2021/2022 Free Agency Thread

[Brownie19]

s*** - I didn't see Knebel got 1 year $10M to Philly. Dude to paid.

[z3r0s]

Duplantier to giants on an milb deal. Good sign for a guy who could be good with a tweek

[Ehjays]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/12/yankees-blue-jays-red-sox-reportedly-most-aggressive-suitors-for-seiya-suzuki.html

 

 

 

Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox Reportedly Most Aggressive Suitors For Seiya Suzuki

By Darragh McDonald | December 5, 2021 at 2:39pm CDT

 

On November 22, Seiya Suzuki was posted by the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, freeing him up to negotiate with all 30 MLB teams for 30 days. However, it was reported that the recent implementation of a lockout that has led to a transaction freeze has also frozen Suzuki’s 30-day clock. That means that, at the conclusion of the lockout, he will still have around 20 days to work out a deal with an MLB team. At that point, there’s a decent chance of Suzuki winding up in the AL East, according to a report from Sean McAdam of Boston Sports Journal. “One major league source reports the Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox have been the most aggressive in pursuit of Suzuki,” McAdam writes.

 

The fact that Suzuki is garnering interest is not surprising, given his talents. Suzuki came in 20th on MLBTR’s list of Top 50 Free Agents and was predicted to get a contract of $55MM over five years. The 27-year-old seems capable of stepping right into the middle of an MLB lineup, while also providing solid right field defence. Over nine seasons in the NPB, he has hit .315/.414/.570, with that production only growing over time.

 

The Red Sox make for a fairly logical landing spot, especially when considering the recent trade of Hunter Renfroe. Suzuki could potentially fill the right field vacancy left by Renfroe, with Verdugo manning left field and center field covered by some combination of Jarren Duran, Enrique Hernandez or Jackie Bradley Jr., who was part of the return in the Renfroe deal. That trade seemed to be about adding defence by subtracting offence, but the addition of Suzuki could be a way of replacing that lost offence. Kyle Schwarber, who was acquired by the Red Sox last year and would be a logical Renfroe replacement for 2022, is reportedly looking for a three-year, $60MM deal, meaning Suzuki could potentially be about half as costly on an annual basis, if MLBTR’s prediction is correct.

 

The fit with the Yankees is a bit less smooth, given that they have a number of outfield options already on hand. On paper, the outfield consists of Joey Gallo in left, Aaron Hicks in center and Aaron Judge in right, with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton available for the occasional appearance on the grass and prospect Estevan Florial on hand as depth. However, they may be reluctant to rely on Hicks as an everyday option, given that he’s now 32 years old and has dealt with injury setbacks in recent years, including only playing 32 games in 2021. Although he did play 54 of the team’s 60 games in the shortened 2020 season, his last significant action over a full season was 137 games in 2018. Judge, Gallo and Suzuki all have seen limited action in center field, making it at least possible for the club to have all three across the outfield at times. However, none of them are really considered an everyday option at the position, making it something of an awkward arrangement over a full season.

 

Similar to the Yankees, the Blue Jays also seem to have their outfield accounted for on paper, with George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk all pencilled in. However, it was recently reported that the Jays had discussions with the Brewers about a trade centered around Grichuk and Bradley Jr., before the latter was traded to the Red Sox last week. It would appear the club is open to moving on from Grichuk and coming up with a different outfield arrangement. The Blue Jays had a potent offence in 2021 but have since lost Marcus Semien to the Rangers, perhaps motivating them to look to Suzuki as a way to replace Semien’s bat. That would still leave them with a weakened infield, however, as the departure of Semien leaves the club with Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal pencilled into second and third base.

Edited December 5, 2021 by Ehjays

[Daniel Labude]

Interesting. I like it, if it means Grichuk is gone

[Krylian]

Never a bad thing adding talent.

[max silver]

Interesting. I like it, if it means Grichuk is gone

 

Grichuk being gone is good whether or not Suzuki is added to the roster. I wonder if a Suzuki addition could open the door to a potential Gurriel trade.

[The_DH]

Grichuk being gone is good whether or not Suzuki is added to the roster. I wonder if a Suzuki addition could open the door to a potential Gurriel trade.

 

Or perhaps a move to 3b.

[max silver]

Or perhaps a move to 3b.

 

That's an interesting possibility. I don't know if the Jays would entertain that type of move given that Gurriel finally started to look more comfortable in the outfield towards the end of the 2021 season. If he can regularly run decent routes he has the tools to be a really good left fielder.

