JANUARY 20: The Jays have announced the signing.
JANUARY 19, 7:54pm: Yates will receive a $5.5MM guarantee with up to $4.5MM in performance bonuses, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.
7:50pm: It’s “expected” Yates will get a one-year, $8.25MM deal with incentives, Rosenthal tweets.
4:31pm: The Blue Jays and free-agent reliever Kirby Yates have agreed to a contract, pending a physical, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweeted earlier Tuesday that the two sides were nearing a deal. Yates is a Beverly Hills Sports Council client.
This could be an enormous pickup for the Blue Jays’ bullpen, but it will depend on how well Yates bounces back from the bone chips in his right elbow that limited him to 4 1/3 innings last year. Yates was arguably the premier reliever in the majors during the prior two years, in which he combined for 123 2/3 innings of 1.67 ERA pitching with a 32.7 K-BB percentage that ranked third among relievers during that span. Yates also racked up 53 saves then, including an NL-high 41 in 2019, and earned the lone All-Star nod of his career.
The Padres likely could not have imagined Yates experiencing the type of success he enjoyed in their uniform after claiming him off waivers from the Angels early in 2017. It wasn’t the first underdog experience for the 33-year-old Yates, a former undrafted free agent who failed to establish himself with the Rays and Yankees earlier in his career.
Now, if a deal between him and Toronto comes to fruition, Yates will return to the AL East to join bullpen that ranked near the bottom of the majors (24th) with a 4.71 ERA last season. The Blue Jays have since seen relievers Anthony Bass, Ken Giles and Wilmer Font reach free agency, though only Bass was an effective part of their bullpen a season ago. Giles entered last year as the club’s closer before dealing with serious injury issues of his own, but Yates may take his place during the upcoming season if he’s healthy. Regardless, Yates joins fellow righty Tyler Chatwood as the second notable bullpen addition Toronto has made this week.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I like it, now let’s sign Springer and trade for Castillo or Taillon.
Lol if you get Taillon I heard you get the remaining pirates fan base with him
hey, at least they have Ke’Bryan Hayes
Small sample size on Hayes, but a ton to be excited about. Still impressed they got a better haul for Musgrove than the Cubs did for Darvish.
Salary and age. Of course Musgrove was going to cost more!
That seems pretty debatable but i guess it’s possible.
your only trading for yu and that contract believing that your a ws contending team for least next 2~3 years. his history so far he’s great when he’s not on the il but has spent a lot of time on the il and he is 30+. musgrove if he finds that next step you got a guy you can build a rotation around and he’s cheap. in today’s market in mlb cheap talent that you can build around is like gold.
*note i’m not saying musgrove is a tor guy just the potential to be one and also not taking shots at sd they have a very good team out there but i want to see them in a 162 season and how they handle the up and downs of a season.
I saw Yu shut down the dodgers to a single run in 8 innings when he returned to dodger stadium with the cubs. I was with my brother in law and his family he is a Padres fan my wife and I are giants fans but his wife and her brother are dodger fans. It was a great game. Bryant got pegged as revenge for a hit on Cody in the 7th or 8th I think and tensions were high in the ninth , Baez went deep and by putting Bryant on Jansen literally gave the Cubs the win. Every time I go to dodger stadium they lose and my Marine buddy from LA always gets nervous sitting with a Giants fan.
Why did you punctuate Ke’Bryan? I’ve never seen you punctuate anything. Are you a big boy learning how to write? Or are you figuring out that typing like a five year old isn’t as cute as you thought it was?
Tallon is gonna require a haul to get him from the Pirates.
I guess that means TEN mid-level prospects.
Tailon has like no value. Hes a FA after 22 and will miss most of 21.
with a little funny accounting I see no reason they can’t sign both springer and Bauer
I wouldn’t worry about Springer or any other bat. Get one if the price is right. But they need a TOR arm. Now or at deadline but sometime before playoffs.
If Springer wanted to go to CANADA He would Have Signed By Now
That logic doesn’t make any sense…considering the fact that he hasn’t signed anywhere.
@mets1536: By your logic, Springer does not want to play baseball anymore because if Springer wanted to go ANYWHERE he would have signed by now.
Maybe post 62 times in a row about Springer and he will sign with the Mets?
♂️ Very logical
Don’t the Mets play in Canada???
Technically the play north of Toronto
This comment didn’t age well…
Way to go Bozo
SPRINGER to the JAYS per Blue Jays Nation.
Omg it’s happening America.
I’m just relieved the Blue Jays finally signed someone of importance after “being interested” in almost all the free agents.
It’s too bad they couldn’t avoid signing the part time CF to a terrible contract. The most games Springer has played in CF is??? 84. Say it with me as you’re thinking it. That’s it???
Hallelujah
Done deal!
“HeS nOt GoInG tO ToRoNtO”
Either that or the other stale narrative of “no major free agent is going to Canada.”
Yates isn’t a major FA and he will get annihilated playing the AL East – Jays still the joke of the league
Why are you so negative.
Marty, you were wrong on the last thread. You are just a blow hard.
You have some serious issues.
Didn’t you pan for the Padres to bring him back? As most other Padre fans did…? Lol Hilarious
?? @Mcrae –
BS.
