Potential Free Agents 2025

[Terminator]

This would be one of the most boring signings you could come up with but Conforto wouldn't be a bad option.

 

His defense is just a tick below average and his numbers are better than they look as the Giants' home park kills his power. His xHR for Toronto is 19 compared to his actual 14 homers.

[Brownie19]

Right now, just looking at the numbers...who's gonna sign to be a 4/5, for less than Yariel.makes and pitch as well as he has? Right now Yariel is pretty much on par with Bassitt as far as fip xfip xERA etc all go. Sure Bassitt is having a down year for him, but...the point stands.

 

I think pushing either Francis or Yariel to a pen role just doesn't make sense unless the numbers of the new guy are demonstrably better. Otherwise you're just shuffling chairs on the Titanic.

 

The response will be that it creates depth (which it would). If there was a mid-level starter they really liked this year, they could get him now to ultimately replace Bassitt the following year, while giving Yariel another year to build up his innings. They will ultimately need to replace Gausman at the top of the rotation soon. Berrios really f***s everything up. Paid like a top of the rotation guy, pitching like a #4. They Jays are going to need someone like Francis or Yariel to make a jump to the top of the rotation (or some massive bounce back from Berrios) if they are going to be contenders again.

 

I guess you could try and sign Burnes this offseason if you want to pour another $30M into our rotation....but he's no longer the guy he was in 2021/22 either. They are in a tough spot.

[Terminator]

Why do front offices across MLB hate Blake Snell so much? I'm sure they have their reasons but it seems like a short term high AAV deal could get him. Is he really that much worse than other 100 million dollar pitchers? He seems like one of the most dominant pitchers out there.

 

Maybe a 4 year deal with some sort of vesting option for a 5th would be worth exploring with him.

[BTS]

Why do front offices across MLB hate Blake Snell so much? I'm sure they have their reasons but it seems like a short term high AAV deal could get him. Is he really that much worse than other 100 million dollar pitchers? He seems like one of the most dominant pitchers out there.

 

Maybe a 4 year deal with some sort of vesting option for a 5th would be worth exploring with him.

 

I don’t get it either. When he’s right, he’s as dominant as any pitcher in the game. The kind of guy who can carry a team through the playoffs. I’d easily give him a 5/150 deal

[Laika]

Current starters with FG Depth Charts projected wRC+ / WAR per 600 PA

 

1B - Vlad - 150 wRC+ and 3.9 WAR

2B - Horwitz - 116 wRC+ and 2.8 WAR

SS - Bo - 114 wRC+ and 2.96 WAR

C - Kirk - 113 wRC+ and 4.09 WAR (per 450 PA)

RF - Springer - 112 wRC+ and 2.61 WAR

CF - Varsho - 106 wRC+ and 3.65 WAR

LF - Schneider - 104 wRC+ and 1.48 WAR

3B - Clement - 99 wRC+ and 2.36 WAR

DH - Wagner - 101 wRC+ and 2.27 WAR (this WAR is maybe wrong because he's not projected as a DH)

 

Red = need someone else

Pink = need insurance (or someone else)

 

You can swap in Loperfido or Barger for Schneider but it doesn't move the needle. The Blue Jays' LF situation is abysmal by the projections; in reverse order of current roster projections it goes Marlins, White Sox, Braves, Blue Jays, Royals...

 

Since Springer is old and crusty they should probably add TWO players than can at least camp in an outfield corner. One can be the LF, the other can be the DH and RH backup.

 

I am comfortable with 2B since so many internal options can play there. They don't need a 2B.

[G-Snarls]

You can swap in Loperfido or Barger for Schneider but it doesn't move the needle. The Blue Jays' LF situation is abysmal by the projections; in reverse order of current roster projections it goes Marlins, White Sox, Braves, Blue Jays, Royals...

 

Since Springer is old and crusty they should probably add TWO players than can at least camp in an outfield corner. One can be the LF, the other can be the DH and RH backup.

 

I am comfortable with 2B since so many internal options can play there. They don't need a 2B.

 

Agree on all counts

 

Need a legit corner OF bat, just like we did last season and didn't get one

[Laika]

O'Neill is my guy

 

get him

[Terminator]

I think if they sign one corner OF bat they could probably get away with it so long as the Buffalo Boys finish the season strong and the teams feels confident that they can be good backup and platoon options.

