Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2026)

[Laika]

 

 

[The_DH]

Gotta admit, Miles has been way better than I expected.  Dude could be something.

[Terminator]

13 hours ago, The_DH said:

Gotta admit, Miles has been way better than I expected.  Dude could be something.

After the year we've got him for 5 more seasons of control with 3 option years. Rule 5 picks don't get any better than this.

I do worry about his workload. He's up to 21 innings this year which is already a career high in pro ball.

We only need to have him on the active roster for 90 days in order to avoid any carryover restrictions next year and we are about half way at 45ish days so far.

Maybe he can take Lauer's spot as the bulk starter? Then when Bieber is ready, he can replace Miles who goes to the IL with a phantom injury*?

*assuming the Dodgers aren't the only team allowed to do that

 

[Laika]

Miles is interesting because he has 4 pitches that he throws in a close to equal distribution and they all get similar Stuff grades

Sinker (34.5%) and Slider (21%) grade at 100
Fastball (24.7) Curveball (19.8%) grade at 98 

I guess the sinker is more of a two-seamer (Bassitt style) in his head because he doesn't really throw it low. 

You like that he has 3.5 pitches and can throw any of them. That will keep hitters off their toes. 

You dislike that there is no standout pitch and his fastball movement profiles might be way too typical, leading to him becoming a HR prone meatball factory once hitters see him more. 

You would like to see a splitter or kick change or something. Maybe a splinker. 

[Spanky__99]

58 minutes ago, Terminator said:

After the year we've got him for 5 more seasons of control with 3 option years. Rule 5 picks don't get any better than this.

I do worry about his workload. He's up to 21 innings this year which is already a career high in pro ball.

We only need to have him on the active roster for 90 days in order to avoid any carryover restrictions next year and we are about half way at 45ish days so far.

Maybe he can take Lauer's spot as the bulk starter? Then when Bieber is ready, he can replace Miles who goes to the IL with a phantom injury*?

*assuming the Dodgers aren't the only team allowed to do that

 

That's the 2nd time I've seen the 90 day number posted this week and to my surprise you guys are correct, and according to this MLB.com excerpt Miles can be optioned after the 90 days, TIL... my bad @jmomcc...

 

Rule 5 draft picks must remain on the drafting team's MLB active roster (26-man roster) for a minimum of 90 days during the following season to fully satisfy the requirement. While often cited as "the whole season," the specific requirement is 90 days of active service to avoid being subject to restrictions the following year. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key details regarding Rule 5 roster requirements (as of 2026):

• Initial Roster Spot: Players must be placed directly on the 26-man roster, not the minors.
• Injured List Exception: If a player is placed on the MLB injured list, they must be active for at least 90 days in total to fulfill the requirement.
• Returning the Player: If the player does not meet the 90-day active requirement, they must be placed on outright waivers and offered back to their original team for \(\$50,000\).
• Restriction Removal: Once the 90 days are completed, the player can be optioned to the minors if they have options remaining. [1, 2, 3]

[Terminator]

47 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

That's the 2nd time I've seen the 90 day number posted this week and to my surprise you guys are correct, and according to this MLB.com excerpt Miles can be optioned after the 90 days, TIL... my bad @jmomcc...

 

Rule 5 draft picks must remain on the drafting team's MLB active roster (26-man roster) for a minimum of 90 days during the following season to fully satisfy the requirement. While often cited as "the whole season," the specific requirement is 90 days of active service to avoid being subject to restrictions the following year. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key details regarding Rule 5 roster requirements (as of 2026):

• Initial Roster Spot: Players must be placed directly on the 26-man roster, not the minors.
• Injured List Exception: If a player is placed on the MLB injured list, they must be active for at least 90 days in total to fulfill the requirement.
• Returning the Player: If the player does not meet the 90-day active requirement, they must be placed on outright waivers and offered back to their original team for \(\$50,000\).
• Restriction Removal: Once the 90 day s are completed, the player can be optioned to the minors if they have options remaining. [1, 2, 3]

Wow I didn't know that he can just flat out be optioned after 90 days of service time. I thought he had to be active for 90 but the rest could be IL time. That's good to know. 

In that case, just keep him until he hits 90 and then option him at which point you could probably consider shutting him down. He's barely pitched the past few years so I'm not sure they want to put any more than 80 innings on his arm max. 

That would give us 6 more years of control with 2 option years.

[Spanky__99]

46 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Wow I didn't know that he can just flat out be optioned after 90 days of service time. I thought he had to be active for 90 but the rest could be IL time. That's good to know. 

In that case, just keep him until he hits 90 and then option him at which point you could probably consider shutting him down. He's barely pitched the past few years so I'm not sure they want to put any more than 80 innings on his arm max. 

That would give us 6 more years of control with 2 option years.

Right, that's what I thought? I was pleasantly surprised, they might have plans of stretching him out in Buffalo next year. Kid's been doing very well.