[The_DH]

That's an interesting possibility. I don't know if the Jays would entertain that type of move given that Gurriel finally started to look more comfortable in the outfield towards the end of the 2021 season. If he can regularly run decent routes he has the tools to be a really good left fielder.

 

Perhaps some kind of sharing 3b with Espinal.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Maybe they move Gurriel to 3rd if they land Suzuki.

 

Or maybe they use Gurriel as part of a package for Jose Ramirez

[The_DH]

Maybe they move Gurriel to 3rd if they land Suzuki.

 

Or maybe they use Gurriel as part of a package for Jose Ramirez

 

Perhaps to both. In the Suzuki case, you get 5 years and improved outfield defense. DH could be split between Gurriel, Vladdy and an outfielder. Espinal becomes some kind of supersub. Maybe that's too much for Espinal.

[AdamGreenwood]

Honestly, we don't need him. He's fine all, but happy with our trio of Springer, Gourriel, and Teoscar. And we have a bunch of guys who can rotate through DH already. Seems expensive for a 4th OF. Would rather we focused on 2B, 3B, another SP and a reliever or two.

[Spanky99]

Honestly, we don't need him. He's fine all, but happy with our trio of Springer, Gourriel, and Teoscar. And we have a bunch of guys who can rotate through DH already. Seems expensive for a 4th OF. Would rather we focused on 2B, 3B, another SP and a reliever or two.

 

Meh... just seems like a Boston beat writer looking for clicks. I'd believe it if it came from someone more reputable like Kenny Ken. Also, agreed.

[max silver]

We don't really have OF depth. Teo and Gurriel will be UFAs soon. So the interest in Suzuki makes some sense.

 

I don't think they would have to trade anyone if we signed him.

 

At the very least you would think Grichuk or Gurriel would be moved out as the team would have no need for five right handed outfieldera.

[Spanky99]

At the very least you would think Grichuk or Gurriel would be moved out as the team would have no need for five right handed outfieldera.

 

NO way I move Gurriel for an unproven MLB player.

[Spanky99]

TOO KEEP READING BECOME A MEMBER... F U Boston Sports Journal... this is definitely clickbait, dude writes about every sport, oh and F U MLBTR for sharing that hack fat f***. end rant.

[max silver]

NO way I move Gurriel for an unproven MLB player.

 

Suzuki is unproven yes but it's not like Gurriel has set the world on fire up to this point in his career as he's been super inconsistent and there's no guarantee he ever finally puts a full season together. Suzuki likely has a higher floor given his quality right field defence and MVP caliber stats in Japan, and likely has a higher ceiling as well given the fact he's such a well rounded player. If Gurriel could be moved as part of package for a need such as a quality infielder then the team would be that much stronger as a result.

[glory]

If the Jays were to sign Suzuki (I'm dubious of that source but whatever, hypothetically) then I think they would keep Gurriel and Hernandez, and just use DH as a bit of a revolving door. If the team didn't trade Gurriel the past two years when his value (due to years of control) was much higher, then I think they view him as a core piece. Suzuki doesn't really fit the team's needs, though. A RH corner OF with unclear performance expectations in a season when the team intends to seriously contend seems unlikely unless they really, really like him and think he's going to be a star right away. I guess it's possible they feel that way. There doesn't appear to be a cost effective LH bat that could be signed in free agency, so going for the best available RH (assuming that's how they view him) would make sense. Damn stupid lockout means we have to wait a long time before we find out.

[The_DH]

If the Jays were to sign Suzuki (I'm dubious of that source but whatever, hypothetically) then I think they would keep Gurriel and Hernandez, and just use DH as a bit of a revolving door. If the team didn't trade Gurriel the past two years when his value (due to years of control) was much higher, then I think they view him as a core piece. Suzuki doesn't really fit the team's needs, though. A RH corner OF with unclear performance expectations in a season when the team intends to seriously contend seems unlikely unless they really, really like him and think he's going to be a star right away. I guess it's possible they feel that way. There doesn't appear to be a cost effective LH bat that could be signed in free agency, so going for the best available RH (assuming that's how they view him) would make sense. Damn stupid lockout means we have to wait a long time before we find out.

 

I thought he was a lefty bat for some reason. In that case he interested me. My mistake we don't need him.

[Brownie19]

I thought he was a lefty bat for some reason. In that case he interested me. My mistake we don't need him.

 

IMO, there's absolutely no need to force the addition of a LH outfielder - do we even have an OFer that we would regularly sit vs. RHP? I don't think so. I fully expect this FO is looking for the best value they can get. Right now we probably have DH covered between Kirk and Grichuk and I could see the FO hoping to strengthen that a bit as we don't want Grichuk getting 500-600 PA's again.

