JaysFan4Ever

Well, easy decison who goes down when Greene is ready

If he can maintain an okay OBP it should be fine. If his power stays the same, or increases a bit, it could lead to an early run, which is also good. I could see them moving him down in the lineup if his power stroke sticks or increases and someone else keeps a consistently high OBP. Whatever works I'm happy with

It's actually more than the $38M for Tulo, because of this I came across. I'm not sure if anyone posted it before, but it might have been part of the Jays meeting with his agent(s) prior to his release, possibly to avoid a grievance being filed. It seems $5M of his 2019 salary is being deferred at 3% interest, payable in 10 equal installments each Jan. 1, 2025-34, which suggests it was to avoid a grievance (at least I believe so), and to guarantee him some future income if even he and his people thought he was finished, and if option is declined, buyout is to be paid in $2M installments each July 1, 2021-22, which it was. https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-east/new-york-yankees/ Jays are paying $16.4M of Martin's $20M salary this year. https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl-west/los-angeles-dodgers/ Jays are paying somewhere in the neighbourhood of $10M of the $12M still owed to Morales, though some reports have varied from what I've read e.g. a little more, at least. https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/oakland-athletics/ Total of all of that, estimating some that don't have exact figures yet: ~$10M (Morales) + $16.4M (Martin) + at least $38M (Tulo, though if I did the interest correctly on the deferred money, it comes out to $900K, totaling $5.9M over 10 installments would be $590K) would equal at least $64.4M. If I did the interest correctly an additional $900K bringing it to $65.3M. I could have done the interest wrong, but based on what I've found out, at least $64.4M.

Travis might be the odd man out whether he turns it around with the bat, and glove, or not, since he still has options left. I don't see them DFA him, unless he sucks out loud, and they think he'll go unclaimed, and/or can't get even a lottery ticket in return.

It seems a little like the FO is kind of letting him know that they've pretty much have moved on, and if not for the no-trade clause, and amount owed, he'd be gone for anything they could get, including, but not limited to, a hotdog. Maybe this has been discussed privately, and might be discussed (again) with his agent, or just agents representing more than one guy are usually at these things, taking with everyone, especially in a case like this where someone was injured, and isn't guaranteed a spot, where Atkins and Co. keep letting them know even if the medical staff clears him to start playing at 100% (of the average MLB player, not Troy's), that's he's not going to simply get the job if he's not going a full 9, hitting the Mendoza line, his defensive range is cut, because he's got the contract, and name, and if GL, or whomever, is playing hotter, he's getting the start. It seems pretty clear who the Jays currently view as their starting SS, and don't think TT can manage. Maybe it is going to be a bit of negotiations going on to buyout some of the contract to let him go, say if he's on the DL, they won't take him off, just to loose a player, then place him back on, would trade him if they could, but come on, no takers there, so either stick to your word, and if someone, which is likely going to happen, beats you in ST for the job, pack your bags, go, retire, or wind up on the restricted list, not getting paid, or work out some kind of, we'll give you a small percentage of what's owed paid twice a year for 5 years, taking it all off the books if you agree to be released, and can save face by saying it was a mutual parting, not forced to a bench role until you get pissed, demand a release, trade, or quit.

If these are the two players coming over in the deal, I can't say I'm disappointed nor can I say I'm happy. If there was a bit of a bidding war, maybe a slightly better package, but it seems as if they might have been able to get something different, especially if the Yankees wanted the deal done. I say both not disappointed, and not 100% happy, but considering Happ is a rental, and he's not a Cy Young candidate, despite how impressive he's been for almost 3.5 years, after that trade to Pittsburgh where he dominated, and the time spent here, you weren't getting a king's ransom, but I would think maybe something slightly better. I guess Solarte is heading out next since he's basically redundant now. I just think if other teams were legitimately wanting Happ, either their offers were worse, or these two guys are something they find something to like about. Better than him walking to FA and nothing in return. Like some have said, they could easily resign him in the off season. I guess now we wait and see if they can pull something with a few more guys, and get at least some decent lotto tickets for some BP arms, Solarte, etc..

