Some notes from the American League East:
- Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has spoken previously about making a high-impact addition to the roster. He reiterated that desire when speaking with Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (Twitter link). Toronto indeed plans to make a run at elite talent this offseason, Atkins stated. That’s easier said than done, of course. Atkins also spoke of a desire to improve the team’s overall run prevention numbers. Trevor Bauer is handily the top free agent pitcher on the market, but the Jays could also look for a high-end defender to keep runs off the board.
- Atkins also addressed the Blue Jays’ 2021 stadium situation during his MLB Network Radio interview (Twitter link). The current hope is the team returns to the Rogers Centre after playing their 2020 home games at Buffalo’s Sahlen Field. Atkins also left open the possibility of starting the 2021 season outside Toronto and returning to their home city at a later date. No one knows what the COVID-19 rate will look like next April, of course, so the organization is preparing “contingency plans” in case international travel continues to be restricted next year.
- Last offseason, Eduardo Rodríguez expressed some openness to working out an extension with the Red Sox. There’s no indication the sides ever seriously discussed a potential long-term agreement, but Rodríguez is now just one season away from free agency. The Sox should approach the southpaw about an extension this offseason, opines Rob Bradford of WEEI. Rodríguez missed the entire 2020 season due to a scary bout with myocarditis after contracting COVID-19; fortunately, he’s expected to return at full strength in 2021.
If the jays can get one of Bauer or Lindor, they win the offseason.
Or both. Plus Springer. OF is a bigger need to improve defensively than the improvement Lindor would offer over Bichette at SS
Bauer, Springer, Lindor and LeMahieu I figure. And re-sign Tulo, Martin and JoeyBats! And trade for EE and Stroman.
The Toronto social media take.
You really think the Blue Jays are going to spend $80+ million this offseason? You can’t possibly be that dumb?
Well Kevin, why not? Last offseason they committed to 110 + Mil, and if you are only taking about 1 year commitment well last off season the Jays committed to 40+ Mil coming off a terrible season, commiting to 80+ Mil only puts the Jays payroll at 150 Mil not an unrealistic figure! so maybe the poster is not all that |dumb| after all
Unless they can extend lindor I say stay away. No need to sell part of one of the deepest farm systems for 1 year of elite talent.
Agreed. If they feel they need to move Bichette off of SS, do it after this year. Then they can just bring in one of the big ones next FA period for only money. Or Bichette will show he can handle the position for the long term and you can allocate that money elsewhere.
And what if Lindor signs an extension with the team that acquires him just like Dodgers did with Betts?
Then they can move on to Baez, Story, Seager, or Correa. Next years FA class is loaded at SS and there’s not enough rich teams for them to get outbid on all of them. I’d much rather they sign any one of them for just money and use their prospects to acquire pitching or a CF.
Agreed, I’m opposed to trading for Lindor as well, for the same reason. Seemingly the only thing that will get in the way of the Jays resurgence to contention is the front office themselves. I still don’t have faith that they won’t sell the farm too early as opposed to just spending to upgrade and continue to let everyone develop.
If they have a deep farm system then wouldn’t it be worth the risk??
not really a great use of assets if it is for just one year… and then what? You move Bo back?
HaloHonk the system is not as deep now with a few prospects already in the majors. Blowing prospects for Lindor to secure 3rd place isn’t worth it.
Does it become sensible if big free agent signings happen?
If you have Padres-like depth, where you can deal a lot and still have one of the top systems, it’s worth trading some of your top prospects who are blocked. The Jays are top 10, maybe top 5… but after trading for Lindor they’d be middle of the pack. And with the injury rates these days a strong farm is more essential than ever, it’s the only way to have enough pitching depth (because there aren’t enough roster spots to sign enough depth).
Bauer, Simmons, Bradley Jr, Colome, Watson
Getting Lindor won’t matter if the pitching isn’t addressed. Plus we have to find out the return for Lindor in a trade.
We have better use of our resources if we signed Odorizzi , Paxton and Morton as starters, the Djlm & JBJ for 2b and CF… Bauer will be at least $21million in year one but at least $125 million over 5 years. A lineup of Biggio, (3b),DJLM (2b), Bichette (SS), Guerielle (LF), Vladdy (Dh), Tellez (1b), Hernandez (RF), JBJ (Cf), and Jansen (C) would be a great start to the season . Our rotation would be Ryu, Morton, Paxton, Odorizzi , and Ray … That would leave us Pearson, Thornton, Zeuch, and Kay as extras or relievers …
roark?
