Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Spanky__99]

5 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I don't see any reason to take Vladdy off of First Base now. Bring back Bo and let them play 1B and 2B for the next decade.

Started from the left side of the infield and moving to the right side where their bats still play and the defense becomes great is just fine by me. MLBTR guys all voted he stays with Toronto.

[Laika]

Only way Bo leaves is if some other team blows Toronto's offer out of the water. Like, $50M more. 

It might happen but I doubt it. 

Toronto will make him a reasonable offer to be their 2B for the next 7 years and he will take it. 

[Terminator]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46859761/mlb-2025-2026-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections

Kiley McDaniel is pretty down on Bo as well. Ranks him as the #7 FA and projects just a 5 year/$130M dollar deal for him.

I agree that he's going to be a Blue Jay and it might be on a deal that is smaller than we had thought.

[Laika]

6 minutes ago, Terminator said:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46859761/mlb-2025-2026-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections

Kiley McDaniel is pretty down on Bo as well. Ranks him as the #7 FA and projects just a 5 year/$130M dollar deal for him.

I agree that he's going to be a Blue Jay and it might be on a deal that is smaller than we had thought.

These guys are actually on crack

They'll beat their meat to "hit tools" until that's the carrying tool of an actual MLB Star then they don't care anymore 

Treating Bo like he's Javy f***ing Baez up there hacking with a 33% K rate before free agency... 

[Laika]

Kyle Tucker is a corner outfielder who needed a personal therapist and stuffed animal subscription in order to survive ONE season with the Cubs, and you are going to give him $420M but you won't give Bo Bichette $150M when he's basically the same level of talent by WAR, an entire year younger, and a freaking middle infielder with a laboratory grade baseball psyche? 

This is why you don't work in baseball anymore, Kiley!!!!

You have a girly first name, KILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Terminator]

Yeah I am officially OUT on Kyle Tucker. He has the same WAR projections as Bo. No way he should get 3x what Bo does.

[glory]

15 minutes ago, Terminator said:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46859761/mlb-2025-2026-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections

Kiley McDaniel is pretty down on Bo as well. Ranks him as the #7 FA and projects just a 5 year/$130M dollar deal for him.

I agree that he's going to be a Blue Jay and it might be on a deal that is smaller than we had thought.

5/130 seems light, but I think the 2026-27 lockout coming up is going to have an impact on the dollars thrown around in the market. What we assume based on recent trends and what actually happens might be two entirely different things. Bo not being able to get $200M in this market wouldn't shock me at all. At least half of the teams will act like they are homeless this winter so that they have ammo to demand a salary cap next winter. The Jays have the opportunity to take advantage of that (as they did with Springer after the Covid year where teams weren't spending) but the prices may not be as high as people assume. I guess it depends on the first domino. Bo not being a Boras guy probably increases the chances of him signing for a "less than expected" contract. If he was a Boras guy then he'd probably be unsigned until February 25th. 

[Terminator]

There's only a handful of teams that will even give out a $170+ million dollar contract. And among those teams, there's not a lot who need infield help.

• LAD: Seems more prudent to acquire an OF and leave Edman at 2B.
• NYM: They could replace Baty or McNeil at 3B or 2B but they have bigger needs.
• NYY: The only spot open is possibly SS but they won't want his glove there.
• PHI: No room for him.
• ATL: They could play him at SS.
• HOU: No room.
• SD: No room and they won't add anymore big contracts.
• TEX: No room.
• SFG: I think they could be a sleeper team and could put him at 2B.
• BOS: No room.
• DET: I've seen them mentioned as possible suitors but they are kind of cheap.

The Rockies are probably worth mentioning but they have a SS already and I doubt Bo wants to switch positions to join those losers. Everyone else is probably too cheap.

Tl;DR Seem like the Mets, Giants, Braves and Tigers might kick the tires on Bo but none of them would seem like obvious fits due to money concerns and/or positional fit.

