General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2021)

[The Cats Ass]

This offseason wish list for me is 3B, one SP, one RP.

 

Bryant for 3B - Was traded at the deadline so he won't cost a draft pick to sign. That'll allow Smith/Biggio/Espinal to battle for the starting 2B job in spring, with the other 2 ending up as super utility guys.

 

One of Ray, Verlander, Kershaw, Scherzer, Syndergaard, Greinke, Gausman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Stroman. That would give us a strong starting 5, with Stripling as insurance for when Pearson gets injured. The SP market this year is stacked, it'll be a failure of an offseason if we don't end up with one of these #1/#2 type arms.

 

One RP or maybe even two in the Héctor Neris tier.

[Abomination]

This offseason wish list for me is 3B, one SP, one RP.

 

Bryant for 3B - Was traded at the deadline so he won't cost a draft pick to sign. That'll allow Smith/Biggio/Espinal to battle for the starting 2B job in spring, with the other 2 ending up as super utility guys.

 

One of Ray, Verlander, Kershaw, Scherzer, Syndergaard, Greinke, Gausman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Stroman. That would give us a strong starting 5, with Stripling as insurance for when Pearson gets injured. The SP market this year is stacked, it'll be a failure of an offseason if we don't end up with one of these #1/#2 type arms.

 

One RP or maybe even two in the Héctor Neris tier.

 

And the most important thing: a manager. It may be debatable how many wins a manager can gain you, but Charlie is dead set on demonstrating how many one can cost you.

[The Cats Ass]

And the most important thing: a manager. It may be debatable how many wins a manager can gain you, but Charlie is dead set on demonstrating how many one can cost you.

 

We already have one. John Schneider.

[The_DH]

We already have one. John Schneider.

 

Help me here: why do we think Schneider is something? I’m not debating I just haven’t seen anything that makes him stand out.

[Ehjays]

Help me here: why do we think Schneider is something? I’m not debating I just haven’t seen anything that makes him stand out.

 

After retiring as a player, Schneider was hired by the Blue Jays organization as a catching instructor. In 2008, he became the manager of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.Schneider was promoted to manage the Short Season-A Vancouver Canadians on December 1, 2010, and became the youngest manager in team history at 30 years of age. In 2011, he managed the Canadians to a Northwest League championship. Schneider returned to the Gulf Coast League in 2013, and then went back to managing Vancouver in 2014 and 2015 In 2016, he managed the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, and in 2017, won the first Florida State League championship in the 33-year history of the Dunedin Blue Jays.On January 10, 2018, Schnieder was promoted to manage the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and led the team to an Eastern League championship. At the end of the season, he was named the Eastern League Manager of the Year.

[The Iceman]

It would appear Schneider is being groomed to be the manager. Would be a solid choice if he grabbed a guy with MLB experience as his bench boss...Gibby for the threepeat

[Eat My Shatkins]

This offseason wish list for me is 3B, one SP, one RP.

 

Bryant for 3B - Was traded at the deadline so he won't cost a draft pick to sign. That'll allow Smith/Biggio/Espinal to battle for the starting 2B job in spring, with the other 2 ending up as super utility guys.

 

One of Ray, Verlander, Kershaw, Scherzer, Syndergaard, Greinke, Gausman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Stroman. That would give us a strong starting 5, with Stripling as insurance for when Pearson gets injured. The SP market this year is stacked, it'll be a failure of an offseason if we don't end up with one of these #1/#2 type arms.

 

One RP or maybe even two in the Héctor Neris tier.

 

Bryant would be solid enough, but my pipe dream is that Springer can help lure Correa to the Jays, and that'd he'd be just fine moving to 3B or 2B. Let the winner of Biggio, Espinal and Smith take the other bag. If they can't get Correa then plan B, bring back Semien.

 

After that, bring back Ray and sign Syndergaard on a 1 year rebound deal. Although, that'd be a tough sell in the AL east, but Ray is an example of it working out just fine.

 

I believe they need 2 or 3 proven high leverage relievers who have shown durability. Guys like Givens, Yimi Garcia and Hudson would be solid adds I think. Speaking of Hudson, other ex-Jays like Loup and Tepera are free agents as well this next off season. Maybe a return for those guys could be in the cards.

