Jays trade for OF Myles Straw, cash, and international bonus signing pool space

[Omar]

You know it was an absolute s*** show when other executives around the league are left dumbfounded.

From the Athletic,

It was a dubious strategy, especially without a deal in place, prompting one rival executive to say, “My phone has been blowing up all day with ‘wtf Jays.’” An executive still involved in the process took note of the Blue Jays adding to the pool of money they could offer Sasaki, but took some solace in the fact that Wolfe had given the remaining clubs similar instructions. But the Blue Jays’ motivation was clear: They hoped that their push for Sasaki would end differently from their failed runs at Ohtani and Juan Soto, which only teased the fan base and further framed the franchise as perpetual runners-up.

[Rusty_Savage]

Dannon has to be let go after this. Other Execs around the league won't take him seriously 

[Funky]

I am all for gutting our front office, but in my mind that should’ve been done months ago before free agency started. It should’ve probably been done before the trade deadline last year. I can see if there were loyalties having the staff get through the year but when the final game was played, that should’ve been the front offices walking notice.   
 

I can’t even see the off-season is still young as many free agents have been signed in many moves have been made taking key players off the board.
 

 So far we have added an expensive defensive, first second baseman, a possibly broken relief pitcher, and now a $11 million AAAA player. 
 

We waited way too long to make Vladdy an offer which will add at least $100-$200 million to the total contract.  
 

We’ve been turned on by pretty much everyone and their dog on the offers we have allegedly made  

 

Saying all that there are still players on the board that will want to be signed sooner than later. Vlad has given in a diary date as to when he will discuss a contract and we have a ton of international money with not a lot of top prospects left.

Is it even possible to make a wholesale change in the front office at this juncture in time as everything will have to be done in haste?  
 

If there is an internal budget, is there anything new management could do to undo this defense first philosophy? 
 

Is the whole group of problem, or is the problem at a certain level? Maybe Rogers is the problem? Maybe it’s Shapiro, or is it just Atkins and his crew acting on their own?  To me it seems like it’s a group effort.  Just curious on your guys thoughts, as I’m getting to the point where I just wanna bury my head in the sand and come up for air in a year to see what has happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rusty_Savage]

11 minutes ago, Vladdywagon said:

Will you just shut up man?  You've had absolutely terrible takes ever since I've been posting on here.  Every single thing you debate is the wrong take.  You've continued to defend the worst management team in Toronto sports history.  No one takes anything you say seriously, you are the laughingstock of the board.

Just go hide back in your hole.  Your idols have destroyed this franchise.

I've detested this front office since the Grichuk extension was signed.  I was among the first in my friend group to call out Shapiro and Atkins for what they are - frauds.  And I was right all along.  Meanwhile you repeatedly insult and talk down to those like Jays24 etc., that have been calling out what seems so obvious. 

 

You (and a few others who share your view) continue to argue again and again long after you've been proven wrong.

Just shut up.  

Tell us how you really feel

[max silver]

3 hours ago, Vladdywagon said:

Will you just shut up man?  You've had absolutely terrible takes ever since I've been posting on here.  Every single thing you debate is the wrong take.  You've continued to defend the worst management team in Toronto sports history.  No one takes anything you say seriously, you are the laughingstock of the board.

Just go hide back in your hole.  Your idols have destroyed this franchise.

I've detested this front office since the Grichuk extension was signed.  I was among the first in my friend group to call out Shapiro and Atkins for what they are - frauds.  And I was right all along.  Meanwhile you repeatedly insult and talk down to those like Jays24 etc., that have been calling out what seems so obvious. 

 

You (and a few others who share your view) continue to argue again and again long after you've been proven wrong.

Just shut up.  

Are you this bad at the internet that you've completely failed to properly use the ignore list? As a newcomer you have exactly zero sway here, and as such have no standing to tell long time posters that they aren't allowed to post their opinions here.

Believe it or not this board isn't a giant echo chamber like the circles you appear to typically hang in. There are bound to be differing opinions presented. You seem to be generally lacking in social intelligence as you have repeatedly shown yourself to be incapable of discussing your opinions like a normal adult without constantly lashing out, calling names, starting drama etc.

