2018-2019 Blue Jays Off-season thread

[zukes]

The Phillies odds for World Series just went down, a Vegas casino site saying Harper will sign with Phillies Ann mlb the show has an announcement today (Harper on the cover)

[Strange Brew]

When will NHL GM's learn what baseball GM's have learned? Look at all the quality free agents still available as their price comes down.

[calculoso]

Toronto Blue Jays
✔
@BlueJays
OFFICIAL: We've signed INF Freddy Galvis to a 1-year contract with a club option for 2020.

To make room on our 40-man roster, RHP Danny Barnes has been designated for assignment.

[calculoso]

https://www.mlb.com/news/freddy-galv...ys/c-303284482

"With the latest move, the Blue Jays' infield suddenly looks pretty crowded. Brandon Drury will open the year as the starting third baseman, but that will only last a few weeks before Guerrero is promoted from the Minor Leagues. At short, Gurriel and Galvis will battle it out, and Devon Travis is the starter at second, but he may be pushed for time by both Drury and Gurriel.

During Toronto's annual Winter Fest, which was held at Rogers Centre on Jan. 19-20, incoming Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said the only infielder with a guaranteed job was first baseman Justin Smoak. Every other infielder on the roster would have to earn his playing time, and the signing of Galvis drove home that point even further.

Right-hander Danny Barnes was designated for assignment to make room for Galvis on the 40-man roster. Barnes had been a regular presence in the Blue Jays' bullpen during each of the last three seasons, but he fell on hard times in 2018 with a 5.71 ERA over 47 games."

[jayswin]

Has Steve Pearce signed anywhere yet?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Has Steve Pearce signed anywhere yet?

He re-signed with the Red Sox for one more year back in November. $6 million roughly.

[Samonadreau]

What in the actual F is going on with Harper and Machado. So they have to be waiting in the belief that a team will finally give in to their contract demands but this is getting crazy. 2 weeks to spring games.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I think Harper signs with Philly. They have that "all in" vibe to them. Adding Realmuto, Segura and to a lesser extent Andrew McCutchen adds some good bats to an already decent order with Herrera, Rhys Hoskins and Franco. Nola is a legit ace with Arrieta and Eflin. Add Bryce Harper to that line up and they are NL contenders.

I really do wonder if they will get their 300 million dollar contracts. Boras by all accounts lost the battle with MLB owners with JD Martinez who was looking for 210 million over 7 years and signed a 5 years deal at 110 million.

[Strange Brew]

Pitchers and catchers report in less than a week and Dallas Keuchel still unsigned.

[Matty81]

I dunno how the Jays expect anything but getting massacred with the pitching staff they are gonna trot out this year. And they're focused on signing shortstops? With career 280 obps? I guess the two positions are not mutually exclusive. Honestly I miss AA, at least you know he would have been more proactive and aggressive and if their pitching staff was going to get smashed you' d at least see some young guys with upside.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I dunno how the Jays expect anything but getting massacred with the pitching staff they are gonna trot out this year. And they're focused on signing shortstops? With career 280 obps? I guess the two positions are not mutually exclusive. Honestly I miss AA, at least you know he would have been more proactive and aggressive and if their pitching staff was going to get smashed you' d at least see some young guys with upside.

I've mentioned it a few times. I'm really wondering if Atkins is the Chiarelli of the baseball world.

[alan21]

Is it THAT outrageous for Toronto to even throw an offer at Harper and/or Machado?
They're so talented and still so young.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by alan21

Is it THAT outrageous for Toronto to even throw an offer at Harper and/or Machado?
They're so talented and still so young.

I said before, I 100% think they should do it.

...and no I'm not high lol.

Although I doubt either would sign here unless it was by far the highest offer they received.

[alan21]

Instantly back in the convo for playoffs if they get that kind of talent.
I'm not paying the bills so it's easy for me to want it.

[flames_fan_down_under]

It really is a move, especially Harper, that makes sense for the Jays. They need a quality bat starting in the outfield, he is pretty damn good, he is an instant ticket seller in a market that loves star players, and you're getting him in his prime years, and you lose no player assets to acquire the player. I think we are all realistic enough to know the Jays are not going to sign him because the Jays never, ever sign big name free agents. But man would that be cool to see Harper in a Jays uniform.

[jayswin]

^^^^^^

But like sand through the hour glass Sportsnet will release an article the day he signs somewhere else with "sources" saying that the Jays were willing to pay top dollar but the player chose not to come.

Followed by an awkward "Uhh, we never once spoke to the Blue Jays" a week later.

[bluejays]

It depends on the cost structure the Jays will have in the future (on whether they bother going after Harper or Machado). Harper is definitely a generational talent. But at what cost? In baseball it's more important to have a complete lineup than any other sport (IMO). What this means is with a team with an internal budget of say $200M, if one player is taking up nearly 20% of that, it leaves less money to build a balanced roster. So while Harper may sell seats, on a team like the Jays I don't think he would be the best they could do for their money as arguably two guys at $20MM each would be money wiser spent. On a team like the Yanks, Sox or Dodgers with a virtual unlimited budget, you do it. Guys like these are obviously good, but they're so limited with where they can go, and have a team be successful after they sign there.

[Samonadreau]

Even if they signed one of the big two they dont have the arms in the rotation or bullpen to make any noise.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Even if they signed one of the big two they dont have the arms in the rotation or bullpen to make any noise.

Not this upcoming season, but it wouldn't be for just this upcoming season.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jon Heyman@JonHeyman

John Axford is close to a deal to return to his hometown Toronto Blue Jays, which is where he’s said he wanted to be