General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2023)

[Jays24]

Both IKF and Espinal project to be about 1 WAR players, and both are coming off bad replacement level seasons. I don't see how one is expendable and the other is worth $15m. Neither one should be getting the type of money/guarantee that IKF just got. There have been like 5 FA's who actually signed contracts this winter. IKF shouldn't have been this much of a priority.

 

They clearly see him as our starting 3B because there's no need to spend that much money when you already have Biggio/Espinal/Schneider on the roster.

[Spanky99]

[Omar]

 

From a fans point of view WRC > DRS.

[Stangstag]

Both IKF and Espinal project to be about 1 WAR players, and both are coming off bad replacement level seasons. I don't see how one is expendable and the other is worth $15m. Neither one should be getting the type of money/guarantee that IKF just got. There have been like 5 FA's who actually signed contracts this winter. IKF shouldn't have been this much of a priority.

 

This contract feels alot like the infamous Maicer Izturiz deal.

[Spanky99]

From a fans point of view WRC > DRS.

 

For sure... buckle up.

[Jays24]

From a fans point of view WRC > DRS.

 

Give me 2021 Jays over 2023 Jays every day of the week. 2021 team was watchable for 6 innings until our bullpen would usually blow it whereas 2023 team was unwatchable from inning 1 lol.

[wilko]

This contract feels alot like the infamous Maicer Izturiz deal.

 

[Stangstag]

I honestly think it’s going to be the Brewers but I’ve been told to keep an eye on the Marlins as well as the Padres.

 

I think the team wants to add another OF who can also DH which lets you rotate Springer and another potential OF into the DH role while giving a lot of at bats to Varsho and KK. The team is really happy with the work Vladdy is doing in Florida but more importantly that he’s actually working with their staff instead of his own staff.

 

He’s trying to find out if the Jays have made an offer to Bellinger but he’s certain that a Chapman is not happening as he’s likely going to get more than The Jays are willing to spend on him.

 

Bellinger is a good fit in that he can play 1B with Vlad at DH and the OF allowing other players to rotate into the DH role to keep them fresh.

 

They want another SP a 3B and an OF still.

 

My buddies takeaway is the Manoah relationship with teammates is fine but with the front office and org is shot. He also trips me that the Jays have interest in Stroman and Stroman has interest in Toronto as he has family here and wants to be closer. He also says that the Jays are willing to take on a bad contract if the other team takes Springers.

 

Sorry for the thoughts out of order, my son is causing chaos and with my ADHD I’ve lost my train of thought a few times writing this out lol.

 

Great stuff, thanks for the scoop

[Jimcanuck]

This contract feels alot like the infamous Maicer Izturiz deal.

 

Nah, Izturis was like 37 or something, and s*** both at the plate and in the field

[Stangstag]

Nah, Izturis was like 37 or something, and s*** both at the plate and in the field

 

He was 31 when the Jays signed him. Idk about his career numbers at the time, but his career numbers after his abysmal time with the Jays is 91 wRC+…. Which is 10 points higher than IKF’s current career numbers.

[Marew]

I honestly think it’s going to be the Brewers but I’ve been told to keep an eye on the Marlins as well as the Padres.

 

I think the team wants to add another OF who can also DH which lets you rotate Springer and another potential OF into the DH role while giving a lot of at bats to Varsho and KK. The team is really happy with the work Vladdy is doing in Florida but more importantly that he’s actually working with their staff instead of his own staff.

 

He’s trying to find out if the Jays have made an offer to Bellinger but he’s certain that a Chapman is not happening as he’s likely going to get more than The Jays are willing to spend on him.

 

Bellinger is a good fit in that he can play 1B with Vlad at DH and the OF allowing other players to rotate into the DH role to keep them fresh.

 

They want another SP a 3B and an OF still.

 

My buddies takeaway is the Manoah relationship with teammates is fine but with the front office and org is shot. He also trips me that the Jays have interest in Stroman and Stroman has interest in Toronto as he has family here and wants to be closer. He also says that the Jays are willing to take on a bad contract if the other team takes Springers.

 

Sorry for the thoughts out of order, my son is causing chaos and with my ADHD I’ve lost my train of thought a few times writing this out lol.

 

That’s what my sources said too. Agree 100%

[Eat My Shatkins]

I like the idea of bringing back Stroman.

 

Gausman

Berrios

Bassitt

Stroman

Kikuchi

 

That is one durable (albeit expensive) rotation.

 

Then package up Manoah with Espinal and more for a decent OF power bat or 3B? Can we get anything decent for those two?

 

Manoah and Espinal for Yelich, Adames plus cash?

[Terminator]

Currently talking myself into a Josh Donaldson signing someone help me pls

[Terminator]

Donaldson's defense is holding up well, he has pop, he mashes lefties and he's an ******* who wants to win which we need more of. Shoot for 350-400 ABs as a part time 3B/DH on a one year deal.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Donaldson's defense is holding up well, he has pop, he mashes lefties and he's an ******* who wants to win which we need more of. Shoot for 350-400 ABs as a part time 3B/DH on a one year deal.

 

Frenchie is gonna splooge when he reads this

[Laika]

Donaldson's defense is holding up well, he has pop, he mashes lefties and he's an ******* who wants to win which we need more of. Shoot for 350-400 ABs as a part time 3B/DH on a one year deal.

 

Think we need someone who mashes RIGHTIES.

 

But an 80 game 3B is all they need now. I think Turner is still a fit.

