jaysblue

Yeah so far the Jays haven't made any moves this offseason which makes me say "they are definitely better than last year." Right now if things stay the status quo, only way they're better is if certain players have big bounce backs. They still have time to add, so hoping they could get one of JDM or Hoskins or Soler on the right deal and make a splash in the pen like with a Josh Hader. KK and IKF were nice depth pieces, but even still if both get around 400-500 PA, likely looking at 2 WAR max if lucky. Need to make up for the lost WAR from Chapman to IKF, if the Jays plan on having IKF starting a majority of games at third. Also, need to still replace Belt and other pieces like Hicks. Right now, I don't see them being anything more than an 88-90 win team.

Stroman to the Yankees on a two-year deal.

Raps vs. Clippers tonight. Tough always playing a back to back especially after last night's max effort.

Yeah Kole Calhoun is a good comparison if we're talking worst case. Granderson is a great comp as well. Might sneak in a random 40 HR season somewhere for sure.

If Varsho can turn into Kyle Schwarber or Max Muncy with his bat, I think we all would take that along with his superior D. He still has a lot to prove before we consider him a consistent 4-5 WAR player. Even after an awful season in 2023, he still posted a 2.3 WAR. He's entering his age 27 season, so he either stays as a 2 WAR type of guy or he fulfills his potential of being a 4-5 WAR player like he was in 2022. Let's hope he improves his offensive numbers and that his 2022 season wasn't a fluke. Not writing off Varsho just yet, but if he doesn't turn things around in 2024, I'll start to be worried.

With all the arms available, shocked some of these arms are getting 2-year deals worth that much in terms of AAV like Giolito, but I suppose some of these teams banking on their upside. Manaea was a 3 WAR pitcher in 2021 and wasn't as bad as his ERA indicated last season. Plus Citi Field helps as well. If he opts out, means he had a 3 WAR season. So benefit to both him and the Mets. If he's average like 1.5-2 WAR, it's not the end of the world.

Higher percentages that he gets a rotation spot with the Angels versus a team like the Blue Jays. A lot of these types of arms will sign with teams like the Angels, Rockies, A's, Nationals, etc.

Yeah the offense isn't Oakland A's bad obviously and if some of the key bats bounce back, this lineup takes a big step forward. But we can't just leave that to chance, when there are bats out there on the FA market who could still help like JDM, Hoskins, Pederson, Turner, Teo, Soler, Duvall, etc. Even if the key guys bounce back, with one or two of those FA bats, that's even better. Need to improve the lineup anyway possible within reason and it shouldn't be ignored heading into next season especially after what they saw in 2023. In terms of the Rogers Centre, if it's environmental due to the new renovations, wouldn't that blame be put on Shapiro? This FO is filled with geeks, so you think they would have been able to adjust to those environmental conditions understanding the impacts of the new dimensions. I guess that takes a year or two of data still. But regardless, if they knew the new renovations were going to have a negative impact on the offensive environment at the Rogers Centre, why even make the renovations when this team is in their prime window years of contention? Like why mess that up? To appease the casual fans so they could sit up at the Corona Rooftop? As for the teams mental health and skills department, 100% agreed. Baseball is a very psychological and mental game. Maybe hitting at the Rogers Centre, living up to his fathers name, and pressure of winning maybe is impacting Vlad's performance when he plays at home. I used to be a big John Lannon fan when he was with the Nats. He could fix anything.

Yeah or Evan Longoria if the team decided to bring in a vet with some pop to maybe get 300 or so AB's. I don't want to see IKF starting 150+ games at 3B and his bat penciled in the lineup every single day.

With IKF being in the fold, Jays could roster Polanco and play him at 3B and 2B occasionally. He doesn't have to start 140 or 150 games at 3B with IKF here. Likely could get him in for 60-80 games at 3B, and use IKF as a defensive replacement later in games.

