Jays 2021/22 General Off-Season Discussion

[connorp]

Lol wrong A Hayes. I am dumb. That would’ve been it for him

[Laika]

Lol wrong A Hayes. I am dumb. That would’ve been it for him

 

this one?

 

[connorp]

Nah the football player I guess? He tweeted about the Browns signing DW and then said must be nice to have an ownership that actually wants to win lol.

[Ehjays]

Blue Jays Continue To Pursue Left-Handed Hitting

By Mark Polishuk | March 19, 2022 at 9:30pm CDT

 

The Blue Jays have one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups, though their projected starting nine tilts heavily to the right side. Cavan Biggio is the only left-handed hitter set to receive everyday action in Toronto’s lineup, and even Santiago Espinal is expected to spell Biggio when southpaws are on the mound. With this in mind, the Jays continue to look into left-handed hitters, with Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi writing that the club has shown interest in Michael Conforto, Joc Pederson, Brad Miller, and former Jay Corey Dickerson.

 

While Davidi reports that the Jays “had offers in” on the latter three names, Dickerson joined the Cardinals on a one-year/$5MM deal, Pederson went with the Giants’ one-year/$6MM offer, and Miller received $10MM over a two-year deal with the Rangers. These players all projected for platoon or part-time duty, whereas Conforto would seemingly both be in line for more of an everyday role, and at a significantly higher cost.

 

Such clubs as the Rockies, Marlins, Yankees, and Padres have also been linked to Conforto’s market this winter, though Colorado could be off the board after signing Kris Bryant, while the Marlins have addressed their outfield needs with Jorge Soler and Avisail Garcia. Signing Conforto would cost a draft pick since he turned down the Mets’ qualifying offer, and it does remain to be seen exactly what kind of deal Conforto will land as Opening Day nears. His market could improve as other outfielders get signed, though in the wake of Conforto’s average 2021 season, teams may still balk at committing significant money.

 

A multi-year contract with opt-out clauses could be an option, similar to the deal just signed by another Scott Boras client — new Twins shortstop Carlos Correa. Or, the Jays could offer Conforto a straight one-year contract worth $18.4MM (the cost of the qualifying offer), in a move similar to how Toronto landed Marcus Semien last winter. Like Semien, Conforto could see the one-year deal as a bridge to a bigger contract the following offseason, assuming that Conforto returns to his past form.

 

Signing Conforto would cost the Blue Jays $500K of international spending money and their second-highest pick in the 2022 draft, which would be their second-round selection. However, since the Blue Jays will be getting two extra compensatory picks just prior to the third round (since Semien and Robbie Ray rejected QOs and signed elsewhere this winter), the Jays could feel they have the draft depth to rationalize signing Conforto.

 

The amount of interest Toronto has in Conforto isn’t known, as Davidi acknowledges that the Jays could just be making a routine check-in on a notable unsigned free agent. Since the Jays don’t have a set DH, Teoscar Hernandez, George Springer, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Conforto could all see regular work in the DH spot and the starting outfield spots, with Randal Grichuk getting fill-in duty as the situation warrants.

 

Of course, switch-hitting Guardians star Jose Ramirez continues to be a Blue Jays target, and would represent another left-handed option to balance out the lineup in a major fashion. It remains to be seen if the Jays and Guardians can finally agree on a trade package or if Cleveland will even end up moving Ramirez whatsoever, though Davidi reports that a Guardians scout was recently seen taking video of Alejandro Kirk. Since the Guards are thin at catcher now and don’t have a true catcher of the future lined up (depending on Bo Naylor’s future position), Kirk would be a logical candidate to be included as part of a potential Ramirez trade package.

[Laika]

Man, Conforto for 1/$18 would be f***ing sweet. 2.5 WAR projection but probably 4 WAR upside.

[connorp]

Man, Conforto for 1/$18 would be f***ing sweet. 2.5 WAR projection but probably 4 WAR upside.

 

You Covid trolling?

