MLB Free Agency Thread

[Pagal4321]

Well, now that the World Series is one day old, free agency begins with more then 200 players filing for free agency today.

For the Jays this include Lily, Catalanatto and Speier applied for free agency.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2641926

The "big" names that filed for free agency include Bonds, Frank Thomas, Garciaparra.

Wonder who the Jays pursue this offseason with their increased budget?

Discuss.....

[Sylvanfan]

Well I think their main focus will be to try and keep Lilly, or find a suitable replacement. You have to think with the lack of pitching in Baseball right now that Lilly is going to get some pretty over inflated offers. Than you consider that him and Gibbons may not have such a great relationship than I think he's gone.

I suspect both New York teams will look at him as pitching health did in the Mets (possibly costing them the World Series), and it's killed the Yankees in the post season recently.

I guess the biggest thing for the Jays will be what happens with Vernon Wells and than they'll have to shape the team from there. If they can retain Wells than they probably don't need to concern themselves that much with the offence and can focus on getting a good defensive shortstop, and catcher and try to find pitching.

If they can't sign Wells they have to see what they can find in the trade market and see if an outfield with the likes of Rios, Lind, Johnson will suffice.

It should be a pretty eventfull offseason again for the Jays.

[flames_1987]

Lilly is as good as gone. He's wanted to pitch on the weast coast again for a while and made it clear he was going to test FA. His blowup with Gibbons didn't help either

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Lilly is as good as gone. He's wanted to pitch on the weast coast again for a while and made it clear he was going to test FA. His blowup with Gibbons didn't help either

Actually the fact that both Gibbons and Lilly were able to move past that incident with seemingly no damage to their relationship suggests to me that they had a very positive relationship in place.

I dont suspect Lilly to be back but not because of that incident. More because with so many teams needing arms, someone will overpay to get Lilly.

[Flames in 07]

Overall the jays have more money this year (although I'm not sure they have announced how much) and you'd think it will be all about starting arms, hoping some of the cast can develop into a good pen.

Any guess if they will try to extent VWells?

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Any guess if they will try to extent VWells?

Well they're going to try. Whether they actually get him to agree or not, thats another issue. Untill the Jays make a descision or get a final answer on Wells I don't think they'll be able to do much. As that is the move that will determine how they approach this offseason.