jaysblue

Yeah probably is, but the market for catchers is starting to become thin. Probably will be really slim pickings come end of January. Would be a cheap way at adding an extra 1-2 WAR. If you can sign Carson Kelly now for like $5M or so, wouldn't hesitate. Would rather spend the extra couple of million now rather than trying to sign a scrub for $1-2M at the end of January.

Backup C is likely last on their list, though like said before on here it could be a great and cheap way at adding extra WAR. If an opportunity comes up where they can add someone now for a couple of million, should probably do it considering the catching market right now is thinning out. Carson Kelly would be a perfect fit though he likely gets something similar or a bit less than Higashioka. Grandal could likely be had on a one year deal worth a couple of million. The rest of the options suck. Jansen at $5 or $6M on a one year deal wouldn't be too bad. Familiar with the pitchers within the organization and does have a comfort level here. Hedges re-signed with Cleveland at $4M and Jacob Stalling went back to Colorado for $2.5M.

Yeah those two signings make the Kikuchi deal look even better. Will be interesting to see what guys like Eovaldi, Severino, Manaea, and Pivetta get now.

Montas at $17M AAV is a lot especially after the season he was coming off of. In 2021, he did post 4 WAR with Oakland but that was when he was 28. Boyd only made 8 starts during the regular season and 3 starts in the Postseason, though pitched very well. Still surprised to see him get 2 years/$29M. Was expecting him to sign a one year deal. If back end rotation starters are getting around $15-17M AAV like Montas and Boyd, eww. Makes Steven Matz look like a bargain now especially if the Cards eat $4-5M of his contract haha.

What depth arm do you suggest they sign? The guys I listed earlier are likely going to cost $7 to $8M anyways and aren't really any better than Matz. As well, at least Matz could have use in the bullpen if he doesn't pan out in the rotation, whereas someone like Quantrill wouldn't. Given the Jays BP needs, I think using Yariel out of the BP to start the season would actually be a smart move. I think he can be a valuable multiple inning reliever and even move into some high leverage. He could be one of the missing BP pieces this team needs. I'm all for getting a solid No. 2/3 starter, but even someone like Eovaldi or Severino or Pivetta are likely going to cost close to $20M AAV over 2-3 years. So that's why Matz isn't a bad gamble if he costs nothing to acquire and the Cards eat $4-5M off his salary. Again it's just discussion. I was responding to Grant who mentioned Matz as a trade candidate and also agreed it wasn't a bad idea if the Jays want to save some money in adding a rotation piece and using that money elsewhere like adding a power bat to the lineup or in the pen. Also, there is the possibility the Jays could acquire Nolan Arenado and Ryan Helsley in a deal with the Cards who are looking to shed some contracts. Could fill 3 holes on the roster all in one trade, without having to trade any real assets other than taking on Arenado's contract.

I swear it feels like my entire team just hit the IL last week like WTF? haha Missing the great power of Dick on my squad. My team without him doesn't have the same length and energy. Not playing hard enough.

Cards probably won't eat much of Arenado's deal if they include Helsley in any package, but could be a trade that crosses off two or three things on the Jays shopping list without having to trade any real assets. Just likely would have to take on the contracts of Arenado and/or Matz.

Yeah I would prefer if the Jays aimed higher as well adding a solid No 2/3 guy. I guess it depends how much money they have to spend. If they decide to go heavy in spending on the lineup/bullpen and decide to allot less money towards the rotation, they'll have to get creative in trades or sign one of the lesser FA's starters available. If the Cards can eat $4-5M and the acquisition cost for Matz is pennies, would be worth the gamble. Worst case, if Matz struggles, move him to the pen where I think he could still have success and move Yariel to the rotation. Maybe Matz can carve out a similar path like Matt Strahm, once moved to the pen.

