Toronto Blue Jays - Offseason Thread

[ClubFlames]

Bob Nightengale Verified account
‏@BNightengale
The #Nationals, taken aback by Bryce Harper's contract request in early talks, now set to move on after '18

I can't even imagine a player of his calibre becoming a FA and what a bidding war it will be.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

I can't even imagine a player of his calibre becoming a FA and what a bidding war it will be.

It'll be insane (and the Yankee's will win it).

[Senator Clay Davis]

He's allegedly asking for 10 years, $400 million. Lol...at some point it's cheaper to just give him an ownership share isn't it?

[Jason14h]

Harper really needs to have a bounce back season. Another clunker will cost him hundreds of millions

[Caged Great]

The Jays are doing what the Jays do best.

Have the ability to sign good players, but cheap out with mediocre filler talent. While Happ and Estrada over performed last season, that is a ridiculous outlier, and you cannot expect marginal talents to basically replace the star talents that are departing. Assuming the Jays get Fowler (which, again, is a long shot considering the jays cheap out), then maybe the team might be good enough for 80-85 wins. Right now, I don't see how the Jays win more than 75 with the roster they have.

They went from a murderer's row offense to a couple decent hitters and a bunch of meh. Not exactly inspiring.

Going to piss away the good will the country has shown if they continue to be penny pinchers instead of spending actual money for actual talent.

[bluejays]

While I think moving away from EE wasn't a good idea, if he was asking for too much as it now appears, the Jays were right to hedge their bets and move on. While I agree they don't have a better roster than the end of the year, I'm willing to see what they can do about this. The Jays are in a tough situation. I'm not for overpaying just because the money is available as you can't always get rid of those contracts. Having said this, if they're moving on from AA and JB, you absolutely must get better situational hitters, and spending a little money to get some really good relievers.

[Cappy]

Jose has been pretty quiet lately.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him come back on a short-term deal.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Jose has been pretty quiet lately.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him come back on a short-term deal.

Hope not, would rather see the Jays move in a different direction.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by flambers

Hope not, would rather see the Jays move in a different direction.

If they don't get fowler there is crap in the corner OF market barring trade.

Where do they go?

How the mighty jay has fallen after a rough year, eh?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cappy

If they don't get fowler there is crap in the corner OF market barring trade.

Where do they go?

How the mighty jay has fallen after a rough year, eh?

I don't see it that way, Jose is getting older. His production will decline and his injuries will increase.

Jays need to need to move into a different direction.

I would guess they need two outfielders (signing or via trade)

[Otto-matic]

Paul Kinzer: "Edwin loved Toronto. He hoped to go back. But he waited his whole career for free agency and wanted to see what's out there."

Kinzer said #BlueJays offer (4 years, ~$80M) came during quiet period, and Edwin wasn't ready to decide before hearing from other clubs.

Once Encarnacion rejected $80M offer, #BlueJays moved on (Morales, Pearce) more quickly than Edwin's camp anticipated. @MLB

Gotta give credit to Ross Atkins for not sitting around and playing the waiting game with EE.

http://www.tsn.ca/phillips-the-blue-...acion-1.623894

[Da_Chief]

That sounds like an agent who he f'd up. EE might still get the money from someone but don't think it'll be this agent getting it for him.

Some things to remember.

Jays were told get a deal done by spring training or wait till the end. So that was all BS since EE was always going to UFA?

If he loved Toronto and wanted to go back why not take the offer that was pretty good? Did he just want to do a tour?

What did EE and the agent expect? Offer made, rejected, sit around and wait for EE to sign elsewhere?

I like EE but him and his camp messed up this one.

[Jason14h]

Gotta give credit to Ross Atkins for not sitting around and playing the waiting game with EE.

Why give credit? If EE ends up signing a low end deal and would have signed that here if we waited, Atkins made the wrong decision. It's a pragmatic decision, but no credit until you know how everything plays out. If anything looks like the Jays should have waited.....

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by flambers

I would guess they need two outfielders (signing or via trade)

They only need one now. Pearce (2016: 118 wRC+ vs RHB) and Upton (2016: 132 wRC+ vs LHB) can platoon in left and have Zeke or Pompey as the spare. They for sure need a full-time guy for RF thou. That should be priority #1 (Fowler please), then they just need a full inning LHP for the pen and a back-up catcher and they're good to go.

[Roof-Daddy]

TSN baseball insider speculating that JB might have to wait until after the draft to sign as there doesnt seem to be any teams interested in losing a 1st to sign him.

Ouch. Thats gonna put a dent in the ole ego if that happens

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

TSN baseball insider speculating that JB might have to wait until after the draft to sign as there doesnt seem to be any teams interested in losing a 1st to sign him.

Ouch. Thats gonna put a dent in the ole ego if that happens

Won't happen.

I think someone will sign him and if no one else does then the Jays would have him back on a one year deal before that... I don't see a contending team putting out a salary hold for the beginning of the season so they can sign Jose to a multi-year deal later.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

TSN baseball insider speculating that JB might have to wait until after the draft to sign as there doesnt seem to be any teams interested in losing a 1st to sign him.

Ouch. Thats gonna put a dent in the ole ego if that happens

Sit until mid-June? I'm not sure that is a good idea for him. The Jays may have him over a barrell if no one is willing to lose a pick to sign him, if he wants to play a full year to maximize his value he'll have to sign a cheap 1 year deal with the Jays

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by flambers

I don't see it that way, Jose is getting older. His production will decline and his injuries will increase.

Jays need to need to move into a different direction.

I would guess they need two outfielders (signing or via trade)

I would say they need two as well. One to platoon with Melvin (I think Pearce plays first unless EE comes back.)

I am just saying it fits what they have looked at. They checked in on a few older guys for shorter term deals this winter, Beltran being one. A one year deal is nothing that can't be easily traded or thrown away at the deadline or after the season. the risk is low and it appeared to work for a couple of guys last year (Fowler and Desmond).

Given the market wants nothing to do with these guys that have picks attached to them, the best place for JB is Toronto.

I don't imagine TOR is going to sign him anytime soon. I trust their approach of balancing the lineup is a real mandate, but Bautista could be had on a one year deal for something similar, if less, than what Beltran got.

I would take that deal in a heart beat.

[REDVAN]

double post :-(

[REDVAN]

I'm still holding out hope we get Edwin and then obviously one of Morales/Pearce won't work out in pre-season.

Honestly would not be surprised to see JB back cheap too, but he's become less important to the offense and I'd honestly bat him 5/6th in the order which he won't like.

I also feel like this is the last year the Jays have to really go for it, so spend the money now and then next year dismantle... looks like EE and jJB might be had for cheap(ish) so this might become reality... now to focus on some arms in my fantasy reality.