Even after agreeing to a franchise-record $150MM deal with George Springer last night, the Blue Jays are trying to hammer out a deal with outfielder/designated hitter Michael Brantley, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). There are “legit legs” to a potential Springer/Brantley package deal, TSN’s Scott Mitchell adds, noting that the Jays are “very open” to such an arrangement despite a glut of outfield options already on the roster.
Of course, few of the Jays’ in-house options can plausibly stack up to Brantley at the dish. The 33-yeaar-old has been among the sport’s best pure hitters throughout his Major League career and, since his power developed in a breakout age-27 campaign back in 2014, he’s been one of the game’s best all-around performers at the plate.
In that time, Brantley has logged 731 games and tallied 3145 plate appearances while posting a brilliant .311/.371/.481 batting line. He drew a walk in 8.3 percent of those plate appearances and has been one of the game’s toughest players to strike out, fanning at just a 10.1 percent pace.
Brantley just wrapped up a two-year, $32MM deal in Houston, where he and Springer were teammates and, as Rosenthal explored over the weekend when first suggesting an NBA-esque “package deal,” where they became close friends. Given Brantley’s consistency and his recent excellence in Houston, another multi-year deal seems likely.
Beyond the relationship between Springer and Brantley, the Blue Jays’ front office knows exactly what type of player and teammate they’d be getting in Brantley. President/CEO Mark Shapiro was the Indians’ general manager when Cleveland acquired Brantley from the Brewers as part of 2009’s CC Sabathia blockbuster, while current Jays GM Ross Atkins was Cleveland’s director of player development at the time. Brantley was still in Cleveland at the time Shapiro and Atkins were hired away by the Blue Jays.
There are myriad avenues for the Jays to make a lineup work, were Brantley to eventually join the fray. Presumably, he’d split his time between left field and designated hitter, joining Springer, Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in that outfield carousel. Randal Grichuk and Derek Fisher seem the likeliest outfield bets to be squeezed out of playing time, but that’s largely true even with only Springer on board. Grichuk, still owed $28MM over the next three seasons, would seem an even likelier trade candidate than he already does if Brantley were signed.
Adding Brantley would also chip away at the DH time available to Rowdy Tellez. The Jays could work him into the mix at first base if they’re earnest about giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. another shot at third base, although the general expectation is that Guerrero will eventually settle in as a first baseman/designated hitter himself. The Jays could look at moving Gurriel from left field back to the infield, be it at second base or third base (depending on where Cavan Biggio settles in), though such an infield alignment would come with some notable defensive questions.
All of that, of course, is putting the cart before the horse unless or until negotiations with Brantley pick up steam. Such “problems” are also the type of headaches that rebuilding teams look forward to having while struggling through their lean years; having “too many” talented hitters for nine spots in the lineup is hardly a bad thing, and the inherent depth associated with that situation has become one of the hallmarks of World Series-caliber clubs in recent years. And, as Mitchell notes, signing Brantley would allow the Jays to be even more comfortable dipping into their outfield and catching depth to improve the pitching staff on the trade market.
Whether Brantley ultimately joins Springer in Toronto (or Buffalo), one of the broader takeaways from the Blue Jays’ interest is that this is a team that is still intent on improving even after adding Springer and agreeing to terms with former Padres closer Kirby Yates. Toronto is still more than $80MM shy of the $210MM luxury-tax barrier and, assuming an even distribution of Springer’s $25MM annual salary, only has about $98MM in guaranteed contracts, spread among 12 players. For a team that has twice hiked its payroll north of $160MM (2017-18), there’s still an enormous amount of space for further additions.
tHe JaYS WoNt SiGn ANyOnE
Haven’t they just agreed to the signing of springer? And Yates just the other day??
It was his attempt at humor. It fell short of the mark.
“Memes are hard” – WereAllJustGuestHere
Feelings hurt again OBP? ;)
When you’re not familiar with Spongebob memes.
Those people punching air right now
What about a 3rd base
I don’t know.
La Stella
Does anyone know the availability of David Bote in Chicago or Edwin Rios in LA? They seem like they would fit the 3B opening and fit into the age group of the Jays current roster. Not sure what the ask would be due to both of those clubs having question marks at 3B but I like the fit of it’s possible.
Rios could quietly bat 7 or 8 and hit bombs. Not a bad idea.
Get a pitcher, pitching wins championships
If they bring in Brantley, it almost looks like it’s guaranteed that at least one of Tellez, Gurriel, or Hernandez will be traded for pitching.
One of the OF’s to the Marlins for a SP.
Hernandez to the Marlins for a SP would be wonderful. Heck I’d do Grichuk and Hernandez for a SP and an OF with better defence.
