General Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2025)

[Terminator]

Jays offseason sure has been fun:

• In on two of the biggest FAs of all time until the very end (ok not so fun)
• Trade for the best defensive infielder in baseball
• Sign a setup man who touches 99
• Sign one of the best relievers in MLB to be the closer
• Sign a switch hitter coming off a 44 homer season
• Sign a SP who is a first ballot HoFer

[Orgfiller]

1 hour ago, Terminator said:

Jays offseason sure has been fun:

• In on two of the biggest FAs of all time until the very end (ok not so fun)
• Trade for the best defensive infielder in baseball
• Sign a setup man who touches 99
• Sign one of the best relievers in MLB to be the closer
• Sign a switch hitter coming off a 44 homer season
• Sign a SP who is a first ballot HoFer

Crazy how different out perception/enjoyment throughout would change if so-called reporters and “insiders” just shut the f*** up and reported moves as they happened.

[Jays24]

4 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

Crazy how different out perception/enjoyment throughout would change if so-called reporters and “insiders” just shut the f*** up and reported moves as they happened.

But then how would all these websites earn money off clicks?  Traffic drives revenue

[Brownie19]

2 hours ago, Terminator said:

Jays offseason sure has been fun:

• In on two of the biggest FAs of all time until the very end (ok not so fun)
• Trade for the best defensive infielder in baseball
• Sign a setup man who touches 99
• Sign one of the best relievers in MLB to be the closer
• Sign a switch hitter coming off a 44 homer season
• Sign a SP who is a first ballot HoFer

Not a bad offseason for the worst GM in team history.

[Eat My Shatkins]

12 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

Not a bad offseason for the worst GM in team history.

Worst GM in the history of baseball 

[Delete_My_Account_Thanks]

2 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Crazy how different out perception/enjoyment throughout would change if so-called reporters and “insiders” just shut the f*** up and reported moves as they happened.

Only had to spend close to 300 million.

They'd better contend or Ross and Mark are done for.

[Jays24]

1 minute ago, Vladdywagon said:

Only had to spend close to 300 million.

They'd better contend or Ross and Mark are done for.

Crazy part is that we're currently at like 280M and I don't think we're a true contender unless we add another big bat to the top 4 of the lineup. 

[MikeM2]

It will be crazy finishing last with a top 5 payroll in the sport but I'm glad they're going for it because there was no alternative 

[Gen.Disarray]

Not sure how close Springer ever was with Bregman but I kinda hope he's recruiting the s*** out if him. Wishful thinking, I'm sure, but you never know what might work for someone. 

[Governator]

Too early for predictions?

Bichette bounces back in contract year, takes over leadoff spot by mid June. Springer gets pushed down to 8th in line up as this forum calls for him to be DFA'd by July 15th.

[jaysblue]

10 hours ago, Terminator said:

Jays offseason sure has been fun:

• In on two of the biggest FAs of all time until the very end (ok not so fun)
• Trade for the best defensive infielder in baseball
• Sign a setup man who touches 99
• Sign one of the best relievers in MLB to be the closer
• Sign a switch hitter coming off a 44 homer season
• Sign a SP who is a first ballot HoFer

Didn't start off that well and just a couple of weeks ago with the Sasaki fiasco, things were still looking bleak, though at least the team did have a pivot after losing out on Soto, Burnes, Teo, Sasaki and others. Whereas last offseason, after Ohtani they didn't do to much to upgrade the roster and the waiting game left them with guys like Turner, IKF, Volgelbach and Votto instead. 

Think the Sasaki negative press definitely lit a fire under Atkins' and this front office to do something and glad we saw them go out and make a big splash in Santander and now Scherzer. 

Overall, definitely give them a solid B+ thus far. If they go out and add another big bat like Alonso or Bregman and/or resign Vladdy, definitely bump their offseason to an A or A+. 

[jaysblue]

7 hours ago, Vladdywagon said:

Only had to spend close to 300 million.