[Olerud363.354]

1 hour ago, Jonn said:

I don't see any reason to take Vladdy off of First Base now. Bring back Bo and let them play 1B and 2B for the next decade.

They'll go that way if they can.   They'll also have backup plans in case they can't.   

[Stangstag]

26 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Yeah I am officially OUT on Kyle Tucker. He has the same WAR projections as Bo. No way he should get 3x what Bo does.

He’s an extremely solid player, but he’s wildly overrated. Not in the same league as guys like Harper, Turner, Tatis, etc.

[Stangstag]

I still think the goal should be to sign 1 of Bo/Bellinger/Tucker.

Tucker probably the most expensive 

Bellinger is risky

Bo is the best fit if he’s willing to play 2B

[jmomcc]

58 minutes ago, Laika said:

These guys are actually on crack

They'll beat their meat to "hit tools" until that's the carrying tool of an actual MLB Star then they don't care anymore 

Treating Bo like he's Javy f***ing Baez up there hacking with a 33% K rate before free agency... 

the baez and anderson comps are out there to me. Bo makes more contact in and out than them and swings outside the zone less. 

I do get the concern with his profile tho. 

[Spanky__99]

1 hour ago, Terminator said:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46859761/mlb-2025-2026-top-50-free-agents-rankings-contract-projections

Kiley McDaniel is pretty down on Bo as well. Ranks him as the #7 FA and projects just a 5 year/$130M dollar deal for him.

I agree that he's going to be a Blue Jay and it might be on a deal that is smaller than we had thought.

He's a bird, everyone else has him going for 200+

[Spanky__99]

42 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

I still think the goal should be to sign 1 of Bo/Bellinger/Tucker.

Tucker probably the most expensive 

Bellinger is risky

Bo is the best fit if he’s willing to play 2B

Bregman is a choice also. It'll likely be Bo, Jays will match his best offer. And he'll accept.

[Pendleton]

2 hours ago, Terminator said:

Yeah I am officially OUT on Kyle Tucker. He has the same WAR projections as Bo. No way he should get 3x what Bo does.

I've always been a big fan but he just doesn't look like the same guy anymore, someone will be taking a huge risk 

[Jonn]

2 hours ago, Terminator said:

There's only a handful of teams that will even give out a $170+ million dollar contract. And among those teams, there's not a lot who need infield help.

• LAD: Seems more prudent to acquire an OF and leave Edman at 2B.
• NYM: They could replace Baty or McNeil at 3B or 2B but they have bigger needs.
• NYY: The only spot open is possibly SS but they won't want his glove there.
• PHI: No room for him.
• ATL: They could play him at SS.
• HOU: No room.
• SD: No room and they won't add anymore big contracts.
• TEX: No room.
• SFG: I think they could be a sleeper team and could put him at 2B.
• BOS: No room.
• DET: I've seen them mentioned as possible suitors but they are kind of cheap.

The Rockies are probably worth mentioning but they have a SS already and I doubt Bo wants to switch positions to join those losers. Everyone else is probably too cheap.

Tl;DR Seem like the Mets, Giants, Braves and Tigers might kick the tires on Bo but none of them would seem like obvious fits due to money concerns and/or positional fit.

I would view the Giants and Mets as the biggest threats especially if the Mets don’t bring back Alonzo. Giants always have money and are looking to make a splash but I think they will be heavier on the Japanese market.

Braves and Tigers don’t like to overspend and the Tigers have been burnt in recent years and completely balked on Bregman despite being linked to them all winter. Plus from Bo’s perspective I would want to know Skubal’s future before committing there. Braves letting Feeeman and Swanson walk to give Bo a bag would be an odd choice. 
 

It would not shock me if the Dodgers went after Bo. I just don’t think that would be a good look for Bo. It would be one the weakest moves in sports. When Snell did it he got a lot of s*** and they were four years removed from that World Series. Joining the team you just lost to would be in Kevin Durant territory.

[jaysblue]

My main target would be resigning Bo or going after Bregman. Wouldn't surprise me if Springer plays a roll in pursuing Bregman. 

