General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2024)

[Laika]

No, i think there would have to be moves to cut payroll elsewhere. Garcia, Espinal and Kikuchi would top that list. Possibly Springer.

 

Too bad we decided to sink 17 million into Keirmaier and IKF…

 

No need to even mention Springer or Kikuchi in stuff like this. Jays would be insane to get rid of Kikuchi to save money, and Springer nobody would take without the Jays burning $25M to make it happen.

 

Yimi - 6.3

Biggio - 4.2

Richards - 2.1

Espinal - 2.7

 

^ these are the guys they could get rid of to trim a bit of payroll if necessary

[deanmike]

I think it's possible

 

They might also approve it if Ross says he thinks he can clear a few million before the season begins, by dumping a couple bench or BP guys in trades.

 

I dunno

 

This opinion seems unrealistically hopeful and directly contradicts what Rogers mouthpieces have been saying about the offseason basically being done after the Turner signing, outside of maybe minor moves like let's say an Espinal for Slater trade.

 

Rogers mouthpieces from Sportsnet are historically way more plugged in about the budget than even the respectable national reporters who rarely miss on other stuff like Passan and Rosenthal.

[Laika]

This opinion seems unrealistically hopeful and directly contradicts what Rogers mouthpieces have been saying about the offseason basically being done after the Turner signing, outside of maybe minor moves like let's say an Espinal for Slater trade.

 

Rogers mouthpieces from Sportsnet are historically way more plugged in about the budget than even the respectable national reporters who rarely miss on other stuff like Passan and Rosenthal.

 

saying "it's possible" is unrealistically hopeful?

[jerb]

Sportsnet is going to broadcast 26 spring training games.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/sportsnet-to-broadcast-26-blue-jays-spring-training-games-ahead-of-2024-season/

[deanmike]

No need to even mention Springer or Kikuchi in stuff like this. Jays would be insane to get rid of Kikuchi to save money, and Springer nobody would take without the Jays burning $25M to make it happen.

 

Yimi - 6.3

Biggio - 4.2

Richards - 2.1

Espinal - 2.7

 

^ these are the guys they could get rid of to trim a bit of payroll if necessary

 

Considering the Jays had a pseudo-stated preference of left handed bats from the Rogers mouthpieces (I believe the exact verbiage was "prefer a lefty bat, but will get the best fit available regardless of L/R"), I doubt they subtract a lefty bat who had a wRC+ of 125 against RHP after making changes to his plate approach in mid May just to save 4.2M AAV.

[deanmike]

saying "it's possible" is unrealistically hopeful?

 

Maybe it is possible, in a roughly 2% chance at most kind of way if I had to guess.

[Brownie19]

This opinion seems unrealistically hopeful and directly contradicts what Rogers mouthpieces have been saying about the offseason basically being done after the Turner signing, outside of maybe minor moves like let's say an Espinal for Slater trade.

 

Rogers mouthpieces from Sportsnet are historically way more plugged in about the budget than even the respectable national reporters who rarely miss on other stuff like Passan and Rosenthal.

 

Things can change man. All that talk may have been true when the price for Belly was still 6 years $150-$180M and Chapman was 5 years $110M. It certainly appears the market has changed and there's CERTAINLY a possibility that Atkins is reconsidering all options at these new rates - which may include new conversations with Ownership about luxury tax implications.

[Brownie19]

Considering the Jays had a pseudo-stated preference of left handed bats from the Rogers mouthpieces (I believe the exact verbiage was "prefer a lefty bat, but will get the best fit available regardless of L/R"), I doubt they subtract a lefty bat who had a wRC+ of 125 against RHP after making changes to his plate approach in mid May just to save 4.2M AAV.

 

Then move the other 3, which would save $11.1M (minus what the replacements make). I actually think that's the move to make. We really do need to get a look at some of the players in the upper minors and have several that could step into the roles of Espinal (Jimenez, Clement, Lantigua, Barger, Orelvis) and Richards/Yimi (Cooke, Brock, Danner, Juenger, Van Eyk, etc.)

[Stangstag]

No need to even mention Springer or Kikuchi in stuff like this. Jays would be insane to get rid of Kikuchi to save money, and Springer nobody would take without the Jays burning $25M to make it happen.

 

Yimi - 6.3

Biggio - 4.2

Richards - 2.1

Espinal - 2.7

 

^ these are the guys they could get rid of to trim a bit of payroll if necessary

 

Didn’t realize Biggio was making that much

[Stangstag]

Sportsnet is going to broadcast 26 spring training games.

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/sportsnet-to-broadcast-26-blue-jays-spring-training-games-ahead-of-2024-season/

 

Niceee

[deanmike]

Then move the other 3, which would save $11.1M (minus what the replacements make). I actually think that's the move to make. We really do need to get a look at some of the players in the upper minors and have several that could step into the roles of Espinal (Jimenez, Clement, Lantigua, Barger, Orelvis) and Richards/Yimi (Cooke, Brock, Danner, Juenger, Van Eyk, etc.)