They'd better contend or Ross and Mark are done for.

Atkins/Shapiro given close to a $300M payroll and the sad reality is they could still f**k it up. 

[jaysblue]

8 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

Not a bad offseason for the worst GM in team history.

Who said Atkins was the worst GM in team history? 

I guess any negative criticism of him from others makes you think that. 

[Angrioter]

Eduardo Camargo (@solobaseball_) • Instagram reel

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

7,903 likes, 117 comments - solobaseball_ on January 27, 2025: "Vladi tomó su práctica de Bateo en...

Vladdy Jr look good

 

Vladdy llok

[Ryu In My House]

14 hours ago, Blue balls said:

It’s too bad I don’t remember my dreams more often… they seem to have a better accuracy than most “insiders” 💁🏼‍♂️

Kind of interesting. Scherzer always fit the Jays plans for 2025, but like almost everyone, I thought he would never pick the Jays in a million years. I am sure he had a few suitors for that price, and really, this guys is not hurting for money to begin with so he can choose to be picky, but he picked us. A really nice surprise.

[Ryu In My House]

13 hours ago, Terminator said:

Jays offseason sure has been fun:

• In on two of the biggest FAs of all time until the very end (ok not so fun)
• Trade for the best defensive infielder in baseball
• Sign a setup man who touches 99
• Sign one of the best relievers in MLB to be the closer
• Sign a switch hitter coming off a 44 homer season
• Sign a SP who is a first ballot HoFer

And I still think they have one more big move - you're right, it trumps the summer they brought in all the Marlins and Dickey.

[Jays24]

4 minutes ago, Ryu In My House said:

And I still think they have one more big move - you're right, it trumps the summer they brought in all the Marlins and Dickey.

Only if they finish the job by adding a big bat.  Hopefully he has more success than Dickey lol

[glory]

If it takes a $300M payroll to make the playoffs and hopefully win a few playoff games in the process, then so be it. No shame in being the AL version of the 2022-24 Phillies, as long as it works. As of now this is still an easy roster to pivot off of in July if things go south (Vlad, Bo, Bassitt, Max, Green all FA’s and tradable). That still applies even if they extend Vlad. However I think one more add to the lineup puts the Jays in a good position to contend for a WC spot at the minimum, so hopefully they aren’t done. 

[Omar]

2 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Atkins/Shapiro given close to a $300M payroll and the sad reality is they could still f**k it up. 

If something falls apart it won't be on Shapiro and Atkins at this point. It is all on the coaching staff and players to execute. 

The 74 win season may have come with a huge silver lining. In my mind I think ownership asked the question something along the lines of "What is it going to take to field a competitive/compelling team?".  Since Shapiro is on his last year I suspect he gave it to them unfiltered and unabashed:  IF YOU WANT TO WIN AND COMPETE WITH THE BIG BOYS, THEN UNTIE OUR HANDS.

Now the above is conjecture but I suspect it is closer to the truth than the other way around. At this point you have to tip your hat to Jays management for perhaps the best off season of any team in MLB.  Which franchise moved the needle more since October?  Granted the Jays had a lot of room to improve but you can't deny the outcome.  Either way, something to look forward to.  Personally I can't wait for pitchers and catchers to report for spring training.  

[Orgfiller]

11 hours ago, Vladdywagon said:

Only had to spend close to 300 million.

They'd better contend or Ross and Mark are done for.

This has nothing to do with what I said.

[Laika]

American League projected team WAR after the Scherzer signing: 

Team ---- Bat -- Pit-- Total

Yankees	31.0	17.7	48.7
Orioles	32.2	14.0	46.1
Rangers	28.3	17.6	45.9
Twins	25.8	19.4	45.2
Astros	29.3	15.7	45.0
Blue Jays	28.5	14.6	43.1
Mariners	26.5	15.7	42.2
Rays	25.9	15.3	41.3
Red Sox	22.0	19.2	41.2

[Brownie19]

3 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Who said Atkins was the worst GM in team history? 

