jaysblue

Fails as in meaning winning the World Series? I think it will come down to how this teams looks during the course of the 162 game season. If they struggle in some areas and are a borderline WC team again like they were in 2023 which exits in the WC round, most likely. If the team looks much better over 162 games than they did in 2023, I think that will be the deciding factor. Even if they have an early WC or ALDS exit.

Facts. Nobody really in the farm system who could be used as assets to make a big trade, other than Tiedemann but he alone isn't enough. The remaining players in this free agent class aren't going to move the needle a whole lot, even if you spend $300M on Belly + Chapman. If the Jays want to be a 95-100 win team, it will all come down to what Vladdy the Jays get in 2024, and hoping for bounce backs from some key guys like Kirk, Varsho, Manoah and Springer. They could add some wins but they don't have to spend over $300M and tie themselves up financially long term to do so.

Where did I say punt 2024? The Jays could still build a very competitive roster without having to spend over $300M combined on both Belly and Chapman.

Dodgers sign Ohtani and Yamamoto: "Salary Cap needed!" If the Blue Jays signed Ohtani and Yamamoto: *crickets*

The Jays would have to spend over $300M combined on Belly and Chapman, which won't move the needle much and likely prevent them from signing anyone else next off-season or after. They have to replace Bo and Vladdy as well after 2025.

Yup the problem like you says it ties up that money from being able to sign or trade for someone else down the road, next offseason or the offseason after etc. The Blue Jays aren't the Yankees who could just ignore the bad contract. If the Jays sign Belly to $200M, likely will limit them from signing another top FA and plus this team will likely be losing Bo and Vladdy after 2025.

I do agree with Jonn to an extent regarding Bellinger. Jays could really regret handing him a contract close to $200M or more. The Jays aren't the Yankees who could just write off the bad contract and not care. Belly's contract if he under performs during it could setback this team in the long term and prevent them from signing other elites FA's in future offseason's. Look at Springer's contract - we've already finished Year 3 of 6 and the last 3 years of his contract look worrisome after the season he just had. Belly is a risky FA to sign to a long term contract given his streaky track record and stats. The time to sign him was last offseason like the Cubs did for one-year at $17.5M where they managed to get a 4 WAR season from him. Also, add to the fact that the Jays would be signing Belly to play in LF and occasionally in CF when Varsho isn't playing. Better to just sign Hoskins to a one-year $18-20M contract as a DH for his pop and target another bat for LF. Save that money for a better FA down the road.

Cook was amazing against the Cowboys. Bills definitely riding some great momentum. If they get into the Playoffs, the AFC is wide open. Only Baltimore is really a threat

I wonder if Teoscar is open to signing a one-year deal or does he think he could get a 3-4 year deal now since LGJ got 3 years from the D'Backs. If we could sign Teo on a one-year deal, sign me up! Hoskins or JDM at DH, with Teo in LF are both sweet additions offensively and stopgap solutions! Duvall would be an excellent 4th OF option/platoon guy. Posted 1.9 WAR last season in 92 games and some nice pop.

Aren't Schneider and Biggio most likely heading into 2024 at 2B? Yeah the other guys you mentioned are nice depth options, but I wouldn't write in their names as starters just yet. Doesn't hurt to sign some FA's who you think could bounce back and provide value to cheap one-year deals. If they don't work out, then you have Lopez, Barger and Orelvis who you could bring up. Taylor definitely would be a nice add as a 4th outfielder, agreed. I don't think Bellinger should be offered a blank cheque however because the Jays lost out on Ohtani. Like Max said, if they lower their demands and his contract could be similar to Springer's or maybe a bit more, then not a problem. Yeah 3B is really the black hole on this team right now. Trade market seems like the best route. Adames would be nice if the Brewers are open to moving him. Bregman would be my target next offseason for sure.

Did I say Vlad would be traded straight up for Soto?

Why don't you offer up some names or potential stopgap targets?

Why don't you start throwing some names out there and brainstorming rather than criticizing only? Heck, even when I suggested back in October or earlier in the offseason that San Diego could be looking to move some players to shake things up like Soto and possibly Machado/Tatis, you said those ideas were ridiculous.

So does that justify signing Bellinger to over $200M and/or signing Chapman to over $100M?

What are you bickering about now? Again you try to create confrontations and arguments around here for no reason. Atkins has proven to do a very solid job at signing 1-year stopgap solutions such as with Semien, Ray, and last offseason with Belt and KK. I trust that him and the FO could make similar signings this offseason again, whether its with someone like Hoskins and/or someone like Gallo/Meadows for LF etc. Bellinger would be a nice signing if him and Boras drop their demands and their asking price becomes more reasonable, but I just don't want to offer a blank cheque to him just because the Jays lost out on Ohtani and missed out on trading for Soto.