Yeah he had success here in Toronto back in 2021 and I think if he's healthy he can be a solid mid-rotation arm who gives you around 150 innings with a WAR somewhere between 2 and 3. Even at $11M AAV, he's not bad if it costs nothing to acquire him since similar arms like even a Matt Boyd likely gets a bit more AAV with 2-3 years attached and other mid-rotation arms such as Eovaldi, Severino, Pivetta, etc likely will get around $18-20M AAV with 3 of 4 years attached. If the Cards could send some money over with Matz like you said to get him down to $7 or $8M, would be ideal. Don't think you'll find an arm like Matz via free agency at that price unless you sign a Ross Stripling, Spencer Turnbull, Cal Quantrill, or Alex Wood etc.

Who would you cheer for if that was the case? haha

Bills and Ravens are the serious contenders in the AFC. Chiefs haven't looked as impressive despite their 11-1 record, but they always seem to get damn lucky in these close games and you know the NFL will be pushing for them to go far. They still could be dangerous but this is the year for either Buffalo or Baltimore to go to the Super Bowl. Buffalo vs. Detroit is the Super Bowl we deserve!

They did sign Frank Thomas who was coming off a 39 HR season in Oakland, and he was pretty solid in 2007 offensively. But yeah the pitching signings were awful. Only plus is we were able to see McGowan and Marcum emerge as reliable starters in 2007, but then injuries hit them during the 2008 season damn.

Damn I like Tommy Edman, but that's a lot for a super utility guy and someone who is coming off a season playing only 37 games and who is going to be turning 30 next season. Not sure he ever gets back to being a 5 WAR player like in 2022, but I see him more of a 2-3 WAR guy now. Offensively, doesn't have many tools other than some SB upside. He's not like a Ben Zobrist.

Yeah after the 2006 season, JPR supposedly wanted to sign Meche and re-sign Ted Lilly as well. Meche got 5 years/$55M same money as Burnett the previous offseason. Lilly went to the Cubs for 4 years/$40M. Instead, we had to settle for Tomo Ohka, John Thompson and Victor Zambrano in the early part of the 2007 season haha.

Jays signed Pineiro to a minor league deal in May of the 2015 season haha wow. He was then released in July.

Garcia Moyer Pineiro Meche Franklin Sele was on the Angels in 2003. Ryan Franklin became the Cards closer after haha. Crazy!

That's a stacked division: Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay. Damn.

I disagree with this one. In the US, gotta go with Tennessee. Now they don't have a baseball team, so then Florida it is. Non-US, Colombia is where the hottest women live. Connor should be down there instead of in Morocco right now.

4 of 5. Ryan Franklin is the other arm.

In 2003, the Mariners used only 5 starting pitchers during the entire season. Without looking online, can anyone name all 5 starters?

When the F did he drop Jaylen Brown? I sent Connor offers nonstop before the offseason.

Sure, I preferred him over Max Fried and if the Jays had an unlimited payroll, sure thing! I was expecting more around $150M for Snell. If he signed for a total of $182M with the Dodgers, it would have likely cost the Jays $200M to have him sign here. He wasn't going to sign for the same amount with the Blue Jays durh.

He wasn't going to come to the Jays anyways. The price definitely would have been more to pitch in Toronto. Atkins and company have placed emphasis on arms that are durable and who could stay healthy (e.g. Gausman, Berrios, Bassitt). I don't think Snell fits with their MO. Yes, when he's on he could be a difference maker and one of the best arms in the game, though the Jays really need an arm that could help them get through the 162 first and Snell with his history, I'm not sure he would have been a perfect fit at this time. Plus, spending 36M AAV on him likely hinders them from adding elsewhere on the roster. Snell alone won't put the Jays over the top.

Kikuchi at 3 years/$63M looking like a bargain now. Granted, Kikuchi isn't on the same level as Snell, but would rather Kikuchi at that price and years over Snell. Dodgers are a great fit for Snell. Pitchers ballpark, NL West, and perfect baseball weather. No wonder why he decided to stay out on the west coast. They don't need him for 30+ starts or need to push him 7 innings each turn during the regular season. As long as he's healthy, and they can ride his arm in the second half and then in the Postseason, he'll be a valuable piece in the rotation for them. He only needs to toss around 150 innings during the regular season, then save all his bullets for the Postseason.

Fried likely will command a 5 or 6 year deal and probably between $25-30M AAV. Would rather sign Snell to be honest!