Brandon Belt signing with the Jays

[Carlos Danger]

Only way they could realistically get back under is if they offload Merrifield somewhere

 

Kickuchi. No way they off load Merrifield. Too valuable.

[burlingtonbandit]

Only way they could realistically get back under is if they offload Merrifield somewhere

 

You would then have to sign a RHH OFer if that was the case and probably at more $ than he is getting. Since he can play 2nd base and offers speed off the bench you may as well keep him.

[jaysblue]

Send Biggio for Houser from the Brew Crew. Gives the Crew some salary relief also.

 

Would prefer Ashby if possible.

[jaysblue]

So far, I'm very impressed with the Blue Jays offseason. They have made a lot of moves to correct the mistakes/shortfalls of 2022. They've added some LH balance to their lineup with Varsho, KK, and now Belt. They've significantly upgraded their outfield defense. They have a ton of roster depth now, so even a top bat or two go down to injury, they have enough reinforcements on the MLB roster to make it through a couple of weeks of the season, whereas last season they had to rely on Tapia/Zimmer on an everyday basis which hurt. They strengthened their rotation with Bassitt.

 

One more starting pitcher and another high K bullpen arm if possible, would be icing on the cake. This team will be built very well for the 162 game season now IMO.

[Brownie19]

If you Biggio stans don’t want to take my word for it would you at least take the Jays opinion into account? If Biggio is so damn good why would the team trad what little starting pitching depth it had for the corpse of Whit Merrifield? If Biggio was any good at all they wouldn’t have done that.

 

I thought they did this to add another CFer who at least owned a bat.

[glory]

I'm still not convinced they remain in luxury tax territory when the season starts. But if they are, good on Rogers for whipping their wallet out and not being afraid to use it.

 

Even if the arbitration salaries are lower than projections, it's still tough to see them getting under the first threshold. Trading Biggio will save them a little bit but not much. The team actually needs Merrifield at this point so I doubt he's moved. If they can find a taker for Kikuchi then that would be the best way, as his CBT hit is counted as $12m due to contract AAV and he's thoroughly replaceable as a SP, but even in the current market that seems very unlikely. I think this is the year they go over. They will probably try to sneak under in 2024 or 2025 though to avoid repeater penalties.

Edited January 10, 2023 by glory

[jaysblue]

Even if the arbitration salaries are lower than projections, it's still tough to see them getting under the first threshold. Trading Biggio will save them a little bit but not much. The team actually needs Merrifield at this point so I doubt he's moved. If they can find a taker for Kikuchi then that would be the best way, as his CBT hit is counted as $12m due to contract AAV and he's thoroughly replaceable as a SP, but even in the current market that seems very unlikely. I think this is the year they go over. They will probably try to sneak under in 2024 or 2025 though to avoid repeater penalties.

 

Yeah they probably will go over this season and try to sneak under the following season or next.

 

Does Ryu count towards this season? Sorry forgot if it was mentioned before.

[Laika]

They've probably just decided to go over this year.

 

What matters is what your luxury tax payroll is at the end of the season. So no real sense in getting just under the threshold now... then you can't even make any deadline acquisitions.

[glory]

Yeah they probably will go over this season and try to sneak under the following season or next.

 

Does Ryu count towards this season? Sorry forgot if it was mentioned before.

 

Ryu counts. If insurance covers some of the contract due to his injury then that doesn't have any impact on the CBT as far as I know.

 

With the Belt signing, the Jays now have close to $65m coming off the books after this season (Chapman, Merrifield, KK, Belt, Ryu, Bass, what is left of Grichuk's deal), possibly more if they do not pick up Garcia's option (which they likely will pick up unless he's hurt/sucks in 2023). It's possible they can make improvements and be under the CBT next season, but too early to speculate on that.

[Stangstag]

Kickuchi. No way they off load Merrifield. Too valuable.

 

Damn can’t believe I forgot about Kooch

[Carlos Danger]

Would prefer Ashby if possible.

 

Me too! However, would be super expensive capital wise and doubt Brewers move him. They are willing to move Hauser.

[wilko]

Surprising signing but I like it if Belt can stay healthy.

[TheHurl]

Yeah they probably will go over this season and try to sneak under the following season or next.

 

Does Ryu count towards this season? Sorry forgot if it was mentioned before.

 

This isn't a fanbase that is going to accept payroll going backwards lightly. Yes they have quite a bit coming off next year but it's also some pretty important players (except Ryu's $20M but that is probably swallowed into Vlad, Varsho and Bo 2024 increases). Best thing would just be win a World Series this year and no one thinks twice about going over.