Stretch him out a bit in ST, and see how the pen works out. With the talk that the Jays almost have a deal for Latos, and are talking with Edwin Jackson, it seems like they're building some depth, so maybe Biagini doesn't have to be a starter this year, maybe next year. If they were to start him this year, he'll likely be down in AAA working on being a starter. Then he might be a starter next year, Even if he's back in the pen, he was pretty dominate, save a couple months. But if he can use all 4 of those pitches as a starter, then it might not be so bad to send him down, stretch him out, in case he's needed.

Well, that's not a horrible contract, money wise anyway. If he doesn't preform, cutting him won't be that much of a hit to the team, or maybe swap him for another guy having a bad start a la Grilli and Joaquín Benoit (mostly the deal with Benoit) and get another guy back who might help out more. If it's a major league deal, that gets me a bit nervous unless he's a swingman, or long reliever.

I'm thinking he's probably going to look for a change of scenery. He's had the injuries, was ranked as top prospect, then was hurt a number of times. He probably is aware that the Jays have Salty, who's likely to win the back up job, Juan Graterol who still is young, has options left, Reese McGuire, Mike Ohlman, and a couple of others who might have surpassed him on the depth charts, so he might think it's just better to move on. He could resign, but without a full season, he might not show what he's capable of. Plus, if I recall correctly, he was eligible for minor league free agency before the readded him to the 40 man roster, so if he was released, or even sent outright, he could refuse the assignment and become a free agent either through his contract expiring, or refusing the assignment. Maybe he comes back, but it's getting crowded. I think the injuries did him in as far as being able to prove himself.

Didn't they consider Kevin Cash as a catcher of the future as well, even though they thought his bat would be limited, but his defense was supposed to make up for it?

My pop in once in a while for a bit of rambling strikes again. I need to be a bit more concise.

Maybe it's a contract similar to Salty's. He'll get a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training. If he manages to show that his former self is back, he could either be shipping to AAA to be a starter in case we need one or a long reliever. If he sucks out loud, he either remains in the minor leagues, or gets released. Maybe his contract won't be guaranteed if he makes the club, like Salty's. You can't have enough depth, and sometimes you have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. If It's a minor league deal, it can't hurt. If he can't cut in in AAA, then he'll be given his walking papers. The only way I see him making the 25 man is if there's an injury, or he has a great spring and earns a spot in the pen, or he winds up as a started in AAA, so he can be called up for an extra arm when the pen is over worked, and be the long man out of the pen. Or he has a great start in AAA, and is one of the first guys to come up if the rotation has an injury or have been over worked. I can't see it being a major league deal. That's why I'm going to assume it might be a minor league deal, with an incentive laden deal if he's added to the club. Low price (maybe) for some potential upside. If he sucks out loud he'll either head to Buffalo or handed his walking papers. Spring training has started. He doesn't have a job. He's likely to take any offer the Jays make to him, especially if it's starting in AAA, and possibly coming up for spot starts, fill in for an injury, add a fresh arm, or maybe to keep Biagini in the pen this year. We'll have to wait and see if they actually manager to sign them and we'll take it from there. Buy low. Low risk, possible decent out come if he can get it together. If it's a minor league deal, then no lose. Or he pitches well enough that some team gets desperate and wants a trade.

