2014-2015 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[ben voyonsdonc]

Jays signed Canadian P Jeff Francis and picked up OF Andy Dirks off waivers. http://www.tsn.ca/blue-jays-sign-bc-...igers-1.121509

Going to be an interesting off-season this year. Last year seemed to be "the year" with weaker Yankees/Bo Sox teams. Now the Jays have some decisions to make.

Blue Jays Free Agents: Melky, J.A. Happ, Colby Rasmus, Casey Janssen

[bluejays]

Yes to Melky and Janssen, hell no to the rest.

Whomever the Jays sign, they better not have injury issues in the past. HOW LONG CAN THEY PLAY THAT CARD? Sign injury prone players, and injuries will likely happen during the season. Don't say you didn't see it coming.

As well, Jays have to get better up the middle. It's looking too weak right now. Catcher they can probably hold off on, but an Ace is necessary, as well as a stong 2nd and a replacement for Rasmus. Who these players are, I don't know, but AA's gotta earn his money this winter.

[Caged Great]

I hope they sign Jose Fernandez, the good hitting 2B that just defected from Cuba. He's not a power guy, but someone that could hit .280-.300. Wouldn't cost anything but $.

Have either Gose or Pompey in CF, and keep Melky. Janssen is not going to come back.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Happ may be back: http://thesco.re/1tK3kiF

[nik-]

They're not sucking me in this year.

#######s

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by nik-

They're not sucking me in this year.

#######s

Lol - and they did last year with Dioner Navarro's signing?

I am okay with Pillar/Gose/Pompey in CF this upcoming season, as long as Melky (our a "suitable replacement" like Markakis) and an upgrade at 2B happens. Having 2-3 weak bats in the bottom of the order generated little in the way of offense. Izturis is not going to cut it neither IMO.

There is rumors that Howie Kendrick is available in Anaheim, and I would hit that immediately if possible.

[GirlySports]

Do they Jays really have a policy of no contracts over 5 years? They'll get nobody good.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do they Jays really have a policy of no contracts over 5 years? They'll get nobody good.

Yep, and that's why they suck.

They are starting to get some arms coming through the system now, but they only really have Pompey as a legit threat to make the roster either this year or next.

That's why I wish they'd keep Melky and sign/trade for an actual good 2B.

I hope they move Lind as well, maybe make Melky the DH instead, and have both Pompey and Gose in the OF maybe (Defense for days).

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Yep, and that's why they suck.

They are starting to get some arms coming through the system now, but they only really have Pompey as a legit threat to make the roster either this year or next.

That's why I wish they'd keep Melky and sign/trade for an actual good 2B.

I hope they move Lind as well, maybe make Melky the DH instead, and have both Pompey and Gose in the OF maybe (Defense for days).

I'm not a Gose fan - he's just not a good enough hitter and I find his general attitude to be far too cavalier. I forget which game it was, but he had just bombed again at the plate in a key situation and they cut to him on the bench "yukking it up". He doesn't seem to get it.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Looks like Adam Lind has been traded to the Brewers

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo Source: #Brewers acquire Adam Lind. Done deal.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Yep, and that's why they suck.

They are starting to get some arms coming through the system now, but they only really have Pompey as a legit threat to make the roster either this year or next.

That's why I wish they'd keep Melky and sign/trade for an actual good 2B.

I hope they move Lind as well, maybe make Melky the DH instead, and have both Pompey and Gose in the OF maybe (Defense for days).

Hearing rumours of Lind to Houston or Milwaukee, you guys hearing anything?

edit: ^nevermind!

[Antithesis]

Jays are apparently about to trade Lind to the Brewers.

Beaten to the punch x2! Oh well!

[ben voyonsdonc]

I'm guessing a couple middle of the road prospects as the return.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I'm guessing a couple middle of the road prospects as the return.

Somebody named Marco Estrada, apparently.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Apparently Marco Estrada (RHP) is the return. Beaten!

[ben voyonsdonc]

I think I'd have preferred a prospect.

[Caged Great]

Yep, he's not worth 7.5 million. They are likely going to be using his cash on Melky and moving him to DH.

I don't like Gose much either with the bat. If you could find someone that would be a good LF, I would much rather have Pompey in CF.

[Antithesis]

Weird return ... the Jays seem to have a pretty good pile of starting pitchers right now and apparently that's where this Estrada guy played in 2013.

Dickey, Buerhle, Hutchison, Stroman, Happ as holdovers from last year ... plus Sanchez, Norris and Estrada? Weird. I'd been thinking they might be planning to trade Happ for a batter, but this is the other way around.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I think I'd have preferred a prospect.

I think they would've declined his option, which would've only cost 500K-1M, than keep him at 7.5.

You can get someone pretty decent at 7.5

[Caged Great]

They declined Santos' Option so he's gone.