 

C- Kirk/FA backup

1B- Vlad/Horwitz

2B- Wagner/Schneider platoon with Horwitz mixing in

3B- Clement/Barger with Vlad mixing in

SS- Bo/Jimenez (If Bo is healthy Leo could be in AAA and just use Clement as the rarely used backup)

LF- FA signing/Schneider

CF- Varsho/Loperfido

RF- Springer/Loperfido/Barger

DH- Horwitz and rotate regulars

 

It's tempting to put Horwitz in at 2B full-time but Wagner also projects really well and we can take advantage of Horwitz and Vlad's positional versatility (who thought we'd be saying that) by moving Horwitz to first and playing Vlad at 3B. It's also one less bat we have to sign and we can use that money on the bullpen and rotation and can always try and upgrade at the trade deadline too.

[Terminator]

O'Neill is my guy

 

get him

 

Yeah of all the corner OF bats out there he seems like the best fit.

 

He won't break the bank but he still has the talent of a 100 million dollar FA. We should have a pretty good bench as well so if we can get 100-120 games out of him we should be able to get 3+ WAR out of LF still. He has a lot of upside so if he was able to play 130+ then you could get 4 WAR.

[Brownie19]

I think if they sign one corner OF bat they could probably get away with it so long as the Buffalo Boys finish the season strong and the teams feels confident that they can be good backup and platoon options.

 

C- Kirk/FA backup

1B- Vlad/Horwitz

2B- Wagner/Schneider platoon with Horwitz mixing in

3B- Clement/Barger with Vlad mixing in

SS- Bo/Jimenez (If Bo is healthy Leo could be in AAA and just use Clement as the rarely used backup)

LF- FA signing/Schneider

CF- Varsho/Loperfido

RF- Springer/Loperfido/Barger

DH- Horwitz and rotate regulars

 

It's tempting to put Horwitz in at 2B full-time but Wagner also projects really well and we can take advantage of Horwitz and Vlad's positional versatility (who thought we'd be saying that) by moving Horwitz to first and playing Vlad at 3B. It's also one less bat we have to sign and we can use that money on the bullpen and rotation and can always try and upgrade at the trade deadline too.

 

I think for that to work, that LF free agent you're signing better mash to the tune of a 4+ WAR season.

 

All of this kind of depends on what they do with Bo. If everything falls into place and they are contending for a playoff spot next year, would they actually just keep him at the deadline and let him walk after the season? That just seems really stupid. So either he's gone this offseason (creating another big hole to fill) or we aren't actually contending next year and he's dealt at some point before the deadline.

[Terminator]

I think for that to work, that LF free agent you're signing better mash to the tune of a 4+ WAR season.

 

All of this kind of depends on what they do with Bo. If everything falls into place and they are contending for a playoff spot next year, would they actually just keep him at the deadline and let him walk after the season? That just seems really stupid. So either he's gone this offseason (creating another big hole to fill) or we aren't actually contending next year and he's dealt at some point before the deadline.

 

How they handle Bo will be interesting. They could try and trade him and then turn around and sign Adames or Kim. But it's going to be hard to replace Bo's expected production on an 11.2 AAV.

 

And I don't really care if he walks to be honest. If the plan is to contend in 2025 he will help with that and FA's walking is something small market teams need to be careful of. Glad to take the 2025 production and the comp pick.

[Terminator]

Also, fans seem to have warped perceptions on trading their own team's players before they leave in free agency for some reason.

 

Let's say we trade for a good player with one year of control this coming offseason. Are people really going to be upset simply because that player is likely to walk at the end of the year? It would depend on who it was and what we gave up, of course, but trading for a FA-to-be in itself wouldn't be frowned upon.

 

But somehow when our own players are FA's, we need to trade them and get something for them before they leave. Why is that scenario any different? Both players have 1 year of control.

[BTS]

Also, fans seem to have warped perceptions on trading their own team's players before they leave in free agency for some reason.

 

Let's say we trade for a good player with one year of control this coming offseason. Are people really going to be upset simply because that player is likely to walk at the end of the year? It would depend on who it was and what we gave up, of course, but trading for a FA-to-be in itself wouldn't be frowned upon.

 

But somehow when our own players are FA's, we need to trade them and get something for them before they leave. Why is that scenario any different? Both players have 1 year of control.

 

You're talking about a forum that balked at trading Tiedemann straight up for Soto last offseason. There would be meltdowns over 1-year rentals.

[Spanky99]

O'Neill is my guy

 

get him

 

I'll roll with Soto first...

[Pendleton]

All in for Soto first. If you strike out on him, just go back to sending a package of close to the majors talent to the A's for their star, in this case Brent Rooker (still arb eligible the next three off seasons)

[Laika]

I think if they sign one corner OF bat they could probably get away with it so long as the Buffalo Boys finish the season strong and the teams feels confident that they can be good backup and platoon options.

