Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Orgfiller]

21 minutes ago, abola2121 said:

I think Harris working with Popkins would reignite his hit tool.

Harris II's biggest issue is he's a total free swinger, less so the contact quality or ability to put bat to ball. He's a Javier Baez esque chaser, consistently among the worst in the league. Your name pretty much has to be Bo Bichette to make this kind of swing tendency work consistently, which requires like a 70+ grade hit tool.

[max silver]

1 hour ago, Orgfiller said:

The power is real in the sense that, yes he has the ability to hit for extra base hits when he connects well. But his hit tool and plate discipline is going to really limit him from being much better than league average ish. That's fine, and valuable over a full season while he's also providing elite defense. But I think last season's power output, particularly in the HR department, was a bit of a mirage and unlikely to be repeated unless he really cuts down on the K rate, and he probably doesn't come anywhere near a 120 wRC+ without that or really improving his plate discipline.

His HR/FB% was >20%, he did reduce his pop out rate which is a positive development, but his K/BB was awful and the OBP was sub .300 for the third season in a row. I'd be ecstatic if he's a 100-105 wRC+ power bat who runs the bases well when he infrequently reaches, but I have a hard time seeing him improve on that, and the projection systems seem to agree this is who he is.

I think Varsho has unlocked more power in his swing as he's increased his overall swing speed by several MPH between 2024/2025. I expect the new swing speed to be something that sticks at least for the near term and that this has elevated his overall ceiling. Varsho already has several seasons under his belt at approximately 100 wRC+ with the previous swing speed and I think his power production is going to stick around to a greater degree than a 5 point uptick to his overall offensive production.

Projection systems are very slow to recognize skill changes, and Varsho increased his quality of contact across the board to the point where I think he's improved his ability to produce power at the plate as a direct result. He improved his average and top exit velocities by several MPH and I believe the improved power production is going to be more repeatable as a result. My one question mark with Varsho is the 15% barrel rate, which I think he will likely be challenged to repeat given the inability to even place the bat on the ball at times.

[Stangstag]

3 hours ago, Orgfiller said:

It's really hard to find an elite defensive CF who isn't also a black hole at the plate. The ones who do are all 3.5+ win players. See Cedanne Rafaela, PCA, Andy Pages last season. A star example of this is Byron Buxton when he's not broken, Julio Rodriguez, Luis Robert before he crashed. These guys are extremely valuable.

Elite defensive CFs who can't hit are more common, but they're not quite as good. Victor Scott, Brendan Doyle, Kyle Isbel, Michael Harris, Denzel Clarke. None of these guys cracked 2 WAR last year, and they need to sustain best in the league type defense to even stick around in the MLB.

Myles Straw was out of the league in 2024 because his hitting was horrendous, and he projects for a 70 wRC+. You genuinely just can't live with that on a full-time basis from anyone whose name isn't Patrick Bailey and they're leaps and bounds the most valuable defender in the sport. Even Ke'Bryan Hayes who accumulated the fifth most defensive value last season, was only worth 1.4 WAR because of his putrid 65 wRC+.

Yeah obviously don’t want a black hole, but I think you’d be ok with any of those guys as a stopgap for a year or 2 until someone is developed/becomes available.

[Governator]

I couldn't live with Straw being in our line up every day for 2 years...

[Jonn]

1 hour ago, Governator said:

I couldn't live with Straw being in our line up every day for 2 years...

It pretty painful in the playoffs watching both him and IKF get so many at-bats in the playoffs. Outside of losing Game 7 it was really the only time I had bad time in the playoffs. It was so much fun for that entire run.

[max silver]

10 minutes ago, Jonn said:

It pretty painful in the playoffs watching both him and IKF get so many at-bats in the playoffs. Outside of losing Game 7 it was really the only time I had bad time in the playoffs. It was so much fun for that entire run.

Compounding the matter further was that both of IKF and Straw were receiving plate appearances in key situations at the top of the lineup due to the spots where they were inserted into the game. 

[JaysFan99]

1 hour ago, Governator said:

I couldn't live with Straw being in our line up every day for 2 years...

Can Loperfido or Clase play CF (I don’t know if Clase can hit either)

[Stangstag]

3 hours ago, max silver said:

Compounding the matter further was that both of IKF and Straw were receiving plate appearances in key situations at the top of the lineup due to the spots where they were inserted into the game. 

Yeah, its a miracle we made it to the WS at all, let alone coming that close. Team was running on fumes, with Bo and Santander both injured, Springer banged up, starting rotation of Gausman+rookie+old man+injured Bieber, and IKF/Straw getting a bit too much play time.

Without beastmode Vlad and Mr.Clutch, we probably don’t get there

[G-Snarls]

The longer it takes Bo to decide...

More or less likely he's coming back?

[John_Havok]

3 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

The longer it takes Bo to decide...

More or less likely he's coming back?

Just me guessing but I would think the Jays have asked for the chance to match any offer he gets anywhere else. 

He doesn't seem to be Plan A for any of the remaining teams. It seems the teams left out there would all prefer Bregman as their IF choice and would then pivot to Bo if they don't land him. Philly appears interested, but how interested are they or Bo really if all they are doing is having video conferences?

[max silver]

1 hour ago, John_Havok said:

Just me guessing but I would think the Jays have asked for the chance to match any offer he gets anywhere else. 

He doesn't seem to be Plan A for any of the remaining teams. It seems the teams left out there would all prefer Bregman as their IF choice and would then pivot to Bo if they don't land him. Philly appears interested, but how interested are they or Bo really if all they are doing is having video conferences?

