The latest from Toronto…
- Several teams, including contenders in the American League, contacted the league office in regards to the Josh Donaldson trade “either to express their dismay with the circumstances of the deal or seek clarification on why baseball allowed it,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports (subscription required). The particular issue was Donaldson’s uncertain health status and the timing of his activation from the disabled list as a Blue Jay and his latest DL placement after joining the Indians, without any return to the field in between. Prior to the deal, teams interested in Donaldson were issued a “buyer beware” warning by the league about his possible injured status, which stemmed from concerns Donaldson himself had about his bothersome calf, which he expressed to the MLBPA (via his agent). After the union passed these concerns onto the league, Rosenthal reports that MLBPA officials also wondered how the trade was completed. Donaldson’s worries, however, were alleviated after speaking to the Tribe on August 31, as Cleveland was given permission by the league to speak to the player once the general framework of the trade had been settled.
- Infielder Yangervis Solarte has been activated from the disabled list, as per the Blue Jays’ PR department’s Twitter feed. Solarte has missed just under a month due to right oblique injury suffered after an awkward swing. Solarte has hit .233/.287/.397 over 471 PA in his first season in Toronto, and could be entering his final days with the team — the Jays are deep in young infield options, and may choose to buy out Solarte’s 2019 club option for $750K rather than bring him back at the full $5.5MM price.
- General manager Ross Atkins is expected to receive a contract extension this winter, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes, as Atkins’ current contract only runs through the 2019 season. This means that Atkins signed a four-year deal when first hired as Toronto’s GM in the 2015-16 offseason. The contract length wasn’t reported at the time, and this new deal may also be handled with a modicum of fanfare, as Davidi predicts that an Atkins extension “likely takes place quietly behind the scenes and doesn’t get announced.” Building off a recent interview with Jays president/CEO Mark Shapiro about the club’s offseason plans, Davidi’s piece also predicts some modest roster targets for the Blue Jays, such as at least one innings-eating veteran starter, and “some value-play additions to the bullpen” in the mold of the Seunghwan Oh and Tyler Clippard signings last winter.
- In a separate piece from Davidi, he examines how the Blue Jays drafted and signed Ryan Borucki in 2012, an acquisition that may not have happened if Borucki hadn’t suffered a UCL tear while pitching for his high school team that spring. Despite several injuries that hampered his early development, Borucki has turned into one of the club’s best young arms, and projects to be a member of the 2019 rotation after making his MLB debut this season.
Solarte’s team option is effectively a 4.75MM decision (counting 750K buyout) Would he really get bought out?
Yes. With younger cheaper options available there’s no reason to keep Solarte at $5.5 million. Especially since Diaz will probably be back at a cheaper price. Slot him in with Travis, Gurriel Jr., Tulowitzki (assuming he’s healthy), Urena, and Martin taking starts, the infield is pretty full considering that’s not factoring any other players they decide to call up next year.
He can’t even factor at 1st base considering the Jays will assumably be rotating Smoak, Morales and Tellez.
Don’t forget Drury, he looked really good at 3rd
Again, as xabiel points out, you are effectively keeping him for only 4.75 million (so you are paying him .75 more than you paid him last year – this is the decision). That isn’t terrible value for a slightly better than backup infielder.
I love Solarte and all, but he’s not even an average backup player. He’s a below average hitter, fielder, and is slow on the bases.
Y’all are forgetting Vladdy filling 3B at week 3
He might have the option picked up if they plan on trading him and they think there will be teams interested, but I doubt he’ll play another game for the Jays after this season. Travis, Gurriel, Diaz, and Guerrero will all be ahead of him on the depth chart and they still need to find spots for Drury, Tulo, and possibly Bichette.
Tulo’s spot will likely be the DL soon enough…
Probably not. Even if they have younger guys they would rather play, I’m sure there are teams that would be interested in trading for him. Better to get a lottery ticket back and not pay Solarte a single penny than pay him $750k to go away.
Blue jays should trade veteran assets in the offseason and let the young kids play.
The Donaldson trade is a bit odd, Toronto paid to be rid of him with just a player to be named coming back. If that’s not a lot, then the only explanation for the trade is that Toronto didn’t want to risk making a QO. As to some sort of conspiracy,,,I kind of doubt it.
Shame on the crybabies contacting the league office over that deal.
The Donaldson trade was two teams doing each other a favour, Atkin & the Jays dumped a problem while Chernoff got a possible MVP cheapy, cheapy for the playoff push. Let’s not forget Chernoff spoke to Donaldson, if he didn’t want to go to Cleveland that badly he would have said so….
Atkins deserves an extension, he inherited a team that was the oldest in the MLB with nothing in the farm except for Vlad Jr.
Solarte will be bought out, he’s blocking young talent, Vlad Jr will be at 3rd come May so there’s no where for Solarte to play. With Gurriel Jr. looking like the SS of the future don’t be surprised if the Jays buy Tulo out as well.
If you thought 2018 was tough to watch Wait until next year……this team won’t really be worth watching until 2020-2021 season.
Atkins and Shipiro need to go ASAP. You honestly believe they would hand tulo a 50mill check over how many years to sit at home? Your as delusional as the Jays front office.
*You’re
I’m gonna guess that Shapiro’s bosses were like; “ok, in 2017, alot of things unexpectedly went wrong, so try for one more year”.
They ended up getting controllable, youngish Grichuk & Diaz then adding guys that didn’t have long-term contracts in Granderson, Solarte, and the 3 Bullpen guys. I myself felt that last offseason was the time to rebuild, however, (mainly due to fan engagement reasons), I do understand why they felt it was worth one more shot.
Especially since it was just accomplished within just 4 years; a wildly-held Top 5 Farm system? I’ll take that. Shapiro and Atkins are doing fine.
And Solarte WILL get bought out this offseason.
Makes no sense to buy out Solarte. Even if he doesn’t have a place in Toronto’s lineup, he would still probably bring back something in a trade, even if it’s a minor piece. He’ll likely receive close to $5MM on the open market anyways so why not exercise the option and trade him to the highest bidder?
If teams wanted Solarte he would have been traded at the deadline. Jays couldn’t because nobody wants him. They need to buy him out. Too many players on the roster for next year fighting for infield time.
Decline the option for Solarte, opt not to extend Atkins, create some space at the top for the inevitable youth movement. Vlad should be given a shot in mid-April, Biggio should be given a shot to make the team in Spring and Bichette needs a year in AAA on both sides of the ball.
Jays brass need to figure out where Vlad, Bo and the rest of the young players will play in the big leagues. Both Guerrero and Bichette struggle defensively and the team must maximize their potential on D.
Smoak and Travis need to be moved. Not that they aren’t wanted; it’s all about the future and what the Jays can get for a guy like Smoak who’s an attractive acquisition.
“Just so you know, he’s hurt”.
“That’s fine, if we get something out of him, it’s a bonus”.
“Okay done”.
No investigation necessary.
I guess I really don’t care one way or the other about whether the trade happened, but if you’re going to allow a deal like that, why even have the rule at all?