Toronto Blue Jays Roster Discussion (2022)

[G-Snarls]

Bellinger barely grades out any better than Merrifield who we have a team option on for 6 million.

 

That's an easy option to take on

[Terminator]

That's an easy option to take on

 

Right. Merrifield at 6 mil >>> Bellinger at 18.

 

Springer and Merrifield are perfectly capable CFers but the board just doesn't like old players so they'd rather dream up unlikely acquisitions just so they can have a guy in his twenties in CF (even if he isn't any good).

[The Cats Ass]

Right. Merrifield at 6 mil >>> Bellinger at 18.

 

Springer and Merrifield are perfectly capable CFers but the board just doesn't like old players so they'd rather dream up unlikely acquisitions just so they can have a guy in his twenties in CF (even if he isn't any good).

 

Merrifield finished the season strong. It's easy to picture him bouncing back next season and putting up 3 WAR.

 

I'd be alright with a competition between him, Espinal, and Biggio for the starting 2B spot.

[Terminator]

Does anyone have any guesses on what our payroll will be next year. It was about 171M this year, 11th overall in baseball.

[Stangstag]

Does anyone have any guesses on what our payroll will be next year. It was about 171M this year, 11th overall in baseball.

 

I would hope about 180ish

[Terminator]

I would hope about 180ish

 

If you use MLB Trade Rumors' arb projections and non-tender Tapia and others we are already at 177.3 Million

[BTS]

I would hope about 180ish

 

That would be a tight squeeze. They're at 180 or so right now with current contracts + their arb and pre-arb guys re-signed (minus Thornton and Tapia). And that's with Stripling being allowed to leave. A lot of people are going to be disappointed in the offseason unless payroll is allowed to go to 200+M.

[Terminator]

That would be a tight squeeze. They're at 180 or so right now with current contracts + their arb and pre-arb guys re-signed (minus Thornton and Tapia). And that's with Stripling being allowed to leave. A lot of people are going to be disappointed in the offseason unless payroll is allowed to go to 200+M.

 

Also, the Jays backloaded some of their deals. So while actual payroll is lower, the CBT payroll for luxury tax purposes is higher. There is some tricky stuff to this Tax Payroll number but things like Player Benefits might be included too. Cot's estimates those as 16.5M for every team. I think if we go around 200-210 payroll we will be pretty close to the 230M CBT luxury tax threshold.

[BTS]

Also, the Jays backloaded some of their deals. So while actual payroll is lower, the CBT payroll for luxury tax purposes is higher. There is some tricky stuff to this Tax Payroll number but things like Player Benefits might be included too. Cot's estimates those as 16.5M for every team. I think if we go around 200-210 payroll we will be pretty close to the 230M CBT luxury tax threshold.

 

Didn't realize they were that close to the CBT. I think this is going to be the first offseason in awhile where they don't make splashy additions. Probably trade for a good young SP and take more fliers on pen arms they like a bit.

[Terminator]

Didn't realize they were that close to the CBT. I think this is going to be the first offseason in awhile where they don't make splashy additions. Probably trade for a good young SP and take more fliers on pen arms they like a bit.

 

Yeah I think at best they add a 10 million dollar starting pitcher and then the rest is done through trades or dumpster diving.

[Stangstag]

If you use MLB Trade Rumors' arb projections and non-tender Tapia and others we are already at 177.3 Million

 

A Teo trade probably makes sense

[John_Havok]

A Teo trade probably makes sense

 

Teo and Jansen honestly. With arb raises for Bo (arb2), Vlad(arb2), Romano (Arb 1) .. not to mention the other pen arms that will be need raises (Cimber, Mayza)....Espinal is 1st arb though since he qualified as Super 2 - luckily will be cheap as hell since he sucks at all the things that matter in aribitration.

 

There's some punting candidates of course that will save some money like Tapia, Thornton, Zimmer - kind of on the fence about RIchards. Biggio will likely be retained and luckily wont be expensive.

 

 

Jays are in a pretty good spot with the only FAs being JBJ, Phelps and Stripling. If Atkins could somehow find a way to get out from under Kikuchi and re-sign Strip... that would be amazing. Doubtful...but stranger things have happened.

[Spanky99]

Bellinger's a CF and Merrifield's a RF/Utility with like 60 games at CF. Say Merrifield's option gets picked up... so now he plays CF and Springers goes to RF?

 

No, Merrifield could back up Springer at CF is what he's saying I think.

[John_Havok]

No, Merrifield could back up Springer at CF is what he's saying I think.

 

Yeah, and picking up his 2.75 million option is a no-brainer in my books.

[Terminator]

A Teo trade probably makes sense

 

It does but going to be hard to find a good trade partner. With only one year left at ~15M only mid and large market contenders will consider him but what contender is going to give up a SP that's equal in value to Teo? The mid market contenders might be turned off due to his price tag anyway and the large market teams can just go sign an OF without taking away from the major league team.

 

I suppose we could trade him for prospects (yuck) and then use the money to sign a starting pitcher? Hard to see a scenario where trading Teo makes the team better.

 

This is why trading Jansen among the three catchers makes sense but no one wants to listen. He's only projected to make 3.7M but every penny counts in our current situation and at that salary and with two years of control left he would likely have more suitors than Teo would.

