General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[Jays24]

2 hours ago, saskjayfan said:

If Varsho hits any higher than 7th this year!

I've said that the past 2 years and he still hit cleanup and/or somewhere in the top 4 far too many times lol. 

[wilko]

On 1/10/2025 at 7:29 PM, jaysblue said:

If you had a choice and could only sign one, who would you rather sign right now:

Nick Pivetta or Tanner Scott? 

Scott. 

[Jays24]

Report: Mets checked in with Blue Jays about Guerrero this winter

https://thescore.com/mlb/news/3190734

Wasn't sure if this required its own thread but maybe we should create a Vladdy thread until he's either signed or traded... or God forbid, we let him play the season without neither.  

[jerb]

 

[Orgfiller]

4 minutes ago, jerb said:

 

The Mets have some intriguing prospects. I wonder if they would part with Vientos for Vlad, it would be a massive overpay on their end, but they have the money to retain Vlad and Vientos is destined for 1B/DH anyway as a worse offensive talent. Would be best case scenario for us to maintain competitiveness while trading away a player of Vlad's caliber.

Miss me with Brett Baty unless he's a thrown in.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Vientos ++ for a Vlad with an extension plz

[Brownie19]

28 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

The Mets have some intriguing prospects. I wonder if they would part with Vientos for Vlad, it would be a massive overpay on their end, but they have the money to retain Vlad and Vientos is destined for 1B/DH anyway as a worse offensive talent. Would be best case scenario for us to maintain competitiveness while trading away a player of Vlad's caliber.

Miss me with Brett Baty unless he's a thrown in.

I don't think Vientos is a massive overpay. 

Astros got 3 years of Paredes + Cam Smith (14th overall pick in 2024 draft) who lit it up and finished in AA last year for Kyle Tucker.

Paredes is more proven than Vientos and is just good enough to stick at 3rd.  Vientos probably shouldn't play 3rd anymore and that 30% K Rate could raises concerns, given he's only produced at the ML level for 450 PA's.

4 years of Vientos + prospects seems like a perfectly reasonable package for Vlad if we conclude we can't, or don't want to extend him.

Fans would be super angry, but it might be the best baseball move they can make under these circumstances.

[Jays24]

11 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I don't think Vientos is a massive overpay. 

Astros got 3 years of Paredes + Cam Smith (14th overall pick in 2024 draft) who lit it up and finished in AA last year for Kyle Tucker.

Paredes is more proven than Vientos and is just good enough to stick at 3rd.  Vientos probably shouldn't play 3rd anymore and that 30% K Rate could raises concerns, given he's only produced at the ML level for 450 PA's.

4 years of Vientos + prospects seems like a perfectly reasonable package for Vlad if we conclude we can't, or don't want to extend him.

Fans would be super angry, but it might be the best baseball move they can make under these circumstances.

If you sign Alonso as part of the process then it would be hard to get too upset.  Now that's if the extension he ultimately signs is a massive overpay. 

If it ends up being reason then there's gonna be backlash for sure., we'll see.

[Orgfiller]

3 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

If you sign Alonso as part of the process then it would be hard to get too upset.  Now that's if the extension he ultimately signs is a massive overpay. 

If it ends up being reason then there's gonna be backlash for sure., we'll see.

Would rather Bregman at that point unless Alonso is a much smaller/cheaper commitment - which he might be. Vlad's arb salary would be absorbed by Bregman's so not adding too much to the budget, and Vientos is league min.

[Terminator]

 

[Laika]

Even if you can't get Vientos, the Mets have a lot of prospects that are intriguing and would probably be available for various reasons (mainly because they were hurt or didn't perform well in 2024). 

Like, take your pick out of Jett, Mauricio, Benge, Drew Gilbert, Jeremy Rodriguez, Christian Scott, Sproat, Tidwell, Hamel, Ryan Clifford, Nolan McLean. Could definitely get a bulk package lol. 

[Brownie19]

16 minutes ago, Laika said:

Even if you can't get Vientos, the Mets have a lot of prospects that are intriguing and would probably be available for various reasons (mainly because they were hurt or didn't perform well in 2024). 

Like, take your pick out of Jett, Mauricio, Benge, Drew Gilbert, Jeremy Rodriguez, Christian Scott, Sproat, Tidwell, Hamel, Ryan Clifford, Nolan McLean. Could definitely get a bulk package lol. 

Honestly - if we end 2025 having traded Vlad and Bo, with a Top 5 farm system, avoid anymore albatross contracts and hired a new GM - I wouldn't be too upset.  That might end up being what's best for this organization.

