jaysfan2014

Minor league depth--no they don't. They're thin at nearly every position in the high minors except 1B, and it's possible Owens or Johnson may get moved for more help for the MLB roster. And the bullpen has not been improved enough--they need more than Kimbrel to even think of contention, as their bullpen was a major issue last season. And as for that robust offense.. it will depend on David Ortiz avoiding regression, and Bradley/Castillo actually hitting.

Yes, we do need another starter, and agreed on 2017-18. But Boston is not guaranteed to improve-- we all saw what happened with the HanRam/Sandoval deals. Yes, Betts and Bogaerts should get better.. not so on Holt, as he is no more than a bench player, as he does not play well as a regular.

Oh knock it off. Buchholz can't stay healthy. And Porcello was garbage in 2015. And another thing, Price can't win in the playoffs, no matter where he is. Did you even watch him in the playoffs?

According to Baseball Reference, including arb raises, pre-arb players, and the addition of Young and Price's contracts, they'll be at $205M or so (still waiting for them to add the Young and Price deals). Before the deals, they were at $169.2M-- they'll blow through the tax. And BTW, they're looking at escalating tax bills next season--they were over the tax this season, and are looking at a 20% bill in 2016, 30% in 2017, if current payroll holds.

THAT lineup scored 891 runs last year. Even if it regresses slightly, it's still one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball.

Everyone in the division is basically in the same boat, except maybe for the Yankees, who will have Bird and Judge in AAA.. but that team still is lacking depth in SP in the minors. As for the Rays, they still have Snell waiting in the wings in Durham.. but they need offense if they're gonna contend.

Just Norris. Boyd looks ticketed for Toledo.. and unless he curbs his HR issues, he won't be much of a regular.

No guarantees at this point. They still have those awful Porcello, Sandoval and HanRam deals, losing Ortiz at the end of next season, still need Bradley and Castillo to start producing, and need more improvement from Bogaerts, Swihart and Betts. And of course, Pedroia needs to stay healthy and keep producing.. he is getting close to the back nine of his career, and Moncada is a ways away. And their farm in the high minors is barren, as most of the top prospects are in A ball..

Not expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Not unlimited. They only went this high out of desperation to win now. Basically, they better pray for no injuries.. or they're going to be in trouble again. They still need more bullpen help..

Well, Boston better enjoy the huge luxury tax bills they will face.. well over $210M now in payroll after this and the Young deals. And smart move by the Jays not to give Price this kind of money.. no pitcher is worth this.

Wow, Cueto is delusional. With his poor numbers in KC and rumors of elbow issues, he's not worth this kind of money in dollars and years:

Schoenfield loves the deal: David Schoenfield SweetSpot blogger The Blue Jays' signing of J.A. Happ for three years, $36 million may prove to be one of the bargains of the offseason. He made some mechanical tweaks after joining the Pirates and had a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts, with improved walk and strikeout rates. This also means an official farewell to David Price as Toronto goes with rotation depth over a big-money ace.

No, it's being smart.. giving 7-8 years/$200M+ for David Price is incredibly risky. There's no guarantee Price will hold up in that contract. And building depth is better for the Jays than blowing it on one big name. Remember how little depth we had with AA?

Hurt by Seattle's horrid OF defense for one thing..

That would take us over the tax--benefits are about $11-12M. We can't do that.

Price isn't going to hold up long-term.. as a power pitcher, he's going to decline soon.. whoever gives him a multi-year dealer is going to have serious buyer's remorse between next year to two years down the road. See Verlander--we all know how that turned out.

I like this move. It gives us depth, and if we get Pirates Happ, we will be in good shape. It also allows us options with Sanchez and Osuna, possibly to keep them in the bullpen. And it relegates Hutchison to the bullpen as a swing man or AAA. Now the next aim is some bullpen depth--we need some.

Redmond and Tolleson have little chance of ever reaching the O's roster.. they're booked for Norfolk.

HAD one of the best farm systems. Remember, they just traded a ton for Kimbrel recently. And due to this, they have very little above A/A+ ball. Outisde of Benintendi(who projects as a bench player minimum, All-Star at best), neither Moncada, Devers, Espinoza, or Kopech are sure things, as they have a long road to the majors and are at least 2018 arrivals at best (Benintendi likely 2017). And knowing Dombrowski, he'll sell the farm to win now.. ask Detroit Tigers fans. And as for young players, only Betts and Bogaerts are sure things. Still questions regarding Bradley Jr., Castillo and Swihart/Vazquez. Castillo is close to bust material, after that performance this past season, looking no more than a 4th outfielder at best, with good defense but a disappointing bat. Bradley's numbers are inflated by a strong August.. he was the same disappointing offensive threat that has been sent to the minors multiple times. Swihart's D needs to improvement.. but he'll likely be handed the starting job next season because Vazquez is slow in returning post-TJS. Bradley and Castillo's performances last season is part of the reason I didn't want them trading Margot.. what happens if Bradley and Castillo bust? Benintendi is 2 years away.. and their farm isn't exactly deep in the high minors.

Kotchman was once a top prospect for the Angels, and was great for the Rays.. but struggled to make contact. Low strikeout, decent BB rate, but no power. Good OBP skills in the minors, but his lack of power hurts, along with mediocre defense at 1B, hurts. David Adams was also a top prospect in the Yanks organization, and almost netted the Yanks Cliff Lee at one time.. before injuries scuttled the deal. Has struggled through AAA in NY, BAL and MIA. Jiovanni Maier was once a top prospect.. still young. Maybe he figures something out in the Jays org. Basically, all three are Buffalo depth. But like with Collabello, you never know..

Rays dump JP Arencibia (along with Nava, Yates and Brandon Gomes). Good riddance.. JP Arencibia will once again being look for a club to fool for his one week of big HRs, then no average, OBP, or skills whatever..

Yep. Watch Kimbrel fall off a cliff in Boston, just like every reliever Dombrowski acquires. I mean, he was declining last season.. and giving up 4 decent prospects isn't exactly smart. This has a chance of being a repeat of the Reddick/Bailey trade..

Well, you can cross Boston off Grienke and Price's list based on this deal.. this puts them close to the tax.

Pretty pricey return. #4, #6, #13 and #25 prospects. Better be more going to Boston.. or this deal is going to be a serious overpay.