2023/24 Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Thing is after Ohtani there just isn’t any real great options for bats in FA. I would have liked the guy Seattle picked up (Garver) but I don’t think sinking 5-6 years into Chapman or Bellinger is going to work out. The problem with the jays hasn’t been them not going into FA or trades. They have on both the problem is their minor league system has not produced enough quantity of mlb players. There is a few standouts but not enough quantity of players on both sides of the ball.

and then when they do, they trade Moreno away

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

and then when they do, they trade Moreno away

Long standing organizational habit... I remember when AA came in he talked a good game about building from within, creating a "freight train" of talent and being a perennial contender... then he lucked into the EE & Joey Bats breakouts and went all "YOLO! My entire farm system for your 40 year old knuckleballer and your overpriced free agent signings from last year!!1!".

The Blue Jays dream that they're the Tampa Bay Rays but with more money... but they're not. They don't have the patience.

[KelVarnsen]

All teams trade away prospects.

They don't usually trade them for the Varsho's of the world.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Long standing organizational habit... I remember when AA came in he talked a good game about building from within, creating a "freight train" of talent and being a perennial contender... then he lucked into the EE & Joey Bats breakouts and went all "YOLO! My entire farm system for your 40 year old knuckleballer and your overpriced free agent signings from last year!!1!".

The Blue Jays dream that they're the Tampa Bay Rays but with more money... but they're not. They don't have the patience.

Well, to be fair other than Syndergaard the jays haven't traded away any prospects that burned them in the long run. Moreno might end up being the 2nd, but only time will tell.

And I realize the fact that none of these prospects every amounted to much is both good and bad.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Well, to be fair other than Syndergaard the jays haven't traded away any prospects that burned them in the long run. Moreno might end up being the 2nd, but only time will tell.

And I realize the fact that none of these prospects every amounted to much is both good and bad.

Yeah, it's more the dichotomy between the words and actions. He talked a big game but the second he had a whiff of success he went and did the exact opposite of what he said he was going to do.

MLB teams have 5 farm teams... that means they all have 4 teams worth of players that won't amount to anything. Don't fall in love with prospects... they'll just break your heart.

... point of order on Syndergaard thou... Travis d'Arnaud has had a pretty good career as well... man that Dickey trade stunk. Find someone who looks at you like AA looked at Aaron Sanchez back then.

... Other then Donaldson did AA make any really good trades? I'm struggling to think of many. I remember I thought he did at the time but looking back at all the big ones I can't help but think a lot of them were kind of stinky. Doc trade, Marlins trade, Dickey trade, Tulo trade, Donaldson trade. Other then Donaldson none of them really standout as great.

[Jason14h]

What was wrong with Tulo and Price trades at the deadline . Both were home runs for that season and getting Jays to the AL Finals

They gave up nothing up value long term

Even The Marlins trade was just really $$ - nothing they traded ended up as anything

That’s actually the thing with most baseball trades - they usually end up being nothing in relation to prospects or a star and you look silly

You just hope the prospects turning into stars is the exception if you are trading them

The Jays issue isn’t trading prospects (who turn into nothing ) - it’s producing quality prospects / young major league talent . And it’s been a problem for 20 years

[bluejays]

Been a few weeks since the Bauer name has been brought up, but I'd totally be in for him coming here. There isn't much downside IMO. You may have an ace, and if the team isn't in a position to compete at the deadline you can cash him in for a lot. Legal accusations aside (which he was acquitted of), he seems to be saying the right things. There is literally only upside from what I see.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Well, to be fair other than Syndergaard the jays haven't traded away any prospects that burned them in the long run. Moreno might end up being the 2nd, but only time will tell.

And I realize the fact that none of these prospects every amounted to much is both good and bad.

Maybe I'm too invested, but Travis D'Arnaud also comes to mind. Had a pretty solid major league career since being traded.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Maybe I'm too invested, but Travis D'Arnaud also comes to mind. Had a pretty solid major league career since being traded.