[Eat My Shatkins]

I wonder if there is any way to save face by just having Schneider start taking the reigns more and more and let Charlie stick around and be the bench coach and be the players buddy and cheerleader, but let Schneider make the actual lineups and in game decisions.

[The Cats Ass]

After retiring as a player, Schneider was hired by the Blue Jays organization as a catching instructor. In 2008, he became the manager of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays.Schneider was promoted to manage the Short Season-A Vancouver Canadians on December 1, 2010, and became the youngest manager in team history at 30 years of age. In 2011, he managed the Canadians to a Northwest League championship. Schneider returned to the Gulf Coast League in 2013, and then went back to managing Vancouver in 2014 and 2015 In 2016, he managed the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, and in 2017, won the first Florida State League championship in the 33-year history of the Dunedin Blue Jays.On January 10, 2018, Schnieder was promoted to manage the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and led the team to an Eastern League championship. At the end of the season, he was named the Eastern League Manager of the Year.

 

That sums it up well. He's won numerous championships managing numerous teams. Hopefully the Jays give him the job before he catches on with some other team. Maybe they just wanted to get him some major league coaching experience before making him manager? That's why he's filling a position called "Major League Coach"

[wamco]

What’s the guess on amount of money to spend in free agency this off-season?

[max silver]

What’s the guess on amount of money to spend in free agency this off-season?

 

There is quite a bit of money coming off of the books. Ray's 8 million, Matz 5.2 million, Semien 18 million, Roark 12 million, Yates 5.5 million, Tulo 4 million, Yamaguchi 3.75 million, Chatwood 3 million. That's nearly $60 million in expiring contracts alone, so there should be a decent amount available to address club needs through free agency.

[RobinThicc]

I haven't thrown in the towel on this season yet, they're in tough for sure. 4.5 games back of WC #2 and have to jump over three teams to get there (OAK/BOS/SEA).

 

But I'm just looking at the "bones" for next years team because I can't sleep, and I'm bored.

 

C - Kirk, Mcguire, Jansen, Moreno

1B - Vlad

2B - Biggio, Valera

3B - Espinal, Smith

SS - Bo

LF - Gurriel, Grichuk

CF - Springer

RF - Teo

DH -

 

SP - Ryu

SP - Berrios

SP - Manoah

SP - Stripling

SP - Hatch

SP - Pearson

 

RP - Romano

RP - Merryweather

RP - Mayza

RP - Cimber

RP - Richards

RP - Borucki

RP - Saucedo

RP - Castro

RP - Overton

 

 

Deep at catcher, especially if Moreno graduates at some point, and still 4 average to strong outfielders, especially if Gurriel can bounce back.

1B and SS are likely more than fine obviously

2B and 3B are obviously big question marks, but could be fine with Biggio bouncing back at a familiar position and Smith panning out. I'm not sold on Espinal as a full time guy, but he should be more than fine as a bench guy

 

Starting pitching looks middle of the pack on paper, but decent enough probably, certainly need to target a couple starting pitchers though, in trade or free agency (Ray & Syndergaard plz). The Berrios addition sure made next years rotation less cloudy though, with 4 solid SP's slated to return now.

 

Bullpen is just an unpredictable volatile collection of who knows what. Every one of those relievers could be very good but you sure would like to see an extra high leverage guy or three brought in as insurance. Imagine the psyche of this team if management doesn't bolster the pen in the off season and they start blowing games early again next year?

 

The biggest thing for next year is replacing Semien, with a other high impact infielder, Imo.

 

Also have to get another starter, whether thats re-signing Ray or signing/trading for someone else.

 

Pearson, Stripling, Hatch and maybe they bring in a cheap FA option or two can all battle for the 5th spot.

[RobinThicc]

And of course revamping the BP.

[RobinThicc]

 

Who couldve possibly seen this coming???

