2014-2015 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[KelVarnsen]

I likes this trade, I tell you what.

[Flickered Flame]

Textbook Billy Beane trade.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Love this trade. Lawrie could never stay healthy and Nolin was not really a huge part of the future.

[Matty81]

Wow that's a huge deal. Donaldson is one of the best if not the best 3b in baseball imo, great d and a very good hitter for both average and power.

I have no issues with Lawrie moving, he has declined in my estimation and I doubt he is going to ever hit for a great average, I think he'll be a guy who bats 6th or 7th in a lineup long term and is a Charlie hustle in the field and on the bases.

I think Nolin is a borderline prospect, where it stings a little is Barreto who is a blue chipper. Graveman looked ok too, so it's no small price.

Still to get an allstar who is only 28 you have to give up a lot, and i think they did well. I like this trade a lot more than the Dickey trade.

Since they are going all in with prospect capital again, they need to spend some money and sign another big free agent or two to ensure it's not halfway done like the last big all in, they still have a few holes and there is no point in wasting prospects to finish 2nd or 3Rd in the division.

[ben voyonsdonc]

The Jays have four years of control with Donaldson's contract which is nice too.

[Tyler]

I love Brett, but dude is the Sami Salo of baseball

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I love Brett, but dude is the Sami Salo of baseball

He got bit by a snake?!

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

What a steal.

Donaldson is a far better hitter than Brett. Power, OBP, OPS...its all there.

The middle of the Jays lineup with Martin, EE, Bautista, and Donaldson is absurd.

He's been top 10 in MVP voting for both the past 2 years.

2nd highest WAR the last 2 seasons behind Mike Trout

this is a huge upgrade

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

2nd highest WAR the last 2 seasons behind Mike Trout

this is a huge upgrade

Yep, all while playing in Oakland - a pitcher's park.

incredibly great trade for the Blue Jays. Now, and for the next 4 years.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Textbook Billy Beane trade.

I don't understand this trade for you guys.

Why are the A's tearing up a team they thought was close enough to make the Addison Russell for Samardzija trade to finish off?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't understand this trade for you guys.

Why are the A's tearing up a team they thought was close enough to make the Addison Russell for Samardzija trade to finish off?

Lester is already gone, this is what Beane does

Donaldson is due a raise

he values team control over almost anything else, and when he thinks the team has a chance he goes all in

[Flickered Flame]

^I want to see what happens next. I've heard that the A's are close to moving Samardzija.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Lester is already gone, this is what Beane does

Donaldson is due a raise

he values team control over almost anything else, and when he thinks the team has a chance he goes all in

Bingo.

[Matty81]

The middle of the jays lineup is scary good : EE, Jose and Donaldson... Wow. Add Reyes and Martin and that's pretty damned good starting point. Still Lots of questions at 2B/LF/DH/CF so there is still a lot of work to be done.

[bluejays]

I love this. Lawrie was all hype, little pop. To me, this brings you far more respectability on the field instead of endless jerking around in the dugout. Very good move by Anthopolis. So long Lawrie, you can now take your act to Oakland where there will be little forgiveness not producing with a higher pricetag. I say Lawrie will be dealt again within a year.

[waner]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't understand this trade for you guys.

Why are the A's tearing up a team they thought was close enough to make the Addison Russell for Samardzija trade to finish off?

Moves Samardzija, moves any other older guys and in 2-3 years they are back in the play-offs again with Lawrie filling the role Donaldson filled.

Not sure about Gravelman and Nolin being anything more than 5th starters but Beane seems fine with quantity over pitching and Oakland seems able to make guys into more than they seem/were other places.

It will be interesting to see if Donaldson can get his average up to 2013 levels or if that was a blip. Hard to tell with him since he had such an odd career trajectory.

I think Donaldson is where you would want Lawrie to be going forward big power, plus defense and you take the average for what it is. So getting that in Donaldson now makes sense with AA in a go for it mode. As mentioned the pitchers given up don't seem to be anything special so that shouldn't hurt.

Trade makes sense for both sides considering what they do and what they want to do going forward.

[Senator Clay Davis]

A's are clearly trying to destroy their fanbase so they can move.

[MyFlamesFirst]

I am very ignorant to all baseball players and franchises outside of the Blue Jays. However, my friend who is a big baseball fan is quite happy about this trade. In turn, I am also quite happy about this trade. Go Jays!

[The Big Chill]

Hard not to like this trade. I still think Lawrie could be a very good player, but these injuries came at a really key time in his development. I still wish him well and hope he finds success in Oakland.

Now I hope we finish the job and get some mlb talent in at a couple other positions where we are still lacking.

[Caged Great]

1. Reyes
2. Donaldson
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Martin

Have fun with that.