 

C- Kirk/FA backup

1B- Vlad/Horwitz

2B- Wagner/Schneider platoon with Horwitz mixing in

3B- Clement/Barger with Vlad mixing in

SS- Bo/Jimenez (If Bo is healthy Leo could be in AAA and just use Clement as the rarely used backup)

LF- FA signing/Schneider

CF- Varsho/Loperfido

RF- Springer/Loperfido/Barger

DH- Horwitz and rotate regulars

 

It's tempting to put Horwitz in at 2B full-time but Wagner also projects really well and we can take advantage of Horwitz and Vlad's positional versatility (who thought we'd be saying that) by moving Horwitz to first and playing Vlad at 3B. It's also one less bat we have to sign and we can use that money on the bullpen and rotation and can always try and upgrade at the trade deadline too.

 

I think this is one too many wishes

 

I wonder if they could do something like this:

 

O'Neill 3/$45 (LF/DH)

Santander 4/$80 (DH/LF/RF)

 

Fill in the rest with P

[G-Snarls]

I think this is one too many wishes

 

I wonder if they could do something like this:

 

O'Neill 3/$45 (LF/DH)

Santander 4/$80 (DH/LF/RF)

 

Fill in the rest with P

 

That's 100% doable

[Brownie19]

Also, fans seem to have warped perceptions on trading their own team's players before they leave in free agency for some reason.

 

Let's say we trade for a good player with one year of control this coming offseason. Are people really going to be upset simply because that player is likely to walk at the end of the year? It would depend on who it was and what we gave up, of course, but trading for a FA-to-be in itself wouldn't be frowned upon.

 

But somehow when our own players are FA's, we need to trade them and get something for them before they leave. Why is that scenario any different? Both players have 1 year of control.

 

That's fair. I mean Houston has recently let several star players walk and may let Bregman walk this coming offseason. I think that's a lot easier to pull off if you're a legit WS contender. Hard to let assets go for nothing while trying to sneak into the 3rd WC spot. Not sure our farm system or team is in a position to do that with Bo. Then again - you just need to get into the playoffs to have a shot.

[Brownie19]

I think this is one too many wishes

 

I wonder if they could do something like this:

 

O'Neill 3/$45 (LF/DH)

Santander 4/$80 (DH/LF/RF)

 

Fill in the rest with P

 

Isn't the estimate that we'll have around $50M? That leaves $15M for a backup catcher, SP depth and a new bullpen. It's going to be tight.

 

O'Neill has tantalizing upside, but man is there risk in that profile, between the injuries and K rate.

[Terminator]

I think this is one too many wishes

 

I wonder if they could do something like this:

 

O'Neill 3/$45 (LF/DH)

Santander 4/$80 (DH/LF/RF)

 

Fill in the rest with P

 

Yeah that lineup would bang. Wagner and Schneider are pretty big question marks right now but my thinking was more along the lines of using the Santander money on a SP like Snell or Eovaldi. But this would work too.

[Spanky99]

You're talking about a forum that balked at trading Tiedemann straight up for Soto last offseason. There would be meltdowns over 1-year rentals.

 

Lol... straight up, seriously?

[Laika]

All in for Soto first. If you strike out on him, just go back to sending a package of close to the majors talent to the A's for their star, in this case Brent Rooker (still arb eligible the next three off seasons)

 

Very excited for the Toronto Blue Jays to almost almost almost land Juan Soto but come up just a hair short

 

The false confirmations will be legendary

 

After the inevitable near miss my projected offseason by the Blue Jays will be:

 

Anthony Rizzo 1/$5M

Max Kepler 1/$10M

Jorge Polanco 2/$15M

Yimi Garcia 1/$6M with club options

AJ Minter 1/$5M with vesting option in 2026

Shelby Miller 1/$4M

Jake Junis 1/$3M

Brandon Drury - MiLB deal

Daniel Vogelbach - MiLB deal

Zach Plesac - MiLB deal

Josh Staumont - MiLB deal

[Spanky99]

Very excited for the Toronto Blue Jays to almost almost almost land Juan Soto but come up just a hair short

 

The false confirmations will be legendary

 

After the inevitable near miss my projected offseason by the Blue Jays will be:

 

Anthony Rizzo 1/$5M

Max Kepler 1/$10M

Jorge Polanco 2/$15M

Yimi Garcia 1/$6M with club options

AJ Minter 1/$5M with vesting option in 2026

Shelby Miller 1/$4M

Jake Junis 1/$3M

Brandon Drury - MiLB deal

Daniel Vogelbach - MiLB deal

Zach Plesac - MiLB deal

Josh Staumont - MiLB deal

 

lol... you bored?

