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