Uneducatedfan

Totally agree. People are totally ignoring that the NHL (and the NBA and MLS) are in bubbles with very strict rules of avoiding the general public and not traveling outside of their bubble. People are just pointing fingers and trying to create a narrative that suits their mindset. I mean, with the news that Juan Soto tested positive today (a player that could have easily been traveling to Toronto next week if they were playing up here), you'd think people would see that there is some real concern of spread. Imagine the outrage? Hell, there are teams in the MLB that want to have fans in the stands. They basically have no real plan in place. The MLB and NFL just seem to be ignoring the situation going on around them.

Kind of breaking news: Juan Soto has supposedly tested positive for covid-19. My friend lives in the DC area and told me there were some rumors that the Nationals were being tested and not everyone got their tests back. But then news broke about Juan Soto. I do not see how they play season like this; especially, with some owners wanting fans in the stands. I am actually glad that we don't have to deal with this up here. I mean, it sucks for the Blue Jays but the risk is way too high.

The simple answer is usually the right one. And in this case, the simple answer is you hold him back a start or two. You gain an extra year of control. You don't rush him. Let him get acclimated. This season could go a lot of ways. But you can't be shortsighted either.

Looks like the numbers are now official per Shi (https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/austin-martin-makes-blue-jays-history-signing-bonus/) Martin gets just over 7mil (7.08mil) and Frasso signs for 90k under slot (459k). I figured that the number would be 7mil. It made a lot of sense based on the numbers we were seeing from the other deals and shows a commitment to Martin and the value he brings. I'm glad they got a deal done (relatively) quickly and got everyone signed. Plus, you can't complain about the money because I think we got fair value for everyone and got a steal in Martin at 5. I also think that speaks volumes for the way the Blue Jays young core is seen and the organization as a whole.

It's a great position to be in. You always want talent coming down the pipeline to fill in the gaps and help if players get hurt/don't progress as expected. As you say, a couple guys might bust. But even if we hit on one or two of them, we are pretty much set for years to come - hopefully, the busts are more on the position side of things than the pitching side. I think 2021's offseason is shaping up to be a critical one for the Blue Jays. We are going to have a TON of space and I think we need one more starting pitcher and one proven position player to really become contenders for a WS. It will be interesting how free agency shakes out with the fallout of a shortened 2020 season and the possibility of a lockout. But I think Mookie Betts is the guy you go all-in for. He's basically a perfect fit for this team from every standpoint (age, position, hitting, leadership, and he's got a long history in the AL East). Then you see how the pitching market unfolds and try to get a solid middle of the rotation guy to add to Ryu and, hopefully, Pearson. Then you ride that wave for the next couple seasons and keep adding talent as they develop. Which is much better from a sustainability perspective than trading for veterans.

Haha yeah! I noticed my mistake shortly after I posted it. I was thinking 5% bonus on the slot, but it is 5% on the whole. But yeah. I still think 7mil is near what we need and we are basically there. So, Frasso will probably come just under slot and Martin will sign for an even 7mil.

I don't think you sign 3/5 of the players if you aren't pretty sure that you can sign your top pick. We saved $312,600 with Britton's signing. With Van Eyk signing for $28.9k above slot and Palmer signing for $44.4k over slot. We still have $239,300 extra to give Martin (Max deal currently around 6.9mil (edited number based on itaos post!) with us going 5% over.) I think it will be interesting to see what we give Frasso. His slot value is $549k. But I think the magic number for Martin will be around 6.9-7mil. So I'm guessing we are trying to sign Frasso for about half of his slot value and get to that 7mil amount. I think it makes sense getting everyone else signed on fair deals as quickly as possible because then you can go to Scott Boras and say this is what we have to offer and it is above slot value. It also shows that they see the value in Martin, but they are also committed to making the team better and didn't just punt the rest of the draft to sign him.

A very solid draft. With Martin falling to them at 5, I think it made the later rounds a little safer than they probably would've been otherwise. But they didn't throw any picks - which is great. It will be interesting if they try to sign anyone outside of the draft but I think you can't complain about what we got. Best bat in the draft and all-around great player, a solid middle/end of the rotation type pitcher, a solid pitcher that probably slots for a reliever position, a high upside pitcher who is a bit of a project, and another solid hitter who is a bit of a project.

I am 99.9% sure our pick will be a pitcher. It is just a matter of who. But we are definitely in a great position to get a really good arm. I think Witt is more of a safer pick for teams ahead of us. I wouldn't be surprised if we select a pitcher with our 3rd pick as well. 4th and 5th could be big reaches to save money depending on how the draft shakes out. I am fine with taking risks with the rest of our picks because we probably got the steal of the draft with Martin at 5. Nothing is for sure in any draft but Martin is probably as solid as you're going to get in any draft. It allows us to go big the rest of the way.

I don't think he'll be there by our pick, but Beeter would be an interesting choice. There is a risk but high upside. You might be able to sign him for lower than slot and free up some money for Martin.

I made an account just to say.... wow! This is crazy. Getting Martin at 5 is a steal and you can't pass on that type of talent. I have no idea what Baltimore is doing. And then Marlins picking Meyers forced the Royals hand a bit to pick Lacy.