There's no need to be such a drama queen, the current front office hasn't "destroyed the franchise", that's just hyperbolic nonsense. With a few smart additions they can compete for a wildcard spot, and if it doesn't work out the team can be largely blown up and a rebuild can begin. This isn't the end of the franchise despite your proclamations of doom. They aren't the "worst management group in Toronto history, that's an outright ridiculous statement for a city with such a long and storied sporting past that extends nearly 50 years for the Blue Jays, and over a century for the Maple Leafs and so on. Try taking a deep breath and posting like a rational human being instead of these childish temper tantrums and you'll have a much easier time here.

[G-Snarls]

 

 

[jaysblue]

7 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

 

 

When Mike Wilner throws in the towel, you know it's bad. 

[L54]

18 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

When Mike Wilner throws in the towel, you know it's bad. 

Has Mike every stopped to consider that running an MLB franchise is harder than it looks??

[MikeM2]

Never thought I'd see the day that Wilner taps out 

[Brownie19]

1 hour ago, L54 said:

Has Mike every stopped to consider that running an MLB franchise is harder than it looks??

LOL.  I guess if you look at who's leading Canada and the US - it's fair to question if there's any job a 7th grader couldn't do better.

[saskjayfan]

Does anyone know if Edward Rogers even watches baseball?  Is he a baseball fan?  Does he understand anything about baseball?

[mphenhef]

1 hour ago, L54 said:

Has Mike every stopped to consider that running an MLB franchise is harder than it looks??

Has Ross Atkins?

[Brownie19]

32 minutes ago, saskjayfan said:

Does anyone know if Edward Rogers even watches baseball?  Is he a baseball fan?  Does he understand anything about baseball?

That's actually a great question.  You don't hear Buck say "and there's Edward Rogers in attendance today" with a camera scanning to him in a booth very often (ever?).

I wonder how Owners/groups who aren't really "baseball guys" evaluate and decide who they hire to run the organization. Given how much we considered Kenny Williams - there should perhaps be concerns with the process.

[Rusty_Savage]

12 hours ago, max silver said:

Are you this bad at the internet that you've completely failed to properly use the ignore list? As a newcomer you have exactly zero sway here, and as such have no standing to tell long time posters that they aren't allowed to post their opinions here.

Believe it or not this board isn't a giant echo chamber like the circles you appear to typically hang in. There are bound to be differing opinions presented. You seem to be generally lacking in social intelligence as you have repeatedly shown yourself to be incapable of discussing your opinions like a normal adult without constantly lashing out, calling names, starting drama etc.

There's no need to be such a drama queen, the current front office hasn't "destroyed the franchise", that's just hyperbolic nonsense. With a few smart additions they can compete for a wildcard spot, and if it doesn't work out the team can be largely blown up and a rebuild can begin. This isn't the end of the franchise despite your proclamations of doom. They aren't the "worst management group in Toronto history, that's an outright ridiculous statement for a city with such a long and storied sporting past that extends nearly 50 years for the Blue Jays, and over a century for the Maple Leafs and so on. Try taking a deep breath and posting like a rational human being instead of these childish temper tantrums and you'll have a much easier time here.

They haven't destroyed the franchise but they've been proven to be pretty inept and the rest of the league has apparently picked up on it. 

They've proven they aren't very good at drafting and/or player development. Top tier FA are apparently using us as leverage and while he has done OK on the trade front when you suck at drafting/developing you won't be able to acquire much. 

 

I mean, both Ross and Mark said that Ross has to do better this season and he hasn't. The team definitely needs pop (I.E. low hanging fruit) and how have they addressed that? Certainly not by trading for Giminez (who I don't mind) or Myles Straw. And if they end up signing Santandar to something ridiculous like 5/$100,.I wouldn't call that a win. 

 

I used to believe in this FO but I've lost all confidence in them. Id say the feeling is the same for the players in the clubhouse and id say Ross has lost the respect of his peers, too. 