If $400M is being thrown around for Kyle Tucker, would pass. Think Bellinger would be a better option at a fraction of the cost and could also play CF. 

Would consider signing Varsho to an extension, depending on his health. Think you can lock him up for the next 4-5 years at a reasonable, below market value contract. Kind of like what the Jays did with Kirk. 

If the Jays struck out on both Bo and Bregman, I think Kim wouldn't be that bad of an option. If he's healthy, should be good for around 3 WAR, 15 HR's, and probably 30 steals.

[jmomcc]

I'd be a little hesitant on Varsho. Who knows how his defense will age. 

[Laika]

Apparently Bellinger's wife just posted a CN Tower pic on insta 

[hanton]

Popkins will bring us Belli

[Jonn]

11 minutes ago, Laika said:

Apparently Bellinger's wife just posted a CN Tower pic on insta 

I just looked. There is nothing.

[SeranthonySantander]

Bregman would be great to have.

 

 It is painful to me having to see all the hate George gets from around the league.  Knowing how good of a person he really is.  I don’t know about having 2 of the former astors here.

Also being Jewish he is going to get some hate for that from certain antisemitic teams like the dodgers

I heard Ohtani told bregman to “make me a hinge” when he was rounding the bases after hitting a homer when they went to Fenway last July.

[Laika]

5 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I just looked. There is nothing.

Reddit lied! 

[bluejaysinternNo5]

15 minutes ago, Laika said:

Apparently Bellinger's wife just posted a CN Tower pic on insta 

I remember seeing this before he signed with Cubs I think? 

[Jonn]

14 minutes ago, Laika said:

Reddit lied! 

It’s bait Season. Wife’s aren’t that dumb anymore to leak anything. But Bellinger and his family has visited in the past before he signed with the Cubs.

[SeranthonySantander]

12 minutes ago, Jonn said:

It’s bait Season. Wife’s aren’t that dumb anymore to leak anything. But Bellinger and his family has visited in the past before he signed with the Cubs.

Why would someone visit Toronto?

[DonJays]

2 hours ago, SeranthonySantander said:

Why would someone visit Toronto?

I’d assume they lost a bet 

[xposbrad]

10 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

Alcantara's contract + club option has him paid like what Chris Bassitt is projected to get in free agency. It's not just that you can get Cease for money, the money he's likely to command in FA would potentially prevent the team from making further additions. Alcantara would still give us payroll flexibility. Not that I'm anti signing Cease or anything, but you gotta consider the pros and cons to both guys.

The Jays are all in now anyways. They will probably have to go over the luxury tax. They need BO + Cease + RP. Yanks will make moves to get better + Red Sox have impactful prospects and are young and getting better. Jays could fall to third depending on what they do here.

[Stangstag]

3 hours ago, Laika said:

Apparently Bellinger's wife just posted a CN Tower pic on insta 

Not again

[Eat My Shatkins]

On paper this team should be going after one of the closers to strengthen the bullpen, Helsley, Saurez, Diaz all available as FA's

So volatile though, and it seems as though you rarely get the bang for your buck when you pay big money for these guys, at least in terms of fWAR. But is fWAR a good gauge for evaluating a relievers value? Astros paid $19 million AAV for Hader last year and he only put up 1.1 fWAR. The guy is nails though.

And as for volatility, look no further than Helsley himself who was an excellent reliever for 3.5 seasons and then after being traded to the Mets last year, just straight up shat the bed.

I'll ever forget Brad Hand being a good reliever for a long time, coming to the Jays mid season and blowing chunks down the stretch while the Jays missed the playoffs by a single game with 91 wins. Then he went to free agency, signed elsewhere and immediately went back to being a good reliever again. 

If Yimi comes back strong and can stay healthy, he'll be a big boost. But if they were to pay for Helsley and he was as good as he's been in St. Louis, I think it'd be worth it. Tough gamble though and could be just wasting payroll. If payroll isn't really a worry though because they are going all in I'd be inclined to pay up for a closer like that and take the gamble.