Toronto Blue Jays - Offseason Thread

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Alberta Beef:

We are one of the oldest teams in MLB , and have lost EE, Cecil and Saunders

We had a pitching staff that started the most games for the 5 starters, and the entire team and one of the healthiest in MLB

With all that going right , we made he wild card.

So how can anyone be positive about next seasons prospective?

Best case is the pitching staff again stays completely heathy, some how we pierce together a bullpen and get a wildcard spot.

And that's best case IMO. I'm curious to hear how you think this team is anything better then a best case wild card team ?

Last year the bats were nowhere near as good as the year before. Maybe there's some hope that they get more out of the bats this year.

However, losing EE doesn't help. If Bautista comes back and rebounds though it's possible.

[bluejays]

Got a Score mobile alert that the Orioles are actually interested in Bautista now. So much for that baloney earlier this off-season which said they weren't interested because their fans didn't like him. lol

Also had an alert yesterday saying Cleveland is kicking the tires on him. Either would be tough to swallow if he signs there.

[Otto-matic]

Sportsnet ‏@Sportsnet 10m10 minutes ago
Report: #BlueJays nearing deal with Jose Bautista http://sprtsnt.ca/2jOlMoT

[TheAlpineOracle]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...jose-bautista/

If sportsnet is reporting this, I'd say it's close to a done deal.

[Clever_Iggy]

Ugh. Hopefully for less than the qualifying offer just to stick it to that bozo.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Ugh. Hopefully for less than the qualifying offer just to stick it to that bozo.

I would bet, the contract will be higher than the qualifying offer.

What a disappointing off season for the Jay's.

Jay's management should get a "D-".

[habernac]

lol, someone on twitter about the Bautista situation:

When it's last call, and your ex is the only one left at the bar....

[Senator Clay Davis]

Deal is going to be 2 years for around $35-40 million. No word on opt outs.

[SportsJunky]

Well, it fills a need but I was really hoping Bautista would move on. Blue Jays have nobody to blame but themselves here.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Well, it fills a need but I was really hoping Bautista would move on. Blue Jays have nobody to blame but themselves here.

The Jays did the best they could. I think everyone would have preferred Edwin over Jose but Edwin overplayed his value causing the Jays to make the move to replace him.

[Otto-matic]

Sources: #BlueJays and Bautista discussing two-year deal in $35M-$40M range.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Sounds like 37 mil for 2 years. Not over the moon about him coming back but he's probably the best option right now, so it's better than nothing. Hope he has a bounce back year and can stay healthy.

[Cappy]

Good to hear!

No other viable options, and I think he bounces back in a big way.

Just a weak free agent class all around this year, though

[Lil Pedro]

I am OK with Jose coming back; still can't deny his great OPS and his power potential if she stays healthy

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan
One thing has been abundantly clear: Jose Bautista really wanted to go back to Toronto. He's gonna turn down bigger-money offers elsewhere.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan
One thing has been abundantly clear: Jose Bautista really wanted to go back to Toronto. He's gonna turn down bigger-money offers elsewhere.

That actually surprises me.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

That actually surprises me.

It doesn't surprise me.

The Jays need him to be an everyday fielder.

Other teams probably wanted him to be 1B/DH, and Jose has an ego so he wants to stay out in the field. Rather take 500k less per year and play daily.

In the long run, this also helps his chance at a DH contract after this one, since he'll have more AB and higher primary stats.

Edit: AND I also think he really does like playing in TO because he is the face of the franchise (good or bad). If he goes to any other team at this stage in his career, he's second fiddle at best.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Read on Twitter that it may be a one year deal with a club option for a second year. I'd be happy with that.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Read on Twitter that it may be a one year deal with a club option for a second year. I'd be happy with that.

That would make way more sense than a straight two-year deal.

[zukes]

Marcus Stroman just tweeted at Bautista that he's back where he belongs.