If it's a minor league deal, no harm, no foul. If he can regain a little of what he had, either as a spot starter or reliever, he could help out. It never hurts to have as much depth as you can get. Depending on what the terms wind up being, if he's signed, Biagini might wind up in the pen helping to solidify it a bit more. If he winds up being a reliever to start the season and Biagini winds up starting in AAA, then it gives another starter. Hopefully, if he is signed, he won't cost the team any wins. If they don't sign him, or he has a date he can opt out, and he leaves, then oh well. If he sucks out loud again, cutting him loose isn't a problem. He's not a buy low, possible decent return guy. If they don't sign him, nothing lost. Worse case if he's signed, he just gives younger arms sometime to develop, and/or throws a few innings, shows he's not worth keeping around, he's released, no biggie. If he manages to turn it around a bit, and helps the Jays out in some way, then it's a win. If he proves he has something left, maybe he takes Dominic Leone spot on the roster.

Uh, yeah, no. I actually enjoy extra inning games from time to time. Usually I do if I'm actually driving all the way to Toronto to watch the Jays play, and it hits extras, I get more baseball for the cost of the ticket and trip. I know it's a runner starting on 2nd for each team, each inning, but I have the feel this would really benefit the home team more than the road team. If there is a runner at 2nd and a weekly hit ball makes it passed the IFers, it's a run in. It could barely get by, or maybe a throw is dropped or goes wide, so instead of having a runner on who's actually earned their way on base or reached via an error, you get a run in and possibly set the tables for more runs. If it's the home team a dribbler, error, ball in the gap, game over if the road team can't bring their runner in. Or if the road team does get theirs in, home team has one of the 3 hitters due up homers, ballgame is over, because it's not a solo shot, it's 2 runs because of this idea. Many have suggested ways to speed up the game, without screwing with what makes baseball unique, and how it's always been played. Extra innings will happen. You might have to bring in your utility guy. If you want to avoid that, maybe expand the roster to 26 so you can have an extra arm. Yes, sometimes extra innings become a drain because they go on so long. If you're going to make an arbitrary rule, why not pick an inning and/or length of time where the game is suspended, and the teams play a double header the following day, or on one of the extra off days to officially finish the game? If you're going to go with this rule, you might as well create a new column called the "Unearned Win" since you're not really earning it, if you're given a runner is scoring position to start the inning who didn't earn their way on base or the defense made an error. Extra innings have long been part of the game. Sometimes they go on longer than anyone would really like them to, but it happens. If you want to make sure the players get to sleep before their next game, don't burn out your 'pen, run out of pitcher, etc., then suspend the game, make it up later, if need be (one or both teams are playoff contenders) and use one of the off days, or if you're going to just start putting guys on base, in scoring position, why not just say, after 3.5 hours or the 15th inning (just numbers I pulled out of thin air), each manager will come to the field, the crew chief will flip a coin, and whichever manager calls the side it lands on the mound, or home plate area, their team wins the game.

I'm a bit conflicted on this. Yes, I know that's an odd thing. I'm in favour of it because it'll speed the game up a bit, and not be a waste of time even though it might only save a few minutes, but it will still save sometime and not have to wait as someone plays catch. I'm kind of not in favour of it like it was said that sometimes the pitch/catcher misses and it can allow a runner to move up, score. I'm not sure of how often that happens. I've seen it happen, but i doubt it's enough to really have that as a point. I think I'm leaning more towards just having the pitch put up 4 fingers or the catcher tell the home plate umpire that they're going to walk the batter and let the batter head to first without playing toss. But that's just my feeling right now.