Yates is a top 50 free agent. That certainly qualifies as “major” as far as most of us are concerned. If he is healthy (& it was “just” bone spurs) that splitter plays anywhere in the world, bro.
Crummy HOTTAKE!, man. Pretty much every baseball fan can see the Blue Jay’s have something going on.
I guarantee you, if the Jay’s are a joke it’s one Cashman is not laughing at.
Completely ignoring your social takes your baseball acumen sucks.
Joke? With the young talent they have they’re far from a joke
You must have been turned back at the border sometime and got your feelings hurt poor wittle boy.
best reliever in the league prior to his injury, but not a major FA? lol ok dude
@Halo11fan Kirby signed for $5M. You are always wrong about everything and youre a right winger.
@Ducky Buckin Fent
If you think a $5M 1 year FA deal counts as “a big move for the Jays” – it doesn’t. Jays won’t even sniff the playoffs this year, Rays better, Yankees better and Boston might be better too. Sorry the truth destroys you, but then again, Jays fans think they’re some powerhouse “important” franchise, but they’ve been irrelevant since 1994.
Lol
I’m not even close to a Blue Jay’s fan. My stars. Did your mother drop you a lot when you were a baby, or something?
You may want to brush up on your overall reading & math skills, as well. It’s 5.5 MM + another 4.5 in incentives.
But please. Keep showing us how “smart” you are.
Look. Post idiotic things & folks are going to call you on them. Them’s the facts, broly.
Good morning Marty,
Like any other day, greeting you with the fact that you are once again incorrect with your angry opinions. Today the Blue Jays proved you wrong, showing that for the franchise it is a choice on their part to pay top free agents and nothing more or less. You build it, they will come.
Accountability is difficult for every human. I’m sure you do not know what that means or how to properly admit that you were wrong, which you are over 90% of the time.
Enjoy the rest of the week. You will need the time to reflect on your inability to express rational thought.
🙂
He didn’t sign for five million… Can’t you read?
Never mind you can’t.
“Yates will receive a $5.5MM guarantee with up to $4.5MM in performance bonuses,”
Get someone to translate for you.
Marty McRibb! You should be too humilated to post! First there was your embarrassing asian racism post, where you completely made a fool of yourself. Then the next day it was “no one will sign with Toronto”. That is 2 stellar days in a row! Go back to hiding like you did yesterday!
Are they even going to be allowed to play in Canada this year? I don’t follow hockey. What is the NHL doing?
they split the league into Canada and US divisions (there are many Canadian teams not just the Jays)
Losing money and fans like every year since Bettman took over.
It’s funny you mention the NHL. There are prime time NBA games getting less than 1m viewers. It’s so bad some NHL games are within 50k viewers or so of some NBA games this season.
@Anthony you maybe right BUT the NBA did it to its self when they started disrespecting their countries and flag and forcing their social and political politics down the fans throat when all the fans wanted to do is watch a game.
We* are watching the NBA jump the shark, or whatever. It’s a whole lot of things.
* I abandoned the NBA a few years ago, but at the time that was more a result of being a Knicks fan. (side note: I feel my life improved a tiny bit)
@Anthony. The TV viewership in Canada is at an all time high. Just about every broadcaster reported record viewership for the opening games and week.
Granted that’s only around 15-20 % of the entire NHL market, but let’s face it, NHL would be better off moving the FLA based teams (except Tampa ironically) and other warm weather climate teams like ARZ and possibly a few California based teams and having a 2nd teaming in or around Toronto (mississauga or Hamilton would be ideal) and reviving the Nordiques, a team in Newfoundland (St John’s) would draw more than the Panthers, you could stick a team in the farthest north region of canada and it would still draw more eyeballs (in Canada) than the worst drawing teams currently in the USA
Advertisers (where the real money is) dont care to advertise to Nunavut or Newfoundland as their advertising dollar doesn’t get the same impact as it would in a Florida or Anaheim
NA sports will always be US dominant until inflation crushes their Dollar ( not that canada is immune as it’s a similar structure)
Hockey is our religion, but the USA has more people and money so that’s all it boils down to.
Hamilton hockey team would cripple the Buffalo Sabres. Roughly 40% of their fan base/ticket holders are from Canada, ranging from Niagara region up to Burlington/Oakville and everything in-between.
10 years ago a rumor started that Markham was trying to build an NHL facility, as Buffalo can’t block a move to that city. Leafs can block it, however.
Regardless you are right; 2nd hockey team in or near Toronto would be supported. I’d consider Halifax over NFLD, or even Regina. They are diehard CFL fans and I wonder if they’d support hockey with the same vigor.
The NHL needs to move the Panthers to Quebec City to revive the Nordiques franchise to start. The next logical region is the GTA— somewhere like Missasauga.
As for a maritime or prairie team, that will need to wait 10 plus years. Of note, I’m from Saskatchewan and if we ever got a team it would be in Saskatoon… the Saskatchewan Harvesters… beautiful wheat sheaf logo, green and gold colors… we’d sell it out every night but need a deep pocketed corporate owner which are few and far between on the frozen prairie tundra…
Jal- 100% Saskatoon should have a hockey team. You know who benefits? Rogers. Their TV contract is atrocious, and they’d gain a nice little boost with Saskatchewan represented. And they’d embrace a team without question. The way they support CFL is like no other.
