General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2022)

[G-Snarls]

Shi Davidi was on MLB Network this morning. With significant paraphrasing on my part...

 

His impression based on early off season intetests vs the last few weeks required a pivot

 

He thinks they prob had about 30M to spend comfortably.

 

Plan A seemed to be signing Nimmo for CF and a cheaper SP in Heaney. Those seemed to be their primary targets early in the off season.

 

It seemed like when they couldn't get traction with Nimmo that they changed plan slighty and went to plan B which was getting a less expensive OF and budgeting more for a SP. Hence KK and Bassit.

 

(FWIW I'm quite fine with the Plan

 

He thinks they are trying to work out a deal trading a catcher for a younger left handed hitter but has no idea who that might be, just knows that's what the FO wants.

 

He thinks it's possible they might have tried to keep Stripling if the price was right but seeming less likely as time goes on that he'll stay.

[Ehjays]

 

Jays Rogers Centre Renos

[Ray]

At this point, I'd be perfectly happy if they kept all 3 catchers, signed 1 of Brantley/Conforto, gave a couple relievers with David Phelps like upside minor league deals with incentives, and call it an offseason.

 

I don't get the need to trade from catchers unless there is a real attractive left-handed bat with a similar upside out there, but I'm getting the impression that's not the case. Just rotate Kirk/Jansen between DH and C, and give Gabby the odd start behind the plate and take INF/OF reps.

[L54]

At this point, I'd be perfectly happy if they kept all 3 catchers, signed 1 of Brantley/Conforto, gave a couple relievers with David Phelps like upside minor league deals with incentives, and call it an offseason.

 

I don't get the need to trade from catchers unless there is a real attractive left-handed bat with a similar upside out there, but I'm getting the impression that's not the case. Just rotate Kirk/Jansen between DH and C, and give Gabby the odd start behind the plate and take INF/OF reps.

 

The lineup is super deep if you keep both catchers and use Moreno as a super utility guy. Multiple guys to cover every position except maybe SS

[Stangstag]

The lineup is super deep if you keep both catchers and use Moreno as a super utility guy. Multiple guys to cover every position except maybe SS

 

Espinal can play SS easily

[Jonn]

Espinal can play SS easily

 

He’s probably a better Shortstop then Bo.

[max silver]

He’s probably a better Shortstop then Bo.

 

Replace probably with absolutely or definitely and this post will be a lot more accurate. But the Jays have a veritable smorgasbord of players who can reliably man second base and have that as their primary position, vs only two who have played short stop at the major league level for any amount of time. Move Bo to short and having Merrifield/Biggio/Lopez on the roster becomes pretty redundant as they aren't going to receive any playing time at their best defensive spot on the diamond. This could open up some trade avenues but none of these players would have much in the way of trade value anyway.

[L54]

Espinal can play SS easily

 

He’s probably a better Shortstop then Bo.

 

Multiple to cover each position

 

Only one competent back up shortstop

[Stangstag]

Multiple to cover each position

 

Only one competent back up shortstop

 

Multiple = more than 1

 

2 players on the roster can play SS

 

Unless you mean multiple BACKUPS, in which case yeah we only have 1 there

[L54]

Multiple = more than 1

 

2 players on the roster can play SS

 

Unless you mean multiple BACKUPS, in which case yeah we only have 1 there

 

I thought it was pretty elementary what I was saying considering every team has a bench with backup players

[Spanky99]

Multiple to cover each position

 

Only one competent back up shortstop

 

Lopez and Barger could surprise in a pinch, but our versatility is damn good.

[Stangstag]

I thought it was pretty elementary what I was saying considering every team has a bench with backup players

 

Not every team has more than 2 capable shortstops though so I’m not sure what your point is

 

EDIT: went back and read your original post, doesn’t seem like you’re saying it as a criticism. My bad??

[L54]

Lopez and Barger could surprise in a pinch, but our versatility is damn good.

 

Yes it definitely is

 

C- Kirk/Jano/Moreno

1B- Vlad/LGJ/Biggio

2B- Espinal/Merrifield/Biggio/Moreno

3B- Chapman/Espinal/Moreno

SS- Bichette/Espinal

CF- KK/Springer/Merrifield

LF- Gurriel/Biggio/Moreno

RF- Springer/Biggio/Merrifield

 

Plus whatever 4th OF they bring in

[L54]

Not every team has more than 2 capable shortstops though so I’m not sure what your point is

 

EDIT: went back and read your original post, doesn’t seem like you’re saying it as a criticism. My bad??

