General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Terminator]

I'm skeptical that Manoah has much value to other teams and there are a lot of pipedreams in this here thread.

 

You're right to a degree but all teams need pitching so someone will take a flyer on him.

 

The Cardinals REALLY need pitching. 35 year old Miles Mikolas is the staff ace and it doesn't get any better after that.

 

The GM is on record as saying they are going to bring in multiple starting pitchers. Seems like at least 3 but maybe even 4.

 

Not all of them are going to be frontline studs and surely one or two of them will be a Manoah/Clarke Schmidt type.

[Terminator]

I f***ing love Tyler O'Neill. Go get him.

 

He only has one year of control left so he wouldn't cost much. I'd be all for bringing him to TO.

 

Check out his wikipedia entry:

O'Neill plays the piano, and entertained his teammates in the clubhouse during spring training in 2017 by playing the theme song to the "Lord of the Rings" film series on a keyboard.[52] He has said his favourite song to play is "O Canada."

 

An avid weightlifter, O'Neill has been recorded on video quarter-squatting as much as 585 pounds (265 kg). He was given the nickname "Popeye" while playing in the Southern League.[53] O'Neill's father, Terry, was named Mr. Canada (an honour given to the nation's best body builder) in 1975.[54]

 

O'Neill and his wife, Stephanie, were married in December 2021 in Hawaii.[55]

 

In January 2023, O'Neill and Stephanie welcomed their first child, Audrie. [56]

 

Who wouldn't want this guy?? A bodybuilding piano player whose favorite song to play is O Canada and can squat 600 pounds? Sign me up

[Spanky99]

f*** Dylan Carlson. I want Lars Nootbaar or they can f*** off.

 

Yeah, he isn't available Jonn. They were asking for Moreno+ last season.

[jaysblue]

Talkin about the Cards, I wonder if they'd trade Arenado?

 

They probably would, but when I mentioned Arenado's name on here back in the summer, his contract came up as an issue.

 

He's getting paid $35M in 2024, $32M in 2025, and $27M in 2026 and $15M in 2027. Colorado still paying $5M each season from 2024-2026, so Jays would technically be paying $30M in 2024, $27M in 2025 and $22M in 2026 out of their own pockets.

 

He's coming off a down year so I don't think the Cards could ask for much if anything they might eat some of the contract. Arenado is a bit risky unless you think he could still provide a couple more seasons of 3-4 WAR. If he posts another season like he did in 2023, he likely becomes a dead asset.

 

I would trade George Springer for him straight up. Move one bad contract for another. Springer is owed $24M each season till 2026. So a total of $72M over the next 3 years. Arenado would be owed a total of $94M over 4 years. If the Cards gave back some money in the deal, something I would consider.

[Jonn]

Yeah, he isn't available Jonn. They were asking for Moreno+ last season.

 

Considering they traded Moreno + for Varsho. They probably should have met that demand.

[jaysblue]

Goldy would be a perfect target as a 1B/DH bat. Only one year left at $26M. He wouldn't cost as much as Alonso or Soto in a trade, but could provide similar value with the bat if he bounces back. Still posted a 3.7 WAR with a 122 wRC+ last season and is one year removed from a 7 WAR and 176 wRC+ season in 2022.

 

Goldy might be a better target since you wouldn't have to trade someone like Tiedemann and comes with less commitment than someone like Arenado does.

[Spanky99]

Considering they traded Moreno + for Varsho. They probably should have met that demand.

 

It wasn't VGJ.

[connorp]

It wasn't VGJ.

 

Where’s your list, mate. Still waiting

[Spanky99]

You're right to a degree but all teams need pitching so someone will take a flyer on him.

 

The Cardinals REALLY need pitching. 35 year old Miles Mikolas is the staff ace and it doesn't get any better after that.

 

The GM is on record as saying they are going to bring in multiple starting pitchers. Seems like at least 3 but maybe even 4.

 

Not all of them are going to be frontline studs and surely one or two of them will be a Manoah/Clarke Schmidt type.

 

Ah, so they're buyers as per usual, thanks.

[Ehjays]

[Stangstag]

 

I love Gausman, what a great FA signing

[L54]

Gausman is the freaking man honestly

[Stangstag]

I don’t think I saw this anywhere here so i’ll post it

 

Jon Heyman had some comments about the Jays/Chapman:

 

Matt Chapman met with the incumbent Jays at the meetings. The surprise Diamondbacks and Giants are among other teams eyeing third base. The Jays offered well over $100M in the spring but the sides weren’t close. Chapman is probably shooting for $150M plus.

[Krylian]

I don’t think I saw this anywhere here so i’ll post it

 

Jon Heyman had some comments about the Jays/Chapman:

 

Matt Chapman met with the incumbent Jays at the meetings. The surprise Diamondbacks and Giants are among other teams eyeing third base. The Jays offered well over $100M in the spring but the sides weren’t close. Chapman is probably shooting for $150M plus.

 

LOL. $150M for a great glove and no bat? No thanks.

[Brownie19]

Considering they traded Moreno + for Varsho. They probably should have met that demand.

 

We needed a long term CFer. I don't think Nootbar is that guy. Also, his power really dropped off last year. I do love his approach at the plate though.

[BatFlip]

I don’t think I saw this anywhere here so i’ll post it

 

Jon Heyman had some comments about the Jays/Chapman:

 

Matt Chapman met with the incumbent Jays at the meetings. The surprise Diamondbacks and Giants are among other teams eyeing third base. The Jays offered well over $100M in the spring but the sides weren’t close. Chapman is probably shooting for $150M plus.