Unfortunately Mississauga would be blocked also by Buffalo. If a deal could be arranged with the Maple Loafs, Markham Ontario would be the spot for a 2nd “Toronto” team. Helps Buffalo immensely.
tbh i think the knock on tor is that the top tier fa don’t look at tor as a “baseball” market (i’m not saying there not i believe they are) but canada has the moniker of being hockey 1st. Canadian nhl teams have no problems singing usa players even thou both athletes hit the same tax brackets. a lot of fa decisions also take into account marketing one’s self especially if your in the tier of players the jays are in for. let’s say your a hof caliber player and a fa in your prime years you know wherever you go your getting paid but where is the best place to play for a max payday. in the us you can max that payday outside of baseball and that comes down to the sports the us and canada favors more.
NHL also has different cap and floor rules which opens the doors that wouldn’t normally be open. I’m not advocating a hard cap in baseball but they might want to consider a soft floor of some kind.
my point was more referring to money players make outside of there sports with marketing. i know hockey isn’t the best comparison because most nhl teams are in the us. if i was a top tier fa looking to maximize my value in and outside my sport i’m looking at teams that max that value. i.e. if i was bauer why would i play in tor where baseball is the #2 or 3 sport like hockey is in the us.
Springer is going to be a Met, I just dont see him honestly going to Toronto. I admit im a bit bias but I really see him in Orange and Blue but I respect Toronto
Because of the thing we can’t post about I see the Mets making a free agent splash Very, Very Soon.
Gotta distract us. Or we’ll keep circling back to lolmets-ing & referencing text messages & nether region pics.
Can NYM really do that without a GM? Like maybe Anderson steps in and starts making deals but I feel like they need to get their front office in place before they start making moves.
I hope they don’t though… And I’m a Mets’ fan.
They are so close to the lux tax that I think they’ll sign Bradley and a reliever (Hand) and then call it an off-season.
A *Mets fan*!?
No.
You are not.
Now what? & Big market clubs should all pay the stupid CBT.
@CNichols
For sure.
Sandy Alderson has certainly signed some free agents in his time. Mets going GM-less for ’21.
Sandy’s at the helm.
Look for a big signing announcement soon.
Bet.
It goes:
1. Rangers
2. Mets
I don’t keep up with the Mets like I do the Rangers, but I like them a lot nevertheless.
Their rotation is set now, and all they need to finish it up is a good BP arm and then a cheaper CF in Almora or Bradley (though he’s a tier up from Almora).
Sandy was the real architect of the Oakland A’s 2000-03.
As for the lux tax: It gets expensive after 3 years of being over it. With that being said, I think the Mets would be unnecessarily going over it this off-season by signing a future corner outfielder. Wait till next off-season to go over it with extensions of Conforto, Lindor, and/or Syndergaard.
Goes from 32.5% to 50%.
That’s really not all that much of an increase. To big market clubs that’s a relatively small sum. Look, I’m not going to get cavalier over millions of dollars, or whatever. That’s a lot of money.
& I live in the People’s State of Minnesota. I get paying high taxes. I get how seeing those taxes used *directly* against you totally sucks. I’m not insensitive as to why Hal Steinbrenner – for example – is loathe to pay it.
But let’s just talk money for a bit.
A playoff series is worth ~ $20 mil for teams. That’s real, actual, right now, on the books cash. Doesn’t even cover residual income streams.
Pay 10-15 mil is taxes to try & make 20-60 mil? I’ll play that game.
Do not to forget to add Cano’s 24 Mil into those contracts, it comes back into play next season too.
But Ducky, this isn’t a small tax by any means. It taxes the entire payroll of the team, and if that team is 20-40 mil over the luxury tax line, they get hit with a surtax on top of what they are already paying. Here’s a good article that explains it: https://moneyinc.com/how-is-the-luxury-tax-determined-in-mlb/
So it wouldn’t be a 10-15 mil tax, but more like a 105-110 mil tax after 3 years. That is outrageous even to the billionaires. I’d much rather not get Springer this off-season and instead go get an Almora to round out the offense rather than paying hundreds off millions a few years down the road.
CBT fines apply to the amount you are over 210 mil (current first level). Surtax is applied at second tier of 230 mil. 3rd also pays surtax plus draft penalities. Yet, still only pay on the overage.
I’m not sure how you are coming up with that number? Yes, it does accumulate. So maybe you’re looking at total fines over several years?
Also, this is the last year of current CBA.
No team has ever paid near 100+ mil in taxes. The Yankees – formerly perennial payers – have never had a bill in excess of ~ 25 mil.
I don’t think you’re reading that correctly.
That’s way off. Red Sox went over by 30-40 million one year and paid 12 or 13 million dollars. Obviously doing it for multiple years would hurt more
I think what is missed is the big tax hit actually begin after being over the Luxury tax for multiple years in a row (i think 3 years) that is why teams (like the Red Sox) try to re-set by dropping below for a year
Again, tax rate goes from 32.5% for first time “offenders” to 50% for third time. Tax applied to amount over the first threshold only.