Thats true. They could get a really solid pitcher out of Hernandez or Tellez. I think Gurriel is off limits
Brantley would allow them to trade for a pitcher
They definitely could use a pitcher but add Brantley and that lineup might be the best in the mlb.
Go look at the pitching staffs of the Jays World Series teams. They were not built on pitching.
Those WS teams were lead by legit SP. They had the horse at the front of the rotation (Morris/Cone in ‘92 and Stewart in ‘93) and then the young to middle age guys at the back end. I agree they don’t need necessarily need another $20 million pitcher but they need some good quality arms in behind Ryu. Paxton and Walker is what I’d like to see.
Juan Guzman, Tom Henke and Duane Ward brought huge value to that 92 win. Optional: Insert Jimmy Key pun.
Guzman, Ward and Pat Hentgen brought good value in 93.
Maybe not built on pitching, but had arms that provided value.
Current crew needs a new Guzman to blossom, a new Hentgen wouldn’t hurt either.
A Stieb and a Key, a Stroman and Sanchez.
Really need Pearson to stick and could really use another one of these other young arms to join him.
The ’92 team had pitching. 93 team had hitters.
Winning games wins championships, whether 1-0 or 9-8.
If they get Brantley too, might as well trade Grichuk or Fisher or one of their other outfielders not named Springer, Brantley, or Teoscar Hernandez for a legit starting pitcher. Also, don’t forget that Lourdes Gurriel Jr can up the Blue Jays system as a SS, so he could play in the infield if needed.
At this point he might be the best option for 3B over Vlad.
Grichuk and Fisher for Shane Bieber, who says no?
Justin maybe…
Yankees fans. They could get Bieber for Andujar straight up!
No thats too light. Throw in Frazier and make it fair lol
And jose Ramirez for Stanton.
Cleavland must throw in a couple high end prospect too
JDGoat
I’d be willing to wager Bieber wouldn’t!!!
bieber plus cash…
Grickuk and fisher won’t bring you anything let alone a legit pitcher.
I don’t think Hal is overly concerned about what the mets are doing. & rightly so.
But Toronto was already a pain in the behind & they’ve gotten noticably better in the last couple days. Doesn’t look like they intend to stop, either.
I can see why Hal would have been complacent up to this point. The Ray’s are worse, lord knows what the sox are doing, & Baltimore…well, you know.
But an aggressive Jay’s squad might inspire him to spend past $210 MM. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they parked payroll right below the first threshold.
Ahh…intrigue.
They owe 65-70 million to two guy for the next 8 years. They may as well just live over the cap and hope fans come back. It’s going to be hard to stay below and competitive.
Of course, I’d much rather spend Hal’s loot than my own. But that’s pretty much how I see it, too.
If the Yanks would be willing to pay ~ $10 mil in CBT fines they would – more than likely – re-cement themselves as AL favorites. A playoff series is worth ~ $20 MM. So it wouldn’t really be a “waste” of money.
re cement themselves as AL favorites? Going thru a wayback machine there, like as far back as 2k and prior.. It’s been a long time since the Yankee rule days in the AL.
Ducky, who were you thinking of for that kind of money? As currently constructed, I’d say the Yankees are probably the 2nd best team in the AL, so it’s certainly plausible, but curious to know your targets.
@Silver –
No way back machine required. I understand you’re trying to take a shot at the Yankees. But allllllll the way back in the winter of 2020 the Yanks were the prohibitive AL favorites. Indeed, they had the second best World Series odds in MLB *just earlier this year*, bro.
So I was going off of very recent history.
Cool breeze?
Nah Bucky. Way I read it was days of running the gammit of the AL.. U know, like NY did years ago. I know the Yanks “did” win the AL East pennant technically several years in a row, early 2k years, but that was about as far as they got if remember correctly several times, 1-2 times went to ALCS, went to the series in.. Was it ’03 and ’09? Won in ’09, but I never remembered them being any powerhouse in the AL over a prolonged period the past 20y, nor any other team in the AL for that matter and my favorite RS included.
Both had runs of winning the pennant 3-4y running (al east only) but that’s about.
@hyrax –
I go back to an overengineered pen and lineup. I live with a (hopefully!) mediocre rotation. That’s a viable template for 100+ win seasons & deep playoff runs. Hoping Cole can be the difference this time around.
This winter provides a bunch of unique opportunities. Not just in baseball, either. If you like British Cafe racers &/or always wanted a sailboat *this* is The Year.
The strengths of this free agent class are two-fold: relievers & infielders. I’d put the money there.
Really fell in lust with what LaStella brings offensively. I’m not one of those Yankee fans freaking out about “lineup balance”. But LaStella would provide some. & I get TTO offense. But he also walked more than he struck out. He’d be a swell offensive counterpoint.