You put Pearson in the bullpen? Stop that.
any thoughts on Springer’s willingness to play in Toronto? seems like a logical fit.
I support it. Similar indoor climate easier to navigate and doesn’t offer a lot worse hitting dynamics, better if anything imo. Does Toronto spend the money tho? I say no.
i mean if they are really in on a big signing he makes the most sense for their needs
I think Springer would do it and l think this year they are willing to make the commitment. The Jays could surprise a lot of people in ‘21 if they get one or two positional pieces and pitching.
If they land Lindor as mentioned in the posts above, I cannot imagine they keep Cavan and Bichette, right? They’d have to trade one, if not both, as part of the package for him or for a Pitching return, imho.
Or maybe Guerrero, even though I think they’d rather keep him, he may be the most expendable with his lack of mobility (I know he lost weight but we don’t know how that transitions to a position yet).
no way either goes for a one year rental
You must be stoned to think that we’ve groomed these players like we have only to trade them for one player , for possibly one year , Maybe in your Little League PS3 game console but not is real life .
And to pay $15 million a year when we can get that improved defense for $8 million in JBJ – Springer will not give us double in offense and zero in defense .
Isn’t it nap time?
Anybody think about the tax implications of signing in a foreign country, even though they are a part of major league baseball?
That’s what Toronto is.
Mccafe: Who are you talking to? I think you maybe responded in the wrong sub-thread. If you’re responding to the Lindor reference it was posited by the Jays fans above. Although I don’t think it’ll happen they cannot keep all those pieces if it does
Well Rocky7, that foreign Country has been involved in MLB for over 50 years and has signed many player all of whom are/were aware of the “tax implications”
Springer, Bauer, DJL, and the rest of the free agents go where the money is,. Period. They follow the almighty dollar. The Jays can have them all if they pay for it in AAV and term.
If Eduardo signs an extension now, he would be signing low. If Boston signs an extension now, they would be doing it because he’s healthy on paper, and taking an unnecessary risk. There’s time to talk once he’s back on the field.
How old is Erod now? I’d be okay with like 4/50-60mil?
Here’s a dumb question about erod…
Does anyone recall what his situation was vis-a-vis the covid contraction vs reporting date?
I was wondering if he was unable to report when MLB reopened, his contraction, and thus myocarditis, would be an outside issue precluding service time fully accruing for a year based on the prorated season?
I’m guessing the fact nobody reported on it that it isnt, but, if it WAS it could affect free agency… No?
Pretty sure the only injuries that could stop service time would be violations of contract language, like going snowboarding or something after agreeing not to. Nobody wrote a contract saying a player isn’t allowed to contract a contagious disease.
Bauer isn’t coming to Toronto. They need to swing a trade for Lindor, not sure if they should include Gurriel Jr for him..
Really need Lindor, leadership, his bat, speed, and defensive game he brings.
If not plan B. There’s always next off season ect, my expectations are in check.
Why don’t you see Bauer choosing Toronto? I see some scenarios where they could line up quite well.
If they pay him enough I could see it…. I don’t think they will pay him what he wants and rightfully so. Some team will overpaid for him (maybe mine).
The Jays have a few years before their roster gets pricey. If Bauer would like a big AAV shorter term contract, I think the Jays could do it. Plus, they’ve shown a willingness to trust players’ own methods with Ryu. They value data driven decision making. They just opened a brand new spring training facility with all the toys Bauer likes to play with. I suspect that facility in Dunedin would be the plan B over Buffalo next year. Of course it depends on what other teams are doing, but I don’t see Bauer and the Jays dismissing each other.
Must consider what it will take to get Lindor and whether or not they can extend him. Pass on Lindor.
There are many SS available who’d cost less and contribute on both sides of the ball while you KEEP the players needed in a trade to get Lindor. Next year there will be more SS available. Heck, why not consider 2B like Wong or DJ Lemahieu and move Biggio to 3B? Wong will D up big time. Bichette continues to improve and they will be fine.
Forget Lindor. There are better options for the Blue Jays.
Absolutely. Its not like they need to move Bichette off SS either. I’m okay with them making some trades, but it should be for guys with some term if they are trading anything of value from the system. I think the guys I want to see targeted would cost a lot, but I can see some expendable depth.
Too many “Jays fans” started questioning Bo’s D immediately after Game 2 against the Rays. Typical knee-jerk reaction from guys who think the Leafs will finally win the cup next year. Bo looked much better at short in 2020 than 2019. His desire to be the best player in baseball is reflected by the strides he has made defensively.
Let him play short. Jays can look elsewhere and focus on short a year from now if-needed.
