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Cease had a 4.55 ERA pitching in Petco Park. C'mon guys!

Nice read. Amongst MLB players, there is always the allure to play for a team like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers or Cubs. You can likely throw the Mets in that group now as well, since they're spending money. Toronto after this season is definitely a top destination for free agents. Given the new upgrades at the Rogers Centre, the Postseason run they went on, the job ownership and the front office have done in creating the culture like they have, a lot of players now will consider Toronto. While the cost of living here is high, it's not as expensive as New York, Boston, LA or San Fran. Plus the USD goes a long way up here. As for weather, baseball is played during the spring/summer and fall, so its not like players live up her during the winter lol. The only awful month is April, but it's no different than weather in New York, Boston or Chicago at that time of year. Teams like Houston, Texas, and Arizona definitely have an advantage on low-cost of living and with income taxes. The teams in Florida also have that advantage, but the Rays and Marlins aren't really top destinations for free agents given their ballparks and payroll situation.

I see the appeal regarding Iglesias with the short term deal. He's going to be 36 next season, so age could be a concern but if on a one or two-year deal, should be alright. He did bump up his K rate from 2024 which is encouraging. Would prefer going after someone like Devin Williams if he only requires a 2 or 3 year deal with some options attached. Even after his worst season, still posted a 1.4 fWAR, and 13.06 K/9 and he's still just 30. He offers the most upside. Diaz will be expensive and not sure I would want to allocate all that AAV and years towards a closer. Not a huge fan of Suarez unless he comes on a short term deal as well, given his age. Helsley could also be interesting on a short term deal. Kenley Jansen likely would sign a one-year deal, though his K rates and FIP went in the wrong direction this past season. Unless you get the Kenley from 2024, but not sure.

Williams could be a good bargain possibly. Pretty much before this season, he was almost on the same level as Diaz when it came to elite relievers. You can probably sign him for less term which is also a plus.

I'm alright signing Varsho to a Kirk like extension. I think that is fair value and he likely would accept it. As for trades, probably the Royals are the best trading partners like some other posters have mentioned since they need a CF badly.

Adding him in the LOD!

Why is she still allowed to vote on these awards? She is old, clueless and non-relevant in the baseball world.

I definitely believe it more now than I did before. I don't think it happens much in the MLB as in the NFL or NBA during the regular season, but still have to be skeptical. More serious money is bet on the NFL and NBA every week from all over the world. NFL is probably the most bet sport every weekend. Also, it's the only sport that has a two-minute warning at the end of the half and at the end of the game, where the game comes to a complete stop. Why haven't people asked that question? In the NBA, all the timeouts that take place in the last two minutes of a game, even when the game is out of reach for one team. There definitely is some element of fixing the outcome of scores, over/under and games overall. Have to worry about the games that don't mean anything or the games where you have a heavy favourite. As for the Playoffs, I think there is an element of fixing if the league wants a certain team to go through and advance. NFL and NBA referees can make calls that influence a game. As for Vegas having an impact, don't think it's as prevalent as during the regular season. Maybe with the over/under's or point spreads.

The career Josh Towers dreamed of.

Prop betting creates a lot of temptation for players to have a side hustle and also to help their friends, without having to throw an entire game. NBA is the worst for sure and NFL. But we have seen it has spread across other sports like MLB as well. Would also be nice if every second ad on Sportsnet or any sports broadcast isn't a sports betting app advertisement. Can't even watch Sportsnet or Sportscentre anymore without them providing the odds on every matchup. Sad.

I don't think baseball is as fixed as let's say the NFL or NBA during the regular season. Serious money is bet on the NFL every week, and teams are likely directed to make sure they don't cover the spread or go over in some cases and some upsets do happen that shouldn't. The NBA as well when it comes to over/under and the spread. Also, some elite teams do likely throw games against weaker teams. In terms of player props, likely happens more in the NFL and NBA where players tell their friends to make a certain bet. In the MLB, I'm sure there are some players or pitchers who tell their friends "yeah I won't get a hit tonight or will miss the strike zone and issue a walk or two." It does happen, though not as much probably as in the NFL or NBA. In terms of fixing the outcome of a game, easier in the NFL or NBA. Easier to control the outcome of a game/score. Doesn't really happen much in the MLB.