He fits, too.
Can be a legitimate backup at 1b, 2b, & 3b. He can play on the grass, PH, & occasionally DH. He’d be a real weapon.
Cash has gone for player’s like him before: DJ LeMahieu & Neil Walker.
I’d get in on the relief market, too.
Get a LH (Cash keeps cycling through guys like Lyons, Avilen, Brothers, Coulombe…I’m missing one or two even) arm. Check out some names that didn’t even make the top 50: Watson, Wilson, Perez, McGee, Alvarez. I like all those guys as a lefty reliever.
I’d add another arm from the right side, too. Kahnle was missed. Dellin’s loss was never addressed. Looking again at the lower tier guys I like: Melancon (a RH Britton), Shane Greene (5 pitch mix) as my top choices. But Petit, Soria, maybe O’Day…plenty of inexpensive options.
Whatever is left I’d toss at a bounce back guy in the rotation. Hamels, Sanchez, Anderson…hope to get 100 or so regular season innings & a postseason start or two.
Think that could all be done for less than $20 mil AAV. Which would incur a 50% on that sum. Leading to a bill of ~ $10 mil.
I don’t think the starting rotation can be made into a strength at this point. So I’d play to the markets strength & go back to a roster construction that’s been fairly successful.
I know most of my fellow Yankee fans probably don’t care for all this. You did ask what I would do, however.
I hear what you’re saying. & I see how it could perhaps be “read” that way.
But I really was merely referencing the very recent past ( including a few weeks ago). In which – yeah – they were indeed the AL favorites.
Guess I could have been more clear.
I forget that a lot of you guys like to go through Yankee posts with a fine tooth comb hoping to find something you can take offense to.
I’ll try & tighten up.
:)
I hope they don’t. I want Brantley on my favorite team.
Who doesn’t? One of the best overall hitters in the game and can play good defense on both corners, who wouldn’t want to bring him in? And plus, he won’t cost too much.
Good defense?
You make a good point, it’s actually more average to slightly below average defense.
I think the word you’re looking for is “passable”
Helluva catch against the Yanks in the ’19 LCS, though.
Jays get Brantley they should shop Hernandez for pitching.
Teoscar has 3 years of control and so does Luis Castillo. So a deal could be had there between the Reds and Blue Jays.
Maybe to the Braves for some young pitching.
Hernandez certainly would bring back a better haul than Grichuk, Fisher, or Gurriel Jr (who should start along with Springer and Brantley).
I think Gurriel has more value than Hernandez, but they both carry a lot of excess value.
I agree. That note of “Gurriel Jr (who should start along with Springer and Brantley)” is a bit contradictory. Otherwise, Hernandez “should start along with Springer and Brantley.
I mentioned Gurriel Jr cause I see the blue jays keeping Gurriel Jr and getting more value out of Gurriel Jr + whatever Hernandez brings back vs keeping Hernandez + whatever Gurriel Jr brings back.
I see teams being more interested in Hernandez given 3 years of control and his recent production from 2019 into 2020.
Pearson, Groshans, Richardson and a couple lower prospects for Castillo and Gray. Win/win
Meanwhile, over at the Tigers’ camp……. Al Avila is trying to figure out why the executive mess has run out of peach ice cream……..
I feel for you guys. Lets not forget that there is more happening behind the scenes. We don’t know what ownership has told Avila is an acceptable budget to go out and spend money. Lots of teams are hesitant to spend money right now.
It will be Tiger time shortly. Let the young core play a year together and learn, then start adding pieces over the next few years.
It’s not really the right time for the Tigers to spend. Their young pitching talent is still developing and some is still in the minors. Two years ago, the White Sox didn’t spend a ton on FA’s because their first year would have been wasted. The Tigers are improving, but are not ready to contend for at least another year, more likely two. Let them save their money and their farm that much more.
So the only way to build a team now is by stinking for 10 year s? Only pathetic fans accept this. This ownership DESERVES TO LOSE THEIR MONEY BY TRYING TO FLY AN INFERIOR PRODUCT ESPECIALLY WHEN non stink options are available.
Wasting Miggy’s prime!
Braves need to do something.
Can’t afford to wait on MLB.
I agree. Struggling to finish 2nd rn.
Losing Springer and GM in a few days. Rate your going, you won’t have a team to field by ST.
I know the Angels need pitching, but I thought Brantley or Cruz would make for a good piece in the lineup, especially if they can’t sign more SP.
Can’t bring Cruz to the Angels! That means creating another handicap parking spot besides Pujols
LOL, true.
One of Teoscar, Grichuk and/or Tellez are being shopped as we speak. If not, cut Fisher yesterday.