I think Jorge Polanco becomes a Blue Jay this month. He would be a great fit here. Could play him between 2B and 3B. Nice switch hitter as well to have in the lineup. Twins don't have a spot for him in the lineup, so they for sure move him.

I don't mind Soler, but he does comes with some more risk especially if you sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal. Would prefer either JDM, Hoskins or Pederson on a one-year deal.

Would have been nice to have Brantley here as a DH/LF but not sure Brantley would have been a great fit with the Jays after the KK signing. They need some power now, so hopefully they add a bat who could DH and/or play sparingly in the OF with 30 HR potential. Still think they need two more bats - someone like Pederson, JDM or Hoskins for the DH spot and another outfielder RHB with some pop like Duvall or Grichuk. Not opposed to Soler but would rather target guys like Pederson, JDM or Hoskins who likely would sign a 1-year or 2-year deal max.

Was at the Kings game last night, which was a lot of fun. Paid $225 CAD for seats 9 rows up next to the Leafs bench. Those seats at the Scotia Arena would be easily +$500 each.

Big applaud for Dick Pole. He is the hero this board needs!

RJ averaging 18 PPG, 4 RBP, 2 APG so not bad at all offensively. I'm assuming defensively he isn't that great when on the floor. DeMar DeRozan type upside though at least?

Juan Pierre was a fun player. Slap hitting corner OF who could steal a ton of bases. As a kid in the early 2000's always liked him. Had some great years with the Marlins!

I would bet the under 1.5 fWAR with Green next season.

Yeah I think the most likely player they trade would be Bo if they are leaning towards making a big franchise altering move. Bo still has the most value, whereas Vladdy's value has taken a hit over the past two seasons. Maybe that's why they signed IKF as insurance in case they can't acquire a better shortstop offensively if they trade Bo. If they do move Bo, they could target Adames via trade or free agency next season. From the sounds of it, the Jays want to work with Vlad and help him make those adjustments, so probably they're not looking to trade him at this exact moment.

Yeah if the Blue Jays were to make a massive franchise altering deal, likely involves either Bo, Vladdy or someone like Gausman. I think Bo and/or Vlad are the most likely. They have two years remaining, still young and have upside. Trading one or both of them changes the makeup of the team for sure. Jays likely are past the point of a contract extension with both so might as well move them now if it means getting other elite MLB talent back to help the roster and to shake things up. Can't see the Jays moving Gausman given he's their ace, would be tougher to replace and on a great contract but who knows. Obviously Atkins isn't done, and we all know it's been a slow offseason not just for the Jays but most of baseball. Things should start picking up this month and looking forward to seeing what the Jays could do.

HAHAHAHAHAHA I cried laughing out of my seat! That was hilarious! Love Gibby!

Frenchsoup trying to catch up to Spanky.

Giolito did post a 4.1 WAR season in 2021, 2.0 WAR season in 2020, and a 5.2 WAR season in 2019. Had K/9 rates of 10.13, 12.07 and 11.62 during those three seasons. At first glance when I saw the deal, yuck. But Red Sox paying an extra couple of dollars for the upside. He's still only 29 and they've done a good job in the past with broken down pitchers and helping turn their career back around e.g. Nathan Eovaldi. Obviously if he has a solid year, he opts out. If he sucks again, stuck having him around a second year. Gotta hope he can produce close to a 2 WAR season worst case.

Only guy who probably is serious is Frenchsoup. He loves JD.

Let's hope they sign Hoskins or JDM as a DH. Sign Duvall or Grichuk to share playing time with KK in the outfield. Trade for Edman or Donovan from the Cards or Polanco from the Twins to play 3B and/or around the infield. RF Springer SS Bichette 1B Guerrero DH Hoskins or JDM 2B Schneider/Biggio C Kirk/Jansen CF Varsho 3B Polanco or Donovan/Edman LF Kiermaier / Duvall or Grichuk Bench: C Jansen/Kirk 2B/3B/LF Biggio/Schneider 2B/3B/SS/OF IKF OF Duvall or Grichuk / KK