2026 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[Roof-Daddy]

Paxton Schultz DFA'ed to make room on the 40 man for Okamoto

[howard_the_duck]

I would be surprised at this point if they go after Tucker or Bo. I’d have loved one of them, but it feels to me more this is their last free agent splash.

Could always see a trade to reduce our logjam of outfielders, of course.

Regardless, a hell of an offseason.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I would be surprised at this point if they go after Tucker or Bo. I’d have loved one of them, but it feels to me more this is their last free agent splash.

Could always see a trade to reduce our logjam of outfielders, of course.

Regardless, a hell of an offseason.

I dunno about that. The thing is that it was his posting deadline so it's not like the logic was that they couldn't get either Tucker or Bo so they pivoted to him. They had to either get him or not get him so they choose to get him. His deal is also small enough that it doesn't preclude adding one more.

Bo is the cleanest choice. Bo plays 2nd, Oko plays 3rd, Barger plays RF, Clement is the Super Utility guy who plays everywhere.

[howard_the_duck]

I'd be happy to be wrong, and yes the posting date factors in 100%.

Okamoto is a meaningful add, though. And another $15M commitment is significant to their payroll, even when it feels like there are no limitations. Surely, they are getting close now and especially when Atkins had previously mentioned adding the $ for a closer would impact their ability to do other things. They didn't add a closer, but this Okamoto deal might have been that budget for all we know.

Pushing Clement into a super utility role doesn't seem likely to me. That's an everyday player at 2B now, and a pretty darn good one. And he kind of personifies what the offense is doing with high contact skills.

If it weren't for Santander on the roster, I could see them going hard after Tucker. Moving him now they'd have to eat so much $, it would be a waste of an asset who is probably prime to bounce back.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I'd be happy to be wrong, and yes the posting date factors in 100%.

Okamoto is a meaningful add, though. And another $15M commitment is significant to their payroll, even when it feels like there are no limitations. Surely, they are getting close now and especially when Atkins had previously mentioned adding the $ for a closer would impact their ability to do other things. They didn't add a closer, but this Okamoto deal might have been that budget for all we know.

Pushing Clement into a super utility role doesn't seem likely to me. That's an everyday player at 2B now, and a pretty darn good one. And he kind of personifies what the offense is doing with high contact skills.

If it weren't for Santander on the roster, I could see them going hard after Tucker. Moving him now they'd have to eat so much $, it would be a waste of an asset who is probably prime to bounce back.

I largely agree. Ernie has earned the right to be more after that amazing playoff performance. I would not be surprised if they dealt Giminez and gave Ernie the SS role. Makes a lot of sense to me. I’d say almost for certain still that Tucker isn’t a possibility now.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Barger could easily regress, though. Clement as well, to be honest. It's good to be loading up because you never quite know. More opportunities for impact players contributing is never a bad thing.

Fully agree that it’s a real possibility but we’ve known over the years that players want more set roles instead of moving all over. Both deserve solid roles or opportunities for it. Before this season I wasn’t a fan of either or more skeptical of their upside. I’m sold now.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I largely agree. Ernie has earned the right to be more after that amazing playoff performance. I would not be surprised if they dealt Giminez and gave Ernie the SS role. Makes a lot of sense to me. I’d say almost for certain still that Tucker isn’t a possibility now.

Moving Gimenez would also be tough with a lot of money left on his deal. But that would be interesting. With Parker and Nimmala, the future at SS is on the horizon, so looking for a ~2-3 year stop gap ideally.

[Blaster86]

If you believe most of the chatter, the Jays were hoping for two of Bregman, Tucker and Bo and weren't against all three.

Okamoto probably just takes them out on Bregman. The other two are likely still in their viewfinder.

[howard_the_duck]

Probably the least trustworthy insider, but FWIW, Nightengale has the Jays looking to use Okamoto as a super utility player and they're still very much looking for the impact bat in one of Bichette/Bregman/Tucker.

Please be right, Bob.

[Blaster86]

I'm not relying on Boob, but that's the same as what we're seeing being said from guys like Matheson and Passan.

[puffnstuff]

Mattingly joins the Phillies. His son works for them.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by bluejays

I largely agree. Ernie has earned the right to be more after that amazing playoff performance. I would not be surprised if they dealt Giminez and gave Ernie the SS role. Makes a lot of sense to me. I’d say almost for certain still that Tucker isn’t a possibility now.

Gimenez has the same problem as Santander - he's owed so much money for so many years that given his performance he would be untradeable without eating a bunch of $$. They owe him more than $85 MM over the next 4 years.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Pushing Clement into a super utility role doesn't seem likely to me. That's an everyday player at 2B now, and a pretty darn good one. And he kind of personifies what the offense is doing with high contact skills.

I think he'd be more valuable as a super-utility guy that moves around the diamond. I mean... Ben Zobrist was insanely valuable doing the same sort of thing back in the day. Having WS caliber depth means having guys like Clement be your Super-Utility guys.

Just get us Bo back as a 2B and this is better then my wildest Dream of an offseason.

[Roof-Daddy]

Giminez is the SS version of Varsho from 2-3 years ago.

All he has to do is have a league average bat and he'll be worth 3+ WAR anchoring the middle of the infield.

[howard_the_duck]

One possibility at SS could be a Clement/Gimenez platoon. That could factor Bo in at 2B potentially.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

One possibility at SS could be a Clement/Gimenez platoon. That could factor Bo in at 2B potentially.

Yeah. If Clement isn't an every day guy he should take every bat vs a LHP for Gimenez. The defensive difference isn't outlandish and Ernie mashes lefties

[Cheese]

Had a good laugh about this:

Toronto’s Animl Steakhouse offered Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette free steak for life if he stays with the team.
The restaurant posted a heartfelt Instagram letter emphasizing commitment to the city and team.
Bichette, a fan of Animl, has been with the Jays since being drafted in 2016 and was key in their recent World Series run.

[3thirty]

It's no Kawhi Aspriation offer, but it's a start!

[Roof-Daddy]

Imagine getting a 9 figure MLB contract and then also getting free steak dinners for the rest of your life on top of it.

[Jiggy_12]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2008685472642650566