As an example. If the Yanks added $20 MM in payroll they’d be responsible for paying 50% of that amount or ~ $10 mil. They wouldn’t being paying for the entire roster. Which at 50% would – indeed – be 100+ mil.
Fines like that & no one ever would have gone over. Yet a handful of teams do every year.
I hate that being a baseball fan has turned me into an accountant at times.
Oh crap, I’m sorry. I read it as the team paying the total amount of their annual payroll – taxed. So 50% of 215 mil or so. (Hence the outrageous amount.)
Ok, that is a LOT smaller of a tax than I thought it was. All teams should be able to pay that lmao.
It’s big but it’s nowhere near 100 million and your only over 5-10 million dollars it’s negligible for many teams. Obviously paying taxes with zero benefit is something no one wants to do.
No worries, bro.
CBT stuff is pretty much my least favorite aspect of being a baseball fan. & it takes a minute to muddle through all of it.
These taxes are not onerous. I think typically, they’re an excuse for owners to just simply not round out their rosters. & fans eat it up, sadly.
Why pay a couple mil for a veteran back up catcher – for example – when you have convinced fans that the real, viable upgrade to your club can be replaced “nearly as well” by a pre-arb player.
Fans laud that as “smart”. & in a bean counting way it is.
But it lessons the onfield product. All those minor, incremental, marginal, & depth upgrades get ignored in the name of savvy business. Thus leading to overall lesser ball clubs.
And Cano’s $20M is back on the books next year
Until you get to draft pick loss, the tax is almost guaranteed to be under 10M or darn close.
It’s not a lot of money if you’re spending the money wisely. Now if you’re at the tax and just 500, owners get upset
@metsfan1992: Springer is NOT going to be a Met. OF is not a position of need and they have Lindor, Conforto, Thor, and Stroman as free agents next year. They’re done with major spending.
I don’t think the Mets are going that hard after Springer. They’re set for the year (outside of a few relievers) and they need to spend a lot to extend the likes of Lindor, Conforto and Thor. Remember they have to pay Cespedes next year too. That’s a ton of money in year 2 of Cohen’s reign. They can afford it for sure, but adding Springer (who won’t be long for CF anyway) adds even more money. Nimmo can get on base. This lineup is stacked. Springer would be a very nice bonus, but he’s not needed. I think it’s smarter to save some of that Springer money and add depth.
@VonPurpleHayes — Did you mean Cano, or do they still owe Cespedes, too? And Stroman is a free agent next year, so they’ll need to extend, re-sign, or replace him, too.
Not sure if I buy into the “stacked lineup” stuff. Sure, they’ve added McCann. But this is still the same lineup – more or less – that has been finishing in the 11-13 range in runs scored the last 3 seasons.
It’s an above average offense. But a long way yet from elite. Add Springer? That may get them to borderline elite.
(Lindor)
Offt. Yea. Meant Cano. My apologies. Must have autocorrected.
As is Thor
Lol
Whoops!
My bad. Yeahhhhhh, there was that whole Lindor trade too, uh?
Still don’t see them as a powerhouse offensively, though.
@Marty joke of the league? Why because there in Canada? Therefore have a huge fan base bigger then half the other mlb teams? Or the fact they have one of the most sought after group of controllable players?? Your comments and opinions are the joke there marty, stick to fortnite
Open mouth insert foot
They made it happen! After “being in on” every major free agent this off-season the Jays got their first big signing! Congrats to Kirby Yates and Toronto.
Most of the top free agents haven’t signed yet.
And what did I say that had anything to deal with that? All I was saying was congrats. I didn’t say they weren’t going to sign anybody else all I said is that it was their first, which I’m sure is a relief to a lot of Blue Jays fans.
Sure is
Angel was just looking to argue with someone Mrtwotone. Kinda like the real Angel Hernandez… maybe it is really him!
Not a bad deal for Toronto. I wish him luck up there. Or in Buffalo or wherever they play this year.
Dont you want to know the details first?
Dunedin
Dunder Mifflin.
Hopefully it’s for a lot of money. Kind of a bummer ending up in Toronto when you were raised in Hawaii and went to school in Arizona.
Probably playing in Florida this season.
The drought is over.
LET’S GOOOOOOO!
Now sign Springer and Paxton thencall it offseason!
GO JAYS GO!
Aim higher!!
Springer- Turner -Garrett Richards- and Hand
All can be had at under typical market values soon
Must aim higher than Garrett Richards too.
I really dont know if Bauer is the right answer tho.
Look I wont complain if he got signed, even if it’s a 30 mil AAV (it’s not my money) But logically I think the trade route is the best place for the Jays to get a real T.O.R pitcher.
Use the money we have on Springer or JTR and use our SS/C prospect depth to land a SP or young controllable CF (ATL has a few) or even both.
The FA market isnt the be all and end all of making a competitive team. I argue that teams should only try to add 1 high priced FA every couple of years to fill the holes where drafting failed or to get a player who is worth the money, I mean a legitimate top 25 talent.
For the next 3 years Springer or JTR would be well worth their 25-30 million a year, years 4 5 and 6 however will be up for debate for each
I guess they had to get someone., since they’re probably not getting Springer, Bauer, Realmuto or Hand
I’ll bite….. Why is this?