I guess any negative criticism of him from others makes you think that. 

What a joke

[Orgfiller]

11 minutes ago, Laika said:

American League projected team WAR after the Scherzer signing: 

Team ---- Bat -- Pit-- Total

Yankees	31.0	17.7	48.7
Orioles	32.2	14.0	46.1
Rangers	28.3	17.6	45.9
Twins	25.8	19.4	45.2
Astros	29.3	15.7	45.0
Blue Jays	28.5	14.6	43.1
Mariners	26.5	15.7	42.2
Rays	25.9	15.3	41.3
Red Sox	22.0	19.2	41.2

Did not think the Rangers projected that well. But then again I see most models have deGrom pitching 110-150 IP and providing 5 WAR so I don't know about this one. One more bat upgrade like we're all clamoring for and we could be solidly in that second-third tier alongside the Twins and Astros - and in the case of a Bregman signing, also takes away a potential upgrade for a competitor.

Although it should be noted that the projections think the weak point is actually the pitching relative to others.

[Laika]

Blue Jays projected WAR by position 

C - 4.7 (starter Kirk = 3.9)
1B - 4.5 (starter Vlad = 4.0 (he picks up a bit more in projected DH/3B starts))
2B - 3.8 (Gimenez 3.5)
SS - 4.0 (Bo 3.7)
3B - 3.1 (Clement 1.3 in 315 PA... Vlad is 0.7 of this in 70 PA...)
LF - 2.6 (Santander 2.3)
CF - 2.2 (Varsho 2.0)
RF - 2.1 (Springer 1.7)
DH - 1.5 (Wagner 0.6 in 210 PA...)

SP total is 11.8

Kevin Gausman	196.0	9.0	2.5	1.2	.294	72.8%	3.89	3.79	2.9
José Berríos	194.0	7.8	2.5	1.3	.296	71.5%	4.28	4.29	1.9
Chris Bassitt	179.0	8.3	3.0	1.1	.295	71.8%	4.11	4.16	2.1
Bowden Francis	149.0	8.3	2.5	1.5	.284	72.0%	4.31	4.40	1.5
Max Scherzer	118.0	9.5	2.2	1.4	.284	73.4%	3.88	3.88	2.0
Yariel Rodríguez	58.0	9.7	3.7	1.1	.290	73.5%	3.95	4.01	0.9
Jake Bloss	27.0	7.4	3.3	1.4	.291	70.7%	4.72	4.75	0.2
Alek Manoah	9.0	9.0	3.2	1.2	.291	72.0%	4.09	4.12	0.1
Adam Macko	9.0	8.2	3.5	1.2	.290	73.0%	4.10	4.34	0.1
Total	940.0	8.6	2.7	1.3	.292	72.2%	4.11	4.12	11.8

RP total is 2.8
 

Jeff Hoffman	68.0	11.0	3.1	1.0	.288	75.7%	3.26	3.28	1.3
Chad Green	66.0	8.8	2.7	1.3	.286	73.3%	4.07	4.14	0.2
Yimi García	62.0	10.1	2.7	1.1	.288	74.5%	3.48	3.52	0.7
Erik Swanson	61.0	8.8	3.1	1.2	.290	73.2%	4.06	4.13	0.1
Nick Sandlin	59.0	9.4	3.9	1.2	.289	73.4%	4.06	4.21	0.1
Brendon Little	58.0	7.8	3.9	0.7	.306	74.0%	3.60	3.89	0.1
Tommy Nance	55.0	8.0	3.2	1.0	.301	72.0%	4.07	4.09	0.0
Ryan Burr	53.0	9.8	3.2	1.1	.294	74.3%	3.66	3.67	0.2
Yariel Rodríguez	48.0	9.7	3.7	1.1	.290	73.5%	3.95	4.01	0.1
Zach Pop	44.0	7.3	3.2	1.0	.304	72.0%	4.09	4.17	0.0
Nick Robertson	42.0	8.5	3.4	1.1	.294	73.1%	3.97	4.09	0.0
Josh Walker	36.0	9.2	3.8	1.1	.291	74.4%	3.84	4.07	0.0

 

Okay so who upgrades the roster the most... 
Alonso is probably something like a 1 to 2 WAR upgrade, depending on his performance and how good Wagner and crew actually are. Bregman is probably a 2 win upgrade (the Jays current 3B projection is sort of artificially bouyed by Vlad showing up in that depth chart). In both cases, beyond the projected win upgrade, Alonso and Bregman would raise the floor or certainty at their respective positions. 