He's far from the best candidate, but he's also not a bad idea to have in the event Martin goes down for a bit. According to what I've read on Rotoworld, if it's accurate, it's a minor's deal, with a non guaranteed salary of $1.25, with the $250K incentives. Like many have said, he'd have to earn his way on the team, since he has at least two guys ahead of him in A.J. Jimenez, Juan Graterol, already on the roster, and Mike Ohlman, Alex Monsalve, Reese McGuire all receiving nonroster invites, though the latter two are a bit young, and Reese McGuire bat hasn't really come around, so maybe sometime in the minors will be better for him. Worst case Salty doesn't make the team, heads to the minors for sometime, then gets released per some clause in the contract that allows him to request his release if he's not on the 25 man roster by a certain date, or they just decide to cut him. I think they might hold onto him as long as they can since he'll get a prorated major's amount of that $1.125, and it's nonguaranteed, so if they release him if he's on the 25 man roster, they don't have to pay him a penny after that. Maybe he'll try harder to prove himself and earn that money, and maybe Martin can help. I'd rather have a more defensive minded backup, but if he winds up with it, with AJ being outrighted to AAA, Graterol getting optioned, and the others returned to minor's camp, he'll probably be given some kind of leash where if he blows it defensively and offensively, and someone in the minors is doing better, he's gone, outrighted, and someone else is up. It's kind of a win-win situation for the Jays since it's a minor's contract, gives a little more depth, competition, and if he doesn't work out, oh well, he's a non factor like he would be if he wasn't here. If he manages to turn it around and can be at least average, and help out at the big league level, then it's a win. One more catcher for depth, and competition. If he makes the club, he gets a non guaranteed amount of money, so it's no big deal either way. He makes the team, he has to earn it. If he blows it, someone else might be able to get a shot.

Sorry. Will do. At least I'll be quiet for a little bit since I have to change the batteries in my wireless keyboard and mouse.

I could see someone taking a chance on him, at his price, and with arbitration contacts not being guaranteed. I'd think they'd try trading him before waiving him, at least for cash, but unless they are still going to pursue someone else for LF, include him in a trade for a LFer, or Pomp blows everyone away in spring, I think he's sticking around. They'll might go with the, he's a decent 4th OF, had a good two month start, slumped, but did do nicely in the playoffs.

It would be nice if a team was willing to take him, even if it meant eating half his contract. Not ideal, but some money saved, a position opened up. Unless the Jays include a prospect or two (a la reverse of the Liriano trade last year) I don't see anyone taking on his entire salary unless they were desperate. I still wonder what made them give him that extension. Even if they thought EE was gone, they knew they could have grabbed someone who could play an adequate 1B e.g. Pearce, or even JB, or Tellez, or any number of guys who could play a decent defense at 1B without handing out that kind of money for a guy who might have some pop, but swings and misses badly at seemingly every time the Jays needed someone to at least make contact.

I think he's out of options from what I've read, so they'd have to send him outright, which he could refuse the assignment and become a FA, but I think he'll forfeit his money he's owed of he does that.

Unless the Jays are counting on Upton Jr. somehow having another career resurgence, and I use that term loosely, where he might get more ABs and hit well, LF could certainly use an upgrade, especially a LHH. Oddly enough Zeek has hit LHP well, at least over the past few years, but he's not likely going to be able to put up regular numbers, or even match last year. He had his moments, but I'm not going to hold my breath. He filled in defensively better than I thought, and can play all 3 positions, but I don't want to hold my breath on Upton/Zeek being our LF platoon. If they don't bring someone in, worse case, maybe Pompey surprises everyone and can take the job. The Jays could also save money if they released Zeek since I think you only have to pay 1/5 of an arbitration eligible player's salary if they're released before the start of the season. Bring him back on a minor league deal if they want. I remember hearing that they might try Gurriel in the OF at times this year to see how he can play there, and if he manages to surprise everyone, he could wind up in the OF this year, but I think he's more of a 2018 option at the earliest. It's almost a toss up as to what might be needed more: LF or back-up catcher. I know that's not what most anyone typically says, but with Martin getting up there in years, how he was banged up last year, and hopefully doesn't get hurt in the WBC playing SS, he's going to need some time off, either half a day at DH, or a full day, at least once a week, maybe two, so someone is going to need to fill in, who can call a good game, hit well enough that they're not a black hole in the line up, or at least be able to sacrifice runners over, move them along, keep opposing runners from stealing too much, and if Martin needs extended time, or a DL stint, someone who can step in, maybe not replace Martin's production, but not be an AB where you can go get a drink, and not miss anything. LF would be ideal with at least one guy, or someone who can be a better platoon than the light hitting Zeek, and Upton who looked lost last year. Granted he went from full time to bench player, so that might have impacted some of his hitting, but he wasn't exactly someone you wanted to see out there daily, or platooning. If the Jays could wind up getting someone for the right price, who can be a regular, I could see Rogers opening up and giving out some money, especially if the Jays can find a taker for Upton Jr and his $1M (I've seen that's all they're paying him this year, since they used the other $4M last year, but even if it's $5M this year, they could eat even half to get an A ball player and save a little bit, Zeek, outright him and if he walks, he forfeits his salary, or release him, and pay him 1/5 his salary saving some money, nickel and diming I know), but it's what they can get, how they can get it, and if that person is worth it. A LHRP is also needed. Internal options may work out, but someone with a track record would be ideal. Or like some said, save some money for the deadline, or during the year, end of ST when teams try moving players.