[Terminator]

Think we need someone who mashes RIGHTIES.

 

But an 80 game 3B is all they need now. I think Turner is still a fit.

 

Yeah Turner could be a good fit as well. He's starting to show some struggles against righties too but he's a much safer bet than Donaldson is to play 130 games.

 

His defense is also looking very suspect these days but it probably wouldn't kill us if he started 60-80 games at 3B with the rest coming at DH.

 

But I suppose if Turner's defense is as bad as I suspect, could Schneider just chip in and be the 80 game 3B instead? He might not be much worse than Turner at this stage in their careers.

 

Then we could sign a true right masher like Joc Pederson to be the DH.

 

But then I guess the more games you pencil in Schneider at 3B it just opens up more games needed at 2B so it doesn't necessarily solve much unless we find other options at 2B.

[L54]

This roster construction is looking pretty sus

 

The only real multi position guys are Biggio and IKF

 

Gulp

[deanmike]

I like the signing. Not necessarily the dollar value but he’s such a good defender at 3rd and can play SS in a pinch. Lets us move Espinal and since there aren’t any other IF on the 40 who realistically can play short it makes sense.

 

I know someone thinks Bo may be moved but the rumblings that have come my way are expect something more like Manoah, Espinal, Barger, Dahian Santos possibly more in a package for a few players with control.

 

Something about this package (plus you mentioned the Marlins and Padres as 2 teams you were told to watch here) screams Tatis Jr+Machado+Michael King.

 

To be clear, the Jays eat Machado's entire contract here.

[Laika]

This roster construction is looking pretty sus

 

The only real multi position guys are Biggio and IKF

 

Gulp

 

Isn't it already better than 2023?

 

IKF much more versatile than Merrifield

 

+ Org depth near MLB is better

[Terminator]

I've moved on from Donaldson and am now on Turner.

 

I wouldn't sign him Turner be the primary DH though. I'd sign Joc Pederson to do that.

 

I'd sign Turner to be the "primary 3B" but really he's only shooting for 70 games there. The rest can come at DH (Pederson will be sitting against lefties after all) and 1B with a few at 2B even. On paper it seems like not enough ABs for Turner but over the course of the year he'll get plenty.

 

IKF, Biggio and then midseason callups from Orelvis/Barger/Parmesanicheesi can fill in the rest of the 90 games at 3B.

[wamco]

Something about this package (plus you mentioned the Marlins and Padres as 2 teams you were told to watch here) screams Tatis Jr+Machado+Michael King.

 

To be clear, the Jays eat Machado's entire contract here.

 

Tatis

Machado

Kim

44m

 

For

 

Tiedemann

Barriera

Burger

Espinal

Jimenez

Yimi Garcia

 

Even on mlbtrade values

[saskjayfan]

Donaldson's defense is holding up well, he has pop, he mashes lefties and he's an ******* who wants to win which we need more of. Shoot for 350-400 ABs as a part time 3B/DH on a one year deal.

 

He's looked heavy the last couple years. Seems like he golfs in the offseaon every day. Clearly using a cart and drinking beer. He's sort of taking the game for granted. If he actually put in teh work and came to camp hungry and fit I think he could still be a solid player.

[Stangstag]

Something about this package (plus you mentioned the Marlins and Padres as 2 teams you were told to watch here) screams Tatis Jr+Machado+Michael King.

 

To be clear, the Jays eat Machado's entire contract here.

 

I can’t see that. I could see something like Machado + Cronenworth

[Cbert]

I wonder if the Jays look to move Espinal and some prospects to the Marlins. Something like Espy+Martinez for Cabrera. Then flip Kooch to the Twins for Kepler. Gets us a slugging outfielder and pitcher with control. Then you could look at taking a big swing on a trade somewhere else (Bichette, Tiedemann, Schneider for Tatis+Cronenworth?). Getting an MLB ready guy to take Kooch’s spot at least opens up the possibility of moving tiedemann in a big deal.

 

Those deals would also only really add Tatis’ salary to the payroll. The rest is pretty much neutral. Pipe dream I know, though haha

[Frenchsoup]

I got Votto or Belt as our next FA signing

[WryNGinger]

This article is from 2021...is this the year we start to see the value this facility was supposed to add? I get that you can't control the talent you can send there, but I am disappointed in what the Jays ROI has been from this so far. I don't feel like the Jay's minor league talent is all that improved since they opened this place.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-complex-will-help-blue-jays-catch-mlbs-player-development-field/

[Laika]

This article is from 2021...is this the year we start to see the value this facility was supposed to add? I get that you can't control the talent you can send there, but I am disappointed in what the Jays ROI has been from this so far. I don't feel like the Jay's minor league talent is all that improved since they opened this place.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-complex-will-help-blue-jays-catch-mlbs-player-development-field/

 

It could be...

 

There is a cohort of mostly relief prospects in AA and up with modern pitch mixes and great numbers, they were probably influenced by the facilities and modern training environment

 

Also, the crop of infield prospects that are MLB ready might be part of it. Schneider, Martinez, Barger, Leo Jimenez, Palmegiani...

[Marew]

Would be happy with machado and Aaron judge

[John_Havok]

This article is from 2021...is this the year we start to see the value this facility was supposed to add? I get that you can't control the talent you can send there, but I am disappointed in what the Jays ROI has been from this so far. I don't feel like the Jay's minor league talent is all that improved since they opened this place.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-complex-will-help-blue-jays-catch-mlbs-player-development-field/

 

Well, what were your specific expectations about any player going there?