2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[howard_the_duck]

I’m ok with them slow playing the bullpen, take waivers on some lower priced guys, and then go make that a priority at the trade deadline.

If I were to prioritize, adding a bat or two would be my preference. Bichette, Tucker, or Bellinger would be amazing.

[Parallex]

A splitter or a change-up... find a way to get/improve either of those then he's an easy #1 perennial cy young award contending pitcher. Get to work Walker.

[JTech780]

Yeah they probably gave Cease too much money, but who cares! They got a top of the rotation starter to go with Gausman and Bieber.

Gausman
Cease
Bieber
Berrios
Yesavage

That is a heck of a rotation. Cease has also started at least 32 games the last 5 seasons, if you are going to spend money on a SP, get one that will take the mound every 5 days.

The other thing is that they have lots of money coming off the books next year, but the free agent class isn’t as deep or good next year, so go spend the money now and it will balance out next year.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by JTech780

The other thing is that they have lots of money coming off the books next year, but the free agent class isn’t as deep or good next year, so go spend the money now and it will balance out next year.

Yep, this is a big factor for me. They had only Berrios and Yesavage under control past this season for somewhat proven SP's

Smart to get a high quality SP locked in right now and the money doesn't matter when you have that much coming off the books next off season.

[bluejays]

Not trying to be a Negative Nancy, but now the arms race is on. I'm really curious to see what our division does. I personally believed from the start the Yanks would be all in on Bo because they need a SS over their guy, and it also hurts the Jays by subtraction. This should be a really fun off-season now that one shoe dropped.

[Blaster86]

Hal Steinbrenner is openly talking about trying to drop payroll.


Neither the Orioles nor the Rays like to spend


Red Sox are dumb.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Hal Steinbrenner is openly talking about trying to drop payroll.


Neither the Orioles nor the Rays like to spend


Red Sox are dumb.

Interesting. I recall reading how upset they were at losing to the Jays. While I haven't read about the drop in payroll, I'll have to see it to believe it. It's the Yanks afterall. Boston varies year to year in where they are payroll wise (IIRC), so it's still TBD. I also think about the West coast teams. Bo grew up in Florida and has always seemed like a warm weather guy. I do wonder about SF specifically. The Yanks still seem like the team that could break the bank on him. In a copycat league now looking at the Jays success, every team who can afford him will probably be looking at that bat on ball kinda guy. He's elite in that regard. He'll come expensive when the Jays have to match.

[Jason14h]

Dodgers will just sign Bo and Tucker . We all know it’s coming

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Dodgers will just sign Bo and Tucker . We all know it’s coming

Dodgers need an OF a lot more than they need a middle infielder. I don't see Bo as a fit there. Could move guys around to make it work, but Tucker fits better than Bo imo.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Hal Steinbrenner is openly talking about trying to drop payroll.

Hadn't heard that. Seems like a dumb thing to do while they still have Judge on a sweet heart deal.

Also, the I don't think the Red Sox are all that dumb anymore, but hopefully they are.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Interesting. I recall reading how upset they were at losing to the Jays. While I haven't read about the drop in payroll, I'll have to see it to believe it. It's the Yanks afterall. Boston varies year to year in where they are payroll wise (IIRC), so it's still TBD. I also think about the West coast teams. Bo grew up in Florida and has always seemed like a warm weather guy. I do wonder about SF specifically. The Yanks still seem like the team that could break the bank on him. In a copycat league now looking at the Jays success, every team who can afford him will probably be looking at that bat on ball kinda guy. He's elite in that regard. He'll come expensive when the Jays have to match.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...table-payroll/


Yankee's are likely just running it back with Cole not being on IR all year.

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Also, the I don't think the Red Sox are all that dumb anymore, but hopefully they are.

Found the Sox fan incognito.

[bluejays]

The Yanks will undoubtedly be a better team with Cole but there’s no chance they’re going to sit back in a good free agent year. I’d put those odds at 5%. Volpe will be dumped and someone big will be brought in.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by bluejays

The Yanks will undoubtedly be a better team with Cole but there’s no chance they’re going to sit back in a good free agent year. I’d put those odds at 5%. Volpe will be dumped and someone big will be brought in.

Hal isn't his dad. The prestige of winning does not seem to matter at all to him.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Boone and Cashman still being employed tells you how little Hal cares about winning. The old man would have fired them both years ago. When they inevitably get sold to the Saudis that day will suck cause the Yankees will be back, on steroids, but until that day they are an also ran.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by browna

Yeah Manoah is cooked and though injuries were involved, one half good season went to his head and he could never recover.

I’m of the opinion that Francis could be done too, and his month of baseball history was only a year ago, and a full two (or three?) years later than Manoah’s height of his career.

The pitch clock is what killed Manoah. He was so out of shape he'd get winded and that would impact his control and then his confidence was shattered.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by kermitology

The pitch clock is what killed Manoah. He was so out of shape he'd get winded and that would impact his control and then his confidence was shattered.

Agreed. Plus his results were pretty unsustainable based of his stuff and command. He was due to fall off some anyways.

[Roof-Daddy]

One closer down.

Helsley signs with the Orioles for 2/28 with an opt out after one year.

Dudes a flame thrower but more wild than you'd like. He also struggled pretty hard after being traded to the Mets last season. Figured he was tipping pitches.

Hopefully the Jays land a closer too.