General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Orgfiller]

Team is really cornering the market on fireballer Ju. Fernandez'es who can't command their stuff. Both probably blow major chunks but at the 1% chance that one of them gets it together for half a season and post big numbers they're worthy acquisitions for nothing.

[Spanky99]

Someone like Monte Harrison would be nice to bring in for a 5th OFer. Tools for days, and has a ceiling of a 30/30 player.

 

Talked yourself into picking him up in LOD, lol.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Nice.

 

Now sign Alex Reyes.

 

Get a huge bucket of gas throwing mud to toss at the wall.

[Brownie19]

Nice.

 

Now sign Alex Reyes.

 

Get a huge bucket of gas throwing mud to toss at the wall.

 

Man - Pete's going to need a lot more booze to manage the stress of making chicken salad out of chicken s*** this spring. Better line him up an Uber.

[Stangstag]

He's in the same bucket as Merryweather. No options, probably only breaking camp with Toronto if a couple guys are hurt.

 

No Options club at the back of the roster:

 

Merryweather, Fernandez, White, Richards.

 

Only 2 spots for these four dudes.

 

Gotta think White is already a lock, so that leaves 1 spot left for the final arm

[Brownie19]

Maybe this is stupid, but it's too bad you can't sign a fringe starter to a contract that allows you to option him to AAA when he's out of options without the risk of losing him. Every team needs a handful of these types of players and they are valuable to the team (especially a winning team). I suspect guys like White and Merryweather understand that's the type of player they are at this stage in their careers - if they accept that, why can't we all agree to allow it?

 

The alternative is the f***ing guy gets passed around the league like a Nevada hooker - DFA after DFA, with teams trying to squeeze them onto rosters to fill a short term need. I don't know what Mitch White is projected to make this year, but I doubt it's a lot. Wouldn't it be nice for the Jays to say "here Mitch, you're a fringe starter - we all know that. We need to stash you in AAA until there's an injury, so here's an extra $1M for your troubles". And if Mitch doesn't want to do that, he says no and follows the current rules. I guess it would be like signing a 2 way contract in the NHL?

 

Once the are out of options, these fringe players often become a burden to teams simply based on their options (not their talent). I think that's stupid.

[MikeM3]

Signing pitchers who throw over 94 finally.

[Spanky99]

Gotta think White is already a lock, so that leaves 1 spot left for the final arm

 

Pop will likely be optioned... than the next 3 walk tightrope. That's not even including Pearson.

 

Jays have great depth and versatility this year, it'll be interesting to see how they shape up this roster.

[infinitebook]

Maybe this is stupid, but it's too bad you can't sign a fringe starter to a contract that allows you to option him to AAA when he's out of options without the risk of losing him. Every team needs a handful of these types of players and they are valuable to the team (especially a winning team). I suspect guys like White and Merryweather understand that's the type of player they are at this stage in their careers - if they accept that, why can't we all agree to allow it?

 

The alternative is the f***ing guy gets passed around the league like a Nevada hooker - DFA after DFA, with teams trying to squeeze them onto rosters to fill a short term need. I don't know what Mitch White is projected to make this year, but I doubt it's a lot. Wouldn't it be nice for the Jays to say "here Mitch, you're a fringe starter - we all know that. We need to stash you in AAA until there's an injury, so here's an extra $1M for your troubles". And if Mitch doesn't want to do that, he says no and follows the current rules. I guess it would be like signing a 2 way contract in the NHL?

 

Once the are out of options, these fringe players often become a burden to teams simply based on their options (not their talent). I think that's stupid.

 

Isn't that just agreeing to a minor league deal?

[Deadpool]

Isn't that just agreeing to a minor league deal?

 

If you're called up on a minor league deal, you can't be sent back down without going through waivers. The suggestion was that you'd have a contract where the player could still be optioned, if they agreed to it.

[Spanky99]

If you're called up on a minor league deal, you can't be sent back down without going through waivers. The suggestion was that you'd have a contract where the player could still be optioned, if they agreed to it.

 

Yeah, the League and MLBPA would never agree to it. That's why there's always a release date to a MILB deal.

[Brownie19]

Yeah, the League and MLBPA would never agree to it. That's why there's always a release date to a MILB deal.

 

But why wouldn't MLB and MLBPA agree to what I suggested? What value is there in having fringe players being DFA'd and jumping from team to team? I get that prevents teams from hoarding players and allows that player an opportunity to play elsewhere - but if the player doesn't want to do that (and/or is compensated for staying in AAA) then why would the league be against it?

