Blue Jays Acquire Whit Merrifield

[Spanky99]

I guess part of a major league baseball players job entails receiving an optional vaccine?

 

Wat?

[max silver]

Wat?

 

The comment referencing Merrifield not being interested in doing his entire job because he declined to be vaccinated. I guess in a small way it makes sense as Merriweather was unavailable to play for his team during the recent Royals trip to Toronto.

[Krylian]

Wat?

 

Pretty sure he means the player doing what he needs to be ready and able to play 162 games.

[Laika]

This to me more than the frasso deal is one where we simply traded guys who we don’t really rate.

 

If they thought Castillo was good, he’d still be here because we absolutely have a need for depth starting pitchers. They didn’t even protect Taylor in the last rule 5.

 

It just seemed like we dealt what we considered meh pieces here.

 

Definitely

[Laika]

This to me more than the frasso deal is one where we simply traded guys who we don’t really rate.

 

If they thought Castillo was good, he’d still be here because we absolutely have a need for depth starting pitchers. They didn’t even protect Taylor in the last rule 5.

 

It just seemed like we dealt what we considered meh pieces here.

 

Definitely

[Spanky99]

Pretty sure he means the player doing what he needs to be ready and able to play 162 games.

 

Who's he... Dinger or Max?

[jaysblue]

Glad we traded for a guy with no real conviction who just kinda didn’t feel like doing his whole job.

 

What was stopping him from doing his entire job before? Was there anything in the contract he signed?

[jaysblue]

Pretty sure he means the player doing what he needs to be ready and able to play 162 games.

 

Last time I checked, Merrifield was ready to play 162 games with KC. He doesn't control what the Canadian Federal Government does at the border.

 

Now being on Toronto, hope everything is resolved now for obvious reasons.

[Krylian]

Last time I checked, Merrifield was ready to play 162 games with KC. He doesn't control what the Canadian Federal Government does at the border.

 

Now being on Toronto, hope everything is resolved now for obvious reasons.

 

If he did everything he "needed" to do, he'd be cleared to come here and play. He has chosen, as is his right, to not do everything asked of him. Whether you or I think what's being asked is reasonable is a different conversation, and one we can't have here. But the fact is, there is a restriction on him coming to Canada to play because he failed to so something that will allow him to play here

Edited August 3, 2022 by Krylian

[Laika]

You two KNOW this conversation is going nowhere. One of you needs to have the bigger penis and just stop replying.

[AdamGreenwood]

It's not a bad move. We can use some depth going into the second-half. The positional versatlity is key.

2nd base wasn't a huge position of need. With Chapman red hot, Espinal and Biggio are relegated mostly to 2B., where they are doing fine.

OF we can use more help though. Springer/Gourriel, Teoscar are great, but we can use a quality 4th OF, and Merrifield certainly qualifies for that.

 

The trade is only disappointing because I think everyone wanted an elite bullpen guy (Bass is decent, but maybe a little underwhelming), or a decent starter (someone better than Mitch White).

[jaysblue]

If he did everything he "needed" to do, he'd be cleared to come here and play. He has chosen, as is his right, not not do everything asked of him. Whether you or I think what's being asked is reasonable is a different conversation, and one we can't have here. But the fact is, there is a restriction on him coming to Canada to play because he failed to so something that will allow him to play here

 

He didn't "need" to do anything while he was still playing in the US though. Since he was traded to the Blue Jays yesterday, I hope he'll be able to play home games here and everything does get resolved. Obviously the Blue Jays front office knows more than we do and wouldn't have acquired him if they knew crossing the border would be an issue. So IMO this topic about whether or not he'll be allowed to play here is dead.

 

I don't get why some posters on here vilify certain players when they find out about a certain medical decision they made though. Same thing with Goldschmidt and Arenado a couple of weeks ago when they couldn't play here. Before, people on this board were glorifying Paul Goldschmidt and the MVP type season he was having. After when it was known that he wasn't allowed to travel to Canada, some posters called him an idiot or made him sound like a crazy anti-vaxxer.

 

In respect to Merrifield, I'm sure everything will be sorted out and he'll be playing games in Toronto. Or else Atkins wouldn't have traded for him.

[jaysblue]

It's not a bad move. We can use some depth going into the second-half. The positional versatlity is key.

2nd base wasn't a huge position of need. With Chapman red hot, Espinal and Biggio are relegated mostly to 2B., where they are doing fine.

OF we can use more help though. Springer/Gourriel, Teoscar are great, but we can use a quality 4th OF, and Merrifield certainly qualifies for that.

 

The trade is only disappointing because I think everyone wanted an elite bullpen guy (Bass is decent, but maybe a little underwhelming), or a decent starter (someone better than Mitch White).

 

The Blue Jays made the trades they needed to make in order to upgrade the roster, though I agree it would have been nice adding an impact SP like Rodon, Cobb, or Castillo or another impact BP arm if they could have.

[Jonn]

Merrifield ultimately gotta make the decision that’s best for him. I can’t imagine him choosing to lose that money but if he does I have tremendous respect for his principles.

 

This is completely on the Jays not him. They choose to trade for him knowing the circumstances. I think it’s incredibly stupid that they traded for an unvaccinated player. I assumed he got it when the trade was made. If he still isn’t I’m pretty mind blown they pulled the trigger on this especially with Max Castillo able to contribute right now.

