jaysblue

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.

Yeah I'm fine with Schneider and Biggio sharing time at 2B in 2024. Unless the Jays FO did trade for India (who is available). Though I don't think it's necessary. Would rather trade for a 3B like Polanco if we could.

I really don't want Bellinger at $200+ million. I would rather patch up the roster with stopgap options for 2024 and save that $200+ million on someone like Soto or Bregman next offseason. - Sign Rhys Hoskins as a 1B/DH to a one-year contract worth anywhere between $18-$22M. - Sign two bats to platoon in LF - sign one LHB like Gallo, Brantley, Meadows, Rosario with a RHB like Taylor, Profar, or Duvall. - Trade for a 3B like Polanco or Moncada or sign a guy like Escobar/Solano/Anderson/Kiner-Falefa + a vet bat like Longoria as insurance. - If the Jays trade an arm like Kikuchi for Polanco, sign an arm like Paxton/Montas/Lauer/Wood to a one-year deal. Would try to sign Lauer either way as a guy to compete for the No. 5 spot with Manoah during ST. - Sign Jake Junis as a swingman - nice insurance to have as a starter and could pitch multiple innings out of the pen. I think with those moves along with a couple of bounce backs from maybe Vladdy, Varsho, Kirk, and Springer, they're a 90+ win team with the potential to be better.

I think 2B could be filled internally between Schneider and Biggio. Unless the Blue Jays make a trade for India or someone.

Not a big fan of Snell coming here and pitching in the AL East. High BB% rates which worry me long term. Would rather save up and add a FA starter next offseason like Wheeler or Fried or someone.

If Hoskins would be down for signing a one-year contract, he would be perfect. Bounce back candidate and you're not locking yourself up for multiple years. Would rather sign a bunch of stopgaps this offseason in order to free up money for next offseason when it's a stronger FA class of elite talent.

Ross Atkins needs to recreate Cody Bellinger in the aggregate instead of giving him over $200M. Joey Gallo + Michael A. Taylor (combined could possibly give you 4+ WAR)

Were they really finalists for him? I doubt it.

Never betting for or against the Leafs again.

Which bat would you get to platoon with Gallo?

Yeah Brantley wouldn't be a bad stopgap at DH/LF. Could hit him near the top of the lineup. Won't provide any power at all but excellent contact skills and doesn't strikeout at all. No issue in bringing Belt back as a DH on another one-year deal if someone like JDM is too expensive or looking for a 2-3 year deal. Only issue is both of them are very injury prone and you would need some insurance in case one or both of them don't pan out. I have no problem bringing one of those guys in, but wouldn't advise to sign both of them.

Some SP free agents who likely sign one-year deals: Ryu Montas Paxton Wood Giolito Manaea Hill Lauer German Kluber Velasquez Junis Bauer (would be awesome but doubt the Jays sign him) In case the Jays trade Kikuchi or Manoah. Wouldn't mind rolling the dice on Montas, Paxton or Wood as a No. 5 starter. Lauer could be a nice buy low/bounceback candidate. Always has had solid K rates. Reminds me of a lesser version of Robbie Ray. Junis would be a nice pickup as a swingman. Could start a couple of games if needed, or pitch out of the pen. Nice insurance to have. I would go hard after Woodruff. Need to sign him to a 2-year-deal to have him for 2025, but if all the medicals look good, do it. Could be excellent value if he returns to his former self.

I'm looking to make a lot of moves. Have a lot of 2B and 3B options who I could move.

Yeah I love Gallo for his power and if he's used strictly against RHP only. He could definitely be a nice half of a platoon. Can he still play some 3B? Forgot about Turner. Not sure he can play 3B over a full season, but as a DH option he's definitely not bad. The rest like you said are bottom of the barrel options haha.