[Spanky99]

But why wouldn't MLB and MLBPA agree to what I suggested? What value is there in having fringe players being DFA'd and jumping from team to team? I get that prevents teams from hoarding players and allows that player an opportunity to play elsewhere - but if the player doesn't want to do that (and/or is compensated for staying in AAA) then why would the league be against it?

 

Ask them dude, so many variables I'm sure, but I believe that was not an issue with the CBA.

[Jimcanuck]

I wonder if meeting the criteria for a $230,000/yr MLB pension becomes harder if these option deals were to become commonplace. Might have something to do with it.

[Brownie19]

Ask them dude, so many variables I'm sure, but I believe that was not an issue with the CBA.

 

I'm just not sure I've ever heard this been discussed (and perhaps there are valid reasons for it).

[WryNGinger]

But why wouldn't MLB and MLBPA agree to what I suggested? What value is there in having fringe players being DFA'd and jumping from team to team? I get that prevents teams from hoarding players and allows that player an opportunity to play elsewhere - but if the player doesn't want to do that (and/or is compensated for staying in AAA) then why would the league be against it?

 

My only thought on that would be to allow it but have a max number of contracts of that type per team. Otherwise perhaps there would be concern that a high-spending team could stash a bunch of 5-8 talent pitchers at pretty much major league salaries just in case and also keep them away from lower revenue teams. The pension thought is also a good point. It's a good question though.

[Spanky99]

I'm just not sure I've ever heard this been discussed (and perhaps there are valid reasons for it).

 

It was like steadfast since the 80's lol, CBA's seem to step by the issue. Like, always.

[Brownie19]

It was like steadfast since the 80's lol, CBA's seem to step by the issue. Like, always.

 

Oh - well I'm dumn. Good to know!

[jerb]

[Jimcanuck]

Hutch is back. I like the Fry signing

[The_DH]

 

some good spring invitations. Expect an infielder and an outfielder next.

[Brownie19]

Respect for Rob Brantly who's been grinding away in the minors all these years. His last extended time in the majors was 2013.

[John_Havok]

Respect for Rob Brantly who's been grinding away in the minors all these years. His last extended time in the majors was 2013.

 

Glad to see they grabbed a catcher for AAA, the Jays are really thin at catcher in the minors now

[L54]

Welcome back Hutch

[Krylian]

Welcome back Hutch

 

Is he back so he can retire a Blue Jay?

[L54]

Is he back so he can retire a Blue Jay?

 

Hahaha ya I think that’s what we see happening here

[Dick_Pole]

I remember that year when Hutchison had a K an inning over 185 innings back when that was still an accomplishment and never understood why he couldn't put it together. Probably the only pitcher in the league who has gone from 9 K per 9 to something like 5 per 9 in the last decade.

[Dick_Pole]

Maybe this is stupid, but it's too bad you can't sign a fringe starter to a contract that allows you to option him to AAA when he's out of options without the risk of losing him. Every team needs a handful of these types of players and they are valuable to the team (especially a winning team). I suspect guys like White and Merryweather understand that's the type of player they are at this stage in their careers - if they accept that, why can't we all agree to allow it?

 

The alternative is the f***ing guy gets passed around the league like a Nevada hooker - DFA after DFA, with teams trying to squeeze them onto rosters to fill a short term need. I don't know what Mitch White is projected to make this year, but I doubt it's a lot. Wouldn't it be nice for the Jays to say "here Mitch, you're a fringe starter - we all know that. We need to stash you in AAA until there's an injury, so here's an extra $1M for your troubles". And if Mitch doesn't want to do that, he says no and follows the current rules. I guess it would be like signing a 2 way contract in the NHL?

 

Once the are out of options, these fringe players often become a burden to teams simply based on their options (not their talent). I think that's stupid.

 

This conversation seems dead, but I absolutely hate this idea. All these asinine ideas from Manfred regarding low offense and long games stem from the fact the teams routinely go through 30 pitchers a season now. Most of them nameless, faceless slobs who can throw really fast at max effort for 20 pitches. I don't want to make it any easier for teams to do this. If I had my way, I'd put a cap for how many pitchers you can roster in a season. 15 subject to adjustments for season-ending injuries. Force teams to go the Rich Gossage and Mark Eichhorn route when developing their pitching staff and in-game decision making and you'll see a pick up in offense late in games.

[Laika]

Hutch is a weird one, his velo looks the same as when he broke into the league. It's like he just declined in other ways.

 

He f***ing sucks though. Stuff+

 

4 seamer = 74

change = 82

sinker = 65

slider = 101

 

pairs the slider with good command+, making it really his only trick.

hopefully we never see him.

[BCZ]

Welcome back Hutch! If you're on the big league roster at any point we can pretty much write off the season!