2022 Toronto Blue Jays Off-season Thread

[flames_fan_down_under]

It's an incremental gain in value that is not, in my opinion, what is going to take this team forward. They still need another starter and help in the bullpen. Run prevention in CF is not really going to move the needle much. They need to trade one of their catchers for something more significant.

[Roof-Daddy]

Kiermaier in CF > Springer in CF
Springer in RF > Teo in RF

Bit of a ripple effect there

But hey, we'll see I guess.

Biggest things the Jays need are:

Vladdy to improve on his 2.8 WAR season
Berrios to improve on his 1.1 WAR season
Kikuchi to improve on his -0.7 WAR season

Also add another starter that can reliably slot in as a solid #3-4

[flames_fan_down_under]

Defensively an improvement but there is a huge gap in offensive production from Teo to Keirmaier.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Kiermaier isn’t going to replace the production of Teo. The good thing is that some of the new rules next year are going to be good for him - limited pitching over and bigger bases could prove to make him really valuable on the bases.

He’s an improvement over Zimmer and JBJ. The team does still need to add but I think their focus for the next while will be on pitching. They have got 40% of their starting rotation to fill and need more in the bullpen.

[flambers]

I said before, however if Kiemaier is their only add within the outfield

Its going to be a difficult season, Jays might be better defensively...

However their offense is clearly a down grade

Can the Jays find pitching? Another signing today with the Mets

Jays might need to trade a catcher for a pitcher

[Roof-Daddy]

Still no word on the terms of the deal?

Starting to wonder if it's going to be made official. The guy just had hip surgery recently so maybe he won't pass medicals?

[Cheese]

Report: Mets add latest pricey arm, land Japanese ace Senga for $75M

Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga and the New York Mets have agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The person spoke to the AP early Sunday on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical.
It is the latest big move for owner Steve Cohen and the busy Mets, who have been spending freely during a whirlwind week. Senga figures to slot into a revamped rotation headed by three-time Cy Young Award winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Still no word on the terms of the deal?

Starting to wonder if it's going to be made official. The guy just had hip surgery recently so maybe he won't pass medicals?

The deal is pending a physical.

[Roof-Daddy]

Some random on twitter claims it will be a one year deal for $8.5 million.

That's pretty decent if true.

[Kasi]

I’d be happy with that.

[Kasi]

Apparently Pittsburgh is looking for a Soto type of package for Reynolds which explains why nothing has happened there. Also shows the lunacy of deals right now. Reynolds is a fine player but he’s not Soto or anywhere close to it.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yep, Reynolds put up 6.1 WAR in 2021 and the Pirates think they can extract that kind of value for him in a trade despite him only putting up 2.9 WAR last season.

Not going to happen.

[Kasi]

Not that I think Soto is that great either. He had that one amazing year but just like Vlad since he offers nothing more than his bat if his offensive numbers slip at all his value plummets. Like I’d much rather have Trea Turner than Soto. Actually really liked that contract the term was long but the avg per year was quite reasonable. But still Soto is capable of getting crazy offensive numbers and that has a value of its own even though I think he’ll decline early due to bad fielding/base running. I wouldn’t touch Soto on a ten year contract.

[JTech780]

Reynolds also doesn't hit free agency till 2026, so that definitely increases his value and also means that the Pirates don't have to be in a rush to move him.

[JTech780]

I wonder if the Jays will take a chance on Syndergaard, or if he would be interested in playing for the Jays. He had a solid year last year after missing pretty much 2 seasons. The issue is his fastball velocity was down to 93.8mph where it was at 97+ mph pre-injury.

So would the Jays bet that as his arm strength comes back so does the velocity? I think he would be a worth while gamble. They basically would just need him to be a 4 or a 5, and then a bullpen guy in the playoffs. I think of the free agent arms left he probably has the highest upside, but he does carry significant risk.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I wonder if the Jays will take a chance on Syndergaard, or if he would be interested in playing for the Jays. He had a solid year last year after missing pretty much 2 seasons. The issue is his fastball velocity was down to 93.8mph where it was at 97+ mph pre-injury.

So would the Jays bet that as his arm strength comes back so does the velocity? I think he would be a worth while gamble. They basically would just need him to be a 4 or a 5, and then a bullpen guy in the playoffs. I think of the free agent arms left he probably has the highest upside, but he does carry significant risk.

I would not be surprised, however the Jays really need to find a #2 type of a starting pitcher.

Especially since Rod Stripling is a free agent.

Starting staff has a major hole without him

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by flambers

I would not be surprised, however the Jays really need to find a #2 type of a starting pitcher.

Especially since Rod Stripling is a free agent.

Starting staff has a major hole without him

I don’t think there’s much of a chance the Jay go for a #2 type guy .

They have arguable a 1-2 pitching punch that is top 5 in the league. They are paying Berrios to be an elite #3. They have 33 million invested in Ryu and Kikuchi that is effectively dead money at this point

They need to find another Stripling type starter (really wish they just could bring him back ) and then fix the bullpen . We need Flames throwers and strikeout types

You can hide your 4th and 5th starters a bit if you have lights out bullpen

[JTech780]

With Manoah and Gausman 1-2 they are pretty much set at the top end of the rotation. Berrios had a down year last year, but he will bounce back and when he is right he is a top of the rotation type arm. So I am really happy with 1-3 in the rotation. After that is where it drops off.

I like Stripling but I am not sure he will repeat what he did last year. His stuff is pretty average.

I would love for them to bring in Rodon, but I can't see that happening.

I think they get 1 more starter and then go into the year with Kikuchi, White and Pearson battling it out for the 5th spot. They could also bring in a veteran who is looking to restart their career. Someone like Aaron Sanchez, Dylan Bundy, Chris Archer. It would be nice to have depth especially depth that is willing to pitch in AAA.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I don’t think there’s much of a chance the Jay go for a #2 type guy .

They have arguable a 1-2 pitching punch that is top 5 in the league. They are paying Berrios to be an elite #3. They have 33 million invested in Ryu and Kikuchi that is effectively dead money at this point

They need to find another Stripling type starter (really wish they just could bring him back ) and then fix the bullpen . We need Flames throwers and strikeout types

You can hide your 4th and 5th starters a bit if you have lights out bullpen

Rumours out there, Jays were after top of the order type of pitchers,

Just were not able to sign them (ie Verlander etc)

Agreed with Berrios, I hope he can regain some of his form as he had a tough year

Kikuchi in my view is likely a bull pen pitcher

No idea on Ryu

[Jason14h]

I think whichever catcher they deal will be for a starter .