I don't think Bo is even a plan A for the Blue Jays either at this point, but they would be more than happy to bring him back if the pursuit of Tucker fails to materialize in a deal.

[G-Snarls]

Well abregman if off the board 

[Jonn]

Pretty much a slam dunk Bo goes to Boston now.

[Abomination]

I wonder if any of that money for Bregman is deferred, because that seems a bit high to me.

[Jonn]

5 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

The longer it takes Bo to decide...

More or less likely he's coming back?

I would say less likely. Seems like Atkins moves on quickly if he doesn't get the answer he's looking for.

[Jays24]

Hope the Jays demand an answer from Tucker before Bo goes to Boston.  Theyre gonna be really desperate to get him now. 

We cant be left holding our dicks at the end of this.  The fun starts now lol

[Brownie19]

26 minutes ago, Abomination said:

I wonder if any of that money for Bregman is deferred, because that seems a bit high to me.

Oh that's a possibility that would help this make a bit more sense to me.

[Jays24]

Im going to guess Bo gets 7/210 with deferrals.  7/175 or 8/200 present value deal. 

[Brownie19]

13 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

Hope the Jays demand an answer from Tucker before Bo goes to Boston.  Theyre gonna be really desperate to get him now.  We cant be left holding our dicks at the end of this.  The fun starts now lol

We can. It won't be catastrophic.  Obviously I want and hope we land Tucker or Bo, but we have a realllllly good team already.  It just puts more pressure on Okamoto to contribute with an impact and it makes Santander's rebound more essential.

But let's to land someone.  I'm good with Bo myself.  I like the idea of Clement and Gimenez platooning with Cement also spelling Okamoto later in games and able to play all positions, while Santander, Varsho and Barger play OF with Lukes and DS ready to step up if Santander can't rebound.

Tucker would also be great, but he makes Santander a 4th OFer and creates a log jam with Lukes and DS.  I guess DS would have to play in the IF more, which I don't think the Jays like.

[Jays24]

17 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

We can. It won't be catastrophic.  Obviously I want and hope we land Tucker or Bo, but we have a realllllly good team already.  It just puts more pressure on Okamoto to contribute with an impact and it makes Santander's rebound more essential.

But let's to land someone.  I'm good with Bo myself.  I like the idea of Clement and Gimenez platooning with Cement also spelling Okamoto later in games and able to play all positions, while Santander, Varsho and Barger play OF with Lukes and DS ready to step up if Santander can't rebound.

Tucker would also be great, but he makes Santander a 4th OFer and creates a log jam with Lukes and DS.  I guess DS would have to play in the IF more, which I don't think the Jays like.

Ya, im still hoping for Bo because I like the lineup flexibility better and because he'll demand a smaller/shorter deal.  Dont get me wrong id also be ecstatic with Tucker.  

Cant wait to see how the dominoes fall, lets hope most of them stay away from the AL East and the Dodgers.

[Stangstag]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

Hope the Jays demand an answer from Tucker before Bo goes to Boston.  Theyre gonna be really desperate to get him now. 

We cant be left holding our dicks at the end of this.  The fun starts now lol

That’s what the Okamoto signing was for. They know Tucker isn’t signing til March

[Jays24]

9 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

That’s what the Okamoto signing was for. They know Tucker isn’t signing til March

Then you go get Bo.  Tucker isnt good enough for you to punt on Bo if the contract is reasonable.  Whoever commits to a reasonable deal first should be the choice imo.

[Olerud363.354]

On 1/9/2026 at 11:51 PM, Stangstag said:

Yeah, its a miracle we made it to the WS at all, let alone coming that close. Team was running on fumes, with Bo and Santander both injured, Springer banged up, starting rotation of Gausman+rookie+old man+injured Bieber, and IKF/Straw getting a bit too much play time.

Without beastmode Vlad and Mr.Clutch, we probably don’t get there

They also had Little implode and Hoffman, despite mostly a good playoffs gave up the most homers of any relief pitcher in the regular season, I believe.  They went from not rostering Scherzer and Bassitt in the ALDS to Bassitt being the set up man and Scherzer the game 7 starter.  

Their number 1 starter Gausman went 0-4 in his ALCS and World Series starts.  

 

[Stangstag]

14 hours ago, Abomination said:

I wonder if any of that money for Bregman is deferred, because that seems a bit high to me.

“Alex Bregman's contract with the Cubs will include $70M deferred, brining the present-day value down to ~31M/yr”

Reported. Makes it a bit more palatable 

[Stangstag]

5 hours ago, Olerud363.354 said:

They also had Little implode and Hoffman, despite mostly a good playoffs gave up the most homers of any relief pitcher in the regular season, I believe.  They went from not rostering Scherzer and Bassitt in the ALDS to Bassitt being the set up man and Scherzer the game 7 starter.  

Their number 1 starter Gausman went 0-4 in his ALCS and World Series starts.  

 

The 0-4 stat is a tad disingenuous, as Gausman pitched well in every start. We just didn’t score those games.

 

[Brownie19]

5 years $155M for Bregman makes more sense to me.  Good for him.

[Abomination]

4 hours ago, Stangstag said:

“Alex Bregman's contract with the Cubs will include $70M deferred, brining the present-day value down to ~31M/yr”

Reported. Makes it a bit more palatable 

That makes a LOT more sense.

[Terminator]

 

[mphenhef]

I'm starting to think the Jays will not sign Tucker or Bo.  I still think they have a great team without either of them though.

[L54]

I’m pretty sure they’re going to sign Tucker