I’m not so sure about that, I think they’re still in the mix on some of those other guys. Especially Springer, they seem like the most logical fit for him.
Blue jays 2021 World Series champs!
Padres out their jump starting the market
Blue Jays finally get their man.
In Yates we trust! Oh Canada!
That’s too bad. I wanted the Padres to bring him back. The Blue Jays made a good move.
The Blue Jays actually signed someone????
The dominos have fallen! welcome Jorge Springer
I’m a Braves fan, but at this point I kinda hope the Padres win the World Series. I can’t help but respect their willingness to get bold and audacious while everyone else wrings their hands and cries poor.
I’d love to, but ever since the whole Slam-Diego thing I’ve had an immense hatred of both Chris Woodward and the Padres. I want to see them beat the Dodgers though, so I’ll cheer for that.
I’m impressed that with all their moves, they managed to hold on to most of their top 10 prospects. Farm system isn’t nearly as deep as it used to be, but still plenty of high-level talent there. As a White Sox fan, I’m naturally hoping they get to the WS, but if they don’t, I likewise hope the Padres win it.
So you obviously rooted for the Phillies the last 2 years?
And The White Sox last year? How about the Reds? This isn’t a new strategy. At all.
No, going for it isn’t a new strategy, but it’s still to be commended, especially in a down economy. And I don’t think those other teams you mentioned have improved themselves as much as the Padres have, with the possible exception of the White Sox, but a lot of their growth was internal as the prospects graduated and started playing well.
Each of those teams “won the offseason” and were thought to have massively improved themselves, at the time. Both trades+ big FA dollars
The fact that only the White Sox have been successful is kinda my point. Yay the Padres won the offseason. Yay they had a lot of guys really improve over a 60 game season last year compared to their career marks
But until they get on the field and show the progress of the Myers+Darvish+Machado+Hosmer+Lamet unit weren’t 60 game mirages, that their pitching it actually healthy, or that Tatis can actually put it together for more than 60 or 80 games at a time…. all they’ve done is won the offseason, like the Phillies, White Sox and Reds all did in the last.. 3 years? With nothing really to show for it?
They all did the same thing. Spent big money and pulled off big trades. Stole the headlines. Why are the Padres any different than those teams? If you remember, FA spending has been down for years. Not like last years market was a slug fest for every major guy either. An owner decided to outspend the market and did so. What’s different from any of those 4, other than we do not yet have hindsight on how the moves turn out?
Another prediction missed…
Same here. Oh well, At least we didn’t have to pay to enter, right?
Yea, I had him going to the White Sox and Hendriks going to San Diego lol.
Lmao, yeah I guess.
I’m going to go see where I thought he’d land, but I know it wasn’t Toronto. It has to be SD.
Oof, I had him going to SF.
The best compliment I can give is…. “I Wish the Angels signed him.”
Nice signing Blue Jays.
@Halo11 –
Angels fans are always so classy. That’s a good take, man.
Good for the Jays. About bloody time they actually sign someone noteworthy. Since Reinsdorf is too cheap/dumb to go after Springer, I hope the Jays get him. I’d like someone to challenge the Yankees for division supremacy since the Rays seem to be taking 2021 as a chance to reload rather than go for it again.
I’m gonna guess a 2 year deal with an option for a third year.
I’ll guess a one year deal with a mutual second year option.
I’d be a little surprised if it’s multi-year given his injuries last year. I feel like it’s got to be a 1 year “prove it” type deal, with maybe an option after that.
Not saying it’s a bad signing either way, we don’t know the details yet, I’m just thinking teams would be skeptical about multiple years like that.
I can see a one year+option year deal, but he was just so good during his time with San Deigo. But I think the fact he isn’t a big velo guy helps him a bit.
I got it half right, I guess. More details will emerge later though. There might be an option and probably so.
Congratulations Blue Jays fans. I hope Kirby comes back healthy and has a great year.
I also hope the Angels have a pitcher signing, or two, to announce soon.
As a side note, as someone who has travelled Canada extensively for work and pleasure, I believe it to be one of the cleanest, friendliest and most hospitable countries in the world. Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are world class cities.
I
^ this
” only Bass was an effective part of their bullpen a season ago.”
huh?
Of the 3 mentioned in the Article. Not the Entire staff which would likely be Dolis or Romano
makes sense
Splitter guy, the development of which is the explanation for why he exploded at age 29 or something for the Padres. Wish him well but when they start getting arm injuries, it goes downhill fast.
This was their biggest need! They don’t have a closer. Dolis should be their setup man…
Romano?
Cash should give anyone 30 cents on the dollar to take Ottavino!
Ottavino for Roark. Done.
I 2nd this, pleasure doing business with you yanks2323
Nick Nelson is gonna surprise some people and Chad Green can slide into AO’s spot. We go all in and trade for Castillo – Frazier, Garcia, Abreu or Florial
Your reaction is to the 18 innings he pitched last season. Just 18 innings. Are you really sure that would be a smart move?
YES!
I don’t believe that MLB has solved their logistics problem with Canada yet. That issue along with the tax issue are probably the reason that the jays haven’t been successfully signing fa’s despite generous offerings. As for the NHL does anyone even know how the playoffs will be managed?