Same trade - And he has a career 7.4 WAR - basically a replacement level player for his career

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah, D'arnaud has managed to stick around and be slightly above replacement level but certainly not a loss you mourn.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Been a few weeks since the Bauer name has been brought up, but I'd totally be in for him coming here. There isn't much downside IMO. You may have an ace, and if the team isn't in a position to compete at the deadline you can cash him in for a lot. Legal accusations aside (which he was acquitted of), he seems to be saying the right things. There is literally only upside from what I see.

Bauer would probably be one of the most efficient ways to raise this teams ceiling in a meaningful way. I would love it.

There would also be a ton of surplus value signing another DB like Aroldis Chapman as well.

I doubt Rogers would approve of either

[flames_fan_down_under]

In regards to AA: the Colby Rasmus trade was alright for the Jays. Had a 5 WAR season in 2016, gave away some pitchers but nothing of great value for him.

[calculoso]

TheScore: The Jorge Soler market is heating up.

The Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox are interested in the All-Star slugger, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

…

Soler hit 36 homers with 75 RBIs and an .853 OPS over 137 games for the Miami Marlins last season. The 10-year veteran recorded an AL-best 48 round-trippers in 2019 with the Kansas City Royals.

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2813218

[bluejays]

Solar isn’t my ideal guy as it would be nice to have someone who doesn’t JUST swing for the fences, but I’ll take him in this crop. Brantley just retired.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Been a few weeks since the Bauer name has been brought up, but I'd totally be in for him coming here. There isn't much downside IMO. You may have an ace, and if the team isn't in a position to compete at the deadline you can cash him in for a lot. Legal accusations aside (which he was acquitted of), he seems to be saying the right things. There is literally only upside from what I see.

There isn't much on the field downside. Off the field I'm not sure the Toronto Market is the right market politically for reintroducing Trevor Bauer back into MLB. Recall the Roberto Osuna and Anthony Bass situations and also recall that it was in Toronto where someone was trying to file a legal suit prohibiting the Cleveland Indians from wearing their chief Wahoo logo and using their then team name on their uniforms in the 2016 ALCS. I don't see that setting as being a place where someone accused of what Bauer was accused of would be able to rehabilitate his name.

[ben voyonsdonc]

The hardest of passes on Trevor Bauer.

If they are looking for pitching help, I’d rather focus on Yariel Rodriguez.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Solar isn’t my ideal guy as it would be nice to have someone who doesn’t JUST swing for the fences, but I’ll take him in this crop. Brantley just retired.

Just out of curiosity...what would you want the Jays to do?

You think the lineup is mediocre, and you seem to be frustrated they haven't added a big bat...but also don't want them to sign Solar or Bellinger, and don't want them to sign a long term deal to any Free agent.

You don't want them to bring back Chapman.

So I'm genuinely curious what you actually want them to do.

[KelVarnsen]

Well there goes the dream of signing Brantley
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...res-15-seasons

[Jason14h]

Robbie Ray traded (salary Dump) to SF

https://www.tsn.ca/seattle-mariners-...058509?tsn-amp

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Just out of curiosity...what would you want the Jays to do?

You think the lineup is mediocre, and you seem to be frustrated they haven't added a big bat...but also don't want them to sign Solar or Bellinger, and don't want them to sign a long term deal to any Free agent.

You don't want them to bring back Chapman.

So I'm genuinely curious what you actually want them to do.

Two possibilities:
1) realistic is what they’re doing now, where they won’t be fielding a championship contender but probably assessing who their long term fits are. I’d have gone with a little more higher OBP batters instead of IKF or KK. I also wanted someone like Brantley or Gurriel in the OF instead of KK. Solar I don’t have a problem with if it’s for 3 years or so. I’d also sign Bauer. Deal Manoah for a third baseman.
2) second would be to explore locking Bo long term. Doubt Vlad does at his lowest point but if they don’t sign, I’d explore dealing them for an arm and a leg and retool

Where I completely disagree with the Jays management, even last year, was great OF defence with mediocre batting. KK and Varsho are just that. I’d rather have average fielding with better batting. I just don’t want boneheads daily in the OF, like Teoscar. That is my thought.