[Spanky__99]

So with days off they could use the 4 man rotation, and when we're on long stretches we can use him as an opener or bulk reliever and finish the game off with relievers(don't fret our BP is very good). Until we get guys back, of course. Read Scherzer had another setback with his forearm.

[max silver]

1 hour ago, Spanky__99 said:

That's the 2nd time I've seen the 90 day number posted this week and to my surprise you guys are correct, and according to this MLB.com excerpt Miles can be optioned after the 90 days, TIL... my bad @jmomcc...

 

Rule 5 draft picks must remain on the drafting team's MLB active roster (26-man roster) for a minimum of 90 days during the following season to fully satisfy the requirement. While often cited as "the whole season," the specific requirement is 90 days of active service to avoid being subject to restrictions the following year. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key details regarding Rule 5 roster requirements (as of 2026):

• Initial Roster Spot: Players must be placed directly on the 26-man roster, not the minors.
• Injured List Exception: If a player is placed on the MLB injured list, they must be active for at least 90 days in total to fulfill the requirement.
• Returning the Player: If the player does not meet the 90-day active requirement, they must be placed on outright waivers and offered back to their original team for \(\$50,000\).
• Restriction Removal: Once the 90 days are completed, the player can be optioned to the minors if they have options remaining. [1, 2, 3]

I don't think this is correct. I believe that the player can be optioned in the following season after spending a minimum of 90 days on the active roster in the first season post draft. I've looked through the MLB.com site and it states the following:

Quote

Rule 5 Draft picks are assigned directly to the drafting club's 26-man roster and must be placed on outright waivers in order to be removed from the 26-man roster in the subsequent season. 

There is nothing on this page that suggests that it's possible to option rule 5 players in year 1.

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/rule-5-draft

Google AI states the following:

Quote

Rule 5 draft picks cannot be optioned to the minors at any time during their first season. They must remain on the MLB active roster (or injured list) for the entire season and spend a minimum of 90 days on the active roster. If they do not meet the 90-day requirement, the restrictions carry over to the next season. [1, 2, 3]

Key Rule 5 Draft Requirements:

• Active Roster Time: The player must be on the 26-man active roster for at least 90 days.
• Injury Management: If injured, they can go on the IL, but the 90-day active requirement must still be met, potentially carrying into the next season.
• Removal Procedure: To remove a Rule 5 pick from the roster, they must pass through waivers. If they clear, they must be offered back to their original team for $50,000.

 

[Spanky__99]

See, now that's the original way I thought it worked, Bastardo was eligible to be sent down after the 90 days if they kept him this year because he spent the season on the IL, but Miles had to stay the year aside from injury. Well f*ck, man.🤔

[jmomcc]

14 minutes ago, max silver said:

I don't think this is correct. I believe that the player can be optioned in the following season after spending a minimum of 90 days on the active roster in the first season post draft. I've looked through the MLB.com site and it states the following:

There is nothing on this page that suggests that it's possible to option rule 5 players in year 1.

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/rule-5-draft

Google AI states the following:

 

As far as i understand that as long as he is 90 days active, then you can IL him at that point. Which i'm sure he'd be ok with if his form drops or he is starting to feel the sheer number of extra innings from last year. Then you can do whatever next year. 

[Spanky__99]

4 minutes ago, jmomcc said:

As far as i understand that as long as he is 90 days active, then you can IL him at that point. Which i'm sure he'd be ok with. 

Yeah, tell him he's reaching his innings limit and will be shut down, he'll still get paid, and doubt he'd care ultimately.

[max silver]

6 minutes ago, jmomcc said:

As far as i understand that as long as he is 90 days active, then you can IL him at that point. Which i'm sure he'd be ok with if his form drops or he is starting to feel the sheer number of extra innings from last year. Then you can do whatever next year. 

Yeah I believe the 90 days stipulation is only applied in cases of injury, and if I recall correctly it can happen over the course of two full calendar seasons post draft. 

[BTS]

It took one month for Lauer to go from complaining about his usage and saying an opener was beneath him to being DFA'd. Life comes at your fast. 

[mphenhef]

Sigh, Barger going for an MRI and is back on the IL.  Pinango returns

[Spanky__99]

 

[Slade]

 

[The_DH]

5 hours ago, Terminator said:

After the year we've got him for 5 more seasons of control with 3 option years. Rule 5 picks don't get any better than this.

I do worry about his workload. He's up to 21 innings this year which is already a career high in pro ball.

We only need to have him on the active roster for 90 days in order to avoid any carryover restrictions next year and we are about half way at 45ish days so far.

Maybe he can take Lauer's spot as the bulk starter? Then when Bieber is ready, he can replace Miles who goes to the IL with a phantom injury*?

*assuming the Dodgers aren't the only team allowed to do that

 

I think you've pretty much got it except Yariel Rodriguez will probably do some long innings.  Injury is easy: arm strain.  

