Offseason Roster Thread 2025-26

[Jays24]

1 hour ago, hanton said:

 

for those that are hating on Bo, he's gone now - maybe try posting in the former jays thread

I dont like people downplaying his departure like its only a marginal downgrade to Okamoto but how dare you try to censor our Bo talk.  He was in the organization for a decade, give us at least a week of mourning... jeez lol.  

[Stangstag]

39 minutes ago, Abomination said:

I don't think it's that big a deal. Schneider is perfectly capable. In an emergency situation, you have Jimenez and Loperfido on the farm. Barger played games at SS as late as last year prior to coming up, so he might even be an option at 2nd.  It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea for the Jays to give Barger and Loperfido some reps there in the spring just in case, but we have potential depth to get through multiple injuries. If we're going to upgrade, it has to be a clear upgrade with the bat, not a marginal one.

Dude what

[ValiantJaysFan]

1 hour ago, Stangstag said:

Best piece for this team right now would be Marte, followed by Donovan. 

Steven Kwan for me

[Stangstag]

1 hour ago, ValiantJaysFan said:

Steven Kwan for me

We need SS/2B depth the most

[Abomination]

2 hours ago, Stangstag said:

Best piece for this team right now would be Marte, followed by Donovan. 

IMO Brandon Lowe would be a good target. Not sure what they'd want for him since they did give up a bit to get him. The Pirates have no chance of competing this year and he's on an expiring contract.

[Spanky__99]

19 minutes ago, Abomination said:

IMO Brandon Lowe would be a good target. Not sure what they'd want for him since they did give up a bit to get him. The Pirates have no chance of competing this year and he's on an expiring contract.

They just traded for Lowe this offseason, bro?

[Abomination]

1 minute ago, Spanky__99 said:

They just traded for Lowe this offseason, bro?

I know that, but like I said he's on an expiring contract and they have no hope of competing this year.

[Spanky__99]

7 minutes ago, Abomination said:

I know that, but like I said he's on an expiring contract and they have no hope of competing this year.

They're trying to compete, hence the trade, they gave up Burrows for him. If they're out by the deadline I agree he can be moved then.

[jaysblue]

18 hours ago, Laika said:

Here is your post with the needless words removed. 

I hope I don't get tarred and feathered for this... the Blue Jays heading into 2026 are clearly a better team than they were last season.... but the AL East is still absolutely brutal.

 

WHY WOULD YOU GET TARRED AND FEATHERED FOR THAT lmao 

Appreciate the insight, Mr. Know-It-All.

[jaysblue]

23 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

Zobrist's peak season was 8.7 WAR and his prime years were 5+ WAR.   Obviously we could use that right now...

We actually don't need his versatility - this team has tons of that already.

I’d argue his versatility is valuable though. It’s not about filling holes - it’s about flexibility, matchup advantages, rest days, and protecting against injuries over 162 games. Especially when you’re planning on having both Clement and Gimenez in the batting order, Varsho who’s missed time with injuries in recent years, Barger in his second year, an aging Springer, and an unknown in Okamoto.

[Olerud363.354]

13 hours ago, Laika said:

Cronenworth, Nootbaar, Nimmo 

They don't move the barr too much though.  

Was being a bit facetious with the Alex Gordon comment.  In his prime Gordon was 5-6 WAR and (like Zobrist) it's not really possible to get a player like that.  Or even who is that player?  

Prime Nimmo is closer than I thought but not quite there.   Gordon's best 4 year run was 21 WAR and Nimmo's is 16 I think. 

[Jimcanuck]

Nick Martinez could be  sneaky good get.  SP turned RP often turn into elite relievers.

[mphenhef]

10 hours ago, Jays24 said:

I dont like people downplaying his departure like its only a marginal downgrade to Okamoto...

People seem to forget there were months where Bo's heaters literally carried the team.  Sept/Oct of 2022 comes to mind.

[Laika]

11 hours ago, Jays24 said:

I dont like people downplaying his departure like its only a marginal downgrade to Okamoto...

