2015-2016 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[jschick88]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman 23 minutes ago
Jay Bruce is coming up in trade talks still. Blue Jays could be a possibility.

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman 4 minutes ago
Jays are said to like Jay Bruce very much. Word is, deal could be in works.

[dammage79]

Does the replace one of Encarnation or Bautista?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I hope everyone enjoys this year because this organization is headed for a painful end to the decade IMO. Nothing in the cupboard, cheap owners and two of our best hitters are likley gone within a year. I wonder how long Donaldson will want to stick around once the dominos start falling?

[jschick88]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal now6 seconds ago
Sources confirm: #BlueJays trying to acquire #Reds’ Bruce.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I hope everyone enjoys this year because this organization is headed for a painful end to the decade IMO. Nothing in the cupboard, cheap owners and two of our best hitters are likley gone within a year. I wonder how long Donaldson will want to stick around once the dominos start falling?

About as long as he is under team control.

[jschick88]

Jay Bruce is signed thru 2016, 6 yrs/$51M & 17 team option. Looks to be $8.5m for this year.

Edit.. Wrong figure.

Gregor Chisholm ‏@gregorMLB 13 seconds ago
Jay Bruce would be an upgrade but not sure I understand the logic of adding a piece in LF. 12.5 million in '16, option at 13M for '17.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Does the replace one of Encarnation or Bautista?

I hope he's not replacing either of them. He hasn't had a very good season since 2013. I'd be more than happy if they were acquiring him to fill the hole in LF, but with the Jays, we all know that's not the case and they'll go with the cheap option of Pompey/Saunders/Alford.

Wonder what they would have to give up? They have next to no prospects left, and Alford should be untouchable.

[jschick88]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 1 minute ago
Source: Bruce deal, if it happens, could involve 3rd team, and that team could get Saunders from #BlueJays. Saunders earning $2.9M in 2016.

Shi Davidi ‏@ShiDavidi 1 minute ago
#BlueJays tried to get Jay Bruce in 3-team deal that fell through recently, per source. @JonHeyman @Ken_Rosenthal report Jays still on him

Shi Davidi ‏@ShiDavidi
Jay Bruce had #BlueJays on no-trade list, but is said to be willing to head north. OF due $12.5m in '16, option for '17 at $13m w/ $1m b.o.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 1 minute ago
Source: Bruce deal, if it happens, could involve 3rd team, and that team could get Saunders from #BlueJays. Saunders earning $2.9M in 2016.

That would make me some kind of happy, but you don't get Bruce for Saunders which scares me that Alford is in play.

I think the writting is on the wall for Bautista if they acquire Bruce. He'll be moved for pitching help at the deadline if they are in contention or for prospects if they are not.

[jschick88]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman
3-way trade has legs. As said, Bruce to Jays, Saunders to angels

[Jiggy_12]

Jay Bruce?

Can't say I'm massively familiar with him but from what I've read in the past, I do not believe many will be a fan of this. Let's wait and see what is outgoing, and what the scope is for this deal.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Is Bruce a 40 HR guy at Rogers Center? Maybe!

Still a perplexing deal if it goes through. Unwilling to spend money on pitching or a proper lead-off, but adding even more power to a roster that already has the most power in baseball. As I mentioned above, the Jays must really not like Bautista's number he's given them.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

That would make me some kind of happy, but you don't get Bruce for Saunders which scares me that Alford is in play.

I think the writting is on the wall for Bautista if they acquire Bruce. He'll be moved for pitching help at the deadline if they are in contention or for prospects if they are not.

Unfortunately with his quotes today I think the writing is most definetly on the wall that Bautista's time as a Jay is on the clock. with them having Tulo, Donaldson and Martin all do big $ over the next few years and some talent coming up I can't see the Jays committing big money to bautista for the next 4-5 years. Not sure it makes sense too either.

I can't see how it would cost Alford, who I agree should be untouchable, considering by taking Bruce's contract you are doing the Reds a bit of a favor.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Jay Bruce?

Can't say I'm massively familiar with him but from what I've read in the past, I do not believe many will be a fan of this. Let's wait and see what is outgoing, and what the scope is for this deal.

Never lives up to his draft hype. That said, has a lot of pop in his bat. Consistent 25-30 hr hitter. Below average hitter with a declining OBP.

That said, he doesn't have the draft hype to compare him to in Toronto and his contract is relatively good value given his HR/RBI totals. I'd take him on the Jays for sure if we aren't giving up anything and Rogers is strangely willing to increase their budget by 6 million.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by cross16

Unfortunately with his quotes today I think the writing is most definetly on the wall that Bautista's time as a Jay is on the clock. with them having Tulo, Donaldson and Martin all do big $ over the next few years and some talent coming up I can't see the Jays committing big money to bautista for the next 4-5 years. Not sure it makes sense too either.

I can't see how it would cost Alford, who I agree should be untouchable, considering by taking Bruce's contract you are doing the Reds a bit of a favor.

I can't see the Jays giving up Alford, I just can't possibly see who else they would trade as all their other prospects are gone. If they get Bruce for just Saunders, that's a pretty serious windfall for the Jays in my opinion.

I just find it really funny that they will spend some extra cash on a position they don't really have a current need for when they could have more productively spent it on pitching or lead-off/speed.

[Jiggy_12]

Yeah that OBP is not good.

Career high of 34 HR. 28 years old but stats in decline.

Hitters ballpark could cancel out the decline and he could have a useful season or two, who knows.

What is more concerning is the likely implications of this, which are bye bye Jose after this year. No way would we add this much money to the OF is there was any thought of paying for Bautista.

[Jiggy_12]

It is however endearing that the Yankees and Red Sox are on his no-trade list, that's refreshing to see.

Jay Bruce's no-trade list:
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Athletics
4. Rays
5. Marlins
6. Twins
7. Indians
8. Diamondbacks

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Yeah that OBP is not good.

Career high of 34 HR. 28 years old but stats in decline.

Hitters ballpark could cancel out the decline and he could have a useful season or two, who knows.

What is more concerning is the likely implications of this, which are bye bye Jose after this year. No way would we add this much money to the OF is there was any thought of paying for Bautista.

Yup, Bautista is as good as gone. Rogers clearly didn't like his perceived value of himself, and him standing on his soapbox today telling everyone what was going to happen has sped up the process. I don't think he finishes the year in Toronto regardless of their playoff position.

Still think that isn't news Roof-Daddy?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

It is however endearing that the Yankees and Red Sox are on his no-trade list, that's refreshing to see.

Jay Bruce's no-trade list:
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Athletics
4. Rays
5. Marlins
6. Twins
7. Indians
8. Diamondbacks

Jays are on it as well, but he's apparently willing to move it to come north according to Ken Rosenthal.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Jays are on it as well, but he's apparently willing to move it to come north according to Ken Rosenthal.

It sounds like the Jays were at one point, but that 8 team list is his most updated (probably adjusted after last season).

Also, Stoeten weighs in on Bruce:
http://thebluejaysnation.com/2016/2/...rading-for-him