[AdamGreenwood]

Jays management is just playing games to try and get Boston and NYY to waste more money on this guy.

That being said, his Japanese numbers look good. I don't think an .850 OPS would be unexpected. Getting the guy for 5 years/55 as projected, seems like a steal.

[The Iceman]

NO way I move Gurriel for an unproven MLB player.

 

I was reading today that lourdes has this coming season +1 on his contract.

Many prviously thought he was +2

[Spanky99]

I was reading today that lourdes has this coming season +1 on his contract.

Many prviously thought he was +2

 

2 years plus one year in Arb, so 3 more years of control.

[John_Havok]

2 years plus one year in Arb, so 3 more years of control.

 

Nah, Gurriel signed a special deal that says the Jays have to give him his release after 2023 so he is free to negotiate with every other team. So I guess it's still an ARB year, but the Jays have no control over whether it's with them or not unless they negotiate an extension first.

[Spanky99]

Nah, Gurriel signed a special deal that says the Jays have to give him his release after 2023 so he is free to negotiate with every other team. So I guess it's still an ARB year, but the Jays have no control over whether it's with them or not unless they negotiate an extension first.

 

Interesting.

[John_Havok]

Interesting.

 

Yeah, I don't recall the specifics but his original deal was 7 years, 22 million with a guarantee he gets his release at the end of 2023.

 

Kinda shows how service time manipulation is still such a problem when you can sign a guy for a 7 year contract, have it be 7 years later but the guy still hasn't accumulated 6 years of service time for your team, even having spent just 559 PAs in the minors.

[Spanky99]

Suzuki is unproven yes but it's not like Gurriel has set the world on fire up to this point in his career as he's been super inconsistent and there's no guarantee he ever finally puts a full season together. Suzuki likely has a higher floor given his quality right field defence and MVP caliber stats in Japan, and likely has a higher ceiling as well given the fact he's such a well rounded player. If Gurriel could be moved as part of package for a need such as a quality infielder then the team would be that much stronger as a result.

 

Sure, I understand they could fill needs etc, but using a guy as a "likely" in a contending year isn't my cup of tea. Look at Yoshi Tsutsugo, etc that came over and s*** the bed. I'd much rather role with our OF as is then on this kid. Anyhow, as I've said, I don't believe in this clickbait at all.

[max silver]

Sure, I understand they could fill needs etc, but using a guy as a "likely" in a contending year isn't my cup of tea. Look at Yoshi Tsutsugo, etc that came over and s*** the bed. I'd much rather role with our OF as is then on this kid. Anyhow, as I've said, I don't believe in this clickbait at all.

 

Just because Tsutsugo struggled doesn't indicate Suzuki is going to struggle. Tsutsogo already had high k rates against Japanese pitching so it's not at all suprising that he has faced a steep adjustment so far. Despite the early struggles he managed to have a very nice showing in Pittsburgh producing a 134 WRC+ in a 43 game showing. Suzuki shows much better plate discipline and walks about as much as he strikes out, while not swinging and missing very often either. His swing is reportedly compact so he has a very good chance to adjust to major league velocity as well.

 

I tend to agree that it's unlikely the Jays are serious about landing him given the needs elsewhere on the roster, but if this front office has shown anything they are willing to upgrade the roster where ever possible and then worry about where all of the pieces fit later. Suzuki has a shot at being an very good player for a relatively small financial outlay, so there's a little risk involved but I think he would be a great addition.

[Spanky99]

Just because Tsutsugo struggled doesn't indicate Suzuki is going to struggle. Tsutsogo already had high k rates against Japanese pitching so it's not at all suprising that he has faced a steep adjustment so far. Despite the early struggles he managed to have a very nice showing in Pittsburgh producing a 134 WRC+ in a 43 game showing. Suzuki shows much better plate discipline and walks about as much as he strikes out, while not swinging and missing very often either. His swing is reportedly compact so he has a very good chance to adjust to major league velocity as well.

 

I tend to agree that it's unlikely the Jays are serious about landing him given the needs elsewhere on the roster, but if this front office has shown anything they are willing to upgrade the roster where ever possible and then worry about where all of the pieces fit later. Suzuki has a shot at being an very good player for a relatively small financial outlay, so there's a little risk involved but I think he would be a great addition.

 

Fair enough. Cheers!

[Terminator]

This Suzuki guy seems pretty decent to me. Zips projects him for a 118 OPS+ next year, for whatever that is worth.

 

So that said, if the Jays sign him I'll be excited about it and will expect 20-30 homers next year with decent defense and OBP. If they don't, it's because he sucks and I think he'll struggle to hit .200.