so what's it really matter if it's 5 mil or 8 mil? There's very little difference and striking quickly like this on a guy they were able to evaluate at the end of the year makes a lot sense, especially when he helps address their need.

[BlueRocky]

Excellent

[connorp]

It's 1/8, you guys. There's not one thing to be mad at here.

 

Nothing now anyway, sure. If they only pick up Ray and below though, there will probably be some anger from some

[Pendleton]

Not worth nitpicking over the price on a one year deal as it's still a much smaller commitment than it would take to land a more bonafide version of a starter with Ray's upside.

[BlueRocky]

The Jays gave up practically nothing to get him for two seasons. Previous year Robbie Ray is worth a lot more than this and they just basically reallocated Chase Anderson‘s money.

[Jimcanuck]

More likely to see the 2015 to 2019 Robbie Ray than the 2020 version, with a proper spring training ramp up.

 

Good, and could be great, deal.

[saskjayfan]

Robbie seemed like a good guy. It's Rogers money and it's only a one year deal. I feel like they Jays need to sign 3 starters. Ray has good stuff. I don't mind a one year deal on him.....and a million or two isn't going to kill us. If Ray is worth 8 that bumps Morton up significantly though. Other teams might not like this signing.

[max silver]

This is a fantastic deal, 8 million for a starter with 2-3 win upside is a total bargain.

[saskjayfan]

I kind of feel like most agents who see this deal will feel like it's time to call the Jays about the players they represent. The Jays mean business.

[Jimcanuck]

This is a fantastic deal, 8 million for a starter with 2-3 win upside is a total bargain.

 

I hope you mean 2-3 WAR!

[Jays24]

I'm happy to have Ray back as long as he's plugged in as our 5th starter.

 

I never understood people who say we shouldn't care about money. The jays do not have an unlimited budget so its only fair that people can be upset at the allocation of the budget.

 

Guys like Roark and Grichuk are taking up 22 million currently. You're telling me we wouldn't be better if we used that money to land Springer at 22 million on a 5 year deal? That is why people can get upset at throwing money at inferior players.

[Jimcanuck]

I'm happy to have Ray back as long as he's plugged in as our 5th starter.

 

I never understood people who say we shouldn't care about money. The jays do not have an unlimited budget so its only fair that people can be upset at the allocation of the budget.

 

Guys like Roark and Grichuk are taking up 22 million currently. You're telling me we wouldn't be better if we used that money to land Springer at 22 million on a 5 year deal? That is why people can get upset at throwing money at inferior players.

 

Grichuk has been earning his Contract.

 

Roark sucks, yes. But on the other hand, every team has bad contracts. Why would the Jays be any different?

[max silver]

I hope you mean 2-3 WAR!

 

Lol but of course, I would be too ashamed to show up here if I started talking about starting pitcher wins.

[Jays24]

Grichuk has been earning his Contract.

 

Roark sucks, yes. But on the other hand, every team has bad contracts. Why would the Jays be any different?

 

Oh I agree. No team will be perfect in their spending. Not everyone can be a hit and sometimes its on the player himself for sucking and misleading the team into think they were good.

 

My only point was that we can definitely be upset if lets say, we get outbid for a player we want, like a Bauer, because we allocated 8 million to Ray. I'm always for spending on high end talent like Ryu than I am on questionable guys, especially early in the free agency period.

 

I wanted 2 of Ray/Shoemaker/Walker to fill out the bottom of rotation anyways but thought they'd be given whatever leftover budget we had. Particularly Ray and Shoemaker, Walker will probably get prioritized higher by teams. We obviously have to trust our management has a plan in attacking free agency so let's just wait and see.

[max silver]

I'm happy to have Ray back as long as he's plugged in as our 5th starter.

 

I never understood people who say we shouldn't care about money. The jays do not have an unlimited budget so its only fair that people can be upset at the allocation of the budget.

 

Guys like Roark and Grichuk are taking up 22 million currently. You're telling me we wouldn't be better if we used that money to land Springer at 22 million on a 5 year deal? That is why people can get upset at throwing money at inferior players.

 

There's really no use in complaining about the money going to Roark and Grichuk, that money is already spent. Roark in only on the books for one more season, perhaps he bounces back and provides some value. If not it's not exactly a franchise altering contract that prevents future additions to the ballclub.

