Toronto Blue Jays - Offseason Thread

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Agreed with the above

No issue letting Price walk . Slight issue loosing EE.

But if Jays came out and said " We can't sign anymore aging players to large contracts and want the draft pick to help rebuild the system " most would accept it

So sick of the new story everyday about player X.

The Jays will just wait until the Mets will pay a large part of Bruce's contract and that will be there new OFer

That's how I see this playing out as well, but with basically an All-Star team in Boston this year and much improved Yankees squad, if the stars don't align with whomever they run out there for the first two months (another Saunders April/May type performance), I don't think there's much likelihood they can catch back up to them like they have the past two years.

The AL East is absolutely filthy again. Boston, New York, Toronto, Baltimore all fielding great teams. Even Tampa is no slouch and would have a better record in another division. The big window was the past two years with both the Sox and Yankees reloading. That's what frustrated me about not going all out last year, the writing was on the wall about what was going to happen going forward.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by flambers

Yep, I would agree on the article.

Probably the reason the Jays let go of EE, they wanted the draft pick,

Same reason they are holding off from Jose.

Jay's however have to find outfielders or they will have a really tough season.

The Jays definitely want the draft pick for Jose. I have no problem with that either. Just come right out and say that though. Quit this BS on Sportsnet that the Jays are in talks with Bautista, and flat out say it.

In my opinion, the only way Bautista remains with the Jays is if he's still unsigned come spring training and is willing to sign a one year deal worth 13-14M. At that point though a lot of teams would likely be willing to consider it, and I doubt Bautista's pride would allow him to take anything less than his qualifying offer from the Jays. Probably would sign elsewhere for less at that point.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

The Jays definitely want the draft pick for Jose. I have no problem with that either. Just come right out and say that though. Quit this BS on Sportsnet that the Jays are in talks with Bautista, and flat out say it.

In my opinion, the only way Bautista remains with the Jays is if he's still unsigned come spring training and is willing to sign a one year deal worth 13-14M. At that point though a lot of teams would likely be willing to consider it, and I doubt Bautista's pride would allow him to take anything less than his qualifying offer from the Jays. Probably would sign elsewhere for less at that point.

Do you think they'll be ok giving up a pick for 1 year of Bautista though?

I think the draft pick compensation is what is killing his market right now, personally. I dont' think teams want to give up a first for him unless his price really makes sense.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by cross16

Do you think they'll be ok giving up a pick for 1 year of Bautista though?

I think the draft pick compensation is what is killing his market right now, personally. I dont' think teams want to give up a first for him unless his price really makes sense.

I think his price has to come down to get a team to say OK to the draft pick, or a contending team has to have an injury in spring training and than be forced to forgo the pick.

He's really not in a good spot at all. The Jays waiting him out to get his bottom dollar or get the draft pick is really killing his value.

It's really a double-edged sword for the Jays. They are a budget team that can save some dough by waiting, and the guy is a real prick in my mind and deserves this treatment giving his arrogance last training camp, but you also got to believe a lot of agents and players in the league see a guy that's given his all to the franchise and it can't be giving them the warm and fuzzies about potentially dealing with the Jays.

From an optics perspective, I think if the Jays intend on potentially bringing him back, they need to make a reasonable offer now so everyone can see it. If they don't, say so publicly and move on.

With respect to the draft pick, is it the team's actual pick in the first round they forgo? I'm assuming it is. I know if someone signs Bautista, Toronto gets the pick between the first and second rounds of the MLB draft.

[Jason14h]

You get the teams 1st unless they were bottom 10 , then it's their 2nd

[bluejays]

I know some want to stick it to Jose and get him at a bargain basement price, but given what he's done for the franchise, what he's produced, and the Jays lack of bargaining position, I really hope they're not trying to squeeze him on this. He's deserving of a $17M deal for a year, maybe two. In addition, if you try to squeeze him he'll likely just leave to another desperate team out of spite, and the Jays will be left with a baseball 1st rounder (which can be a hit or miss). It's really not a good decision to keep this going any longer.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
#BlueJays have remained in contact with free agent outfielder Michael Saunders, sources say. @MLB @MLBNetwork

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
#BlueJays have remained in contact with free agent outfielder Michael Saunders, sources say. @MLB @MLBNetwork

The thought of resigning Saunders makes me want to puke. I hope the contact is to make sure they know where to send his stuff from the clubhouse. I'd rather roll Upton/Carrera out there every day than have him back.

[ClubFlames]

Darwin Barney and Jays avoid arbitration.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-jays-barney...ation-1.649083

The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with infielder Darwin Barney, settling at $2.8875M according to a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman
Ezequiel Carrera, blue Jays settle at $1,162,500

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
Mark Shapiro re. Jose Bautista on @FAN590: “We clearly need a corner outfielder and Jose’s probably the most talented one out there"

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
Jose Bautista's "if not the best one of the best" options available to #BlueJays, Mark Shapiro tells @SNJeffBlair on @FAN590

[Fire]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
Mark Shapiro re. Jose Bautista on @FAN590: “We clearly need a corner outfielder and Jose’s probably the most talented one out there"

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
Jose Bautista's "if not the best one of the best" options available to #BlueJays, Mark Shapiro tells @SNJeffBlair on @FAN590

Can someone translate what the last tweet means?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

If he's not the best option available he's probably #2 or #3.

[flambers]

Did anyone listen to Mark Shapiro interview on Fan590?

Curious on what he said.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
#BlueJays avoid arb with Aaron Loup at $1.125 million

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏@bnicholsonsmith
#BlueJays avoid arb with Aaron Loup at $1.125 million

Not sure why we are bringing Loup back. He's been terrible for a couple years now.

[Jason14h]

Not sure why we are bringing Loup back. He's been terrible for a couple years now.

Because as terrible as he is we have no left handers!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Because as terrible as he is we have no left handers!

Don't worry, they are going to use all that money they saved on Edwin to get us a couple.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

If he's not the best option available he's probably #2 or #3.

Ah, the lack of a comma threw me off.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by flambers

Did anyone listen to Mark Shapiro interview on Fan590?

Curious on what he said.

Sounded to me like signing Jose is a distinct possibility after listening to Shapiro today. I'm pretty convinced he'll be a Blue Jay.

Also that the Jays are still looking to add to the bullpen.