 

The guy has got to go 

[Brownie19]

26 minutes ago, Rusty_Savage said:

The guy has got to go 

Literally everyone agrees with this.

You can believe it's time for a new GM, while also appreciating there's a lot of information we aren't privy to that may change your perspective/opinion.  

[Rusty_Savage]

43 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

Literally everyone agrees with this.

You can believe it's time for a new GM, while also appreciating there's a lot of information we aren't privy to that may change your perspective/opinion.  

I think that's fair and I do give him credit for going after players like Ohtani, Soto and Sasaki and there is definitely information that we aren't privy to but all info we have points to an ineffective GM.  It's the lack of drafting and developing that is the icing on the cake for me.  We had a top ten payroll, a bottom ten farm and the fifth worst record in baseball last year.  That should have been a fireable offense in it's own right, IMO.  

And now we are almost into February and our biggest need has not been addressed and we are about to go into this season with a putrid offense and our two best players set to become FA.  Its like there's no direction.  If we don't sign two power bats and go into the season with Vlad and Bo on expiring contracts things could be real ugly for '26 and beyond.  

[mphenhef]

He has misread the off-season many years too either signing guys too quickly in soft markets where late deals are present or waiting too long and missing out in the years when the market moves faster.

[Brownie19]

3 minutes ago, Rusty_Savage said:

I think that's fair and I do give him credit for going after players like Ohtani, Soto and Sasaki and there is definitely information that we aren't privy to but all info we have points to an ineffective GM.  It's the lack of drafting and developing that is the icing on the cake for me.  We had a top ten payroll, a bottom ten farm and the fifth worst record in baseball last year.  That should have been a fireable offense in it's own right, IMO.  

And now we are almost into February and our biggest need has not been addressed and we are about to go into this season with a putrid offense and our two best players set to become FA.  Its like there's no direction.  If we don't sign two power bats and go into the season with Vlad and Bo on expiring contracts things could be real ugly for '26 and beyond.  

Yes - we're all aware of that.  Adding 2 power bats could also make things worse.  There are a lot of different variables right now and I appreciate that fans are restless - especially in the wake of a Sakaki/Straw situation.

[Rusty_Savage]

Personally, I would do a hard reset, blow it all up and trade everyone.  I understand for business reasons that isn't going to happen, though.

[Brownie19]

3 minutes ago, mphenhef said:

He has misread the off-season many years too either signing guys too quickly in soft markets where late deals are present or waiting too long and missing out in the years when the market moves faster.

That was primarily evident last offseason, otherwise, free agency has actually been one of his strong suits (I also wonder if there are GM's who consistently read the market correctly or not).  No matter how much hate there is, there is still "a chance" he's reading this offseason perfectly right now...we won't know until it's over.

Getting Hoffman for 3/$33M already looks genius.  If the market collapses like it did last year (Chapman, Snell, Belly) he might be able to swoop in and make us a wild card team (not that I think that's the best decision for the franchise).

But yes, I'd suggest there's a very small chance that happens and I do not want him as our GM.  He's probably still in the fetal position, crying like a baby because he didn't know he could wait and trade for Straw AFTER Sakaki confirmed where he was signing.

Or maybe he knew he could wait to trade for Straw and there's some angle we just can't see or understand right now (if I had to guess, it was to block the Dodgers in some way).  Maybe he knows that landing Sakaki was really the only way to change the short term fate of the franchise and doing absolutely everything possible to land him was in fact the right and only move and without him, it doesn't matter if we have Straw or not because we're f*cked either way.  Who knows.

[glory]

6 minutes ago, mphenhef said:

He has misread the off-season many years too either signing guys too quickly in soft markets where late deals are present or waiting too long and missing out in the years when the market moves faster.

