2014-2015 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[Caged Great]

Estrada isn't a bad middle of the rotation guy. He did struggle last year a bit, but shouldn't be that bad.

With Keeping Happ as well, I think we'll see a starter for something trade soon.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Jays declined options on Smoak and McGowan. Smoak will be signed through the arbitration process I'm sure but not so sure what will happen to McGowan.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Morrow has also had his option declined and joins McGowan as a free agent.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Can never have too many pitchers I guess, and we save money to sign Melky.

[nik-]

and thus ends the era of Dustin McGowan.

[Parallex]

Uhg... I halfway want to say that this trade is a fireable offense for AA. Not so much for the trade itself (which is bad) but what it says about AA's priorities.

The team has many needs that require addressing and trading a right-mashing middle of the order bat for what basically amounts to a flyball (In the already homer friendly Skydome in the really homer friendly AL East!) tendency relief pitcher. That is bad bad bad bad.

You can get someone pretty decent at 7.5

No, we can't because we're going to be paying the equivalency of Lind's salary to Justin Smoak (who isn't very good) and Estrada (who also isn't very good). That's what I find most damning... this was AA cutting payroll by trading someone who does something good in order to reallocate that money into two guys who don't. If we could have gotten an everyday 2B... fine trade Lind, happy to do it... but for a RH flyball relief pitcher!... gross.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Uhg... I halfway want to say that this trade is a fireable offense for AA. Not so much for the trade itself (which is bad) but what it says about AA's priorities.

The team has many needs that require addressing and trading a right-mashing middle of the order bat for what basically amounts to a flyball (In the already homer friendly Skydome in the really homer friendly AL East!) tendency relief pitcher. That is bad bad bad bad.

No, we can't because we're going to be paying the equivalency of Lind's salary to Justin Smoak (who isn't very good) and Estrada (who also isn't very good). That's what I find most damning... this was AA cutting payroll by trading someone who does something good in order to reallocate that money into two guys who don't. If we could have gotten an everyday 2B... fine trade Lind, happy to do it... but for a RH flyball relief pitcher!... gross.

Smoak has his option denied so he shouldn't cost much in arbitration, and Estrada's contract basically replaces Santos' who was also let go.

You have to also add in that they let Morrow and McGowan walk in order to free up $.

Lind also was complete garbage against lefties and in the field. You can't really have a platoon DH, it doesn't make sense at all.

It would be much better if they move Melky to take Lind's spot and find a new LF that's a better overall player than Lind. You could even have a platoon in LF with Mayberry and a lefty. Mayberry had a .943 OPS against lefty Pitching and can play well defensively. Find a similarly skilled guy on the other side and you're set for LF. It would be sort of the same situation as Reed Johnson and Frank Catalanotto before.

[dustyanddaflames]

Don't love the deal, but it does smell of more to come... I guess we sit and wait. AA sure doesn't seem to be messing around however, has made quite a few changes already and it's been what, two days? I do think Happ, Buehrle, or Dickey is next on the chopping block - ideally I'd like to see Kendrick brought in, I believe he hit nearly .300 last year, and has played on numerous winning clubs in Anaheim.

As for the acquistions of Francis, Dirks, Smoak - it gives AA options moving forward. Estrada and maybe Smoak might be the only two players to be on the opening day roster. Dirks/Francis will be in Buffalo, and on the surface, seem to be servicable players.

In the end, its bringing the depth of this club up closer to where it needs to be. The problem with the club last year wasn't the starting nine as much as it was once injuries struck, there was really no help coming in. Sure Kawasaki, Francisco, etc. had their moments - losing Lind/EE's production and not have anything from the spots for a month+ sunk this club.

[bluejays]

So the Jays apparently have had discussions of bringing in Russell Martin. I personally don't know what to think of it. On one hand years ago he was approaching elite status, then started to suck, came to the AL, got worse, and last year temporarily turned it around. Personally I don't think he'll be any better, but they'd probably pay close to a premium. While I think you really separate yourself with an elite catcher, there are only a handful of those guys at all, and nobody's going to deal one. So I think unless the Jays are able to get one, forget paying the price for Martin and suck it up with Navarro. They're better off spending money elsewhere.

[SuperMatt18]

Martin has finished top 5 for WAR among catchers each of the last two seasons. If the Blue Jays can bring him in for a reasonable cost they should do it.

Hurts that they gave away Yan Gomes who has also been right there as a catcher as well.

[flambers]

Jays will need to add quality players within their outfield, as there is a good chance that 2/3 of the outfield will be gone (Rasmus and Cabera).

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays will need to add quality players within their outfield, as there is a good chance that 2/3 of the outfield will be gone (Rasmus and Cabera).

Yup. Jays needs this year are...

1: Resolve the 2B issue (either by getting a quality 2B or by getting a quality 3B and have Lawrie man second). I'd prefer adding a 2B because Lawries D is better on the hot corner but the MIF market is weak for free agency and the most prominant name rumored to be on the trade block has a NTC with the Jays on it so they may have to get a 3B and shift Lawrie over.

2: Get a quality everyday outfielder. Right now the Jays have Bautista (who they want to get more AB at DH to help keep him healthy) and no other everyday players except maybe Pompey and he'll be better served getting more reps at AAA at least to start. They do have 4 platoon bats in Dirks, Mayberry, Pillar, and Gose but you can't run that many platoons and still give Bautista off days. I'd really like Cabrera back.

3: Quality inexpensive rightie for the Pen. We lost a bunch of right-handers so we'll need some more. I want Sanchez to start (although it's nice to know that he has a dynamite profile as a high leverage reliever if he can't develop into a starter) so we'll need to either roll the dice with internal options or bring in someone from the outside. Fortunately we have a few options internally in Delabar, Stilson, Graveman, Redmond... albeit those options all have question marks.

[JiriHrdina]

Jays to meet with Sandoval.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...val-next-week/

[ben voyonsdonc]

Not a big fan of going too hard after Sandoval. I just don't think he is a long term solution here.

[dustyanddaflames]

I sure wouldn't mind the Panda coming across the boarder, however, I don't feel that there is any chance of that happening. It would mean we would have a suitable defender/bat at the 3b position when Lawrie goes down to an inevitable oblique injury.

[GirlySports]

Sandoval could become a 1B/DH in the latter years of the contract.
5 year 100 million, do it!!!!!!

What do you guys think of Lawrie at SS and Reyes at 2B?

[bluejays]

Reyes at 2B would be a great fit I think. As for Lawrie, at SS, while he's a very good 3B defensively, I don't think he has the range of a good SS.

[Cheese]

If Lawrie cant stay healthy at 3B he would be a mess as a SS

[flames_fan_down_under]

I know a few of you here frequented drunkjaysfans blog but it's now moved to andrewstoeten.com.

[Antithesis]

Was wondering what was up when he went 10+ days without posting anything. I mean, I know it's the off season, but there's a lot going on around this team.