[jaysblue]

Max Kepler actually wouldn't be a bad target. Suggested him a while back as well. Left-handed bat who could play a corner OF spot. Might be able to squeeze 3 WAR out of him if he's healthy.

[jaysblue]

A lot of solid FA relievers available:

 

Jeff Hoffman

Daniel Hudson

Jose Leclerc

Yimi Garcia

Tanner Scott

A.J. Minter

Chris Martin

 

Wonder what type of contract Jeff Hoffman gets. Over the last two seasons, he's been pretty elite out of the pen!

[Pendleton]

Max Kepler actually wouldn't be a bad target. Suggested him a while back as well. Left-handed bat who could play a corner OF spot. Might be able to squeeze 3 WAR out of him if he's healthy.

 

Not saying it's impossible but he's only been a 3+ WAR player once and that was 2019, came close last season. Just not someone I'd want to commit to any multi year deal heading into his age 32 season. If we strike out on all the bigger name corner OF, a one year deal is a different story.

[jaysblue]

Not saying it's impossible but he's only been a 3+ WAR player once and that was 2019, came close last season. Just not someone I'd want to commit to any multi year deal heading into his age 32 season. If we strike out on all the bigger name corner OF, a one year deal is a different story.

 

He did post a 2.8 WAR season in 2023, but alright lol. I doubt Kepler gets a multi year deal given what we saw the market for corner OF bats last offseason and the amount of them available this offseason. As well, not suggesting Kepler be the No. 1 target for the Jays. As a second bat after lets say Soto, Santander, Teo, or if the Jays pulled a trade for someone like Brent Rooker, Kepler is not a bad target.

 

A lot of people were saying the same thing about Tyler O'Neill last offseason when his name was being suggested.

[Brownie19]

He did post a 2.8 WAR season in 2023, but alright lol. I doubt Kepler gets a multi year deal given what we saw the market for corner OF bats last offseason and the amount of them available this offseason. As well, not suggesting Kepler be the No. 1 target for the Jays. As a second bat after lets say Soto, Santander, Teo, or if the Jays pulled a trade for someone like Brent Rooker, Kepler is not a bad target.

 

A lot of people were saying the same thing about Tyler O'Neill last offseason when his name was being suggested.

 

O'Neill had been straight garage the previous 2 season (combined PA's of 1 full season). Always hurt, wRC+ < 100. He was a lottery ticket this year that has paid off. There was probably a 5-10% chance he would give any team a >130 wRC+ bat and a 2.5-3 WAR season. There's probably the same likelihood that Kepler - or O'Neill provide that to a team in 2025.

 

That said, I heard one of the reason's O'Neill is hitting this year is because he's MUCH better with breaking balls. If that's a skill he's developed (and not just luck), then perhaps the chances of him repeating his production this season go up (although it's always tough to bet on a guy with a 33% K rate). Kepler feels like a guy who'll sign for like 1 year $4M or as a minor league free agent. 32 year old, often injured, platoon bat with a career wRC+ of 103? Hard pass IMO - just let the youngsters play.

[Terminator]

Agree with everyone on Kepler. He would be good one a one year deal if he was our second bat added. Conforto is similar.

[glory]

I think the Jays need to look at the trade market to fix at least one of the holes. Free agency isn't going to fix everything, and they have a bunch of depth cluttered in the upper minors so some might be expendable. I don't mind one FA contract that is a bit of an overpay but if they are going for multiple, then that's where teams get in trouble. I'd rather trade for an arb eligible Tyler O'Neill than sign him to a multi year FA deal into his 30's. I guess wait for MLBTR to do their projected arb salaries and see who might be a realistic trade piece. Wouldn't mind taking a chance on someone who hasn't developed yet but is showing interesting enough statcast numbers like Jesus Sanchez, but who knows if he's available or not.

 

I think the one FA that fits what the Jays typically like (lower K rate) while also checking other boxes (switch hitter, big power) is Santander, so I'd expect them to be involved in that market. He can start at DH and also cover RF for Springer, so it's a double benefit. Just a matter of what his price tag is going to be. I really don't see another realistic impact FA option since Soto is a massive pipe dream, Alonso plays the same position as Vlad (+ has Boras an agent), and Bregman (another Boras guy) is a bit too risky for me given his age and the amount of years he'd likely want. If they didn't want Teoscar on a multi year deal last winter when he was coming off a Safeco impacted down year, then I can't see them revisiting that now that he's boosted his value. They also could have traded table scraps for Tyler O'Neill and didn't do it (though maybe they tried).