[Jays24]

Of course, switch-hitting Guardians star Jose Ramirez continues to be a Blue Jays target, and would represent another left-handed option to balance out the lineup in a major fashion. It remains to be seen if the Jays and Guardians can finally agree on a trade package or if Cleveland will even end up moving Ramirez whatsoever, though Davidi reports that a Guardians scout was recently seen taking video of Alejandro Kirk. Since the Guards are thin at catcher now and don’t have a true catcher of the future lined up (depending on Bo Naylor’s future position), Kirk would be a logical candidate to be included as part of a potential Ramirez trade package.

 

The more ive thought about it, the less im for trading a bunch of prospects for Ramirez. Kirk/Groshans/Pearson is as high I'd go, which still includes 3 top level prospects.

 

Springer

Ramirez

Vlad

Bo

Teo

Chapman

Gurriel

Biggio

Jansen

 

Let Biggio be the 10th man who let's others rotate through the DH spot. That's easily the best Jays lineup of all time.

[Jays24]

Man, Conforto for 1/$18 would be f***ing sweet. 2.5 WAR projection but probably 4 WAR upside.

 

Giving up a comp pick for 1 year of Conforto? The Semien deal was awesome because we didn't have to give a comp pick and actually got one for him.

 

We'd have to sign him to a 2 year deal at least in order to make it worthwhile imo. Otherwise, we would have been better off overpaying Pederson by a few mill to platoon instead.

[connorp]

Giving up a comp pick for 1 year of Conforto? The Semien deal was awesome because we didn't have to give a comp pick and actually got one for him.

 

We'd have to sign him to a 2 year deal at least in order to make it worthwhile imo. Otherwise, we would have been better off overpaying Pederson by a few mill to platoon instead.

 

He’s an anti-vax man. Not coming to Canada

[Spanky99]

this one?

 

 

Connor's a moron.

[Spanky99]

Nah the football player I guess? He tweeted about the Browns signing DW and then said must be nice to have an ownership that actually wants to win lol.

 

lol... you're an idiot.

[Spanky99]

You Covid trolling?

 

You stupid?

[connorp]

You stupid?

 

He knew full well Conforto’s deal

[Spanky99]

He knew full well Conforto’s deal

 

lol... Eejiit

[lovemyjays]

Jays looking for left handed hitting? Bring Votto home.

[TwistedLogic]

though Davidi reports that a Guardians scout was recently seen taking video of Alejandro Kirk

 

Yeah Blair tweeted out that there was a scout following Kirk around all day and that they would look into what team he worked for. Confirmed later it was a Guardians scout.

 

Not completely insignificant since it's not like the Guardians play down the street. Their spring complex is in Arizona so this was clearly something they went out of their way to do.

 

[Laika]

He’s an anti-vax man. Not coming to Canada

 

Didn't know this. Oh well.

[Laika]

Giving up a comp pick for 1 year of Conforto? The Semien deal was awesome because we didn't have to give a comp pick and actually got one for him.

 

We'd have to sign him to a 2 year deal at least in order to make it worthwhile imo. Otherwise, we would have been better off overpaying Pederson by a few mill to platoon instead.

 

I think they only lose a second round pick and they are getting two comp picks anyway so not as bad

[Jays24]

I think they only lose a second round pick and they are getting two comp picks anyway so not as bad

 

But still... just because you're getting 2 comp picks shouldnt mean you throw one away for a 1 year rental who would be your 4th OFer at the moment.

 

While he'd be a great add, I think it would have more sense to slightly overpay Pederson to platoon here in this scenario. Or we trade for Ramirez and just make Biggio that guy lol.

[max silver]

But still... just because you're getting 2 comp picks shouldnt mean you throw one away for a 1 year rental who would be your 4th OFer at the moment.

 

While he'd be a great add, I think it would have more sense to slightly overpay Pederson to platoon here in this scenario. Or we trade for Ramirez and just make Biggio that guy lol.

 

Conforto has a career WRC+ of 136 vs righties, so he would most likely receive a ton of playing time with some time at DH as well. Seeing as how the Jays currently would be receiving 5 picks within the first 3 rounds of the drafts I don't think giving up one of them would be much of a deal breaker.

[Deadpool]

But still... just because you're getting 2 comp picks shouldnt mean you throw one away for a 1 year rental who would be your 4th OFer at the moment.

