2023/24 Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by bluejays

If the Jays do somehow land Ohtani, one of Vlad or Bichette is dealt, I'd guess. Unless they go all in for one season, then risk losing them for nothing. It's a tough decision to make because in a season you could be left with nothing if Ohtani walks.

Why not go all in? The acquisition cost in terms of assets isn't really big, just dollars which you could probably make up. If things aren't going well, maybe you could move him at the deadline for a massive haul, too.

[Blaster86]

This was the same question with Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors. In the end, you shoot your shot.

[Parallex]

I feel like agents are always using the Jays as a stalking horse and journalists always include them to juice up hit rates from Canada... not gonna give myself false... but DO IT ROGERS! Do it and I promise I won't bitch about your ####ty cell coverage for at least a month.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I feel like agents are always using the Jays as a stalking horse and journalists always include them to juice up hit rates from Canada... not gonna give myself false... but DO IT ROGERS! Do it and I promise I won't bitch about your ####ty cell coverage for at least a month.

100% this, happens all the time.

[flames_fan_down_under]

How could it not be anything but a win for Rogers and Toronto with that guy on your team. Jersey sales, ticket sales, Jays fans abroad ticket sales, viewership. They just bought shaw for billions, surely they have a billion kicking around somewhere for Ohtani.

[Jiggy_12]

Signing Ohtani does everything everyone has already mentioned, plus is will basically erase all the bad will and sour grapes surrounding the team from the fanbase and media following that disastrous post season appearance.

Life will move on in a big way if it happens. Could be a career saver for Atkins

[Sylvanfan]

No doubt Ohtani would really help sell some of these more expensive upgraded area's at Rogers Center.

But I agree with Paralex that the Jay's are just a pawn to get someone else to pay more and offer a more favorable options.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

No doubt Ohtani would really help sell some of these more expensive upgraded area's at Rogers Center.

But I agree with Paralex that the Jay's are just a pawn to get someone else to pay more and offer a more favorable options.

Maybe, it could start out that way.

I wonder if a studious mind like Ohtani’s would see a lot of value in the Jays spring training and development facilities. If they can just get some face time with Ohtani, that could move the needle.

[Beninho]

Ohtani going to the Dodgers would be so boring. Going to the Jays would be different with the opportunity for him to have literally two countries buying all his jerseys. It makes sense, but also still seems like a long shot.

[bluejays]

IMO, Ohtani isn't that missing piece. Surely he's a good piece, but with the holes the Jays have to fill, they'll have to pour way more money than just him alone to plug those holes. I can't say I'd be complaining if they got him but he's alone not going to plug those holes in the lineup. If all the money gets pooled to him (which is large enough on it's own), how are they going to fill those other holes? The easiest way is just to say, "get the big fish then see" but that's too simple. There is a limited budget, a lot of holes in the lineup because of free agency and last years performance, and a lack of serviceable young batters to bring from the minors. Realistically, they need to spread the money out to get numerous batters instead of one large one. It would be a fun hope in the wind with Ohtani, but in baseball you need a good balance. The Angels had two of the best hitters the past few years and didn't do much. Gotta find a way to deal for depth here.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by bluejays

IMO, Ohtani isn't that missing piece. Surely he's a good piece, but with the holes the Jays have to fill, they'll have to pour way more money than just him alone to plug those holes. I can't say I'd be complaining if they got him but he's alone not going to plug those holes in the lineup. If all the money gets pooled to him (which is large enough on it's own), how are they going to fill those other holes? The easiest way is just to say, "get the big fish then see" but that's too simple. There is a limited budget, a lot of holes in the lineup because of free agency and last years performance, and a lack of serviceable young batters to bring from the minors. Realistically, they need to spread the money out to get numerous batters instead of one large one. It would be a fun hope in the wind with Ohtani, but in baseball you need a good balance. The Angels had two of the best hitters the past few years and didn't do much. Gotta find a way to deal for depth here.

If you have a chance to get Ohtani you get him and trade other players. If there is a even a slight chance you still do everything you can to sign him. He is literally a once in a generation player, maybe once in a lifetime if he stays healthy. He is the biggest free agent in North American sports since Lebron James was over 10 years ago.

[bizaro86]

Jays have holes at:

DH
2B
3B
LF (assume Varsho to CF)
SP#5

Ohtani fills the DH hole and maybe the SP hole in the future.
2B I think you promote from within

He's a huge upgrade on offense which is where they are weak. You don't sign him because you're worried you can't afford Chapman anymore - sign him and play Martinez if you have to to make the $ work.

If you could sign him I think you empty the prospect cupboard for Soto and make a 1 year push.

[browna]

Hard to say.

If you read all the articles on Ohtani this last couple years, he's a bit of a wild card and very private and is a very smart guy and man of habit and needing things just so.

Each team wanting him would bend over backwards to accommodate him in this regard, but he is also unconventional in his ways. Jays may not get him but the decision would be fit for him and chance to win, not how much money he makes or what market he's in, though I think he knows he would be a massive star in this entire country, and does that trump being a massive star in Dallas, or as one 40 miles north of Anaheim?

So, I don't think he'd use the Jays as a pawn. If Kikuchi has any sway here, and Jays have had good fortune with Ryu, you never know. The guy is an amazing talent and hard worker to be probably the most talented player in modern baseball history. He will come back in 2025 as an SP stronger then ever, and his fitness and smarts and training are what makes him a great hitter, so that's not going anywhere.

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Wherever he goes is Probably a top 3 biggest signing in North American sporting history

What else would be up there? Nothing in the NHL. Lebron to Miami in the NBA. Messi to the MLS....maybe Brady to the Buccaneers in the NFL.

The Brady to bucs signing isn’t even close. There were teams that needed a QB that didn’t even show interest in Brady. Not many wanted to sign an aging QB. It was only great after he won a Super Bowl.

Signing Othani would be monumental. The Lebron comp is closest but I think this would trump it

[Jason14h]

No one needs the use the Jays as a pawn to drive up Ohtanis price

The team he chooses will hand him a blank check to fill out effectively

[looooob]

old news I missed or not posted yet?


Ben Wagner gets the axe


https://torontosun.com/sports/baseba...n-radio-wagner


must say these new 'modern' media developments are increasingly depressing

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Just happened today. I didn't listen to him a lot, but when I did I thought he was great.

Weird decision.

[KelVarnsen]

Maybe its the first domino leading to Ohtani signing with the Jays?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by looooob

old news I missed or not posted yet?


Ben Wagner gets the axe


https://torontosun.com/sports/baseba...n-radio-wagner


must say these new 'modern' media developments are increasingly depressing

Rogers is just a gong show....seems like they have zero interest in presenting quality productions. Sad really.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Too bad because Wagner was a good baseball guy and knew the game. I have to drive a fair bit so I enjoy having the Jays game on the radio (when it's actually on out west), so not happy to hear that they are pulling away from the radio broadcast even more.