Signing guys too early has definitely been an issue, dating back to signing Morales and Pearce during (I think) league CBA negotiations and then seeing the market crater immediately after, to what we saw last season. On the flip side Atkins did wait out the Ryu and post pandemic market which worked out (Springer, Semien), and he did well with Gausman and Bassitt. I actually think he’s been fine this winter too, at least until flushing $11M into the nearest toilet with Straw. Ultimately it’s very possible he could end up with at least 1 of Santander, Alonso, Bregman, etc, on a favorable deal, and that’s because he didn’t pounce early on inferior options like he has in the past. As long as the Straw contract doesn’t prevent other moves, then there’s still some potential to come out of the winter positively, but they’ll have to spend to do it.

One of my least favorite recent seasons was 2018 when you knew the front office wanted to rebuild but wouldn’t pull the trigger, so they put lipstick on a pig (Granderson, Grichuk, Solarte, etc), and then proceeded to sell low on everyone at the deadline that year because they waited too long. That’s why at this point I want them to pick a direction. If they want to go for it, then go for it. The next GM will have to clean up the mess, but it’s going to be a mess regardless. Just don’t 2018 this season and waste Vlad’s trade value too. 

[Brownie19]

Just now, Rusty_Savage said:

Personally, I would do a hard reset, blow it all up and trade everyone.  I understand for business reasons that isn't going to happen, though.

I tend to agree. I came to that conclusion early in the offseason.  I don't like Vlad and Bo doesn't want to be here.  It's over.  Pull the pin, get new leadership, re-stock and start over.  Washington had to do this recently and now they're on the way back "up".  Takes 3-4 years.

[Rusty_Savage]

40 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I tend to agree. I came to that conclusion early in the offseason.  I don't like Vlad and Bo doesn't want to be here.  It's over.  Pull the pin, get new leadership, re-stock and start over.  Washington had to do this recently and now they're on the way back "up".  Takes 3-4 years.

Yup.  Trade anyone you can and jumpstart it.  Instead we are probably looking at another sub .500 season and are going to lose Vlad an Bo for a grand total of two comp picks. It's so f***ing discouraging.  

[Brownie19]

7 minutes ago, Rusty_Savage said:

Yup.  Trade anyone you can and jumpstart it.  Instead we are probably looking at another sub .500 season and are going to lose Vlad an Bo for a grand total of two comp picks. It's so f***ing discouraging.  

If that happens, I think the majority of the blame falls on Rogers.  It seems they want butts in seats in 2025 and have kept lame duck Pres/GM on-board to execute that direction.

A lot of positives with Rogers, but they're going to run this like a business, not a keeper fantasy team.  

Good bantering with you Rusty.  

[Rusty_Savage]

5 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

If that happens, I think the majority of the blame falls on Rogers.  It seems they want butts in seats in 2025 and have kept lame duck Pres/GM on-board to execute that direction.

A lot of positives with Rogers, but they're going to run this like a business, not a keeper fantasy team.  

Same as 2016 a reset was needed with no farm and a bloated payroll but Rogers knew they could fill the stadium after 2015.  It can get discouraging. 

[Spanky99]

6 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

That's actually a great question.  You don't hear Buck say "and there's Edward Rogers in attendance today" with a camera scanning to him in a booth very often (ever?).

I wonder how Owners/groups who aren't really "baseball guys" evaluate and decide who they hire to run the organization. Given how much we considered Kenny Williams - there should perhaps be concerns with the process.

lol... I'm so glad his sister and the BOD put a kibosh on that, imagine, my god.

[Pendleton]

I would have to think the bonus pool money acquired in this deal, should now make us a frontrunner for this kid if he is declared a FA this year 

 

[Vancouverite]

What a mastecarless move by shatkins.

 

Straw has been awesome so far and now we have plus intl bonus pool money to go after the top IFA

 

Gold

[mphenhef]

It's kind of hilarious that right now Straw has more WAR than Roki.

[Pendleton]

The second this trade came to light, we all immediately felt a connection between Myles Straw and Roki Sasaki. We assumed it meant Roki was Toronto bound, but the cosmic prophecy was actually much deeper. We felt a bond between these two players, because their fates were destined to collide. It is written in the stars that the Blue Jays shall win the WS with a walk off liner by Myles Straw, driven deep into the forehead of Roki Sasaki. Never has the future seemed so pre determined, this was always the way