I don’t know if there is a trade needed except maybe unloading Grichuk to open an OF spot.
I agree, forget Lindor. The cost is not worth it.
Bichette needs to move off SS now. He is not a SS and never will be. He has only a few games in the bigs. He will be exposed as he plays more. His injury problems, and yes he has them, mandates a move to 2B. Wait for it. Called way back when.
That’s fine, and I agreed a year ago Bo wasn’t a SS. But no, give him one more year.
Let’s be realistic Jimmer; Blue Jays are not leaping the Yankees or Tampa in 2021. 2022 absolutely. A year from now the Jays should look at SS. For now there are bigger needs; SP, SP, INF, CF.
a year from. now they may have an internal replacement, if necessary. Bo has continued to surprise in his short tenure… I would not be surprised if that continues and he quickly becomes a plus defender at SS
True enough there are much more important needs that the BlueJays have now.
About Bichette, I don’t want it to be a Vlad Jr fiasco – Let’s try a player where he doesn’t belong and he’ll get better, ra, ra, ra. That’s a waste of time. Bichette a plus defender at SS, never. ever.
We don’t want it to be that way. However, this 2020 season wasn’t as successful as people think. Over 162 games there’s no way the Jays could sustain that level with that starting pitching. Before looking at moving Bo the starting pitching is the priority. For now we can overlook Bo and hope he improves. Worst case scenario he moves to 2B. In the meantime they can eat up a year of his at SS.
Vlad still needs to lose 10-20 pounds. And keep it off. He has Spring Training to show he can play 3B. He has a frying pan glove which is why he’s not a great 1B either. Fatness kills footwork. Let’s find out if he’s hungry for food or hungry to win an MVP or two.
#scoutseyes
#scouteyes indeed.
watch out for those wrists though
lol. Wait for it. time will tell. I hope that I am wrong on all my Bichette calls: weak wrists, weak core, injury prone, and overall will be a below average player.
Great attitude, great swing, Top of the batting order guy, projected as poor SS or very good 2B.
well, so far your missing big time on the below average player…
and those weak wrist seem to be able to hit some bombs…
Jesus Tae enough already. I let go of your post above about the Jays having an internal replacement at short. You didn’t provide a name because they do not have one.
Not Martin. Plays CF and has no arm.
Not Groshans. Foot problems and stats at short aren’t strong.
So who’s the internal replacement?
Before going after people on here you might want to clean up your thoughts first. Jimmer’s qualms over Bo do not come close to your misses.
Groshens, Austin or Martinez could all develop into the pisition… hell even Hiraldo.
truth is, after a year off, any or all of these could be the next SS.
All are far less likely to be Bo’s replacement. Which, if you read again, I was questioning about. There is no better player in the Jays system to be SS then Bo. our #Scoutseyes has been laughably incorrect about Bo.
Taejonguy, just wait for it,. Bo has had all of 300+ AB’s in the bigs.
Taejon….wow.
Groshans and his .905 fielding percentage at SS (you read that right) is not going to play SS in the future with that performance and his foot issues.
Austin is not the SS of the future with his noodle arm. He is the CF of the future.
Martinez is more than a year away.
I read what you wrote. You said they might have an internal option. Martinez is the internal option and he’s 2-3 years away. Given that you mentioned the other two guys without actually looking into it I’d say you make Jimmer look like a real scout.
On ERod I don’t think it’s wise to extend him until he shows he’s overcome the myocarditis.
If he shows hes healthy and pitches well, he becomes a lot more expensive. With Red Sox pitching woes, signing him now might be very smart. He younger than any FA Starting Pitcher available, thats worth anything. They can’t be letting guys walk away while signing other team’s free agents. That would just be shoveling sand against the tide.
Boston needs to sign at least 2 quality starting pitchers. Plus some more relievers. With Cora back I bet they will be aggressive this off season
I hope you’re right, I have an opposite feeling
I did too until they hired Cora back. I think they will spend more this winter than they would have with someone else. We got alot of youth in the outfield we can bring in. They’ll grab one big name pitcher I’m guessing
Paxton? Boras talks like he’s the next Max Scherzer and I’m sure if Boston calls Cash he will confirm Paxton’s greatness for you……
Boras thinks all his people are gold.
If they add 2 SP’s Walker, Morton and Happ would likely be high on their list.
Don’t see Boston giving up a draft pick for Bauer.
Think Boston should limit their offers to 1 or 2 years for SP’s.
2021 will likely again be problematic due to C19.
So no need to waste money on 2021.
They should be drafting, acquiring and developing for 2022 and beyond.