[Orgfiller]

10 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

Honestly - if we end 2025 having traded Vlad and Bo, with a Top 5 farm system, avoid anymore albatross contracts and hired a new GM - I wouldn't be too upset.  That might end up being what's best for this organization.

Not that I want to start this argument back up, but if all of these things happened then surely Ross would be the right guy to stick around for it? It would mean he made all the right moves and the state of the franchise would look a lot better. Unless we just truly believe his development track record is irredeemable and there's no amount of downstream hiring that can solve the problem. It's not like we're in this spot because Ross keeps swinging bad deals, it's just our drafting and development under his tenure has been woeful.

[Terminator]

I was looking at the bullpen on Roster Resource and it's in much better shape. There's even some decent relievers in AAA now (Burr, Walker).

If we sign a SP and move Yariel to the pen it's looking even better. Not sure what purpose Pop serves though. I'd like to see them get a lefty in there instead of him. One who is good enough to setup.

Projected Bullpen▼

									ORIGINAL SIGNING INFO				Prospect Rank			Power Rank	2024 STATS 1 more_vert
ROLE	POS	#	PLAYER	THR	AGE	HOW ACQUIRED	Options	MLB Service Time	Year	Team	Rd	Pick	Ovr Rank ('24)	Org Rank ('25)	Org Rank ('24)	Ovr	WAR	ERA	SV	IP	BB/9	K/9
CL	RP	23	Jeff Hoffman	R	32.0	Free Agent (PHI) Jan'25	n/a	6.084	2014	TOR	1	9				13	2.0	2.17	10	66.1	2.17	12.08
SU8	RP	57	Chad Green	R	33.6	Free Agent (NYY) Jan'23	n/a	8.050	2013	DET	11	336				52	0.0	3.21	17	53.1	2.36	7.76
SU7	RP	63	Yimi García	R	34.4	Free Agent (SEA) Dec'24	n/a	9.149	JAN 2009	LAD						65	0.4	3.46	5	39	2.77	11.31
MID	RP	50	Erik Swanson	R	31.4	Trade (SEA) Nov'22	n/a	5.059	2014	TEX	8	246				227	-0.7	5.03	0	39.1	3.20	8.47
MID	RP	52	Nick Sandlin	R	28.0	Trade (CLE) Dec'24	3	3.157	2018	CLE	2	67				144	-0.7	3.75	1	57.2	4.21	10.61
MID	RP	54	Brendon Little	L	28.4	Purchased (CHC) Nov'23	2	0.135	2017	CHC	1	27				262	-0.3	3.74	1	45.2	3.74	7.09
MID	RP	56	Zach Pop	R	28.3	Trade (MIA) Aug'22	0	2.171	2017	LAD	7	220				363	-0.7	5.59	1	48.1	3.54	6.14
LR	RP	45	Tommy Nance	R	33.8	Trade (SDP) Aug'24	0	2.082	FEB 2016	CHC						454	0.1	4.09	0	22	3.68	7.77

[Laika]

4 minutes ago, Terminator said:

I was looking at the bullpen on Roster Resource and it's in much better shape. There's even some decent relievers in AAA now (Burr, Walker).

If we sign a SP and move Yariel to the pen it's looking even better. Not sure what purpose Pop serves though. I'd like to see them get a lefty in there instead of him. One who is good enough to setup.

Projected Bullpen▼

									ORIGINAL SIGNING INFO				Prospect Rank			Power Rank	2024 STATS 1 more_vert
ROLE	POS	#	PLAYER	THR	AGE	HOW ACQUIRED	Options	MLB Service Time	Year	Team	Rd	Pick	Ovr Rank ('24)	Org Rank ('25)	Org Rank ('24)	Ovr	WAR	ERA	SV	IP	BB/9	K/9
CL	RP	23	Jeff Hoffman	R	32.0	Free Agent (PHI) Jan'25	n/a	6.084	2014	TOR	1	9				13	2.0	2.17	10	66.1	2.17	12.08
SU8	RP	57	Chad Green	R	33.6	Free Agent (NYY) Jan'23	n/a	8.050	2013	DET	11	336				52	0.0	3.21	17	53.1	2.36	7.76
SU7	RP	63	Yimi García	R	34.4	Free Agent (SEA) Dec'24	n/a	9.149	JAN 2009	LAD						65	0.4	3.46	5	39	2.77	11.31
MID	RP	50	Erik Swanson	R	31.4	Trade (SEA) Nov'22	n/a	5.059	2014	TEX	8	246				227	-0.7	5.03	0	39.1	3.20	8.47
MID	RP	52	Nick Sandlin	R	28.0	Trade (CLE) Dec'24	3	3.157	2018	CLE	2	67				144	-0.7	3.75	1	57.2	4.21	10.61
MID	RP	54	Brendon Little	L	28.4	Purchased (CHC) Nov'23	2	0.135	2017	CHC	1	27				262	-0.3	3.74	1	45.2	3.74	7.09
MID	RP	56	Zach Pop	R	28.3	Trade (MIA) Aug'22	0	2.171	2017	LAD	7	220				363	-0.7	5.59	1	48.1	3.54	6.14
LR	RP	45	Tommy Nance	R	33.8	Trade (SDP) Aug'24	0	2.082	FEB 2016	CHC						454	0.1	4.09	0	22	3.68	7.77

