Blue Jays Discussion Thread (2026)

[glory]

34 minutes ago, BTS said:

That's the bones of a last-place team in the ALE, especially if Vlad doesn't remember how to hit 

Yeah, the same lineup with a one armed Santander who has missed essentially two straight seasons in his 30's replacing Springer isn't going to make a dent even with internal improvement. Vlad would have to be a 5 WAR player again, and he's done that exactly twice in his career. Signing Arozarena or Suzuki (both 32 next season) would improve the team but seems pretty risky given their age. Not many other real options in free agency. They'd also need rotation help with Cease, Yesavage, and Ponce coming off a lost season being their only SP's.

 

[Orgfiller]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

That's the bones of a last-place team in the ALE, especially if Vlad doesn't remember how to hit 

If Vlad doesn't remember how to hit we might be irredeemably f***ed lol. A $500M 1B who doesn't hit is a franchise breaking type of anchor. Even Pujols was cranking 20+ HR when he fully lost his legs, prime Vlad can't even crack .100 ISO jfc.

[John_Havok]

9 hours ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

This season has gone down the pishadoo, what are the building blocks for next season?

About $200 million estimated luxury tax payroll according to fangraphs, key arb eligible guys are Sanchez, Varland, Ernie, Lukes..

C - Kirk / Valenzuela

1B - Vladdy

2B - Clement

3B - Okamoto

SS - Giminez

OF - Barger, Santander, Lukes, Sanchez, Clase, Pinango, Straw (if $8m option picked up)

SP - Cease, Yesavage, Ponce, Miles

RP - Varland, Rogers, Hoffman, Fisher, Fluharty

Should have lots of money to spend if Rogers doesn't cut back on the budget.

Hopefully they can get some lottery tickets for Springer, Varsho, Gausman and Bieber.

Arb wont be a big deal. Clement, Lukes and Sanchez dont have the right stats that arb rewards. Varland only has 1 season of saves, so his counting stats will also not be overly impacting.