jaysblue

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.

Should we also place the same blame on Melanie Bedard if those rumours are true?

Still, they should have won that game in regulation. As well, they were awful in OT. They were lucky they got so many breaks. I got the Leafs and Vegas in a parlay so was on edge.

Bedard's mom is pretty hot!

Yankees won 82 games with an awful team in 2023 and in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. They were only 5 games behind the Jays considering. If the Yankees make some big adds like Yamamoto and Soto + others, they make up that ground and likely are in the 88-90 win range.

Yankees will be spending money this offseason after their extremely poor 2023 season. Any rational poster on here knew that. They throw money at problems and they have the luxury to do so. Yankees will be better in 2024. Does that mean the Yankees are going to be a top team in the AL and win the division? No, but they can be a borderline WC team with 88-90 wins with a couple of big moves this offseason. As well, if they sign a combo of some big name FA's or trade for some big name players, that takes away from the FA pool and trade market for other teams including the Jays, meaning there will be more competition and suitors for other FA's and trade candidates. Will have a domino effect.

McNeil is signed to a very team friendly contract through 2026 with an AAV of $12.5M. Even after a down season, he still posted a 2.6 WAR. He's just one year removed from a 5.7 WAR season and he posted 4.9 WAR back in 2019. Only downside with McNeil is his age and he doesn't hit for much power. He kind of reminds me a bit of Justin Turner. Late bloomer and who could hit for a very high BA with 15-20 HR's in any given season offensively. He also fills the 2B void for the next three or four seasons as well. Alonso is a proven power hitter and you know he's good for 3-4 WAR at least with 40 HR's. He's in a contract year as well, so he's definitely going to be motivated. Would be nice if the Jays could extend Alonso. Vlad on the other hand offers more upside and two years of control vs. one. However, Vladdy also could be a pumpkin again, and only produce 1.0 WAR. Plus he's going to get paid $18-20M each season through arbitration likely. Manoah depends a lot on the relationship with the club and FO now. We really don't know how things are. If things are sour, Atkins isn't going to come out publicly and say it since that will impact the leverage the Jays have in trade. If Manoah and the Jays worked things out and he agrees to come into ST next year in better shape, a bounce back is definitely possible. Overall, it's a tough call but I'm definitely leaning towards that offer if the Jays feel like Vladdy can't be fixed over the next year or two and if the relationship with Manoah has completely soured. Jays have a shorter window now, so you have to really emphasize the importance of the 2024 and 2025 seasons when you have guys like Bo still under club control and guys like Gausman still pitching in top form. Also, have to remember the Jays like will add around this trade as well, so this lineup could end up looking really good with other additions through FA and trade.

The one guy I could be worried about is Kikuchi next season. I think Berrios will be fine. Anything is possible like you said though. I expected Manoah to regress a bit, but not at a Josh Towers level. Both Berrios and Kikuchi stepped up huge with Manoah tanking this season, so big props to them. Hope the rotation continues to be a strong point of this club!