jaysblue

Yeah Barnes is the guy to build around. Siakam and OG need to be moved for picks and other young players.

We came close last season, other than Manoah. Good thing Ryu came in and pitched alright afterwards in his 11 starts. It's going to be tough to expect the same results in 2024 from everyone in the rotation.

Anyone going to the Leafs games in Cali after New Years? Will be likely be going to either the Kings or Ducks game haha.

As long as he wasn't brought in as an everyday player, I have no issue with IKF. In reality he will start a couple games per week all over the diamond, but again mostly he was brought in as a depth guy and for his versatility.

IKF is pretty much a super utility guy who could play at any position. Heck he even caught in 2018 and 2019. As a versatile bench option, don't mind at all. As long as he isn't a full time starter. I still expect him to get around 250-300 PA most likely around the diamond all over though.

As a bench option and depth for 3B, I don't mind it. Wish he came on a 1-year deal instead but oh well. IKF isn't going to block anyone at 3B. Jays could still bring in another 3B option via trade like Polanco or Adames or Moncada. Espinal is likely gone now I suppose. No need for him. Let's hope the next couple of moves the Jays make are for a big bat at DH like Hoskins or JDM.

I love the KK signing. The Jays needed a strong defensive 4th outfielder who could cover CF and who could start a couple times per week if needed, which most likely is the case. Still should be good for 1.5 - 2 WAR. Will be interesting to see what other outfielder the Jays bring in to play LF or to split time with KK in CF. I know some posters including myself preferred having Varsho starting in CF and most likely I think he should be given the chance everyday to play in CF. KK will play some CF as well, but I hope Varsho is the main guy at least since he's younger and under club control for another 3 years. Regardless, Varsho needs to hit better period whether he plays in CF or LF. At the end of the day, Varsho is hitting either #7-9 in the lineup, which will be fine. I think the Jays will land one of the DH bats - Hoskins or JDM or maybe Turner. They could afford paying Hoskins or JDM around $20M on a one-year deal. Turner wouldn't be a bad option if you can't sign Hoskins and JDM and as mentioned could play some 3B if need be. I still think the trade market is the best route to bringing in a third baseman.

If KK is going to be on the strong side of platoon, Grichuk for some pop might not be that bad to have mainly hitting against RHP. Could also play all around the OF as well in case. Would prefer Duvall but Grichuk isn't a bad option either if he's cheaper. Would hope the Jays go big on a DH like Hoskins or JDM though.

Yeah I see KK likely as a guy who gets around 300-400 PA's next season. Nothing more. Nice guy to bring in for depth which is what the team really needed.

Awesome and happy to see KK back in Toronto! Nice OF depth to have and someone who could play CF if need be. Can't go wrong with one-year at $10.5M. Hope they go out and sign Duvall now!

I'd rather pay Bellinger a higher AAV if it meant shaving 2 or 3 years off his contract.

Buon Natale!

Didn't I just say I would be open if he signed a George Springer like contract? Springer signed 6 years at $150M.

I think I've stated numerous times if Bellinger's asking price becomes more reasonable like something similar to what George Springer signed for, I'm open to it. As long as his contract doesn't end up being an albatross. 8 years is a lot as well. The max I would sign Bellinger is for 5 to 6 years.

What makes you think I want to punt the 2024 season and where did I ever suggest or say that?

Last season: Bellinger: 4.1 WAR Soler: 1.9 WAR Hernandez: 1.8 WAR Just one example: Kiermaier 2.2 WAR + Adam Duvall 1.9 WAR = 4.1 WAR

If the Jays sign Bellinger for over $200M, Chapman for over $100M and Teo or Soler for $60M, do you think they'll have the financial flexibility next offseason or the offseason after to sign an elite player or arm?

Exactly. The Jays could likely sign one or two outfielders mentioned above on one-year deals and they provide the same value as one of Teo, Soler or Bellinger would.

Haha nope. What I meant by payroll flexibility heading into next offseason was in regards to not signing any long term deals that could hinder their spending on next years FA class and focus on one-year contracts instead. I stated the Jays should sign Hoskins or JDM and give them $20M or w/e they want for one-year. I also said it would be nice if the Jays could trade for Polanco or Adames to play 3B as well. That's not punting the 2024 season.

Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, and Happy Holidays to everyone on the board.

Payroll flexibility heading into next offseason would be my main focus so I would definitely target players to one-year deals which likely could be done. Blue Jays could still roll out a really solid team if they went that route, especially since we have to expect some of their main bats like Vladdy, Springer, Varsho, and Kirk to bounce back somewhat. I would sign one of Hoskins or JDM to DH to a one-year contract. Give them between $18-22M. I would sign two outfielders with one of them being a defensive specialist who could play CF whether it's KK, Bader or Taylor. Like Term said, can't just forget about defense and I agree. Sign someone to pair with one of them like Duvall, Pederson, Pham or Hicks. Would take a look at a reclamation project like Meadows or Gallo if the Jays have the roster space. As for 3B, I think the trade market is probably the best bet. Would either target someone like Polanco or Adames or Moncada. If the Jays decided to go with someone risky like Moncada or one of the other weaker FA's or someone in-house, wouldn't mind signing a vet bat at 3B like Evan Longoria who you could give 200-300 PA's as some depth. If the Jays had to trade Kikuchi or Manoah for a 3B or for something else, would sign someone like Montas, Paxton, Alex Wood or Lauer to a one-year deal. Would sign an arm like Jake Junis for rotation depth and as a BP arm if there is roster space. Would have to trade an arm like Richards most likely or just wouldn't bring in another bench bat like Longoria or someone so would carry 13 bats and 13 pitchers if Richards is kept. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Lineup: RF Springer SS Bichette 1B Guerrero Jr. DH Hoskins or Martinez LF (Pederson or Hicks or Kiermaier or Meadows or Gallo with Duvall or Pham or Taylor or Bader) C Jansen / Kirk CF Varsho 3B Polanco or Moncada 2B Biggio / Schneider *Lineup changes/flexibility depending on which bats are playing* Bench: C Kirk/Jansen 2B Biggio/Schneider OF second half of the platoon who isn't starting 2B/SS Espinal 3B Longoria =14 bats Rotation: Guasman Berrios Bassitt Kikuchi or one FA SP Manoah or one FA SP Romano Swanson Mayza Green Garcia Cabrera Junis =12 pitchers

Entertaining game with the Bills and Chargers tonight. A lot closer than expected and Chargers put up a good fight. Glad the Bills came through and got the W. Let's go Cowboys! Put $100 down on Cowboys for tomorrow!

Raptors pretty much stuck in limbo. This team is lucky if they sneak into a Play-In game and even if they do, they likely get eliminated in the first round if they make it through. Or they come in 11th or 12th, and not even get a high pick. Best to just trade Siakam, OG and Trent at the deadline, since they're not going anywhere with these guys anyways. Trade Dennis Schroder and Poeltl as well if you could. Build around Scottie Barnes. No point in winning between 30-35 games.

Feel sorry for the Leafs fans who drove down to Buffalo to watch that garbage!

I saw Manuel Beltre play when I was in Dunedin last summer.