 

While he'd be a great add, I think it would have more sense to slightly overpay Pederson to platoon here in this scenario. Or we trade for Ramirez and just make Biggio that guy lol.

 

What would we trade the Giants for Pederson then?

[Jays24]

What would we trade the Giants for Pederson then?

 

A little too late for Pederson now. We were rumoured to have gone after him so I'm just saying that we should have offered more to him or Miller rather than lose a pick for 1 year of Conforto. I just cant see this management making a shortsighted move like that.

[Jays24]

Conforto has a career WRC+ of 136 vs righties, so he would most likely receive a ton of playing time with some time at DH as well. Seeing as how the Jays currently would be receiving 5 picks within the first 3 rounds of the drafts I don't think giving up one of them would be much of a deal breaker.

 

Conforto would be great but I just couldn't see our management giving up a comp pick for 1 year of him. Just doesnt seem like great asset management unless you hope to keep Conforto for the long haul. We could have been more aggressive with Pederson/Miller if we were that interested in a 1 year deal for a lefty OFer.

 

And just because we have those picks means you get rid of them. We have made some trades that have slowly takem away from our farm system and probably plan to do more trades doing the same in the future (maybe Ramirez, etc.).

[z3r0s]

Conforto would be great but I just couldn't see our management giving up a comp pick for 1 year of him. Just doesnt seem like great asset management unless you hope to keep Conforto for the long haul. We could have been more aggressive with Pederson/Miller if we were that interested in a 1 year deal for a lefty OFer.

 

And just because we have those picks means you get rid of them. We have made some trades that have slowly takem away from our farm system and probably plan to do more trades doing the same in the future (maybe Ramirez, etc.).

 

Jays do seem to like to get guys into their system as a way of courting them to stay. They've put a ton of effort & cash into creating an environment players want to be in. Just a random thought about 1 year trades.

[Jays24]

Jays do seem to like to get guys into their system as a way of courting them to stay. They've put a ton of effort & cash into creating an environment players want to be in. Just a random thought about 1 year trades.

 

Ultimately Ray and Semien left for the biggest pay day just like most 1 year players would do regardless of the "environment" you've created.

 

1 year trades make sense when you're at the end of your contending window or truly feel that player puts you over the top. I just felt there were ways to mitigate of having to give up a comp pick for a 1 year deal like going after Miller/Pederson harder. Especially when we're already stuck with Grichuk for the 4th OF role.

[G-Snarls]

Jays do seem to like to get guys into their system as a way of courting them to stay. They've put a ton of effort & cash into creating an environment players want to be in. Just a random thought about 1 year trades.

 

Worked nicely with Berrios

[jerb]

 

Scott Mitchell

@ScottyMitchTSN

 

Julian Merryweather retooled his throwing program this winter and says he feels stronger and healthier than he’s ever felt.

Velo has been in the 96-98 band, and he thinks his curveball took a step forward this winter, trying to throw it for strikes early in counts.

#BlueJays

[max silver]

 

Scott Mitchell

@ScottyMitchTSN

 

Julian Merryweather retooled his throwing program this winter and says he feels stronger and healthier than he’s ever felt.

Velo has been in the 96-98 band, and he thinks his curveball took a step forward this winter, trying to throw it for strikes early in counts.

#BlueJays

 

If this guy can finally stay healthy he can be a massive difference maker at the back end of the bullpen.

[Krylian]

 

Scott Mitchell

@ScottyMitchTSN

 

Julian Merryweather retooled his throwing program this winter and says he feels stronger and healthier than he’s ever felt.

Velo has been in the 96-98 band, and he thinks his curveball took a step forward this winter, trying to throw it for strikes early in counts.

#BlueJays

 

I've been fooled before believing these kinds of reports on players in the past. That said, it would be incredible if that arm can stay healthy.

[Ehjays]

If this guy can finally stay healthy he can be a massive difference maker at the back end of the bullpen.

 

Well its about time he decided to "Retool his throwing program" f***, you would think after throwing less than 40 innings since 2017 you would want something different. Guaranteed no-one said "Hey Julian, whats your throwing program?"

 

Anyway, like everyone else says , If he gets healthy he is a game changer.