2015-2016 Blue Jays Off-Season Thread

[Harry Lime]

I've often wondered why the Jays never taught Jimenez to catch Dickey. He is a stronger defender than Thole, and offers more at the plate. Not much more, but more.

The Astros are among a few clubs taking a look at out-of-options Blue Jays catcher A.J. Jimenez, the Houston Chronicle’s Jose de Jesus Ortiz reports (via Twitter). Jimenez, 25, hasn’t yet cracked the majors and hasn’t done much at the plate in the upper minors while dealing with a string of injuries. But he’s a former top-30 Baseball America organizational prospect, and is said to be a high-quality defender. Houston, of course, has a need with Max Stassi sidelined by wrist surgery, and Toronto doesn’t appear to have any inclination to put Jimenez onto the active roster.

[calculoso]

It's Steve Simmons, but...

@FriedgeHNIC: Ruh roh
https://twitter.com/simmonssteve/sta...12907397668864
@simmonssteve: “They don’t have it in their plans for me to stay here.” Edwin Encarnacion tells Hall of Famer @elliottbaseball http://tinyurl.com/jtd2b7s

[jayswin]

How......expected. That'll be pretty rough if they won't put down what it takes to keep Bautista and have no plans to keep EE. I mean I can actually see the strategy in letting EE go but it's contingent on keeping Bautista.

I mean wasn't part of the rumored avoidance of David Price so that we could keep our offense together? It'll be pretty frustrating if they passed up on Price than pass up on both EE and Bautista.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

^Prepare to be frustrated. The writing has been on the wall for a while now.

[Caged Great]

Of course they are going to cheap out.

[jayswin]

It really puts it into perspective how much we should cherish this past playoff run. What a great time.

I'm still pretty excited for this season to start, but the overlying feeling that we aren't looking to be contenders on a year to year basis is still there.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Yup the writting has been on the wall for two years now. This year is it. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[jayswin]

So I guess the question becomes; If we aren't going to re-sign either of Bautista or EE would you guys as fans prefer that they just get nice packages/players for them as soon as possible and try to put together a more budget friendly yet still competitive(ish) team that could maybe sneak in to a wildcard, or would you prefer we just keep the team together for the season and hope we make a big run again?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Keep it together and make one more run. If they unload like I think they will I don't think I can continue to be a fan. 3 premier players in two years wanting to stay long term but being shown the door is the last straw for me. I can take players wanting out, but this is unacceptable. I can see Tulo and Donaldson asking to leave if they don't anti up on one of EE or Bautista as its a clear sign they they aren't willing to compete.

[Antithesis]

I don't think it's fair to call this a matter of 'cheaping out'. There certainly is an aspect to this that a decision to re-sign either EE or Bautista - let alone both - could really blow up in the Jays' faces. The contracts they are rumored to want are far too long to be worthwhile. There's an excellent post about this at Blue Jays Nation right now: http://bluejaysnation.com/2016/3/19/...e-to-stay-here

We have to remember a couple of things here: not only are the historical aging curves for players like EE and Bautista not promising, but if the Jays sign either of these guys to lengthy contracts, they'll be looking at paying EE/Bautista, plus Martin, plus Tulo, plus Donaldson all $20-25 million while they are old (for a ball player).

EE is being held together by twine and wood glue these days - I actually have little to no interest in him signing for a deal of any length (I'm thinking beyond the supposed two year deal the Jays have offered) and would probably rather have the draft pick that he'd bring in. For Bautista, I don't see anything wrong with a 3 year deal up to $100 million or something, but I don't want anything beyond a 3 year deal there.

At any rate, great the be talking Jays again!

[Caged Great]

You have to figure that either Pompey or Alford is ready soon to take RF, and possibly both LF and RF either this year or next.

That means moving Jose off RF because he's terrible in the field. That means you have two guys for one DH spot. Not sure which guy you keep, but I'd probably go with Jose because he can fill in occasionally in the field, where EE is a DH or bust player.

Sucks though.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I don't have a problem with them moving on from EE or Bautista so long as they reallocate those funds and fill those holes, but that's not what is probably going to happen.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

You have to figure that either Pompey or Alford is ready soon to take RF, and possibly both LF and RF either this year or next.

That means moving Jose off RF because he's terrible in the field. That means you have two guys for one DH spot. Not sure which guy you keep, but I'd probably go with Jose because he can fill in occasionally in the field, where EE is a DH or bust player.

Sucks though.

I'd move Bautista to 1st base if they resign him. Is he willing to do that is the question. His arrogance may not allow for that.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Jays play the Pirates at 11 today. Estrada taking the mound.

[Roof-Daddy]

So by reading this thread, Floyd and Sanchez have looked real good so far?

How have Stroman and Estrada looked so far?

How's the opening rotation looking to start?

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
?????
?????

Chavez and Happ probably front runners for #4 & #5 or will they be pushed to the pen by the likes of Floyd and Sanchez?

[TheAlpineOracle]

Id say their rotation is a lock at this point.

Stroman
Estrada
Dickey
Happ
Sanchez

Floyd will be the fill in guy for any injuries.

[Roof-Daddy]

That rotation could go either way. Hopefully Stroman is the real deal, Estrada isn't a flash in the pan, and Dickey can be more like "2nd half" Dickey from last season. Otherwise even the Jays bats won't be enough.

I'm liking the bottom end of the pen though. Osuna, Storen Cecil should be able to lock it down late.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I think the Jays best option is to re-sign Bautista. I think they offer him a Cespedes type deal. I'm optimistic they will keep one of the two.

One thing I am questioning though is having Pillar in a lead off spot.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Ya Sanchez has nailed down that starter spot with some impressive spring starts.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Good lord the Jays up the middle defence is absolutely ridiculous.