John_Havok

Yeah the only guy without options is White. Parsons has 1 option left, Francis has 1, Manoah has 2, Yariel has 1 contractually allowed option that had to be used this season if it's ever to be used.

Then I guess you and the dictionary have very different definitions of definitive.

Astro's GM Dana Brown via interview on MLB Network Radio today talking about exploring pen upgrades: “We are talking to clubs about trades,” Brown said, “I can’t get into that, but we definitely are having conversations about trades… we’re always looking at ways and avenues that we can get better, and if we can get better we’re going to make moves.” Who's got a deal for them and the Jays that makes sense?

I hold an irrational hope that some people can be educated out of ignorance, if they want to be.

I'm gonna write this date down. It's not everyday a sociopath admits an error. You are making progress.

Is it possible that he figured something out from the last time you saw him pitch in an MLB game... or no? Not saying he has, just asking if you think the possibility actually exists.

The skepticism on White i can certainly understand, but why skeptical on Kikuchi? He showed throughout the entirely of 2023 he was capable of making the needed adjustments and had a really good season. Also, If he goes with Tiedemann from the get go, he'll be done his innings cap by like, July most likely. Why not start with a guy like Francis who's already built up a ton more innings in 2023 and also looks capable of at least being a solid #5? Hopefully Gausman starts the season healthy and this will be a moot point but, hell we might even see 3 of Parsons, White, Francis and Tiedemann on the 26 man roster if he's not. Follow up, I'd rather they sign Montgomery over Snell at this point if they choose to go the route of signing another guy rather than going with internal options. Snell's penalties in the draft due to the Jays luxury tax spending would basically make this year's draft pointless.

Read it again. I'm talking about negatively judging Kikuchi (or other pitchers) for giving up a HR in ST. And if you think that doesn't happen, you're not reading the board very much during spring GDTs. Anyways, I'm not calling anyone out individually, just providing context as to why Kikuchi was throwing almost nothing but fastballs early in the game despite the bad results. You really see things in statements that aren't there... a lot.

I wont put too much into the HR today as a negative on Kikuchi. Kikuchi went into the game with the specific goal of focusing on finishing his delivery with the fastball which had been identified as an issue from his side sessions. He walked a few early on as he was still having issues and kept at it until he figured it out. Had it been a game scenario you know he wouldn't have thrown 3 straight in the same spot. The fact that he threw it exactly where he wanted to rather than losing it up and in, which had been his problem with the pitch to a LHB, or up and away to a RHB, was good. I mean, sure , credit to Holliday for mashing a mashable pitch, its what he should do. But in a regular season scenario 0-2, he would've got the slider or curve on the next pitch. And his next PA he struck out Holliday on three pitches and made him look silly. That first PA is probably the ideal representation as to why fans shouldn't overreact to stuff in ST, especially pitchers (Manoah notwithstanding - though his issues are decidedly different from what Kikuchi's are). This early on they're still working on specific things on specific pitches and not caring about perfect sequencing or results.

none of what he said are definitive roster determinations.

Regarding the opt-outs, there are 3 and they are mandatory for any minor league free agent signing for MLB veterans that have at least 6 full years of service time AND ended the previous season on a roster or injury list. AS long as they sign the minor league deal before there are 10 days left before opening day they can opt if they haven’t been added to the 40-man roster: five days before Opening Day, May 1 and June 1 Votto obviously falls into that category, Escobar would too. Vogelbach doesnt have 6 years of service time after last season, but 5 years 138 days.

Love the passion, but.... Molitor was signed at 36 and had just come off a 140 OPS+ season. He still had a ton in the tank that was easy to see. Winfield is a closer comparison as he was signed for his age 40 season, and had come off his worst season (by his standards) but had still produced a 120 OPS+ Neither had missed significant time due to injury in the preceding season, and in Votto's case its two straight seasons missing time. The deck is stacked firmly against him. I hope he turns back the clock too, just for the sake that it would help the Jays win. Would be a cool story too

Undoubtedly would provide more of a power threat off the bench than Espinal would in that role.

Could be why Savant was having trouble classifying it. That arm slot and release certainly adds a layer of deception that probably allows it to play up?

Francis looks quite capable. The way his curve tunnels off the fastball, I can imagine that would be really hard to pick up as a hitter, especially since he doesn't have that long loopy kind of curve that humps up noticeably out of the hand.

Cooke's breaking stuff is nasty. Fastball ... not so much.

if there's no takers on waivers he's a free agent.

Im not that optimistic either. I think his 4+ win seasons are in the past. I could see ~3 though

Yeah, just that there's a ton of teams between the Jays and a successful claim. they'd be 22nd in line or something.

Interesting.... releasing a guy instead of keeping a clearly useful player around until you find a decent trade is kinda nuts. This would follow the NL first, reverse order of 2023 standings, then AL reverse order claiming procedures would it not? Would the Jays even have a shot at being successful at claiming him?

Probably yes. But a gradual decline vs a cliff. Would it really shock anyone to Springer put up 2.5 fWAR this season? no. Would it shock people if Springer was replacement level? Yes. It's probably more likely he gets hurt than it is that he outright sucks.

And before people misconstrue my arguement here, im not saying the last 3 years of his contract are likely to provide positive value, it certainly will not, but it also wont be anywhere near the levels of Rendon, Chris Davis, Cano... etc.

Good luck with that. It was signed knowing it could suck on the back end, which ... it's still not even really doing yet. Last season 2.2 fWAR at 8 million per win = 17.6 million in value, or -7.4 million against the AAV. First 3 seasons combined... 72 million in value for 75 million. Of course it's more likely the last 3 seasons trend downward rather than up, but it's not an albatross by any stretch unless he turns into a replacement level player almost instantly.

Changeup is that elusive 2nd pitch.