There is no real point in signing any of the remaining FA bats or SP based on their projections, other than Bregman or Alonso. Barring trades... a random trade for a star OF/3B/DH would be nice. 

There are still a dozen or so relievers that would be minor to moderate bullpen upgrades. If the team fails on Breglonso then it would be cool to see them pivot and sign some relief upgrades.

Danny Coulombe jumps off the page to me. He had bone chip surgery in June but did come back and pitch 4 games in September. The O's declined his $4M option so he should be cheap. Jays need a LHRP. How about Kimbrel to be the RP4 and Coulombe to finish off the roster? 

[Laika]

19 minutes ago, Orgfiller said:

Did not think the Rangers projected that well. But then again I see most models have deGrom pitching 110-150 IP and providing 5 WAR so I don't know about this one. One more bat upgrade like we're all clamoring for and we could be solidly in that second-third tier alongside the Twins and Astros - and in the case of a Bregman signing, also takes away a potential upgrade for a competitor.

Although it should be noted that the projections think the weak point is actually the pitching relative to others.

Bowden in particular seems underprojected. First half, 11.6% K-BB second half 21.3% K-BB. Really seemed like something clicked with him. Projections are saying 15% K-BB and 4.40 FIP... 

The 4 old guys, I guess you just take those projections. Basically just repeating their 2024 production (and 2 WAR from Scherzer would be good). 

[Terminator]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

There is no real point in signing any of the remaining FA bats or SP based on their projections, other than Bregman or Alonso. Barring trades... a random trade for a star OF/3B/DH would be nice. 

There are still a dozen or so relievers that would be minor to moderate bullpen upgrades. If the team fails on Breglonso then it would be cool to see them pivot and sign some relief upgrades.

Danny Coulombe jumps off the page to me. He had bone chip surgery in June but did come back and pitch 4 games in September. The O's declined his $4M option so he should be cheap. Jays need a LHRP. How about Kimbrel to be the RP4 and Coulombe to finish off the roster? 

Yeah it's kind of tough to top Will Wagner's projections unless its Bregman or Alonso or via trade.

They aren't stuck with Wagner either. Take Wagner out, move Taters to DH and play in-house guys in LF. Loperfido and Barger have loud tools. Schneider could still become a solid shortside platoon guy. Lukes might actually be okay. 

Then they could put some more money into the bullpen as you said and save the rest for the trade deadline.

But all that said, I still think they will make a trade. We don't have high impact prospects but we do have tons of big league ready guys and we pulled off the Donaldson and Chapman trades this way.

One of these teams that doesn't spend money but also isn't throwing in the towel would love to get a package of 2 Buffalo Boys they can plug in as starters along with a couple of prospects. 

[max silver]

6 hours ago, jaysblue said:

Who said Atkins was the worst GM in team history? 

I guess any negative criticism of him from others makes you think that. 

There's a newer poster here that said Atkins was literally the worst GM in the history of Toronto sports. 

[Terminator]

One thing about the bullpen that I keep forgetting is that guys with splitters tend to do fine against lefties.

There's barely any difference in Swanson and Sandlin splits so we might be able to get away with just Little as the only lefty.

[G-Snarls]

One more bat

One more bat

One more bat!!!

[Jays24]

4 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

One more bat

One more bat

One more bat!!!

Literally what I keep saying and looking out for man.  Please don't stop short of a major need when you've gone this far.