[Eat My Shatkins]

Hopefully Yariel is able to find sustained MLB success this time around. The swing and miss is tantalizing. The high walk rate is scary.

 

Seems like the Jays are just teetering on the edge of something great with their pitching staff. 

[Olerud363.354]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  --  It's  Cal Ripken situation.  160 games a year, from 20 to 100 of them injured.

In 2022 he was off to a great start following up 2021 got his hand stepped in NY, didn't blink, hit 2 more homeruns that game, in the lineup next day but had a 4 strike-out game and was mediocre Vlad rest of year. 

April 28th this year hit on fore-arm.  Jumps in pain.  Thinks nothing of it.  Has a couple of good games to finish April at .350 .450 .480.   7 doubles, 2 homers at 430 feet each.   But falls apart completely after that.  Check out April vs May

His exit velocities are awful in May and doesn't have an extra base hit.  Injured I bet.   He probably gets injuries that he should take a week off for.  Plays through them, seems fine at first, but then make it worse and is awful for 30 to 100 days.   

5 days off before the first playoff game, + the 2 off days a week playoff schedule is what got him normal again.

Normal Vlad (New Hampshire, 2021, seconds half 2024, playoffs 2025) -- .330 .430 .600

Injured Vlad (to various levels rest of time) - anywhere from .135 .220 .135 (major injury) to .250 .330 .450 (slight injury)

[Olerud363.354]

2023 there is an injury point too.  Off to good start.  Wrist was hurting in Pittsburgh, took 2 days off and was mediocre the rest of season. 

.320 .393 .539 through 31 games before wrist injury.   .249 .320 .419 after

How long will this last?  Depends how bad the injury,  needs a week off.  Or maybe things will heal eventually I don't, but I bet injured right now. 

[Olerud363.354]

Cal Ripken if you don't know had the great 10 WAR seasons as young, young player, and another at 30.

He mixed .320 .390 .550 seasons with .250 .300 .350 seasons and played 2632 straight games, this all because he, like all players, was injured sometimes, and just went with it. 

Basically Mike Trout but played through the injuries.  So hit like s*** weeks or months at a time. 

I remember people cluing into this when he ended the streak at age 37 as a s***** 90 OPS+ player, and immediately went back to a batting title contending super star with nice power at 38, albeit in only 83 games. 

[jmomcc]

His exit velocities being down might indicate injury. 

I've always thought that Vlad has kind of a sub optimal approach masked a bit by an elite eye, and an elite hit tool. He doesn't expand outside the zone but he swings too much inside the zone for me at the wrong pitches. 

He is so good though that he will still be able to churn out 3/4 win seasons doing it. Like he will get hot again. 

 

[Daniel Labude]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been better than these players so far this year

Shohei Ohtani
Kyle Tucker
Gunnar Henderson
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Cal Raleigh
Ronald Acuna Jr.

 

Just found it hilarious lol

[Laika]

10 minutes ago, Daniel Labude said:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been better than these players so far this year

Shohei Ohtani
Kyle Tucker
Gunnar Henderson
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Cal Raleigh
Ronald Acuna Jr.

 

Just found it hilarious lol

I was just going to post about how bad Ohtani and Raleigh have been

Although it's not really true because of Pitcher Ohtani 

[Olerud363.354]

8 minutes ago, Daniel Labude said:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been better than these players so far this year

Shohei Ohtani
Kyle Tucker
Gunnar Henderson
Fernando Tatis Jr.
Cal Raleigh
Ronald Acuna Jr.

 

Just found it hilarious lol

Don't forget Bo Bichette who is.229 .290 .290 or something with also only 2 homers. 

Crazy game - makes what Aaron Judge has done impressive.  

Never hurt his wrist and couldn't drive the ball.  Never lost his swing mechanics.  Never slugged under .528.  

Never gone 2 months making bad contact.  

Makes sure strike-outs are over 160, otherwise he is swinging at too many bad pitches. 

[Olerud363.354]

Aaron Judge - runs into wall at Dodgers Stadium.  Stubbs toe. 

Refuses to hit ground balls on bad toe and rests a couple of months, short term sad.  Long term happy. 

[Olerud363.354]

Cal Raleigh .157 .238 .320 -0.2 WAR

Ohtani .233 .363 .404

Is it just data wack-a-mole craziness?  

Like these guys do good, opposition uses AI to analyze every at bat.  Find the weakness.  

Or just still tired from last years playoffs? 

[G-Snarls]

Starting Friday the Jays play 17 games in 17 days

Can't do bullpen days during that stretch 

 

What's our starting rotation exactly???

[Brownie19]

52 minutes ago, G-Snarls said:

Starting Friday the Jays play 17 games in 17 days

Can't do bullpen days during that stretch 

 

What's our starting rotation exactly???

You think it matters?