jaysblue

Laika stated the Braves rode 3-4 assets into the ground before trading them when their value was higher. I countered and asked are they the only team who that applies to? If the Blue Jays decide to keep Manoah for 2024 in hopes he bounces back, but doesn't, isn't that mismanagement as well? How is that any different than the Soroka situation? Manoah's value isn't that high right now to begin with, so I understand if the Jays FO wants to take the chance on Manoah bouncing back and rebuilding his value. Would rather hold onto Manoah for another year than trade him for a way inferior player or package. No different than what the Braves did with Soroka. Every team sometimes rides an asset or assets to where they're worth nothing. It happens. It's not just an Atlanta thing.

Some posters on here still value Manoah quite highly. As well, do you know where the Jays stand with Manoah? Do they think he could bounce back in 2024? How about Vladdy as well? If he has another 1 WAR season in 2024, will Laika criticize Atkins for riding his biggest asset at one point into the ground where he is worth nothing?

I guess the Braves are the only organization who ride assets to the point where they are worth nothing? If Manoah doesn't rebound in 2024, can we say the same thing about Atkins if he non-tenders or trades away Manoah for pennies in 2025? Jays could trade Manoah now, but then you'll have people saying don't trade him when his value is this low. How is that any different with Soroka? How about Nate Pearson? Julian Merryweather?

I mean none of us really know anything when it comes to any MLB trade and which players do and don't get a deal done, unless we're in the conference room when the talks are happening. Just was commenting and discussing the trade on a baseball forum like we all do. I doubt Nicky Lopez produces a 6 WAR season again given his age and skillset. Too bad Atkins never traded for him.

How do you know that? Soroka's value was probably unchanged from last year to this year. Maybe the Braves wanted to hang onto Soroka for one more season to see if he could make a full recovery rather than just give up on him a year earlier. He got some starts in 2023, didn't work and got injured again. So time to move on. Shuster and Shewmake would have had to take up spots on the 40-man roster and likely weren't going to contribute anyways. Their values took a huge hit in comparison to when they were drafted.

So what's the point you're trying to make? Braves still need a backup IF so yeah it wouldn't have been a bad idea to keep Lopez around in that role. Which is what I said. Offensively he's awful and offers literally no power. He isn't posting a 6 WAR season again even if he's a starting somewhere. In 2022, with 480 PA, he still only produced 1.2 WAR. He's wasn't going to start with the Braves unless an injury opened up some regular playing time for him.

I bet $20 on the Jays signing Ohtani, which pays $75. Buys me a couple rounds of beers out at a bar!

I'm all for Ohtani, and definitely think it would create a huge buzz and excitement around this franchise, for this city and country overall. It's a big contract and if things don't pan out the way you like, it's a huge contract for a team like the Blue Jays to absorb after. Ohtani is almost 30-years-old which some people forget. If Ohtani doesn't return to being the pitcher he was, you're paying $50-60M for a DH or corner OF above 30 over the next 10 years.

Probably can take on another player from the Padres if it means trading away less talent in a deal for Soto. Like taking on Cronenworth but not a fan of him being under control till 2030. He did post 4.2 WAR seasons in 2021 and 2022 and would fill the open 2B slot on the roster next season.

lol I was pretty objective in my assessment of that trade unlike some of the Atkins shills on here when it comes to the Jays FO. Braves goal was to clear room off the roster. Other teams knew the Braves were either going to have to non-tender some guys or trade them. Instead of losing them all for nothing, AA was able to acquire a very solid LHP bullpen piece in Bummer, who is under club control for 3 more seasons at a very reasonable salary. I probably would have still kept Nicky Lopez around as a backup MI since he has shown he could be valuable in that roll and probably would have only cost $4-5M in 2024. If Soroka returns to his 2019 form, that's the deal breaker, but I think it's very unlikely given all the injuries he's had over the past 4 years. Time will tell. Braves aren't losing sleep over this trade with the depth they already have.

Send me a wise offer

What is really insane about it? From looking at this deal, you can wonder and ask why the Braves traded 5 players/ex-prospects for a reliever. At first glance, I asked that as well. Though I understand the Braves standpoint and reasoning. They cleared a lot of room on their 40-man roster which was their main goal. They saved some money on questionable players/pitchers that really had no place on their roster unless injuries cleared a path for them. It wasn't a secret to the other 29 teams in the league. We'll see who else the Braves add via free agency or trade this offseason before we cast final judgment on this deal as a whole. Soroka hasn't been fully healthy since 2019 and was going to become more expensive. Braves had no room for him in the rotation with Strider, Fried, Elder, and Morton, especially they bring in another top FA arm. Lopez is unlikely to produce a 6 WAR season again haha but yeah I would have kept him around as middle infield insurance. Shuster is most likely a No. 4-5 starter if he pans out. The rest are ex-highly touted prospects who have really fallen in value. Bummer will make $5.5 million in 2024, along with two club options one for $7.25 million in ’25 and one for $7.5 million in ’26. Braves have Bummer under control possibly for three seasons at a very reasonable salary considering what other free agent relievers have demanded on the open market. As well, the Braves fortify their bullpen by adding another real tough lefty to pair with Minter and Matzek. Bummer has a 66% ground ball rate since he debuted, which is second best in all of baseball. Overall, Braves traded a bunch of spare parts who weren't going to have an impact on their roster in 2024 and who were going to become more expensive. Speaks volumes to how good the Braves 40-man roster is built overall.

CES available in BORED

I'm already purchasing a customized Jays jersey with Ohtani's name on it! I actually have an Ohtani Nippon Ham-Fighters Jersey I bought in Japan when I was there in 2017 haha!

You want him in the DDL as well?

I've always been a big Arozarena fan. Sure the price is high though. He's still under control for three more seasons. Estimated he'll get around $7-8M in arbitration.

You should create a list for all of us on the BJMB!

Great suggestion on Drury for 3B. Would definitely welcome a reunion.

Yeah I think Votto retires if he doesn't get an MLB deal from someone. Donaldson may sign for a minor league deal before spring training if he's left unsigned. Same with Winker due to his injury concerns.

Ohtani Team Opening Day 2024 odds (Jays ranked third in Vegas): Dodgers - 1.90 Rangers - 5.50 Blue Jays - 6.50 Cubs - 8.00 Giants - 9.00 Mets - 9.00 Yankees - 9.00 Red Sox - 13.00

I agree that the Jays should take a run at Bregman if the Astros make him available. Bieber is interesting as well since Cleveland always likes to move arms when they're close to free agency. You can't sign both Donaldson and Votto here to get regular AB's haha. I don't mind bringing in one of them in as a veteran presence for one of the last roster spots on the bench. There is no room to roster both of them. Winker isn't a bad target as a bounce back for a LF/DH bat, but Jays would have had to strikeout on a lot of other players in free agency to go that route. Plus, heard about Winkers attitude so not sure he would be a great fit. Would not trade Bo for Adames haha. I doubt Whit is coming back to Toronto. He still likely get's a 1 year deal worth around $10-12M with a club option somewhere to play everyday.

Lets see your list buddy!

I am confused? I said the Yankees could be a possible spot for Ohtani. Dodgers are still the No. 1 team to sign him most likely, but never count the Yankees out when it comes to a big name FA. As well, NYC is a huge market and the Yankee pinstripes always have a huge appeal to a lot of baseball players. Ohtani would be a perfect fit there if he wants to play in the Pinstripes.

They have been a frustrating team to watch this season. How many wins to they have in regulation? Just 5? They need to start playing better hockey. The Leafs are lucky if they get past R1 again in the Playoffs with the way they're playing currently.