[Deadpool]

Oh I agree. No team will be perfect in their spending. Not everyone can be a hit and sometimes its on the player himself for sucking and misleading the team into think they were good.

 

My only point was that we can definitely be upset if lets say, we get outbid for a player we want, like a Bauer, because we allocated 8 million to Ray. I'm always for spending on high end talent like Ryu than I am on questionable guys, especially early in the free agency period.

 

I wanted 2 of Ray/Shoemaker/Walker to fill out the bottom of rotation anyways but thought they'd be given whatever leftover budget we had. Particularly Ray and Shoemaker, Walker will probably get prioritized higher by teams. We obviously have to trust our management has a plan in attacking free agency so let's just wait and see.

 

I can't imagine that they spend $8M on Ray if they thought they would end up $8M short on Bauer. They already have a dollar figure for Bauer with which they are comfortable, and aren't going to blow that right out of the gate (unless they absolutely know Bauer wouldn't sign with Toronto, or they value him considerably less than they suspect he'd get.)

[Jays24]

There's really no use in complaining about the money going to Roark and Grichuk, that money is already spent. Roark in only on the books for one more season, perhaps he bounces back and provides some value. If not it's not exactly a franchise altering contract that prevents future additions to the ballclub.

 

Agreed, I was only using them as examples as to how allocating money to particular players can hinder what you do elsewhere. I dont know our budget for this season but if this move hinders us in anyway to get top tier players, id be be upset.

 

Guys like Bauer have said he will most likely go to whoever pays him the most. Lets see how things unfold though.

[glory]

I think 1/8 is a fair deal with upside. He is only 29, velocity went up post trade, and track record of a 2-3 WAR starter in the 5 years prior. Bit surprised he got $8 million though, especially this early in the off season. I guess the teams who have money to spend might view this off season like a normal one rather than waiting until March to sign players. It always takes an overpay to sign free agents, and a pitcher wanting to recoup his value signing a one year deal in the AL East where he doesn't know where he'll be pitching during home games probably warrants one as well. Either way, as long as this doesn't hinder spending on higher end free agents, it's a solid move.

[Jays24]

I can't imagine that they spend $8M on Ray if they thought they would end up $8M short on Bauer. They already have a dollar figure for Bauer with which they are comfortable, and aren't going to blow that right out of the gate (unless they absolutely know Bauer wouldn't sign with Toronto, or they value him considerably less than they suspect he'd get.)

 

But wouldn't you feel more comfortable at overpaying Bauer with the money used for Ray and replace him with a guy like Shoemaker or an equivalent talent? Just a Hypothetical since Bauer can say he doesn't care to actually come here.

 

Just haven't loved our use of money towards guys like Garica/Anderson/Roark. Its been like 45 million for those guys over a few seasons for nothing in return basically. Go overpay the elite talent's like Ryu using that wasted money instead.

[Grant77]

Solid deal for Ray. You could argue it's a little expensive, but if they believe that 2020 is an anomaly then he's worth it.

[Ryu In My House]

 

 

Jeff Passan

@JeffPassan

 

First free agent deal of the offseason is done. Left-hander Robbie Ray and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, $8 million deal, a source familiar with the contract tells ESPN. Good start to the hot stove for Toronto, which will use Ray as a starter, and for Ray.

 

Wow. What a great deal. I saw this and thought, man they are going to spend this year. Like really spend. I guess we will see. But this is nothing but good.

[Key22]

I kind of feel like most agents who see this deal will feel like it's time to call the Jays about the players they represent. The Jays mean business.

 

That's an interesting point - I think agents know Toronto has some money but it helps attract other free agents because the rotation looks a little more solid. Ray pitched well for the Jays and the guy has huge upside. I was kind of hoping it would be 2 years and option. But I'll take it. Ray as a fourth starter looks a lot better than Roark/Anderson to me. Hopefully Roark can turn it around.

[Ryu In My House]

Grichuk has been earning his Contract.

 

Roark sucks, yes. But on the other hand, every team has bad contracts. Why would the Jays be any different?

 

As bad contracts go, that is probably one of the better bad contracts in baseball.