it turns out that bullpens are easy to make! 

[BB17]

I can't see Pop making the team out of ST unless he really looks good in the Spring. Probably just depth in AAA. If someone picks him up off waivers and wants to pay him 750K so be it.

Burr looks like a pretty good ROOGY and should have a spot on the team.

[Terminator]

Still a good number of interesting lefties in FA.

I'm going to assume Tanner Scott is no longer an option but there's Jalen Beeks, Andrew Chafin, AJ Minter and Danny Coulombe who stand out as borderline setupmen who are lefties.

Trading a Buffalo Boy for a reliever seems like it could make some sense as well.

[Carlos Danger]

25 minutes ago, Terminator said:

I was looking at the bullpen on Roster Resource and it's in much better shape. There's even some decent relievers in AAA now (Burr, Walker).

If we sign a SP and move Yariel to the pen it's looking even better. Not sure what purpose Pop serves though. I'd like to see them get a lefty in there instead of him. One who is good enough to setup.

Projected Bullpen▼

									ORIGINAL SIGNING INFO				Prospect Rank			Power Rank	2024 STATS 1 more_vert
ROLE	POS	#	PLAYER	THR	AGE	HOW ACQUIRED	Options	MLB Service Time	Year	Team	Rd	Pick	Ovr Rank ('24)	Org Rank ('25)	Org Rank ('24)	Ovr	WAR	ERA	SV	IP	BB/9	K/9
CL	RP	23	Jeff Hoffman	R	32.0	Free Agent (PHI) Jan'25	n/a	6.084	2014	TOR	1	9				13	2.0	2.17	10	66.1	2.17	12.08
SU8	RP	57	Chad Green	R	33.6	Free Agent (NYY) Jan'23	n/a	8.050	2013	DET	11	336				52	0.0	3.21	17	53.1	2.36	7.76
SU7	RP	63	Yimi García	R	34.4	Free Agent (SEA) Dec'24	n/a	9.149	JAN 2009	LAD						65	0.4	3.46	5	39	2.77	11.31
MID	RP	50	Erik Swanson	R	31.4	Trade (SEA) Nov'22	n/a	5.059	2014	TEX	8	246				227	-0.7	5.03	0	39.1	3.20	8.47
MID	RP	52	Nick Sandlin	R	28.0	Trade (CLE) Dec'24	3	3.157	2018	CLE	2	67				144	-0.7	3.75	1	57.2	4.21	10.61
MID	RP	54	Brendon Little	L	28.4	Purchased (CHC) Nov'23	2	0.135	2017	CHC	1	27				262	-0.3	3.74	1	45.2	3.74	7.09
MID	RP	56	Zach Pop	R	28.3	Trade (MIA) Aug'22	0	2.171	2017	LAD	7	220				363	-0.7	5.59	1	48.1	3.54	6.14
LR	RP	45	Tommy Nance	R	33.8	Trade (SDP) Aug'24	0	2.082	FEB 2016	CHC						454	0.1	4.09	0	22	3.68	7.77

I agree looks much better now. I really liked the Sandlin pick-up.

My issues is, there seems to be a lot more IF, then normal IF with pens. 

IF Hoffman stays healthy, If Yimi stays healthy, If Swanson returns to form. 

[mphenhef]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

If you sign Alonso as part of the process then it would be hard to get too upset.  Now that's if the extension he ultimately signs is a massive overpay. 

If it ends up being reason then there's gonna be backlash for sure., we'll see.

