2022 Toronto Blue Jays Off-season Thread

[Inferno]

The Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger too.

[DoubleK]

He hasn't been the same since he got his shoulder done.

I'd still take a flier on him though

[Kasi]

Sounds like they’re pushing hard for Nimmo and that the bidding is at 5/130 now. Just the Jays and Mets presumably.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by bluejays

Even though they’re clips I had no idea he was that dumb. Boy smokes way too much based on those clips. Nothing between though ears.

Which is probably helpful for a baseball player.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Sounds like they’re pushing hard for Nimmo and that the bidding is at 5/130 now. Just the Jays and Mets presumably.

Yikes. I like that he's a contact hitter and doesn't strike out as much, but is he worth that contract as a non-elite player? And an OFer to boot? Really borderline about spending that money on an OFer. Much rather that spent on an infielder or starter.

[Roof-Daddy]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1592211416244944896

It'd be nice to actually land a guy like this for once.

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, we need one more elite starter, and one more elite bullpen guy, and this team is set

We also need a left-handed bat, but in order of importance, IMO:
1) starter
2) high leverage, high velocity BP
3) left bat (preferably CF)

[Inferno]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1594716742219169793

[Cheese]

How MLB's new rules will change free agency

Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto: "I can't think of a team that I've talked to so far that hasn't expressed interest in acquiring left-handed hitting. I do think that's the most obvious difference. I don't know if it will immediately affect roster building, but I think it's going to affect the way the game is played. If it doesn't impact roster building now, it will a year from now."
Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris: "The banning of the shift presents new opportunities for left-handed hitters. That's the demographic that batted balls were eaten up by with the shift."
Cincinnati Reds GM Nick Krall: "On offense, pull guys are going to look better."
Los Angeles Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes: "My sense would be the left-handed slugger [will attain more value], just being able to accumulate more hits and not just do damage. That would be my pick. You could argue a lot of other things. But we don't really know what the pitch clock is going to do. There could be a bunch of things that we're not even appreciating right now that play out."

[Cheese]

Recently non-tended Vinny Capra is coming back to the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal

Vinny Capra remains a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays opted to non-tender Capra (along with Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer) ahead of Friday’s roster decision deadline, making him a free agent. Rather than finding a new team, Capra re-signed with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I bet, after a while, Tapia comes back too.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

I bet, after a while, Tapia comes back too.

I don't mind Tapia back as cheap depth. They just couldn't tender him and pay him $5 million, but a lot less it could work.

They also should NOT be giving him 400+ plate appearances either.

[Roof-Daddy]

There is some twitter buzz that Bellinger might be signing with the Jays for two years (with a player opt out after one year) but not sure if legit.

[Wastedyouth]

Gimme Nimmo or give me nothing.

[Blaster86]

No confirmation of the signing, but consensus seems to be "when" and not "if" and that it being relatively soon.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Yikes. Bellinger is terrible.

[Roof-Daddy]

Bellinger is a terrible hitter.

He'd bring above average CF defense and solid base running.

He's projecting to be worth about 2 fWAR

The Jays could really use a strong everyday outfield defender, especially in CF

[flames_fan_down_under]

I guess raising the floor is always good, he would be an upgrade on Tapia defensively, but the loss of offense from Hernandez won’t be replaced with Bellinger.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I guess raising the floor is always good, he would be an upgrade on Tapia defensively, but the loss of offense from Hernandez won’t be replaced with Bellinger.

Agreed.

Hopefully Teo's offense would be replaced by a Vladdy bounce back.

There is also a chance that they squeeze anothher WAR or two out of a healthy Gurriel, or a Gurriel replacement via trade.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I guess raising the floor is always good, he would be an upgrade on Tapia defensively, but the loss of offense from Hernandez won’t be replaced with Bellinger.

Depends.

Could he be a Semien like project. Even Matt Chapman started to find his game after a really slow start in Toronto and a terrible year in Oakland the year before.

Honestly it's the type of signing/move the Jays have had success with in recent years.

He has MVP upside, his best career season is better than Hernandez, the hope is the Jays can help him find that confidence and unlock that potential again. Sure it was 4 seasons ago - but after his first three seasons in 2019 people were talking about him in the same conversation as Mike Trout, I'm always a sucker for that type of upside.

I'd force him to watch every at bat he had in 2019 and try to replicate that stance and swing again.