 

No I’m saying it’s a huge positive having the amount of flexibility they do with the roster. Fluidity! Kinda like the Rays or Dodgers

[Spanky99]

Yes it definitely is

 

C- Kirk/Jano/Moreno

1B- Vlad/LGJ/Biggio

2B- Espinal/Merrifield/Biggio/Moreno

3B- Chapman/Espinal/Moreno

SS- Bichette/Espinal

CF- KK/Springer/Merrifield

LF- Gurriel/Biggio/Moreno

RF- Springer/Biggio/Merrifield

 

Plus whatever 4th OF they bring in

 

Or Conforto.

[L54]

Or Conforto.

 

Primed for a rebound campaign

[Jimcanuck]

Any news on Abuela's cooking and Vlad's workout regimen?

[Laika]

Jim asking the important questions

[max silver]

Any news on Abuela's cooking and Vlad's workout regimen?

 

It's probably a little early for the obligatory Sportsnet.ca best shape of his life articles.

[Terminator]

[Ray]

Cueto would be a fine 5th starter

 

Would rather spend money on an OF/bat, but if they can swing both, that’d honestly be incredible.

[Terminator]

Cueto would be a fine 5th starter

 

Would rather spend money on an OF/bat, but if they can swing both, that’d honestly be incredible.

 

Yeah I think getting someone to be the #5 would be smart. Even a shitballer like Cueto.

 

I'm not even sure he's that much better than Kikuchi or White but it adds to the depth as much as anything. Our fringe prospects in AAA all shat the bed last year, completely wiping out our SP depth in the process.

 

Zulu and Tiddyman don't have enough experience to comfortably rely on them either. So by signing a cheap #5 like Cueto it pushes Kikuchi to #6 and White to #7.

[max silver]

Yeah I think getting someone to be the #5 would be smart. Even a shitballer like Cueto.

 

I'm not even sure he's that much better than Kikuchi or White but it adds to the depth as much as anything. Our fringe prospects in AAA all shat the bed last year, completely wiping out our SP depth in the process.

 

Zulu and Tiddyman don't have enough experience to comfortably rely on them either. So by signing a cheap #5 like Cueto it pushes Kikuchi to #6 and White to #7.

 

Any word on potential salary range for Cueto? It seems that even a season or two ago before this years insanity back of the rotation starters were earning in the range of $10 million, so Cueto may actually cost real money to sign.

[Laika]

Yeah I think getting someone to be the #5 would be smart. Even a shitballer like Cueto.

 

I'm not even sure he's that much better than Kikuchi or White but it adds to the depth as much as anything. Our fringe prospects in AAA all shat the bed last year, completely wiping out our SP depth in the process.

 

Zulu and Tiddyman don't have enough experience to comfortably rely on them either. So by signing a cheap #5 like Cueto it pushes Kikuchi to #6 and White to #7.

 

Bowden Francis has some offseason helium. I would say that he's squarely the #7 right now and he might be okay.

[Terminator]

Any word on potential salary range for Cueto? It seems that even a season or two ago before this years insanity back of the rotation starters were earning in the range of $10 million, so Cueto may actually cost real money to sign.

 

He should sign for a 1 year deal. Fangraphs said 12 mil, the crowdsource said 8. On a 1 year deal I don't think it'd matter too much so long as it doesn't preclude them from getting an OF. Could probably do a team option with a buyout to stretch the dollars a bit if needed.

[Terminator]

Bowden Francis has some offseason helium. I would say that he's squarely the #7 right now and he might be okay.

 

I liked him as depth after getting him from the Brewers but he's been crap since the trade. Where's the helium coming from? He pitched in the Dominican League this winter right?

[G-Snarls]

Cueto put up decent numbers in a bad division this year

 

He hasn't put up good numbers in a good division in a long time

 

Not sure how he gets valued. Seems like someone who gets picked up by a non-contender with a big ballpark.

[Terminator]

Also from the Nicholson-Smith article:

 

"One source with first-hand knowledge of the catching market described the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Giants and Padres as interested teams at that position. It stands to reason the Astros would also be in that group after seeing Vazquez leave for the Twins."

 

We've talked about most of the other teams. Do the Tigers have anything we'd want? Kerry Carpenter maybe?

[Laika]

Also from the Nicholson-Smith article:

 

"One source with first-hand knowledge of the catching market described the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Giants and Padres as interested teams at that position. It stands to reason the Astros would also be in that group after seeing Vazquez leave for the Twins."

 

We've talked about most of the other teams. Do the Tigers have anything we'd want? Kerry Carpenter maybe?

 

Riley Greene

 

Moreno for Greene is honestly pretty close

[Terminator]

Riley Greene

 

Moreno for Greene is honestly pretty close

 

Yeah that works for me.

 

Seems like the prospect for prospect trade that rarely happens though.