[jerb]

 

Ben Nicholson-Smith

@bnicholsonsmith

 

George Springer is “doing better than we thought” per manager Charlie Montoyo. Has been able to hit off a tee. Timeline still unclear but a step in right direction

 

Scott Mitchell

@ScottyMitchTSN

 

Per Charlie Montoyo, Julian Merryweather has suffered a bit of a setback after his rehab outing the other day. Not much info other than that.

 

Montoyo also says Nate Pearson will get another AAA outing, and following that they’ll discuss how he could help the big club.

 

Scott Mitchell

@ScottyMitchTSN

 

#BlueJays are calling it “general soreness” for Merryweather.

His next rehab outing was scheduled for Saturday but it has now been pushed back indefinitely.

Anything they get out of this guy is gravy at this point.

[Stangstag]

 

Who couldve possibly seen this coming???

 

Lol

[InvincibleTiger]

If the bullpen ain't fixed next year, may as well fold the team

[Stangstag]

I’d almost say releasing Merryweather is probably the right move if he’s injured again next year. Waste of resources

[Scion]

It's hard to reconcile with the fact that we essentially traded Josh Donaldson for nothing.

[Eat My Shatkins]

f*** you Merryweather you useless band aid.

[Eat My Shatkins]

It's hard to reconcile with the fact that we essentially traded Josh Donaldson for nothing.

 

It's worse than that really. If it was nothing then you could just get over it and move on.

 

But instead it's like we're all professor Gerald Lambeau in Good Will Hunting:

 

“Most days I wish I never met you because then I could sleep at night and I wouldn’t have to walk around with the knowledge there was someone like you out there.”

Edited August 20, 2021 by Eat My Shatkins

[Stangstag]

It's hard to reconcile with the fact that we essentially traded Josh Donaldson for nothing.

 

Would have been better off with the draft pick

[John_Havok]

I’d almost say releasing Merryweather is probably the right move if he’s injured again next year. Waste of resources

 

Nah, 60 day IL is a free spot to hoard broken talent.

[glory]

It's hard to reconcile with the fact that we essentially traded Josh Donaldson for nothing.

 

It's baffling in hindsight. They could have offered him the QO. Absolute worst case he would have accepted it, but then you get an extra year of a really good player who you can trade months later. They could have moved Vlad to 1B a lot sooner (him not lasting at 3B even back then was a pretty safe bet) and you improvise from there. I guess they didn't want to take the risk of having to pay him $18m during a tank year when they were cutting payroll, but still looks awful.

 

As far as Merryweather, at some point they have to decide whether he's worth the 40 man roster spot on a team that wants to contend. He looks amazing when healthy, but he'll never be healthy.

[keggy]

I think the relationship between Donaldson and the front office had soured enough to take a QO off the table.

 

The front office likes yes men and Donaldson is a pretty typical alpha male so it's not hard to imagine where the friction came from.

[Eat My Shatkins]

nevermind

[Eat My Shatkins]

Sometimes I think Atkins is a genius. But then you watch him trade Riley Adams for a couple months of a negative WAR relief pitcher, and then you remember that he extended Montoyo before spring training even started.

[Jays24]

Sometimes I think Atkins is a genius. But then you watch him trade Riley Adams for a couple months of a negative WAR relief pitcher, and then you remember that he extended Montoyo before spring training even started.

 

I was very negative towards Shatkins when they arrived on the scene but that changed over the past few season. As upset as I am with how this season is going, I will reserve my full judgment based on how next year goes. That will be our first "no excuse" year to win.

[JFD]

The front office likes yes men

 

Always a good indicator of bad leadership. Shatkins need to go

[Eat My Shatkins]

I don't know how they're going to fix the bullpen this off season. They have a lot of guys coming back, but every one of them has taken their turn getting f***ed up this year at one point. Even Cimber who looked unhittable when he first came over has been getting his s*** pushed in lately. Romano is fairly steady I guess, but even he is outperforming his FIP/xFIP

 

Pouring money into it isn't a guarantee, and you can't make free agents sign with you anyways.

 

Merryweather being healthy would be a nice start, but that's about as likely as $1,000,000 flying out of my arsehole the next time I take a dump.

 

Relievers are weird though. I mean, Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera are superstars this season.

Edited August 21, 2021 by Eat My Shatkins