A.J. outrighted to AAA last spring Jimenez. The Jays signed a guy to a minors deal with an invite to ST, who has put up some decent offensive numbers in the minors, is only 26, can play 1B too, not like we need more of that, but when I checked his SB to CS ratio, it's to be desired. I would figure they would want a guy who could keep the runners from stealing bases like it's nothing, and can have enough of a bat that they could rest Martin, or DH him, a few times a week. A.J. could surprise everyone, but with his history of injuries, I don't see it translating well to the bigs, unless his defense makes up for it. Having someone who could not just be a solid back up, but, if Martin were to need some time off, or win up on the DL, could step up and add some kind of offense instead of our old friend Thole's kind of output.

This article seems to hint that a deal is done, without saying it is. I haven't listen to a live stream yet, I need to get a move on so I'll probably miss it, but this hints at it being done, but until something is official, I'm not going to get my hopes up: http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/bautistas-return-blue-jays-not-typical-homecoming/

Pretty much. You'd think that if both sides wanted another year, they'd just agree to it, or have a team option, or what used to be called player options, which are now basically called opt out clauses. They really only protect the team in the event a player gets hurt, has a bad year, they decline their side, and the player is sent walking. Player has a good year and can make more money, he declines his, but the team can still stay "protected" by saying the player opted to walk for more money or didn't want to stay an extra year or talk extension.

Mutual options are when you're pretty much bidding against yourself to get a player signed. If the player has a bad year, you know they'll want to exercise it, if it's more than they might get on the market, but the team will decline their half, and if the player has a good year, and can get more on the market, he'll decline his half, and walk. They're kind of pointless unless a player really likes where he's at, and it's the only way that both sides will agree to a deal, where, if the player has a good year and wants to stay he'll exercise his portion and the team theirs. I'd rather see a vesting option, if they opted to not guarantee a 2nd year. Then he has something to work for if he thinks it's going to be a fair amount of money. Like some have mentioned there may or may not be a buyout, and giving a buyout on a mutual option, is just handing money away, since you might as well make it a team option, so you can either exercise it, or decline it and pay less. It might be a balancing of money where he might agree to less money this year, but anything next year in the form of the option will make up for it, or at least the buyout guarantees him what he might have been looking for this year, he'll just get it at the end of the year in one payment. Granted, nothing is complete (as of me typing this) so that could be subject to change. If it stays one year with a mutual option, it might be the Jays being able to free up some payroll for this year, since I believe, unless I'm wrong, buyouts won't/don't count towards this year's payroll, at least not the beginning, and JB getting the total he wants for the year, with the ability to hit the market again next year, and try rolling the dice on a better deal if he has a good year, of course, depending on the amount, it might be where both sides are happy and keep him around, and he wants to stay. With him being able to retain 10-5 rights, the new CBA preventing him from being QO again, if he has a big year, and walks, the Jays get nothing other than, hey, we signed him back, had an option, we exercised it, but he walked away, making him the bad guy. Will be interesting to see how things play out.