You should list your suggestions Spanky and offer something to the discussion at least.

Did we think Belt in 2023 was going to produce 2.3 WAR for 9M? Or KK 2.2 WAR for $9M? Sometimes you have to make those types of signings to fill out your MLB roster. Sometimes you get lucky and they work out or sometimes they don't. Which platoon option in LF do you think could work? Throw out some names and offer to the discussion at least. I agree that going with Gallo + Taylor or another platoon combination in LF might not pan out. It very well could or it might not. Atkins gets so much praise around here for signing Belt and KK last offseason. Though now nobody wants him to make those types of moves or FA signings which is ironic. Obviously Gallo/Taylor or whatever platoon they decide for LF isn't going to be the highlight of their offseason. Go out and sign Hoskins or JDM for $18-20M to be your DH and trade for a solid 3B. You can't have a perfect roster all around. There are definitely some intriguing pieces in LF who could be bounce back candidates and buy low options as FA's, so why not try to target those types of players for LF if that is the last area to address? I'm all up for signing someone like Teo or Soler, but do we really want to commit to them for 3 to 4 years at close to $18M each season, when that ties up potential funds next offseason from signing a more elite FA like Soto or Bregman? We could very well sign Chapman, Bellinger and/or one of Teo or Soler, but then count the Jays out on Soto, Bregman, Wheeler or Fried next offseason.

Adames could be a nice target if you moved him to 3B. Only one-year of control left, so he wouldn't be that expensive to acquire. Target him or Polanco.

I prefer Longoria. There was a famous Longoria on Desperate Housewives and the casuals will definitely make the connection lol.

Yeah once he went to the Yankees, he wasn't the same. I think that definitely did impact his performance somewhat. Toronto is a bit different obviously. Not as much pressure and even if he's brought in, it's as a platoon bat who likely will hit near the bottom of the lineup. He won't be the main signing of the Jays offseason and won't be batting 4th or 5th here. So don't think he'll receive the same scrutiny as someone like Vlad or let's say Varsho.

Yeah there definitely will be competition for both Soto and Springer. If the Jays were willing to spend around $600M on Ohtani, the money is there for them to land a big fish or two. Atkins for example signed Springer the top FA during the 2020/2021 offseason, so Jays definitely can land Soto or Bregman if they offer the most years and/or money. If Boras and Bellinger both lower their demands like you said, then I'm definitely on board with bringing in Belly. If you can land him on a similar contract to Springer, I'm all for it.

Yeah those are legit concerns. But like Laika said, you can't be perfect everywhere. There is some upside with him still and there is a chance a platoon could provide some nice value. At the same time, there is a chance Gallo flops. But finding another bat for LF shouldn't be an issue in June or July, worst case scenario. This is all if the Jays want to go the "stopgap" route this offseason, where every FA signing is only a one-year deal. The more I think of it, would prefer the Jays to go that route if it means they are willing to spend big next offseason on a bat like Soto or Bregman, or even an arm like Fried or Wheeler.

If Gallo hits 30+ HR's and provides a strong glove wherever he plays, I think we can stomach him hitting like Max Muncy. He posted a 4.1 WAR in 2021. Still think he's capable of giving you 2-3 WAR if used properly. Taylor the last three seasons has posted a 2.1, 1.5 and 1.7 WAR. I'm sure if he's given around 350-400 PA's again, he can likely produce a WAR between 1.5 and 2.0. Sure it's not a guarantee these guys work out. Bellinger might not work out as well. Difference is one is a $200+ million investment versus a 1-year stopgap option. Jays will have financial flexibility again in the 2024/2025 offseason to go big on someone like Soto or Bregman.

Yeah you can't be perfect everywhere agreed, and even signing Bellinger to $200+ million isn't perfect. Gallo is still just 30 and in 2021 put together a 4.1 WAR season with 38 HR's. I think if he's used properly (against RHP) and if he makes a slight adjustment or two like you said, the Jays could squeeze every bit of value out of him. He could also play multiple positions like LF, CF, 1B and maybe some 3B. So he's strictly not just a corner OF or DH. Can be flexible with the lineup which is nice. There is definitely upside with him. Let's say if the Jays signed JDM or Hoskins as a DH, Gallo likely is still hitting near the bottom of the lineup anyways. No higher than 6th.

Nice buy low option and bounce back candidate. If there is room, would definitely bring him into the mix.