[Krylian]

This isn't a fanbase that is going to accept payroll going backwards lightly. Yes they have quite a bit coming off next year but it's also some pretty important players (except Ryu's $20M but that is probably swallowed into Vlad, Varsho and Bo 2024 increases). Best thing would just be win a World Series this year and no one thinks twice about going over.

 

This is all you needed to post.

[guylaroche5]

9.3 million is a bit hefty but if he truly is healthy enough I can live with it. I wonder how much this will affect Kirk's ABs but knowing how often injuries occur and the way catchers are managed I don't think this will be that big a deal. Can't wait for the White Jays season to start

[jaysblue]

Me too! However, would be super expensive capital wise and doubt Brewers move him. They are willing to move Hauser.

 

Yeah just Houser sucks haha. Would rather sign Duffy if he would come to Toronto.

[AMS528]

He's barely cracking the Mendoza line these days and he's currently 3rd on the 2B depth chart and dropping. Truth is he's probably 4th as Barger is better than him too. Yet pointing any of this out is a troll to you because those WAR per 550 PA numbers you are pulling out of your ass are so valid (again he put up a great year with juiced balls 4 seasons ago which is pumping that number up).

 

Seriously, read his statcast page for about 30 seconds and if your feeble baseball brain can actually process any of it you'll see that it paints a very ugly picture. His xwOBA was .288 this past year and .285 the year before that. That's not good.

 

That WAR per 550 is only 2022.

[Spanky99]

I been lurking for a long time just not posting. I’m aware he went troll, just not the same poster I remember. To each their own I guess.

 

Term has Morphed into tercet it seems... disappointing.

[The Iceman]

Ryu counts. If insurance covers some of the contract due to his injury then that doesn't have any impact on the CBT as far as I know.

 

With the Belt signing, the Jays now have close to $65m coming off the books after this season (Chapman, Merrifield, KK, Belt, Ryu, Bass, what is left of Grichuk's deal), possibly more if they do not pick up Garcia's option (which they likely will pick up unless he's hurt/sucks in 2023). It's possible they can make improvements and be under the CBT next season, but too early to speculate on that.

 

There is a provision in the MLB collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to exclude a certain amount of money from the luxury tax calculation. This provision is known as the “disabled list exception.” The disabled list exception allows teams to exclude up to $10 million of DL player salaries from the luxury tax calculation. This exception was put in place to help teams deal with the financial burden of having players on the DL. The disabled list exception is calculated on a per-team basis, so it is possible for a team to have multiple players on the DL and still not exceed the $10 million threshold.

[Jays24]

There is a provision in the MLB collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to exclude a certain amount of money from the luxury tax calculation. This provision is known as the “disabled list exception.” The disabled list exception allows teams to exclude up to $10 million of DL player salaries from the luxury tax calculation. This exception was put in place to help teams deal with the financial burden of having players on the DL. The disabled list exception is calculated on a per-team basis, so it is possible for a team to have multiple players on the DL and still not exceed the $10 million threshold.

 

Not sure how that would work when Ryu is expected back around the allstar break.

[Terminator]

Term has Morphed into tercet it seems... disappointing.

 

Wow! I thought we had been getting along pretty well lately and you call me tercet? Really?

[Spanky99]

Wow! I thought we had been getting along pretty well lately and you call me tercet? Really?

 

lol...

[Terminator]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brandon-belt-has-one-job-for-the-blue-jays/

 

Brandon Belt crushes breaking balls.

[Jimcanuck]

Wow! I thought we had been getting along pretty well lately and you call me tercet? Really?

 

Spanky is just trying to lure his old friend (who is no doubt lurking around) back onto the board.

[Spanky99]

Spanky is just trying to lure his old friend (who is no doubt lurking around) back onto the board.

 

K.......

[jerb]

 

Toronto Blue Jays

@BlueJays

 

OFFICIAL: We’ve signed 2x World Series Champion INF Brandon Belt to a one-year contract.

 

Welcome to our #BlueJays family!

 

Toronto Blue Jays

@BlueJays

 

To make room on our 40-man roster, RHP Julian Merryweather has been designated for assignment.

[Terminator]

Didn't expect Merryweather to be the one to go but it makes as much sense as anyone else.

[jaysblue]

Didn't expect Merryweather to be the one to go but it makes as much sense as anyone else.

 

Rays or Pirates will get him.

[glory]

If the Rays get Merryweather, I'm going to cringe nervously.

[wilko]

Rays or Pirates will get him.

 

And he'll be healthy pitching over 60 innings.