2015-2016 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[Jason14h]

That's not to say he was great but I wouldn't classify him as "bottom of the barrel" unless you're talking just about his D... in which case he's still bottom of the barrel

Cincy FORCED the Jays to take him for salary reasons. He was designated at one point with the Jays.

To acquire Rolen, the Reds sent Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke, and Zach Stewart to Toronto. Encarnacion was coming off of a career year (at the time) offensively, slugging 26 dingers, but had floundered much of the 2009 season at the plate, hitting only .209 at the time of the trade. It's hard to tell if the Jays were buying low on EdE, or if the Reds were just grateful to get someone to take them off their hands.
The real value in the trade came from the two pitching prospects, Roenicke and Stewart. Roenicke was percieved as closer to the majors, and during his time in Cincinnati was even thought of as a closer of the future. Stewart was the Reds' top pitching prospect at the time, and had just completed a swing up 3 minor league levels in one season, dominating everywhere he'd been.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Cincy FORCED the Jays to take him for salary reasons. He was designated at one point with the Jays.

Jesus, lucky EE panned out because that's Doug Gilmour trade territory otherwise.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Edwin wasn't. He'd established himself as roughly an average MLB'er (albeit solely on the basis of his bat) with the Reds. But you happily send a roughly average MLB'er the other way when you're getting a still productive likely future hall of famer at the same position back as part of the trade.

That's not to say he was great but I wouldn't classify him as "bottom of the barrel" unless you're talking just about his D... in which case he's still bottom of the barrel.

I don't know he was optioned back and forth from the big leagues by the Jays, and was actually claimed by the Athletics on waivers after that deal.

He then wasn't offered a contract by the A's and the Jays were able to sign him as a Unrestricted Free Agent in the off-season.

The guy was available to every team for free at that point and the Jays just decided to bring him back into the fold.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

David Aardsma has been signed to a minor league deal.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/0...d-aardsma.html

[JiriHrdina]

I assume when they sign guys like this - they have scouted them and believe there is something that "could" be there. I don't know why anyone would choose to criticize such moves unless they are literally criticizing EVERY move the team makes.
They are low risk moves with low chances of paying off. Ultimately they really don't matter at all except in cases where you strike lightning in a bottle. And it does happen.

[howard_the_duck]

I actually applaud these moves from the Jays. Worst case it's added depth at AAA. The MLB-ready talent needed to be stocked in their system and Shapiro has done a very good job at bringing in organizational depth.

Joe Blanton was all but done as an MLB player and completely revitalized his career as a reliever, and I can't imagine anyone would have predicted that. There's such volatility in pitching, especially relievers, that I think these type of low-risk moves are a great gamble.

[Jason14h]

Anytime you can get no risk players financially you do. We have seen years where 4-5 starters go down with injury.

The issue is if you are banking on 1 or 2 projects to work to field a proper roster. Not saying the Jays are doing this, but I think that's people's fear based on the last 20 years.

[Roof-Daddy]

From a few days ago:

.@BlueJays have acquired OF Darrell Ceciliani from the New York Mets in exchange for a player to be named later. pic.twitter.com/edfja0Fai0

Sounds like minor league depth with a chance to grow into a quality role player down the road.

From mid-season 2014, Mark Anderson of Baseball Prospectus issued the following scouting report: “Lacks flash in the game; most tools are solid; can hit the ball and will hit some at the highest level; power isn’t a significant factor; speed can play toward the top of a lineup; glove will carry him to MLB and hit tool will give him a chance to stick; potential up-the-middle player with batting average driven offensive profile; won’t be a key cog on an MLB team but can be a quality role player.”

Article

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jesse Chavez won his arb hearing, he got 4 million, the Jays had offered 3.6 million.

Gavin Floyd's contract is a major league deal, not a minor league. Chad Jenkins has been DFA'd as a result.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Gavin Floyd's contract is a major league deal, not a minor league. Chad Jenkins has been DFA'd as a result.

Surprising. I didn't figure that he'd get a MLB deal right off the hop. Not to surprising that Jenkins drew the short straw... he's out of options and they Jays would have had to DFA him sooner or later.

That's pretty much the final touch for the roster. The Pen looks pretty solid now.

[jschick88]

The Toronto Blue Jays and Josh Donaldson have reached an agreement on a two-year deal worth nearly $29 million to avoid arbitration, according to a source.

The teams were set for a hearing Feb. 15. As a file and trial team, the Blue Jays had to reach a multi year deal with Donaldson to avoid arbitration.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...ith-donaldson/

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Surprising. I didn't figure that he'd get a MLB deal right off the hop. Not to surprising that Jenkins drew the short straw... he's out of options and they Jays would have had to DFA him sooner or later.

That's pretty much the final touch for the roster. The Pen looks pretty solid now.

The more I think of some of the signings the more I kinda like them. Taking chances, but if they work out the Jays are laughing. If they don't hopefully the Jays don't sit on their hands too long before finding upgrades.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by jschick88

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...ith-donaldson/

15 million per for the MVP? Yeah, I'll take that. When can they start negotiating a longer term extension, do they have to wait a year?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

15 million per for the MVP? Yeah, I'll take that. When can they start negotiating a longer term extension, do they have to wait a year?

We'll 11M this year and 18M next. A slight discount on what he'd likely get in arb but it's guarenteed.

[TheAlpineOracle]

That's good news. Does that effect his arbitration status after the two years?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

That's good news. Does that effect his arbitration status after the two years?

No, he'll still have 1 year left.

[Parallex]

While we wait for pitchers and catchers to report...

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-jays-are-like...thers-1.435442

...Personally I don't see it. Those guys were a big deal in Cuba and they'll command big time $$. It'll be hard to outbid NYY, BRS, LAD and maybe Miami.

And also some prospect watchin'...

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...rticleid=28401

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Parallex

While we wait for pitchers and catchers to report...

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-jays-are-like...thers-1.435442

...Personally I don't see it. Those guys were a big deal in Cuba and they'll command big time $$. It'll be hard to outbid NYY, BRS, LAD and maybe Miami.

And also some prospect watchin'...

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...rticleid=28401

I'd only be interest in the 22 year old,but maybe you have to give the other two minor league deals to get the deal done.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I'd only be interest in the 22 year old,but maybe you have to give the other two minor league deals to get the deal done.

Uh... that's not gonna happen. Yulieski Gourriel was widely considered the best ballplayer in Cuba. He's gonna get a lot of $$ all on his own.

The younger brother is the big prize but Yulieski isn't a scrub you sign just to get the 22/23 year old.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I don’t know why it’s not fashionable to just say the truth. David Price would’ve represented almost our entire offseason. It’s that simple, Jim. Almost no one would make that decision. … To me, it comes down to we had a very, very, very challenging pitching dilemma here in that we lost him, we lost [Marco] Estrada. We had zero Triple-A pitchers — not one, not a name to fill our rotation in Triple-A. We had to take the money, which was ample, and figure out how to both solve the Major League rotation, which was two spots in the rotation, along with solving a depth challenge. … Regardless of how great one pitcher is, you need to build a team around the guy, too.

Floyd’s fastball sat at 92 mph and touched 95 mph, writes Nicholson-Smith, and with three additional breaking pitches in his arsenal, Atkins, Shapiro and the scouting staff deemed him worthy of a 40-man roster spot if that was the final component needed to get Floyd to Toronto. “He has the make-up of a starter with a repeatable delivery and a four-pitch arsenal,” said Atkins. “We’ve also seen his work ethic up close and we know it’s going to be there.”

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/0...sta-floyd.html