They have only completed a first half schedule to leave time and playable dates to accommodate any covid related stoppages
Because there is an all Canadian division it’s a garuntee that 1 Canadian team will make it to the semi finals (top 4)
At that point if no vaccine is widely available I would assume the 4 teams would bubble in neutral sites to ensure safety and a winner, but nothing concrete has been decided
Turnerg
They have only completed a first half schedule? Not a hockey fan are you The season only began last week and are 3-4 games in.
Yup there is a difference between completing a schedule and playing the scheduled games. They are 3-4 games into the completed first half schedule.
that and the fact they have been rebuilding for the last few years. Ryu was the beginning of a mindset change as the team brought up their young core. This is the first year they have been shopping for several big free agents- 2 elite or up to four outside of the top 5 or 6 FAs, according to management.
you can’t say FA don’t come to Canada as they simply were asking them to.
Yet another low frequency guess in the MLBTR free agent prediction contest. Only 134 of 4,268 entries (about 3%) had Yates going to the Blue Jays.
The Padres, as predicted by MLBTR, were the most popular pick with 1,173. No other team was guessed more than 259 times.
Of the sixteen FAs in the contest who have signed to date, a full half of them (8) have been predicted by fewer than 200 of the 4,268 entries — more than 96% of you who entered got each one wrong: Hendriks (152), Grossman (143), May (136), Yates (134), Minor (95), Lester (76), Santana (76), and Kim (28).
Yeah, I’ve had no luck with this contest. My only two I’ve gotten right so far are Smyly, who doesn’t really count because he signed before the contest started, and Treinen, who was a good prediction. I think San Diego targeting the trade market so heavily upended a lot of predictions.
Where can I see these stats?
Cool. Let’s hope it’s no longer than two years and that Yates is healthy. We’ve seen how good he can be when he’s right.
Onto the next one, Blue Jays.
If he can bounce back from his injury yates is a great signing. He dominated in 2018/19. Hopefully he works out well for Toronto.
Tallon is gonna require a haul to get him from the Pirates.
I guess that means TEN mid-level prospects.
Feel bad for the Jays I think Yates is a high risk sign with recent injury and let’s be honest his prior success wasn’t expected – not a Jays fan but like to see some team challenge Yanks in ALE….they need starting pitchers forget Springer…I’d check on Woodruff, Castillo, Gallen, Marco Gonzalez, Hendriks?
We sign Tyler Chatwood, a minor leaguer pretty much. And Kirby Yates, as good as he’s been, is coming off same sort of issues as Ken Giles. We might as well bring back Giles then as well… Don’t know where his health stands today, but hopefully he’d be ready for the post season ? No idea.
Kirby Yates is a solid signing I guess, but can we at least get some real dependable pieces on this roster? Guys who aren’t coming off elbow surgeries and down years.. Hopefully he’ll be great for us, hopefully. His track record is impressive, but we’ll see.
Giles had TJ surgery, Yates had loose bodies removed, totally different procedure. and different recovery rate, Boruki just had the same procedure as Yates last season i believe.
I’d be ok with Giles coming back on a 2-year deal with year 1 being $1-mil and then $9-mil in year two. He might decline it but Giles was excellent in 2019.
Somebody can tell Atkins that it’s okay to go into your farm pool and make a deal for a non contending teams reliever.. instead of giving up money, hoping a guy will be what he was, years ago.
Not a fan of Chatwood signing. We could have watched Reid-Foley walk guys or Zeuch give up huge bombs at league minimum over Chatwood.
I also think Patrick Murphy looked good at the end of last year. His stuff works well in the bullpen. He’s not even being considered. Much like Romano two years ago.
Agreed. We might as well let the unproven arms, show what they can do. They all seem to have more talent then Chatwood
@Mario93 – Problem is, that has been going on for far too long.
Bigger problem is considering Chatwood an established arm. He’s established himself as garbage.
On a side not there’s been a lot of stories involving Wood since last night.
@One Bite Hotdog what has? Blue Jays giving away their prospects? More so the previous regime. This regime has done a great job building the farm, but they hold on to their prospects like they’re winning lottery tickets.
There’s always smart deals to be had out there, Atkins isn’t willing to part with his prospects. Unless it’s a guy who’ll be out of baseball, like the kid they give up in the Chase Andseron deal last offseason.
Francisco Liriano trade, he gives up a nobody, and gets players back, one of them, Teoscar Hernandez. Even though it was a great trade, the point is, your goal can’t be trying to fleece the other team. Or that you want to give up so little value, and wonder why you nobody makes a trade with you.
If Atkins isn’t on the clear better end of the deal, or isn’t acquiring Derek Fisher, he’s useless in making deals. He plays it way too safe, when he has all the toys in the world to play with.. It’s not just lack of courage, but lack of skill, and possibly even IQ.
Another side note: I’d rather have signed Aaron Sanchez to a minor league deal with a small guarantee if he made the team plus incentives over Chatwood. Are we going to pretend that Chatwood is superior when both guys are on?
I’d take a flyer on Sanchez over Chatwood any day of the week as well. It’s a useless signing.. Chatwood should retire right now and give that money to charity.
I see Chatwood doing what Brandon Morrow did, have all the potential, put together stretches of real good starts but never put it together until he accepted pitching in the pen.