[Terminator]

Biggio will likely be retained and luckily wont be expensive.

 

I'm definitely looking to trade Biggio. Projected to make 2.6M which will helps free up some money for pitching, the team clearly hates him and we've got minor leaguers who can replace him anyway. Maybe we could get a decent reliever for him.

[Jimcanuck]

Espinal gonna pump that all star selection and get $6M minimum

[connorp]

Yeah, and picking up his 2.75 million option is a no-brainer in my books.

 

He’ll cost $7m if he’s not injured the whole year. Expensive bench player but Jays prob wouldn’t do anything with the saved money

[Terminator]

If that woman running the Marlins gave us Adam Cimber and Corey Dickerson for Joe Panik imagine what she would give us for Craig Biggio's son.

[John_Havok]

He’ll cost $7m if he’s not injured the whole year. Expensive bench player but Jays prob wouldn’t do anything with the saved money

 

Probably not a true bench player though. He'd probably get as many PAs as he got this season, and for 7 million with his versatility and probably bounce back with the bat.. i'm more than okay with that. Also gotta figure one of the other outfielders is gone, so he's got plenty of room to get 500-600 PA

[connorp]

If that woman running the Marlins gave us Adam Cimber and Corey Dickerson for Joe Panik imagine what she would give us for Craig Biggio's son.

 

Not the first time, or even the worst thing you’ve said about her. There should be consistency lol

[BTS]

I don't think Teo has much trade value with his projected 15M salary. Teams don't tend to invest much into non elite corner outfielders.

[Spanky99]

I don't think Teo has much trade value with his projected 15M salary. Teams don't tend to invest much into non elite corner outfielders.

 

That's why you keep him.

[Terminator]

I don't think Teo has much trade value with his projected 15M salary. Teams don't tend to invest much into non elite corner outfielders.

 

Yeah I think you keep him, hope he has a big walk year, and then offer him the QO at the end of the year and get the pick and salary relief.

 

If we are cash strapped it's probably best to work on the margins of the roster. Can DFA arb guys on the fringe like Thornton (1.1M projected arb). Try and trade Jansen (3.7M), Biggio (2.6) and Gurriel (5.8M) to fill needs and then look for some one year bargains in FA. If things are that desperate we could trade Cimber (3.2M) and Richards (1.5M) as well.

 

Reading between the lines on things Shapiro and Atkins have said and I don't think it's that dire of a payroll situation but I don't see us dipping into FA for any major moves. Could see us getting to 200 tops, but probably see us coming in at 190 or so.

[Omar]

If that woman running the Marlins gave us Adam Cimber and Corey Dickerson for Joe Panik imagine what she would give us for Craig Biggio's son.

 

>.........

[Terminator]

You guys see any cheap starting pitchers that catch your eye? I think the Jays are well positioned to get some cheap one year types and there's a lot of guys like that on the market this year. We've got two rotation spots we can basically promise if we want and they'll get to play for a contender with a good offense and decent defense. The teams we'll be competing against will often be non-contenders or they won't have as clear cut of rotation slots for them. As always it will mostly come down to the money but everything else should be pretty good for us.

 

On the very cheap end of the spectrum Michael Lorenzen could be a good pickup. I doubt he'd cost much at all. Then there's loads of Gibson, Kluber, etc. types.

 

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

[43211234]

No reason to move Teoscar.

 

A good hitter in the final year of his contract. That's the kind of player you want on your roster in a contending year.

[Spanky99]

You guys see any cheap starting pitchers that catch your eye? I think the Jays are well positioned to get some cheap one year types and there's a lot of guys like that on the market this year. We've got two rotation spots we can basically promise if we want and they'll get to play for a contender with a good offense and decent defense. The teams we'll be competing against will often be non-contenders or they won't have as clear cut of rotation slots for them. As always it will mostly come down to the money but everything else should be pretty good for us.

 

On the very cheap end of the spectrum Michael Lorenzen could be a good pickup. I doubt he'd cost much at all. Then there's loads of Gibson, Kluber, etc. types.

 

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

 

I wonder if Bauer opts out of his 17M guarantee, just to pitch with someone else.

[Terminator]

I wonder if Bauer opts out of his 17M guarantee, just to pitch with someone else.

 

Now you're talking Spanky. I'd love to see that ******* hoist the World Series trophy above his head after pitching a gem for the Jays in Game 7 against the Dodgers.

[BTS]

You guys see any cheap starting pitchers that catch your eye? I think the Jays are well positioned to get some cheap one year types and there's a lot of guys like that on the market this year. We've got two rotation spots we can basically promise if we want and they'll get to play for a contender with a good offense and decent defense. The teams we'll be competing against will often be non-contenders or they won't have as clear cut of rotation slots for them. As always it will mostly come down to the money but everything else should be pretty good for us.

 

On the very cheap end of the spectrum Michael Lorenzen could be a good pickup. I doubt he'd cost much at all. Then there's loads of Gibson, Kluber, etc. types.

 

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/starting-pitcher/

 

Clevinger looked a bit cooked this year, and will probably sign a 1-year deal. Maybe his velo ticks back up in year two after surgery.