 

Oh heeeeell no. If anyone meets that price tag they're going to have some serious buyer's regret.

[John_Havok]

LOL. $150M for a great glove and no bat? No thanks.

 

You have an odd definition of "no bat" if Chapman is in that category for you

[Krylian]

You have an odd definition of "no bat" if Chapman is in that category for you

 

Alright fine. A very marginal bat. If you're giving out that kind of cash you had better bring a hell of a lot more to the plate. He used to, but he's several years removed from that now.

[RustyTrombone]

You have an odd definition of "no bat" if Chapman is in that category for you

 

You dont pay $150M for a dude who hit like Santiago Espinal for 5 months of the year.

[BatFlip]

You have an odd definition of "no bat" if Chapman is in that category for you

 

True, but at the same time, how does he rank amongst 3B with a .750 ops? Middle of the pack? This is his age 31 season, I wouldn't count on that glove being elite or a sudden offensive resurgence.

 

That said, wouldn't be surprised if he does get $150M in such a sad free agent class.

[Brownie19]

You have an odd definition of "no bat" if Chapman is in that category for you

 

People are talking about wanting to bring in Suarez and Arenado - both of whom were shittier with the bat than Chapman was last year. The guy has come to Toronto and give us 4 WAR/155 games for 2 straight seasons. That is "star" level in the major leagues. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comfortable locking up Chapman for 6 years $150M - but that's not because he's not a really good, valuable player, it's an age/commitment thing for me. Make no mistake, there's a very good chance we're going to f***ing miss Chapman at 3rd base next year, no matter how much you hate how streaky his bat was last year.

[L54]

Holy f***ing semantics. Everyone knew what Krylian meant but the word police had to come to the rescue

 

Chapman has always had a very risky profile. He’s a glove first player who has had a few good seasons with the stick to tease an all star or even MVP ceiling but reality is it looks like he will age like s*** and the team who gives him 5 years will be paying 2023 Evan Longoria 25M a year for at least the last two years

[L54]

People are talking about wanting to bring in Suarez and Arenado - both of whom were shittier with the bat than Chapman was last year. The guy has come to Toronto and give us 4 WAR/155 games for 2 straight seasons. That is "star" level in the major leagues. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comfortable locking up Chapman for 6 years $150M - but that's not because he's not a really good, valuable player, it's an age/commitment thing for me. Make no mistake, there's a very good chance we're going to f***ing miss Chapman at 3rd base next year, no matter how much you hate how streaky his bat was last year.

 

People aren’t saying Suarez is better than Chapman, they’re saying he might be a cheap replacement who doesn’t hamstring payroll for a half decade

[Laika]

The "no bat" thing with Chapman is actually kind of interesting. It's not just semantics and posters being pedantic.

 

He is a player that gives you the impression that there are huge flaws in his offensive game, but he has literally never been a below average MLB hitter. Just look at his wRC+ in every year. For a hitter who ostensibly seems all over the place with a swiss cheese swing, he has just ranged between average to comfortably above average with the stick.

 

So, kind of an interesting divide between optics and reality? I dunno.

[Krylian]

If you eliminate Chapman's April...and only consider his May-October, his numbers really take a significant hit.

[L54]

The "no bat" thing with Chapman is actually kind of interesting. It's not just semantics and posters being pedantic.

 

He is a player that gives you the impression that there are huge flaws in his offensive game, but he has literally never been a below average MLB hitter. Just look at his wRC+ in every year. For a hitter who ostensibly seems all over the place with a swiss cheese swing, he has just ranged between average to comfortably above average with the stick.

 

So, kind of an interesting divide between optics and reality? I dunno.

 

The perception is that corner infielders who slug .430 with 30% k rates don’t typically age well

 

In my opinion Chapman is the type of player who has declines hard and fast and I wouldn’t want to be holding that bag. Kinda like NFT’s

[L54]

I think Chapman ends up in San Francisco

[glory]

I want no part of Chapman on a long term deal. If he accepts the QO (he won’t) then that’s fine but anything beyond that and I’m ok with moving on. I do agree it will be hard to find a 3-4 WAR replacement in this market, though. Might have to take a hit at 3B and compensate elsewhere.

[Laika]

The perception is that corner infielders who slug .430 with 30% k rates don’t typically age well

 

In my opinion Chapman is the type of player who has declines hard and fast and I wouldn’t want to be holding that bag. Kinda like NFT’s

 

K rate is a red flag but plus defense is a green flag.

 

I dunno. If he gets closer to $100M it might be a sweet deal for somebody. He seems like a smart player.

 

He has like, one flaw. Whiffs.

 

He has maxEV, barrels, defense, baserunning, general baseball IQ.

 

I guess you could say he has a small second flaw, being the FB ratio which means less hits and lower AVG. But that's kind of a feature too since it's part of the power.

[Brownie19]

If you eliminate Chapman's April...and only consider his May-October, his numbers really take a significant hit.

 

But you can't just do that. If we could, we'd remove Moreno's July/August and everyone would think he's a limp dick batter with no upside and we wouldn't have 70 pages talking about the trade for Varsho.

 

Chapman had 2 VERY good months last year (April and July) and 4 s***** month with the bat. Did anyone notice he basically did the same thing in 2022 (June + July were huge months)? Not that I remember. He's a streaky hitter. Lots of players are.

 

The guy is a career 118 wRC+ hitter. Arenado is a career 120 wRC+ hitter.