 

That would give them roughly 19.2M remaining under the 2nd threshold...pretty close to 20M. Question is would the FO even want to move Garcia and Richards? They would obviously move Espinal.

[Laika]

Considering the Jays had a pseudo-stated preference of left handed bats from the Rogers mouthpieces (I believe the exact verbiage was "prefer a lefty bat, but will get the best fit available regardless of L/R"), I doubt they subtract a lefty bat who had a wRC+ of 125 against RHP after making changes to his plate approach in mid May just to save 4.2M AAV.

 

All of these players are worth keeping at these costs, in a nutshell.

 

Just depends on internal projections and internal projections of their minor league depth, I guess

[glory]

No need to even mention Springer or Kikuchi in stuff like this. Jays would be insane to get rid of Kikuchi to save money, and Springer nobody would take without the Jays burning $25M to make it happen.

 

Yimi - 6.3

Biggio - 4.2

Richards - 2.1

Espinal - 2.7

 

^ these are the guys they could get rid of to trim a bit of payroll if necessary

 

Yeah I think Espinal, Garcia, and Richards are all easily movable. Yimi is a good RP but there are optionable RPs already on the 40 man with upside (Pearson, Pop, Danner, etc). They should probably trade one of Richards or Garcia anyway, but if you have to trade both to add a 3 WAR 3B on a much shorter deal than expected, then you do it and hope the young pen arms can make up the difference.

[Jimcanuck]

Yeah I think Espinal, Garcia, and Richards are all easily movable. Yimi is a good RP but there are optionable RPs already on the 40 man with upside (Pearson, Pop, Danner, etc). They should probably trade one of Richards or Garcia anyway, but if you have to trade both to add a 3 WAR 3B on a much shorter deal than expected, then you do it and hope the young pen arms can make up the difference.

 

And if two of those guys get moved for lottery tickets, to free up salary, the two 40 man spot would be taken by Bellinger or Chapman, and probably future closer Connor Cooke.

[Terminator]

[Laika]

sad

[Jays24]

 

Those cupholders aren't going to pay for themselves lol

[wilko]

 

[Spanky99]

I'd give Chapman that deal in 0.1 seconds.

 

Yup.

[Terminator]

 

Shulman's son is going to be the radio PBP guy. Chris Leroux will do color commentary.

 

Doesn't seem like they will be traveling for road games.

[Brownie19]

Let's get Ben and Dan together on TV please.

[burlingtonbandit]

Its funny because of all the players the Jays have the one that I would want to get rid of the most to free up salary is IKF lol especially considering the 2nd year.

 

Rather have Biggo/Espinal at their price tags/1 year commitments than him.

[glory]

Its funny because of all the players the Jays have the one that I would want to get rid of the most to free up salary is IKF lol especially considering the 2nd year.

 

Rather have Biggo/Espinal at their price tags/1 year commitments than him.

 

$7.5m AAV and two guaranteed years for IKF is gross, and even more in hindsight knowing that the price for Chapman might drop. This might end up being a Morales/Encarnacion redux where Atkins quickly signed a replacement only to see the departing FA sign for a lot less than anticipated. Either way, I don't think Atkins wants a deal that surpasses two years (otherwise I suspect Soler would have been signed), so unless Chapman is willing to sign a 1+1 deal, I don't think Atkins will be that interested. I actually think preserving 2024-25 financial flexibility is the smart move. It won't help 2024, but if you're going to spend, then spend on impact talent, not the best of a mediocre FA class. Go after Soto (unlikely) or Bregman (more likely) next season, or Tucker the year after, plus whatever SP they can sign.

[G-Snarls]

 

Who did we need the roster spot for? This suxx

[RustyTrombone]

Who did we need the roster spot for? This suxx

 

Y-Rod I think. Or Turner.

[Jonn]

 

Anyone else feel Otto Lopez would probably be more valuable to an MLB Roster right now over IKF?

 

I can see Lopez making the Giants and playing a lot for them.

[Henderson33]

For the cost, I would have taken Lopez over IKF every day of the week, even if Lopez didn't work out it gave time for one of Barger/Lantigua/Roden/Martinez/Palmegiani to earn a promotion. There are so many cheaper, and potentially more impactful kids already on the roster.

 

IKF signing is my least favorite in YEARS.

[saskjayfan]

For the cost, I would have taken Lopez over IKF every day of the week, even if Lopez didn't work out it gave time for one of Barger/Lantigua/Roden/Martinez/Palmegiani to earn a promotion. There are so many cheaper, and potentially more impactful kids already on the roster.

 

IKF signing is my least favorite in YEARS.

 

I had the same feeling when we signed Tanner Roark. Yuck!

[Laika]

Anyone else feel Otto Lopez would probably be more valuable to an MLB Roster right now over IKF?

 

I can see Lopez making the Giants and playing a lot for them.

 

You can't say he PROBABLY would be more valuable when his wRC+ in AAA was like 66 and he has no options

[Brownie19]

Anyone else feel Otto Lopez would probably be more valuable to an MLB Roster right now over IKF?

 

I can see Lopez making the Giants and playing a lot for them.

 

There's literally zero reason to think this. The probability it's true is probably 5%