[Ehjays]

He didn't "need" to do anything while he was still playing in the US though. Since he was traded to the Blue Jays yesterday, I hope he'll be able to play home games here and everything does get resolved. Obviously the Blue Jays front office knows more than we do and wouldn't have acquired him if they knew crossing the border would be an issue. So IMO this topic about whether or not he'll be allowed to play here is dead.

 

I don't get why some posters on here vilify certain players when they find out about a certain medical decision they made though. Same thing with Goldschmidt and Arenado a couple of weeks ago when they couldn't play here. Before, people on this board were glorifying Paul Goldschmidt and the MVP type season he was having. After when it was known that he wasn't allowed to travel to Canada, some posters called him an idiot or made him sound like a crazy anti-vaxxer.

 

In respect to Merrifield, I'm sure everything will be sorted out and he'll be playing games in Toronto. Or else Atkins wouldn't have traded for him.

 

Well said!! His name isnt Dim-Whit Merrifield

[Deadpool]

Okay, we've all had our say here on Merrifield's vaccination status etc. No more posts on the subject are required and I'll likely be deleting any future posts unless I feel they add something baseball related.

[Terminator]

I bet Merrifield gets plenty of time at 2B. Espinal isn't anything special and has been playing pretty poorly for a while. Also, since the bench is stacked with lefties, Tapia and Biggio sometimes play more against lefties than they should and with Merrifield they won't ever have to.

[Stangstag]

Im just hoping they don’t stick Merrifield in the leadoff spot. Plz don’t. He should be fine hitting in any of the 7-9 spots.

[L54]

Glad we traded for a guy with no real conviction who just kinda didn’t feel like doing his whole job.

 

Waaaahhh

[Pendleton]

I bet Merrifield gets plenty of time at 2B. Espinal isn't anything special and has been playing pretty poorly for a while. Also, since the bench is stacked with lefties, Tapia and Biggio sometimes play more against lefties than they should and with Merrifield they won't ever have to.

 

His versatility was undoubtedly a huge part of the appeal.

[43211234]

Sources: Merrifield and Vladdy are getting married. Whit gains Canadian citizenship and drops the vaccine requirement to enter the country.

 

Merrifield expected to play during the next Blue Jays homestand.

Edited August 3, 2022 by 43211234

[jaysblue]

Sources: Merrifield and Vladdy are getting married. Whitt gains Canadian citizenship and drops the vaccine requirement to enter the country.

 

Merrifield expected to play during the next Blue Jays homestand.

 

That was good haha! We need laughter sometimes!

[Jimcanuck]

Canada has marriage of convenience laws.

[LGBJ29]

[jaysblue]

Canada has marriage of convenience laws.

 

It's just a joke geez. Lighten up Jim.

[Jimcanuck]

It's just a joke geez. Lighten up Jim.

 

My post was a joke too. Lighten up JB

[Terminator]

What the hell is this analysis from Fangraphs on the Merrifield trade?

 

As of this writing, there’s been no confirmation of Merrifield’s vaccination status. In an interview, Jays GM Ross Atkins declined to comment further on the matter, saying he would let Merrifield discuss it with his family. Based on the fact that he circumvented a simple yes/no question, it seems like the Blue Jays acquired Merrifield before confirming whether or not he would agree to a vaccine. If so, it’s a move that reeks of irresponsibility. I’m no GM, but I’d want my deadline acquisition to appear in front of the home crowd and not skip half the remaining games. It’s not as if the prospect of a U.S.-only Merrifield was accounted for in the acquisition cost, either. Parting with two 40 FV prospects for a utility bat, albeit an established one with bounce-back potential, is not a bargain.

 

"Reeks of irresponsibility"? That's a pretty bold accusation to assume that the Jays didn't do any homework on this simply because Ross Atkins declined to comment on a sensitive issue, one that Merrifield himself has already gotten plenty of heat for.

[Jimcanuck]

What the hell is this analysis from Fangraphs on the Merrifield trade?

 

 

 

"Reeks of irresponsibility"? That's a pretty bold accusation to assume that the Jays didn't do any homework on this simply because Ross Atkins declined to comment on a sensitive issue, one that Merrifield himself has already gotten plenty of heat for.

 

That's a rather expansive interpretation of Atkins comment, or non-comment, I should say, lol

[Stangstag]

What the hell is this analysis from Fangraphs on the Merrifield trade?

 

 

 

"Reeks of irresponsibility"? That's a pretty bold accusation to assume that the Jays didn't do any homework on this simply because Ross Atkins declined to comment on a sensitive issue, one that Merrifield himself has already gotten plenty of heat for.

 

Reeks of irresponsibility to make that assertion and publish the article without knowing what conversation took place between Atkins and Merrifield

[Pendleton]

Reeks of irresponsibility to make that assertion and publish the article without knowing what conversation took place between Atkins and Merrifield

 

Exactly that. But if one was deciding to make an assumption, it should have been easier to arrive at the conclusion that vaccines are a firecracker issue upon which Atkins was respectfully going to let Merrifield speak for himself.

 

Declining to comment = completely in the dark was definitely quite the leap haha