No thanks to that douche canoe 

[Orgfiller]

8 minutes ago, BB17 said:

I can't see Pop making the team out of ST unless he really looks good in the Spring. Probably just depth in AAA. If someone picks him up off waivers and wants to pay him 750K so be it.

Burr looks like a pretty good ROOGY and should have a spot on the team.

Burr projects extremely well. Like, third best reliever in the bullpen good. Of course the lack of track record means the s*** can hit the fan very easily just like any other reliever, but he was borderline elite last season. Should just about have a guaranteed spot in the 'pen to begin the season assuming no injury or stuff backing up.

[Brownie19]

11 minutes ago, Carlos Danger said:

I agree looks much better now. I really liked the Sandlin pick-up.

My issues is, there seems to be a lot more IF, then normal IF with pens. 

IF Hoffman stays healthy, If Yimi stays healthy, If Swanson returns to form. 

There are always going to be "if's".  And to be honest, there were probably fewer "if's" in the bullpen heading into 2024 than there's ever been - and that didn't turn out very well.

[BB17]

2 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

Burr projects extremely well. Like, third best reliever in the bullpen good. Of course the lack of track record means the s*** can hit the fan very easily just like any other reliever, but he was borderline elite last season. Should just about have a guaranteed spot in the 'pen to begin the season assuming no injury or stuff backing up.

Yeah I was surprised to see that. I mean ZIPS has him having the lowest FIP on the team of any pitcher. Very limited sample but he does have pretty big platoon splits and walks a lot of LHB so I think you do have to be careful employing him in certain matchups.

Just looking at ZIPS projected splits for their relievers the one thing that does jump out is the Garcia/Burr/Swanson/Green all are elite vs RHH and not quite as good vs LHH. So I think the Jays definitely need another LHP in the pen

[Brownie19]

1 minute ago, BB17 said:

Yeah I was surprised to see that. I mean ZIPS has him having the lowest FIP on the team of any pitcher. Very limited sample but he does have pretty big platoon splits and walks a lot of LHB so I think you do have to be careful employing him in certain matchups.

Just looking at ZIPS projected splits for their relievers the one thing that does jump out is the Garcia/Burr/Swanson/Green all are elite vs RHH and not quite as good vs LHH. So I think the Jays definitely need another LHP in the pen

I agree.  I think Swanson with his splitter was good v. LHH in the past, but we shouldn't rely on him.  Minter would be a nice add to pair with Little.

[Carlos Danger]

6 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

There are always going to be "if's".  And to be honest, there were probably fewer "if's" in the bullpen heading into 2024 than there's ever been - and that didn't turn out very well.

I literally said there are always IFs with pens.

It just goes back to hope is not strategy. 

Hedging and quality late inning depth is integral to bullpen construct.

 

[John_Havok]

51 minutes ago, Carlos Danger said:

I literally said there are always IFs with pens.

It just goes back to hope is not strategy. 

Hedging and quality late inning depth is integral to bullpen construct.

 

Every team hopes their pen will be better than the year before. The pen is nothing but hope for virtually every team

[BatFlip]

18 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

Every team hopes their pen will be better than the year before. The pen is nothing but hope for virtually every team

Yup, a hope and a prayer, but it would be great to at least add an effective lefty to close things out.  

Most people were expecting a strong bullpen last spring training, and instead we witnessed a train wreck. 

 

[Carlos Danger]

Great article about the FA process for Burnes and the Blue Jays role in it.

 

The Jays let him keep a tablet…..😗

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/corbin-burnes-diamondbacks-free-agent-process?

[Brownie19]

13 hours ago, Carlos Danger said:

Great article about the FA process for Burnes and the Blue Jays role in it.

 

The Jays let him keep a tablet…..😗

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/corbin-burnes-diamondbacks-free-agent-process?

That's a really interesting article.  It's a good example of how a team like the Jays can 100% be "in the running" or "a finalist" for a star player and the next day, they have almost no hope in hell of signing him due to reasons that are completely out of their control.

Sounds like the Jays were 1 of 2 teams to put an offer on the table for Burnes and we may have been his preferred landing spot - until Arizona came out of the weeds and expressed real interest.  As soon as that happened, we had no chance in hell.

[Jays24]

So we're at the point where I can hope for Sasaki, Alonso, Santander and a re-signed Vladdy within the next month.  Maybe replace Santandar with Profar here lol

[L54]

3 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

So we're at the point where I can hope for Sasaki, Alonso, Santander and a re-signed Vladdy within the next month.  Maybe replace Santandar with Profar here lol

Eager Beever