"Facts don't care about your feelings" --- Taylor Swift 

[Brownie19]

3 hours ago, jaysblue said:

I’d argue his versatility is valuable though. It’s not about filling holes - it’s about flexibility, matchup advantages, rest days, and protecting against injuries over 162 games. Especially when you’re planning on having both Clement and Gimenez in the batting order, Varsho who’s missed time with injuries in recent years, Barger in his second year, an aging Springer, and an unknown in Okamoto.

I'm just saying this team is packed full of versatile players already.  

Clement - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS

Gimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd)

Barger - 3rd, RF, LF

Schneider - 2nd, LF

Okamoto - 3rd, LF, RF (assumed)

Jimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd - if he's on the roster)

There are all kinds of viable starting combinations you can use on this roster.  Some teams are in desperate need for a quality utility player who can provide insurance across the diamond.  That Jays are in a unique position where they already have tons of positional redundancy.  So while adding another player with versatility is never a bad thing - they don't have to pay extra for that "value".  They have the ability to target someone with less versatility if they like the bat better, or if the cost is less.

[Jays24]

39 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I'm just saying this team is packed full of versatile players already.  

Clement - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS

Gimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd)

Barger - 3rd, RF, LF

Schneider - 2nd, LF

Okamoto - 3rd, LF, RF (assumed)

Jimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd - if he's on the roster)

There are all kinds of viable starting combinations you can use on this roster.  Some teams are in desperate need for a quality utility player who can provide insurance across the diamond.  That Jays are in a unique position where they already have tons of positional redundancy.  So while adding another player with versatility is never a bad thing - they don't have to pay extra for that "value".  They have the ability to target someone with less versatility if they like the bat better, or if the cost is less.

Okamoto's best position is 1B according to "sources"... im sure he'll be the guy who plays there when Vladdy sits/DH's

[Laika]

2 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

I'm just saying this team is packed full of versatile players already.  

Clement - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS

Gimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd)

Barger - 3rd, RF, LF

Schneider - 2nd, LF

Okamoto - 3rd, LF, RF (assumed)

Jimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd - if he's on the roster)

There are all kinds of viable starting combinations you can use on this roster.  Some teams are in desperate need for a quality utility player who can provide insurance across the diamond.  That Jays are in a unique position where they already have tons of positional redundancy.  So while adding another player with versatility is never a bad thing - they don't have to pay extra for that "value".  They have the ability to target someone with less versatility if they like the bat better, or if the cost is less.

Yeah every team in baseball would love a 2.5 WAR player as their 10th man. 

It's just not really an efficient use of resources, for most teams, other than the Dodgers. And if he is traded you will almost certainly get outbid by a team that has stronger motivations (is replacing a 1 WAR starter with Donovan). 

[BatFlip]

2 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

I'm just saying this team is packed full of versatile players already.  

Clement - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SS

Gimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd)

Barger - 3rd, RF, LF

Schneider - 2nd, LF

Okamoto - 3rd, LF, RF (assumed)

Jimenez - 2nd, SS (and I'm sure he can play 3rd - if he's on the roster)

There are all kinds of viable starting combinations you can use on this roster.  Some teams are in desperate need for a quality utility player who can provide insurance across the diamond.  That Jays are in a unique position where they already have tons of positional redundancy.  So while adding another player with versatility is never a bad thing - they don't have to pay extra for that "value".  They have the ability to target someone with less versatility if they like the bat better, or if the cost is less.

Now imagine the versatility if you added prime Zobrist!

 

[Brownie19]

1 hour ago, Jays24 said:

Okamoto's best position is 1B according to "sources"... im sure he'll be the guy who plays there when Vladdy sits/DH's

Thanks for adding that.

[JaysForever]

Isn't JImenez out of options. If you have to chooose 13 position players right now, he isn't on the roster.