I think that’s where Boston has some real potential right now – They’re 4th, and They have the opportunity to develop a solid core, again, and use that with their financial leverage to become a force within 5-10 years. That’s where the Yankees always fail…. they suck at domestic drafting now (no, not beer).
Boston is 4th in ‘21’s draft selection order is what I meant in the first sentence.
Sounds like a plan.
Without an extension in place there should be no Lindor deal consummated. With that being said I can see the Phillies making the deal and not having a extension in place
it depends on how badly they want to unload Lindor… it is a salary dump. If a couple of second tier prospects and all Lindor’s salary obligations is all it takes… you have to pull the trigger
As long as E-Rod is back to full health the Red Sox should 100% try to work out an extension with him before he reaches the open market. If he starts the season out strong (and they haven’t worked anything out with him beforehand) they could wind up in a bad situation where he decides to play out the year and then becomes a FA where he’d presumably be one of the most intriguing SP options on the market. That is all assuming, of course, that he is back to full health and continues to put up the kind of numbers he did in 2019. While he hasn’t quite ever looked like a true ace… he does generally have the stuff and statistically he’s been close. Should he go on to have a dominant season this year… his price would skyrocket so I think it’s definitely worth the risk for the Sox to try and work something out before the season starts. At his best he’s a sub 3.50 ERA SP with a better than 9.0 K/9 rate — and he’s still relatively young. plus given the massive uncertainty (and overall lack of good SP depth the Sox have) keeping him around seems like a good idea all around. Even if he were to regress a bit… he’d still most likely be a really solid ‘innings-eater’ who would, at worst, post an ERA around 4.00 — so in my opinion, as long as he’s healthy, any risk is far outweighed by the potential reward to locking him up to a longer-term contract at, hopefully, a slight ‘hometown’ discount.
It’s tough to say when it’s so easy for a pitcher to lose his sweet spot, and can take so long to get it back.
So many people have so many long term issues after covid, it isn’t a joke. We hope he’s back from that, and, after 100% bed rest till sept no less, the myocarditis effects too. I really think he needs to ramp up very conservative and you shouldn’t even dream of a other 200IP season even if it’s 162 games.
Maybe a two year deal. With a pair of team options at incrementally higher rates is fair place to start? Gives erod some short term security to get back on track, if it works erod earns more when the team picks up the options. At that point they could also both rework another extension picking up the options and adding years/money
Your post is a very logical manner in which to approach ERod’s situation. If he’s back, they simply pay out the incentives and extend, if not, they learn and move on.
I hope for your sake Boston doesn’t get Paxton though. He’s another injury waiting to happen, although he is good when he’s on.
I agree. Paxton isn’t worth the risk. I doubt Boston would go after him seeing how he was with the Yankees. I think they’re better pitchers for alot less money than what he’d cost. I doubt Boston goes all in this year but with alot if money coming off the books I think they’ll definitely improve from last year. With Sale coming back late in the year they should have him close this year and rebuild his arm strength! They got a couple good arms in the minors they can bring in and see how they do!
With all due respect I disagree.
Don’t see a deal with ERod happening originating from either end.
The Tampa approach, and now the Red Sox approach with Bloom, is and has been to keep constantly drafting well, acquiring bargains and developing players.
If a deal does develop with ERod it will only be a team friendly deal and I don’t see ERod doing that unless he is a risk averse bird in the hand type guy.
I also see the Red Sox adopting this developmental approach until the team gets competitive again and is within striking distance of a championship, at which time then when competitive, I could see them picking up a few semi-opulent free agent signings.
But not until then.
I suspect John Henry has had his full of having the highest payroll in all of baseball and not even making the playoffs as they pulled off in 2019.
Every single other MLB team in 2019 paid less than Boston to make the playoffs and Tampa and Oakland have consistently got to the playoffs at a fraction of what Boston has paid for years now.
Think of John Henry as Moneyball on steroids going forward.
The best of both worlds.
He can play Moneyball and has the bucks to pick up talent at the trade deadline, if the team is in it, without giving up much talent and just picking up players about to go to free agency on non competitive team for peanuts or an expensive player a non competitive team can no longer afford.
I do not believe there is a need for Lindor on this team, IMO the Jays should be focused on Le Mahieu, Baurer and another pitcher along with Springer. Those four additions are all that is really needed with the outside possibility of signing one of Hand or Hendricks
Jaysfan, that is exactly what needs to be done to go for a winning team this year. Unfortunately it won’t happen. Shapiro and Atkins don’t have the stones or the money to do all that.