2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by 3thirty

This could be a crazy offseason, but years of being the bridesmaid has me not counting chickens yet...

I mean, I'd love 1-2 more bats but even if this was all they did it was a good offseason.

Lineup with no signings is something like;

Springer DH
Lukes RF
Vladdy 1B
Barger 3B
Santander LF
Kirk C
Varsho CF
Clement 2B
Gimenez SS

And now the rotation is a huge source of strength imo.

Would need to pick up a relief arm or two but that's not expensive.

I think if they sign just one of Bo/Tucker you slot them in and sit/platoon Lukes/Gimenez/Clement one game per series each depending on matchups. (Clement always in vs lefties, Gimenez sits when we have a fly ball pitcher on the mound, etc). Barger being a good defender at both RF/3B provides a lot of flexibility to the defensive alignment.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by JTech780

If the Jays land Tucker, they will have a lot of outfield depth. It will be interesting to see what they would do with that depth.

LF: Santander
CF: Varsho
RF: Tucker
Bench: Lukes, Straw
AAA: Schneider (2 options left), Loperfido (1 option left), Clase (out of options)

Varsho, Tucker, Lukes and Loperfido all bat LH too. I really want to see what Loperfido can do with more AB's, but the fact that he hits LH puts him at disadvantage.

I wouldn't hate a trade of Clase especially for a reliever.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Would need to pick up a relief arm or two but that's not expensive.

I don't think we need to even do that. I wouldn't mind another southpaw thou.

Big bat should be the priority.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't think we need to even do that. I wouldn't mind another southpaw thou.

Big bat should be the priority.

Oh for sure, I meant more like a depth piece and likely an in-season add at the deadline.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't think we need to even do that. I wouldn't mind another southpaw thou.

Big bat should be the priority.

They for sure need to shore up the bullpen. Hopefully Yimi Garcia is good to go. I would feel a lot better if they added another high leverage arm, I don't trust Hoffman as the closer, and I don't see a true closer amongst the rest of the bullpen arms.

Edwin Diaz would be the dream target, but he is going to want to set the record for relief pitcher contract. Suarez, Finnegan or Fairbanks would be solid targets. Having multiple guys who can close would be a lot better.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I don't think we need to even do that. I wouldn't mind another southpaw thou.

Big bat should be the priority.

They have Little, Fluharty, Bruihl and if he stays healthy I would bet on Tiedemann ending up as an MLB reliever at some point next year.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by JTech780

If the Jays land Tucker, they will have a lot of outfield depth. It will be interesting to see what they would do with that depth.

LF: Santander
CF: Varsho
RF: Tucker
Bench: Lukes, Straw
AAA: Schneider (2 options left), Loperfido (1 option left), Clase (out of options)

Varsho, Tucker, Lukes and Loperfido all bat LH too. I really want to see what Loperfido can do with more AB's, but the fact that he hits LH puts him at disadvantage.

Don't forget Springer. He won't DH all season, he'll get some reps in the OF as well.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Don't forget Springer. He won't DH all season, he'll get some reps in the OF as well.

I think any days Springer plays OF Santander would DH though? Seems like just a straight swap.

Maybe Vladdy gets a few DH days but I bet not many

[bluejays]

Might sound crazy but if Tucker does get signed, I wonder if George would be on the trading block (trade at a super high value)? Just something to consider (though I believe in baseball being a vet he can have a say if he wants to be traded or not, correct)?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Might sound crazy but if Tucker does get signed, I wonder if George would be on the trading block (trade at a super high value)? Just something to consider (though I believe in baseball being a vet he can have a say if he wants to be traded or not, correct)?

I don't see it. I'd rather have George still here and being a solid vet for everyone else. Injuries also happen, so I wouldn't exactly count him out of participating in the OF.

[browna]

I would think Loperfido is the one to go. He should be a decent trade peice and given his playing time after Santander was done during the LCS, he’s not highly ranked under Schenider.
But, there’s always going to be a surprise or two, for better or worse with players, as soon as they play through April.

[Inferno]

Loperfido seems to be the guy too who you see in articles of who they might trade.

Like this one:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/blu...134836656.html

[Underdog]

Loperfido has Options though, the others do not.

[Blaster86]

Loperfido is probably very attractive to teams. I'd prefer if they ####ed off and ask for someone else.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Loperfido is probably very attractive to teams. I'd prefer if they ####ed off and ask for someone else.

I agree with this, but also think if you're getting something of value at a place where there's a significant need maybe it's worth trading from the outfield depth.

Eg Andres Munoz's contract steps up quite a lot this year. He's a legit 1A closer, sub 2 ERA etc. Bumps Hoffman down, way cheaper than Diaz etc. Maybe the Mariners don't want to pay for that and would like a cost controlled outfielder.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

They have Little, Fluharty, Bruihl and if he stays healthy I would bet on Tiedemann ending up as an MLB reliever at some point next year.

and Lauer. Regardless I wouldn't mind getting an upgrade in that set of guys. The Jay's rotation is pretty much all RH so it's important to get quality lefties in the pen.

I don't care a wit about getting a "closer"... every year it's the same song and dance "we need a closer, we need a closer!" and every year they get one but the same song goes out out the next off-season. I was perfectly content when Casey Janssen was finishing games for us so I don't think we need some fireballer who costs an arm and a leg. If we're gonna sign one anyways, or at least someone with the rep as one, I think I would prefer Fairbanks.

Just eat some $$ on Barrios and move him for a bullpen upgrade. Sign Bo or Tucker and call it an off-season.

[JTech780]

Jays are apparently DFAing Yariel Rodriguez.

Brings their number down to 37 on the 40 man. Makes sense to have as much flexibility as possible going into the winter meetings.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Jays are apparently DFAing Yariel Rodriguez.

Brings their number down to 37 on the 40 man. Makes sense to have as much flexibility as possible going into the winter meetings.

I guess he has already cleared waivers and the Jays have outrighted him off the 40 man to the minors.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by JTech780

Jays are apparently DFAing Yariel Rodriguez.

Brings their number down to 37 on the 40 man. Makes sense to have as much flexibility as possible going into the winter meetings.

Fangraphs has them with 38 on the 40 man after the Yariel move.

Hopefully they have a couple signings close. Like Tucker and Bo lol

[bluejays]

Why Yariel and not Little? If they don't want to single him out after putting him in a rough position, that's admirable. But do they really think Little has any future with the team?