jaysblue

Laika is always 110% correct.

Mets swooped in because of the slow offseason they had to that point and since they were getting criticism all around. As well, they missed out re-signing Alonso, signing Tucker, and other big names. Most importantly, they wanted to block the Phillies from landing Bo, which is why they signed him at all costs, even though logistically it didn't make sense given their roster construction.

Didn't you say that Bo coming back to Toronto was a lock lol.

Also to note, Detroit signed Verlander to $13M a couple weeks ago. Give me Scherzer at $3M over Verlander at $13M every day of the week.

At that price point, there’s virtually no downside. You’re talking about a future Hall of Famer with elite postseason experience, championship pedigree, and one of the most competitive mentalities in the game for depth money. The signing provides: - Rotation insurance if injuries hit - Veteran stability behind the top arms - Mentorship for younger starters - Playoff-caliber experience in high-leverage games

What inside information did you have? You picked him up in every fantasy league at 5pm yesterday haha.

I think the real debate isn’t whether the Toronto Blue Jays offence is “bad” - it’s whether the core guys can realistically repeat what they did in 2025. Start with George Springer. If he gives you something close to last season again - solid OBP, 20-25+ HR power, competitive at-bats at the top - that stabilizes the lineup. He doesn't have to be 2025 Springer. He just has to come close to being that. Then there’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. Even in years where the surface numbers don’t scream MVP, the quality-of-contact metrics remain strong. If he simply repeats 2025 and maybe gets slightly better HR variance like he showed in the Postseason, that’s legitimate middle-of-the-order impact. The bigger concern is depth replacing what’s been lost. The lineup probably doesn’t have as much margin for underperformance anymore. But that doesn’t automatically make it weak. It just makes repeatability more important. If: Springer ≈ 2025 Springer Vlad ≈ 2025 Vlad Other guys repeating like Kirk and Clement with the sticks, and Okamoto being a main piece. The secondary pieces hover around league average and stay healthy. That’s still a functional, competitive AL offence over 162 games. Not elite unless someone breaks out but not bottom-tier either.

Seranthony would have been $10M AAV per year and has been volatile throughout his career. He could be lights out, or he could be extremely wild. Jays also signed Trevor Rogers this offseason. Let's hope someone like Braydon Fisher could step into more leverage spots this season. Maybe even Tommy Nance or Chase Lee emerge as legit late-inning options at some point.

Is there anyone on here who posts and trolls the Orioles hangout? Term would be hilarious on that board haha.

Let's make it 8 haha.

Yeah I would like to see Scherzer make the transition to the pen. Could be interesting. Might be able to give you 60-70 really good elite innings. Not a huge fan of him as a starter, but if the Jays and him are in agreement that he'll start the year on the IL and buildup his arm in April/May/June, could use him for a stretch of 10 or 15 starts mid season (kind of like what the Dodgers did with Kershaw) and then move him to the pen in September/October.

I think if there are injuries in the rotation - or, as you mentioned, if Berríos struggles this spring - Scherzer is likely more of a contingency plan at this point.

Shapiro will be the next MLB commissioner.

I mean, the Jays had IKF on their World Series roster, so it could happen lol.

If they’re hitting near the bottom of the lineup, it’s not nearly as big of an issue. You can’t realistically platoon everyone. Clement and Gimenez are everyday players up the middle. I’d still rather see Varsho in the lineup against a lefty over Straw. Hopefully Barger gets a longer leash against LHP as well. The most logical platoon, in my opinion, is Sanchez and DS in left field.

It's unfortunate that the window here with Bautista was short. They tried in 2013, but that ultimately failed and 2014 wasn't good enough. Definitely enjoyed the ride in both 2015 and 2016, especially since that was the first time the Jays were in the Postseason since 1993. It's too bad Bautista couldn't have pulled off a David Ortiz type career into his later 30's.

Straw shouldn't be used in a platoon with anyone. He's strictly a 4th outfielder/defensive replacement/pinch-runner. I don't want to see Straw getting anywhere near 300 AB's this upcoming season.

Yeah if Lukes still has options, makes the most sense to start him in the minors. The Jays need DS to platoon with Jesus Sanchez. Straw is your 4th outfielder, defensive replacement and pinch runner. Leo Jimenez is your backup infielder who can cover 2B/SS/3B. Heineman backup catcher. There really isn't any room for Lukes now, unless there is an injury somewhere from now till Opening Day.

Jesus turned water into wine. Joey hasn't even done anything close to that.

Did he go pitch in Asia after 2021? Looks like he was out of baseball for a couple years.

Cruz was designated for assignment earlier by the Rangers, but yeah he still stayed in their system afterwards. Muncy signed a MiLB deal with the Dodgers in 2017. Tigers signed Martinez to a MiLB deal in 2014. Turner signed a MiLB deal with the Dodgers in 2014.

Not arguing that Clement didn't turn out to be a solid player last season, but Jays24 asked about the hitting side of things.

I guess you have a thing for sub 100 wRC+ bats.

Ah okay. Thought Paredes was going to DH or play 2B. Wonder where he plays now.

Altuve plays outfield for them now, and they have Yordan who likely occupies another corner spot. Meyers isn't anything flashy, but posted a 2.3 WAR last season and a 107 wRC+ as their CF. Cole, Smith and Loperfido are fine depth options.