The Padres are interested in retaining outfielder Jon Jay beyond this season and have engaged in preliminary discussions with him about a return, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The veteran is scheduled to reach free agency this fall.
Jay, 31, was in the midst of a productive campaign for San Diego before a wayward pitch fractured his forearm. Generally regarded as a solid defender in center, Jay also ran up a useful .296/.345/.407 slash with a then-league-leading 24 doubles over 291 plate appearances. He has been working his way back since hitting the DL in late June, and is expected to return in early or mid-September.
Prior to the injury, Jay seemed like a quality trade piece for the Friars. And there still seems to be at least an outside shot at a deal materializing over the next five days. (He could still be traded after the calendar flips to September, but an acquiring team would not be able to use him on its postseason roster.) This latest news, however, suggests that San Diego may instead keep Jay around — though he could certainly be dealt and then re-signed.
It’s not immediately clear whether the club is interested in keeping Jay from reaching the open market, or instead hopes to get a head start on free agent talks. Manager Andy Green suggested the latter, labeling it “an offseason discussion” to be had at year end. And Jay seems to be inclined to test the free agent waters, even if he sees a return to San Diego as a desirable possibility.
While Jay said it was “great” to be approached, he went on to explain that he’d likely need to weigh the alternatives. “Obviously, with free agency, you wait so long to get to this point as a player, you want to see what’s out there,” said Jay. “But at the same time, I feel very comfortable here. I do like it a lot here, so this is definitely something my wife and I will discuss when we’re making those decisions.”
As Lin well explains in the above-linked post, it is a bit surprising at first glance to learn of the Padres’ interest in retaining Jay. The organization has a fair number of untested but rather intriguing outfielders kicking around at or near the major league level, and doesn’t seem primed to contend in 2017. It seems, though, that Jay made quite an impression both on and off the field.
And while the injury was certainly a freak occurrence, it may limit his earning power somewhat and leave an opportunity for the team to realize some value if it does ultimately strike a deal. Though the overall free agent market is rather thin, there are a number of quality outfielders available, so it’ll be interesting to see how things develop with regard to Jay, who ought to draw fairly wide interest from a variety of teams.
No way the Padres resign him. He does not have a spot with Jankowski, Margot, and Renfoe and would cost way too much coin for the Friars.
Actually, he does. Keeping Renfoe and Margot in the minors extends their service time if they are kept down- kris bryant situation. If they keep them down x amount of days, I think mid or late june, they can get an extra year because they won’t get enough service time. Once they trade jay they can recall them.
I agree if they do sign him it would be a 2 year deal and they would trade him by the deadline so they can call up the others with the extra year. The dbacks are doing that with Shelby Miller they are keeping him down so he doesn’t reach 4 years of service time this year
No way Jay only takes a 2 year deal. And if he wanted to play for someone else he wouldn’t sign with the Padres for less money.
Margot will stay in the minors to start the 2017 season and there STILL isn’t a spot on the roster for Jay. Arcia, Jankowski, Renfroe, Dickerson have those 4 spots as of today.
The biggest reason for not bringing him back is not spending money on a losing team.
Makes no sense to block prospects in the midst of total rebuild unless the plan is to quickly trade him.
Actually, it does. Why waste 2 years of service time on Margot and Renfoe when they will clearly be rebuilding. If they QO Jay they can send cash and him for prospects sometime in mid june and by keeping renfoe and margot in minors they won’t get enough service time playing a full season and the padres gain an extra year of team control for when theyre suppose to be competitive.
Renfroe will be 25 and spent part of last year and all of this year in AAA where he leads the league in home runs. No, it doesn’t make sense for him to be sent down again next year.
You are absolutely correct and if Preller is smart he won’t. Dickerson and Jankowski have played well and no reason to sit them. Arcia will get his shot too. Renfroe is ready and it won’t help the team financially to keep him down much longer. Unless they are able to dump Norris in the offseason, Bethancourt will also get time in the OF.
Why ?
If they sign Jay as a veteran 4th outfielder, it means Jankowski or Margot will be traded for ss or pitching
Agree, I would even throw Dickerson in the trade discussions also. Aside from Margot/ Jankowski & Dickerson the Padres also have more organizational outfield depth. Nick Torres in AAA who is an organization top 20 prospect & Gabriel Quintana in AA who is also having a fine year.
If Jay is re-signed they need to trade one of the young outfielder for young starting pitching. One of the second base candidates should be dealt for pitching as well, between Spangenberg, Asuaje & Schimpf they all bring something to the table that would bring back talent.
Urias just called up to AAA and hitting over 400. He’s only 19 but they fast track him while trying Rodon more now with deep SS pool lower in the minors.
It means Jon Jay will.
What a joke!!!!!!! This guy SUX
Yeah I don’t see the fit with all the outfield prospects the Padres have. The only way I see Jay staying in San Diego beyond 2016 is if the Padres QO him and even if they do that I see them trading him and cash at next year’s deadline.
Would be nice to see him turn down a QO and the team getting the extra pick.
Only want to resign him so they can trade him. The injury this year really screwed their plans up for him. Plus keeping him on the roster for a month or two delays the clock of their top prospects. Not a bad idea on SD’s part to sign him.
For a young rebuilding team you need some veteran presence and Jon Jay has impressed the Padres so they would like him around to teach the rookies.
No you don’t. One of Jankowski or Margot is gonna have to be traded even without re-signing Jay.
Why? Jankowski, Margot and Renfroe would be awesome defensively? Potential 1,2,4/5 hitters.