[L54]

The biggest problem for me is the middle infield depth chart is full of guys who could have the bat knocked right out of their hands

Gimenez

Ernie

Jimenez

Kasevich

Over 162 using these guys to gather WAR is fine and their defensive abilities have a bigger impact over an entire season. But in a 5 or 7 game series those skills aren’t as meaningful. At least they don’t strike out but I want a player who can be a difference maker not a floor raiser at some point 

[L54]

Furthermore, both of your starting SS and 2B are going to be hampered by splits no matter who is on the bump 

Ernie crushes lefties, below average vs righties

Gimenez obviously will struggle against lefties, hope that he can be average ish vs righties 

Hopefully the Dbacks are ass and end up moving Marte. That is the cleanest fit for this roster 

[Terminator]

4 minutes ago, L54 said:

Furthermore, both of your starting SS and 2B are going to be hampered by splits no matter who is on the bump 

Ernie crushes lefties, below average vs righties

Gimenez obviously will struggle against lefties, hope that he can be average ish vs righties 

Hopefully the Dbacks are ass and end up moving Marte. That is the cleanest fit for this roster 

Yeah I think we need a bat-first 2B.

Could be a star like Marte (Ernie still gets ABs as a UT guy and in a platoon with Gimenez) or a 1.5-2 WAR bench guy (Ernie starts at 2B). 

But we need the depth and I don't want to see Kasevich playing much. I suppose Jimenez could be an option but I just don't trust him.

[Laika]

Nats are probably shopping CJ Abrams. He'd be an interesting target, lol. Never would happen because of vibes though. 

I sort of agree that Clement/Gimenez are fine for 162 but you want punch in the playoffs, but they were both exactly what was needed for most (Gimenez) or all of (Clement) the 2025 playoffs so I don't agree entirely 

[Brownie19]

5 minutes ago, L54 said:

The biggest problem for me is the middle infield depth chart is full of guys who could have the bat knocked right out of their hands

Gimenez

Ernie

Jimenez

Kasevich

Over 162 using these guys to gather WAR is fine and their defensive abilities have a bigger impact over an entire season. But in a 5 or 7 game series those skills aren’t as meaningful. At least they don’t strike out but I want a player who can be a difference maker not a floor raiser at some point 

I'm not sure I buy this.  First, in a 5 to 7 game series, you're only using 2 of those 4 players.  Let's assume that's Gimenez and Ernie.  Ernie is projected to be a league average bat and we'd obviously seen how effective he can be when he gets hot.

Obviously teams would love 120 wRC+ bats throughout their lineup, but even the big bad Dodgers didn't have that last year.  They consistently played Edman (82 wRC+) and Kiki (70 wRC+) out there in the playoffs and then had to replace stone cold Pages with Rojas.

It's also just flat out wrong that defensive abilities have less impact, or aren't as meaningful in a 5 or 7 game series.  Defensive plays can have a HUGE impact in a short series.

 

[Brownie19]

6 minutes ago, L54 said:

Furthermore, both of your starting SS and 2B are going to be hampered by splits no matter who is on the bump 

Ernie crushes lefties, below average vs righties

Gimenez obviously will struggle against lefties, hope that he can be average ish vs righties 

Hopefully the Dbacks are ass and end up moving Marte. That is the cleanest fit for this roster 

Gimenez's career splits aren't that different.  92 wRC+ v. LPH and 100 wRC+ v. RHP.

[R.O.]

 

[Brownie19]

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[L54]

38 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Yeah I think we need a bat-first 2B.

Could be a star like Marte (Ernie still gets ABs as a UT guy and in a platoon with Gimenez) or a 1.5-2 WAR bench guy (Ernie starts at 2B). 

But we need the depth and I don't want to see Kasevich playing much. I suppose Jimenez could be an option but I just don't trust him.

Nope I don’t want to see those guys playing either. A bat first 2B with Ernie moving to best fifth infielder in the league would be ideal

[Laika]

36 minutes ago, R.O. said:

 

seems like a lot of money for him! the White Sox have to pay more though, of course 

skyrockets his fantasy baseball value lol