2023/24 Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[bluejays]

Almost no problem with him at that term. Give him more money at that term no problem. Beyond that is a lifetime and not worth the risk.

[Underdog]

They really need to do something. Right now they're choosing between IKF, Varsho and Jansen to hit 5th. That's not good.

[Cowboy89]

^ I would hope they would view their situation as needing to be all-in as I don't see the thesis of how they get better organically in future years without signing some high end talent. The progression arc of players like Bichette, Guererro Jr., Biggio, etc. is reaching their apex and past free agent signings such as George Springer are on the downward arc. They need high end talent in their peak or near peak now to continue their string of competitiveness, especially in the AL East. Many teams are dialing back spending as the regional sports deal gravy train many teams were on is expiring coinciding with Bally sports filing for bankruptcy last year. Other than a few big money teams the Jays should be competitive in out-bidding for mid to high level talent.

[Inferno]

Must be to pay for all the new cup holders at Rogers Centre.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1757494899773960655

[KelVarnsen]

Oh no anyways dot gif

[ben voyonsdonc]

Lopez was bet to break out last season. He certainly didn’t.

[bluejays]

Looks like the new Nike jersey's across the league are getting pretty poor reviews from the players, of seemingly being cheap feeling (and looking). Suddenly my curiosity of the City Connect to be announced is more along the lines of "is this the first bad one that we'll see?"

[KelVarnsen]

Look and feel wise? No, we will have seen the other Nike City Connect jerseys before we see the Jays one. So we will know the quality sucks by then.

Design wise? Maybe. Depends on how much design influence Nike has.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Looks like the new Nike jersey's across the league are getting pretty poor reviews from the players, of seemingly being cheap feeling (and looking). Suddenly my curiosity of the City Connect to be announced is more along the lines of "is this the first bad one that we'll see?"

The problem is all manufacturing has moved to Fanatics and they are just licensing the Nike logo.

The jerseys actually manufactured by Nike/Majestic last year were still good quality.

I don't get why these leagues would ever actually allow their jerseys to be manufactured by Fanatics who have been known for terrible quality on anything they manufacture forever.

NHL is the most recent league to make this mistake...the same factory that doing the Adidas jerseys is supposed to manufacture the Fanatics jerseys to start but hopefully NHL doesn't let Fanatics ever get their hands on all manufacturing.

[flamingred89]

Sounds like the Jays will be signing 3B Eduardo Escobar. Hmm. -1.2 bWAR last season. Had a big season in 2019 for the snakes but seems like his best days are over for him. He will be 35 years old this season. Woof.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

Sounds like the Jays will be signing 3B Eduardo Escobar. Hmm. -1.2 bWAR last season. Had a big season in 2019 for the snakes but seems like his best days are over for him. He will be 35 years old this season. Woof.

Can't see it being an MLB deal, must be a MiLB deal with an invite to TC

He had 2.2 fWAR in 2022 and 2.6 fWAR in 2021

[ben voyonsdonc]

Escobar, Kiermaier, Turner, Springer, Gausman, Bassitt, Kikuchi…we may not be getting better but we are definitely getting…ahem…more “experienced”.

[Roof-Daddy]

Manoah's new wife is a nutritionist and he looks to be in great shape.

Vladdy looks ripped. Leaned down a lot and actually muscular.

Here's to hoping these dudes bounce back.

[KelVarnsen]

Some news links

Manoah stuff
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article...es-behind-him/
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/h...s-normal-self/

Eduardo Escobar minor-league deal
https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article...ile-infielder/

[KelVarnsen]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1758154397366817193

[activeStick]

Damn. Merrifield signed a year deal with Philly.

[bluejays]

Jays sign Vogelbach. Heaviest DH/C combo in the league. I guess this closes the door on further signings. I don't get it but whatever at this point.

[flamingred89]

Jays legend Daniel Vogelbach is making his triumphant return to Rogers?!?

I don't mind that. Super low risk for a dude who can hit the odd bomb. Plus. With all the weight Vladdy and Manoah appear to have lost we need someone to play offensive line.

[bluejays]

I think one of the things that will piss off players is the amount of undefined positioned players who will be in and out depending on matchups. I don't mind Vogelbach either, but there are so many players like him who will be playing multiple positions. We've heard this story before and it's not appreciated by players. So strategically I don't like what they're doing because the players won't be happy over 162 games.

[KelVarnsen]

It’s a minor league deal