I cant imagine the Jays promised him a rotation spot to sign him, so I can only assume they promised to give him plenty of leash in the BP to let loose and do what they expected of Ray last year, 2-3 innings of high leverage work 2-3 times a week
If he can even come close to replicating Morrows stretch as a late inning option it’s a great signing
Promise, no. Competing, yes.
Lol bang on. Zeuch got lit up big time. I don’t know how to recover from that, but hope he turns it around
It’s a good grab by the Jays, a guy who can dominate the 9th. I hope he bounces right back to form. Toronto’s aggressiveness is starting to pay off. Finally yes lol but cut them a lil slack the biggest F.A. fish still lurk below, ready to bite!
Last year’s compressed season allowed the BlueJays to look better than they actually are. In the end, the bullpen was burnt out and the starters were done too after 60 games.
Unless the Jays sign or trade for two starters, one elite and one very good, this team is going nowhere.
I hope Yates bounces back. This is a high priced dumpster dive by Atkins.
It is pretty clear that the Mgmt of the Jays don’t want to trade and sign like say the Padres. And the Jays don’t have the core of the Yankees of Dodgers. If another team can acquire a Musgrove, Darvish and Snell, why can’t the Jays?
Back to reality. Jays don’t make the playoffs without major changes. This is a bad team.
This front office is certainly not creative enough.. not even close.
Fisher trade not creative enough?
errrrr. you mentioned that just to get me going…..errrrr
That, and I was thinking about Sanchez and how the Jays might want to take a flier on him.
I would do that. Although I hear he is no longer elite or even very good but still can throw strikes. It would be a low risk dumpster dive. Although teams have to deal with Boras.
WAJGH— Springer to the JAYS!!!!
Jal just saw this. Let’s hope for more. Jays have had a pretty good 24 hours.
Damn rights. We can contend in the AL East— I’m thinking Paxton and Hand next to be signed
And the Jays don’t have the core of the Yankees of Dodgers.
With no minors last year – ya think maybe just maybe they want too see the trajectory of guys like Groshans/Martin/Kirk/SWR/Monoah are at the trade deadline before trading them now prematurely?
I see that you’ve drank the Shapiro koolaid.
The goal is to win now, not compete or wait to see if all prospects are stars.
The Padres know how to do it.
No koolaid at all – we are a year behind the W Sox and Padres coming out of a rebuild- I’d prefer the 85-93 run then the 15-16 all in boom or bust.
All in moves are for impatient bandwagon fanboys or GM’s trying to keep their jobs.
Good job Blue Jays! You finally got one of the players you were “in” on
I’m hearing second tier Twitter rumours that the Jays have landed Springer.
No the Jays have not landed Springer. I have it on good authority that Springer would go anywhere except Toronto.
The only way that the Jays get Springer is to blow everyone else out-of-the-water financially.
I will remember you.
Ahhh Jal, that is sweet. Valentines day is fast approaching.
It’s always funny how the people who have to let you know that they’re the smartest people in the room hardly ever are..
Springer to the Jays Mr. Goat. I can’t believe it’s going to happen.
Love it
Multiple reports starting to confirm Springer to the Jays. It’s happening Jimmertee.
If Springer signs in Toronto, that means the Jays opened up the wallet and outbid everyone significantly…
The only wallet they are competing against are the Mets who need to resign Lindor. I find Springer to the Jays somewhat logical.
dunno about that one. if there’s a fit there’s a way
Who might the ” good authority” be? That is the same as the guy leaving tomorrow using “they are all saying”
wowzers
News will break within the hour that Springer has signed with Toronto. Holy crap. It’s happening.
I think it will be 5/125 with player opt out at years 1,2,3. Good god, the Jays are going to pull this off. King George of the North!!!
Awesome deal for the jays, better than Hendricks IMO 5.5 million is cheap for his caliber and if he earns 4.5 million extra that means he’s earned it and still cheaper than a lot of other closers. a 1 year deal means minimal risk
Definitely looks like they didn’t have to overpay. Anything better than an incentive based contract?
I agree, there’s a bunch of upside here where they could end up with a top tier closer at a fair price even if he earns all the incentives. On the flip side if something unfortunately goes wrong and he doesn’t get the incentives then $5.5M over 1 year is not the end of the world to have to eat.
I’m a little curious as to what the incentives are tied to. I’m assuming it’s saves, but I guess it could possibly be games finished or innings pitched or some combination of those components
Yates is coming off an injury. Hendriks is coming off a top ten cy young season. Both are getting paid 11 million this season if they perform well.
One is guaranteed 5.5 million the other 54 million. Not even remotely close
A third reliable source is confirming Springer to the Jays. I feel like Rosenthal right now. Except only like 3 people are reading my updates lol.
who are these sources?
I’m not seeing anything on Twitter. What’s your source?
No OFFICAL sauces.
Ben Nicholson Smith. Everyone, this is a done deal. It’ll be 5 years— hearing 125-135 range with multiple player opt outs.
Not official… no cigar.
Brendon Kuhn on Twitter reporting Jays and Springer have reached a deal per Blue Jays Nation.
Dan Shulman indicated more to come.
There’s a lot of Springer smoke swirling in the great white north. IT’S HAPPENING before midnight eastern.
