2025 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Andrew]

other salary dumps from cleveland had been ok no? I wouldn't say great but rogers has money to blow

i like stephen though. arms being traded fast lucky we have a lot.


ross waiving a stack of greenbills and fat wallet at his clevland buddies

[bizaro86]

Bieber is a high-risk, high-reward trade for sure. That's a good prospect they've just given up for someone who is currently not playing in MLB and might not be able to be effective.

But he's a former Cy Young winner - if he can get back to 90% effectiveness he's likely the game 1 playoff starter, which is a big upgrade to the rotation (and the bullpen, by pushing someone down).

That player option is interesting. Unless he's absolutely lights-out I think he'll probably take that, because the sample size will be too small for him to get a big dollar long term deal after a TJ return. Obviously him being absolutely unhittable and earning a big long term contract would be a good thing. If he ends up not returning effectively then you're out another $16MM, which could have been a factor in the Guardians wanting to move him - they may not have wanted that financial risk.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I imagine the Jays and his agent had already discussed and agreed what will happen with the option before this trade was made either way

I doubt this. The option is for his benefit, and he has no reason to decide now. If he pitches well enough to get a big dollar/term deal he'll decline. If he doesn't, then he'll exercise it. He negotiated that as part of his contract, why would he decide what to do before it's obvious which is the correct choice for him?

His career earnings are $44 MM. $16MM will matter to him.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Even if he exercises his option, I think the Jays make a big pitch to sign him. They need starting pitching even more next year than they do this year with Bassitt coming off of the books and Gausman comes off after next season. Berrios also has a player option after next season.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I doubt this. The option is for his benefit, and he has no reason to decide now. If he pitches well enough to get a big dollar/term deal he'll decline. If he doesn't, then he'll exercise it. He negotiated that as part of his contract, why would he decide what to do before it's obvious which is the correct choice for him?

His career earnings are $44 MM. $16MM will matter to him.

Because he wants to get traded and have a chance to pitch in a playoff run , and potentially be a Jays starter next year vs on a rebuilding Cleveland team

The Jays don’t have to trade for him .

I dont think he gets $16 million anyways next year , but the Jays have an open pitching spot next year , and a competitive team , and great D - sounds like the perfect spot for a pitcher to rebuild his value

[Roof-Daddy]

It's a gamble for sure, hopefully they've done their homework on Bieber. If he's healthy and his old self, he's definitely starting a playoff game, probably even game 1.

Always sucks to see a solid prospect pitcher go, especially one fairly close to MLB and excelling. But the Jays have built up quite a stable the last few years. Still have Yesavage, Rojas, Stanifer, Barrierra, Perez, Maroudis, King as interesting guys. Although more of them might be out the door today if they snag anybody else.

Still need another high leverage reliever.

[flamingred89]

It is funny how often Atkins trades with his old Cleveland buddies. I guess when your comfortable dealing with someone it makes it that much easier.

[Jiggy_12]

I like it!! It’s a bold move and shows they are being agressive

Let’s go get more now

[Hockey]

Damn, Mason Miller goes to Padres. Would've loved to have gotten him

[cross16]

Really nice move. If Scherzer is healthy, and close to Scherzer level, I think you'd like the Jays rotation in the playoffs. It needs help to get there and I think you'd want some protection in case Scherzer isn't that guy. Bieber fits all of that with the upside he might even be better, plus protection for next year. Wroth the risk and the price they paid.

Now have to get a back end bullpen piece. This will be a big failure for the Jays if they can't get that piece.

[3thirty]

I think Bieber has a chance to sign long term if they want. Up and coming team, good facilities and a team willing to pay with a need.

[Jason14h]

Just curious why people are saying a good prospect ? Hes our 11th rated prospect and we have a poor system

Seems like a meh to me - what am I missing

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Just curious why people are saying a good prospect ? Hes our 11th rated prospect and we have a poor system

Seems like a meh to me - what am I missing

Stephen has been really good this season and has improved his stock significantly within the Blue Jays prospect pool. Ultimately, we know that prospects can turn to pumpkins with injury or if they hit a wall. If Stephen turns into a Syndergaard it will suck but I remember being stunned by what we gave up to get Berrios and none of the prospects turned into anything truly significant. Martin or Woods-Richardson could theoretically still hit but Berrios has given years of quality innings to the team.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by Hockey

Damn, Mason Miller goes to Padres. Would've loved to have gotten him

That means that Suarez and Cease are available as the Padres picked up JP Sears too. Getting longer term guys and trade their rentals. Interesting strategy.

I hope that the jays are in on both, but Suarez moreso. If they trade for Cease I would hope that they sign him shortly thereafter.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Just curious why people are saying a good prospect ? Hes our 11th rated prospect and we have a poor system

Seems like a meh to me - what am I missing

The system has taken strides this year, it's middle of the pack now and I believe 5 guys were just recently ranked in the top 100. Stephen was one of the 5. He's a 22 year old starting pitcher who already reached double A and is excelling.

It's a lot to give up for just a few guaranteed months of Bieber. But if it pays off either with huge playoff success with Bieber leading the charge and/or he is back next year because he takes his player option, or even better signs an extension with Toronto, it's a pretty great deal for the Jays.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by zukes

That means that Suarez and Cease are available as the Padres picked up JP Sears too. Getting longer term guys and trade their rentals. Interesting strategy.

I hope that the jays are in on both, but Suarez moreso. If they trade for Cease I would hope that they sign him shortly thereafter.

I doubt the Jays are looking to add another starter, but if they did grab Cease I'd crap myself. Guys like Bassitt and Berrios are solid work horses, but they tend to get absolutely blown the F up from time to time and Bassitt has an ERA over 6 on the road this year.

Going into a playoff series with Bieber, Cease, Gausman, Sherzer would be boner inducing.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

The system has taken strides this year, it's middle of the pack now and I believe 5 guys were just recently ranked in the top 100. Stephen was one of the 5. He's a 22 year old starting pitcher who already reached double A and is excelling.

It's a lot to give up for just a few guaranteed months of Bieber. But if it pays off either with huge playoff success with Bieber leading the charge and/or he is back next year because he takes his player option, or even better signs an extension with Toronto, it's a pretty great deal for the Jays.

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/bluejays

Jays had 2 in top 100 - but looks like Stephen moved up the mid season prospect rankings to team #5 from 11

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/bluejays

Jays had 2 in top 100 - but looks like Stephen moved up the mid season prospect rankings to team #5 from 11

Fangraphs had a new top 100 with 5 jays. Nimmala, Yesavage, Stephen, Tiedemann and Bloss

[Andrew]

Again... its a bout major league performance not rankings.

Our players have done food in majors

Lukes clement loperfido Schultz Estrada.

Lot more guys coming. Our talent is mlb ready . Age indepedent

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Again... its a bout major league performance not rankings.

Our players have done food in majors

Lukes clement loperfido Schultz Estrada.

Lot more guys coming. Our talent is mlb ready . Age indepedent

Agreed. Rankings are just that....rankings.

This season has given me a lot of hope for the Jays system being under rated, because they are pulling productive MLB players and relievers out of their arses from seemingly out of nowhere.