Would rather trade and bring back Kikuchi instead of signing Ranger Suarez to a 5-6 year deal.

Take every free agent to Vegas for a weekend 😂

Could he get by at second or not really?

My main target would be resigning Bo or going after Bregman. Wouldn't surprise me if Springer plays a roll in pursuing Bregman. If $400M is being thrown around for Kyle Tucker, would pass. Think Bellinger would be a better option at a fraction of the cost and could also play CF. Would consider signing Varsho to an extension, depending on his health. Think you can lock him up for the next 4-5 years at a reasonable, below market value contract. Kind of like what the Jays did with Kirk. If the Jays struck out on both Bo and Bregman, I think Kim wouldn't be that bad of an option. If he's healthy, should be good for around 3 WAR, 15 HR's, and probably 30 steals.

While I disagree with some of his in-game decision making, I think he'll continue to learn and improve with more experience. Like he's improved from 2022 till now, so that is encouraging. Seems like he's a likeable guy in that clubhouse and the players respect him. Have to give him credit for helping create that culture in the clubhouse this past season.

This is anticipating that both Gausman and Bieber stay healthy and that Yesavage continues his breakout. If one of Gaus or Bieber land on the IL for an extended period of time or if Yesavage struggles out of the gate, Jays could be in trouble. Need to get through the grind of 162 games first before the Postseason. Adding another SP2 wouldn't hurt to be honest.

Yeah I don't see the Jays waving the white flag on Santander just yet given his contract and offensive potential when healthy. It's not like any team would take on the contract right now anyways. Jays would have to eat some money to move him, so even if the Jays added let's say Bregman + one of Tucker/Belli (which is unlikely) better keeping Santander around rather than paying him to play somewhere else.

What are you saying? Geez having baseball discussion. I'm not sure if the Jays would sign both an infielder like Bregman or Torres + another outfielder like Tucker or Belli since they likely have Santander in the outfield fold. If they want to keep Barger in RF, signing an infielder like Bregman makes sense. If they want to move Barger to 3B full time, then they could sign an outfielder like Tucker or Belli. Santander is really the one clogging up a spot. Will be interesting to see what decision the Jays make.

Yeah Bregman or Torres if you want to keep Barger in RF. Ha-seong Kim could be an interesting option, but he never can stay healthy. Don't think the Jays would be in on anyone else for the infield, since they value defense and there really aren't many viable options. Suarez at 3B or Arraez at 2B takes you down a notch defensively. Outside of Tucker, would consider Bellinger since he's a lefty and could play CF.

He probably will pitch until he's 42 here as long as a team offers him a rotation spot. I could see him going back to Japan after he retires in the MLB, if he still wants to pitch into his late 40's.

Will bet a couple of bucks on Bieber for winning the AL Cy Young next season.

Cease would be a nice guy to keep around post-2026. Walker and company could probably work their magic and unlock some untapped potential. Would be sweet if he returned to being a 4-5 WAR arm consistently. Suarez is interesting since he's a lefty and still 29, but not sure if he can be a consistent 4+ WAR pitcher moving forward or revert to being a 2-3 WAR guy. I remember a lot of prominent board members before weren't huge fans of him a couple years ago. ] Framber is a workhorse, but seems like an *******. Jays FO would know more. Plus, he's already 31 and has a ton of mileage on that arm. A lefty for the rotation would be nice. Can dream Skubal haha. We've also seen Atkins always bringing back former players, and wonder if the Angels would trade Kikuchi.

Nothing wrong with that at all. That's his best role. I've stated that numerous times, even throughout the season. If an injury happens, you can start/platoon him with someone for a couple weeks and won't hurt. I don't want to see Lukes getting 500 PA's however.

It's nothing special. When I rave about someone's OBP skills especially someone with no power, I think of a guy at least with a .360-.370 OBP and high BB%. Any regression from Lukes results in a lower OBP and his low BB% is concerning.