I think he’s some random guy joking that got retweeted by a verified account.
Totally. But honestly the Jays are bidding against themselves. All of these are to ally invalidated but my point is is that there is a VERY high probability Springer ends up a Jay by end of this week.
Nope— the truth. Springer to the Jays folks.
not even close
To what? Your comments utilizing proper grammar?
(No offence intended, just couldn’t resist)
Your comment lacked proper punctuation and you misspelled offense. No offense intended.
Canadian: offence offense(var)
British: offence
American: offense
Notes:
offense often used in sports context in Canada; always offensive
14yo used it outside of a sports context, on a sports site, but still seems to have used it correctly.
If in favour, type your favourite colour! Or chant DEFENSE!!
I will also remember you. I think it will 5 years/135 million. Mets need to save some pennies for Lindor.
Blue Jays Nation stating sources within the organization are confirming deal pending a physical.
Jal, That’s a lot of people to remember on this valentines day…..
George will send you maple syrup. From Dunedin.
I like Canadian maple syrup. You gonna send roses too?
Absolutely. I think we should make out once George signs on the Jays dotted line.
Herman, et al now confirming my Springer rumblings as true. All hail King George of the North.
The fans in Buffalo can’t wait to see him.
They will love Springer in Buffalo. Gurriel, George and Teoscar gives the Jays a top 3 outfield offensively. Defensively, not so much but who cares. Dongs all day.
except they won’t be in Buffalo as the AAA team will be there. Dunedin is likely the home of the Jays for the start of the season, at least
That’s why I like this site.
I’m always learning things.
Huh.
Chatwood yesterday. $10 mil to Kirby Yates today. Man. I’m actually starting to wonder about the “players don’t ‘want’ to play in Canada” argument that I’ve been seeing here.
Chatwood seems like a guy you’d give a contract to at the end of free agency. A March signing. & this seems on the high side for Yates in this particular market. Ya know?
Huh.
Nicholson-smith just tweeted 20 mins ago. That he hears Springer was very impressed with the jays
Money Talks. Even Canadian money.
I have to think it’s Buffalo and playing in a minor league park for who knows how long that’s more of a hold up than the Jays offers
paid in $US in Toronto just like the rest of the league- just a nicer place to live and the money goes further due to the exchange rate.
Guys, Springer is close to signing with the Blue Jays!! Real rumour! It’s close apparently!
It is. I’ve been posting this for the past hour in here. Ask jimmertee in the comments just above.
Springer to the JAYS people. You realize the Canadian baseball network is tight and this news is all over the place up here. It’ll be announced tonight.
Jimmertee and Mr GOAT making fun of me being the smartest guy in the room… well this time I will be.
All hail King George of the North!
That clearly wasn’t directed at you. Sorry for the confusion.
All good lol.
My gawd I think George is actually going to be a Jay.
Well, this’ll be a good test case for the topic at hand. How fortuitous, fellas.
Any guesses on the $?
I think 135/5 with player opt outs at years 1,2,3.
I think the Jays will need to go over 125 to account for slightly higher tax rates and uncertain home game situation.
125 might get it done.
Apparently they’re willing to go past 125m over 5 or 6 years
This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all day: https://twitter.com/marisnickstan27/status/1351722429870174212
As for the price? 125 over 5 sounds good, but I ain’t really gawking over Springer either. I’m just less excited about him than others… now Bauer, Bauer is the one I’m excited about.
Springer smoke signals in Toronto. Oh baby, I’m first to report George to the Jays!
Angels really content with sitting on their asses come October 2021 again. Their lack of pitching moves is pretty pathetic considering the low risk contracts some of these pitchers like Bradley, Stanek, Yates, Treinen, and Baez have signed. As well as some of the rotation pieces both the Mets and Padres have been able to acquire without giving up much in terms of prospect capital. Even a guy like Joey Lucchesi would have been a decent upgrade at the 4/5 spots. Honestly what is that front office doing? Are they actually attempting to make any moves or signings or are they just not offering enough in terms of money to free agents and propsects in trades.
Yeah I don’t get it either. Arte obviously has the cash to spend, and is willing to spend it on hitters. Granted Ohtani has so far been a bust as a Pitcher, but regardless, the Halos either need to spend on pitching or they need to tear it down. Pick a lane Grandpa.
Dude also has a really cute dog. Definitely a plus.
Reported done- 6 yrs @ 150 pending physical.
Only $5.5M guaranteed for Yates is a pretty good deal. If he’s hurt and doesn’t hit the incentives, he makes the same as if Tyler Chatwood hits his incentives… you can write that off. If Yates does hit his incentives, he’s still not close to what Hendricks is making despite being more dominant in 2019. Jays can’t really lose.
Seems like an outrageously good deal for the jays. I wish my Braves would have made that for him
Are we sure he actually signed? Last time someone signed with the Jays, he signed with the Astros right after!
Ahhh…I see. Yeah, I get it. He was with the Angels at one point. Then experienced TREMENDOUS success..
Not a bad contract. Certainly an elite pitcher, but I totally get the 1-year deal, and in my opinion, at a steal. If he’s able to return to full form as if nothing happened, I’d imagine an extension might be in order.