Acquiring Brantley means two of those three plus Gurriel will be in the trade mix. Obviously, Gurriel would bring the biggest return followed by Teoscar.
Bauer should be considering the Jays now that they’ve acquired a big fish. He will be embraced by the city.
Jays still need a 3B. Wouldn’t be surprised if they pivot toward a vet like Todd Frazier.
Posts like this are a perfect example of why teams shouldn’t sign anyone. Or make the big splash. The simpletons get excited and say things like, well sense you did this now you might as well just get Bauer. If they get him, it will be the next thing. It’s never good enough for you people. And it’s been proven time and time again, signing free agents to long term deals never works. It’s not debatable.
Or, a team doesn’t stand pat after a signing and builds off their core talent to contend. Teams like Boston did this and managed to only win 4 World Series titles over a 14 season period. Yankees too in the late-90’s. Even the Cardinals with Pujols and adding pieces around him.
Even a simpleton like yourself can recognize that with a google search. Although thought, creativity and desire has escaped you.
Embraced by the city- I picture gift cards to the local drone shop!
How about Grichuk and Tellez for Gibson, Leclerc, Andrus, and Chris Martin.
None of the above. Although Andrus has been a big contributor to the Jays winning baseball games in the past.
Lyles nor Gibson do anything for the Jays except maybe help save the Jays millions on Grichuk down the road. But Grichuk would contribute more than any of the three players mentioned.
Chris Martin is on the braves.
Still a horrible pitching rotation after Ryu. Expect a lot of 9-7 losses.
It’s still early. Plenty of pitching options available via FA and even more with trade possibilities.
Grichuk and a minor leaguer to the Mets for cash, Matz, Familia and International $$. It’s not pretty for the Jays, but they free up 28 million, get healthy arms in Matz and Familia. If the coaching staff rights them, they get a durable #5, an experienced reliever for the 7th inning and more financial flexibility. Looks like the Jays want to go all in.
Roster Resource lists their starting LF as Lourdes Gurriel,, 1B as Rowdy Tellez/Alejandro Kirk in a platoon and DH as Teoscar Hernandez.
Signing Brantley could put him and Hernandez in LF/DH roles with Gurriel moving to 3B and Guerrero to 1B, benching Tellez. IMO that is the best solution, unless they can pawn off Grichuk’s inexplicable contract..
Tellez is a slightly better hitter than Grichuk.
Not by position. Tellez is a 1B/DH only that really lowers his value.
I don’t know why people are still listing Buffalo as a possible place to play without mentioning Dunedin. They will play in Dunedin this year before they will play in Buffalo.
I wonder if the Jays are allowed to play in Dunedin in April/May and then move to Buffalo in June if they are not allowed in Toronto.
How would that work? Dunedin is about 30 mins from Tropicana Field. Would they need permission from the Rays?
If crowd limits are in-place I doubt there’d be a need for permission.
Honestly this can’t happen for the Braves. He’s a better fit for us than Ozuna. Go get him!
Where do you all think Brantley actually ends up? I think it’s basically the Braves, Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Marlins, Phillies, Giants, etc, but there are so many underrated suitors that aren’t getting any attention.
I think Brantley now goes back to the Astros.
All the other Toronto sports franchises pay to the cap. In hockey if they could they would spend more. In basketball although this year their payroll is down they will spend to or above. The Jays should spend to the cap. The fans are there and they have a whole country. It is the only sport where people from Saskatchewan like a team from Toronto. Money is there. Don’t be surprised if they spend a lot more this year. There will be trades as well with the outfield getting crowded.
Blue Jays are Canada’s team for the most part. Some Mariners fans in BC. That is why Bauer should strongly consider Toronto to build his brand post-career.
They will be the New York Ank after the Blue Jays poke their eyes out. Hee hee heeeeee. Ank.
Makes sense, they need a good hitting LHB. They have a pretty wide open DH situation too that Brantley could spend some time in.
As a Sox fan, gotta think this is coming down to Yanks and Jays. Think the Jays need to go for pitching thou instead of Brantley
Don’t forget they can always make a move at the trade deadline.
Rays seem to find a way to stick around and, along with Cleveland, they’re the best team in baseball at developing young pitching talent. I think they’ll be in the running for a WC, at least. As for the Yankees, they still have a rotation to build and very little money to do so. They can either make a salary dump trade or trust unproven arms. I can see them being worse than last year if they go with rookies to fill the rotation. All that said, the Jays still have holes. I can honestly see the top 3 of that division in any order.
Nice move for toronto. Looks like they think they can possibly overtake ny for the division. Although kind of similar to the yankees they need to add to the rotation still. Got a lot of capital to trade and still be very competitive, same can be said about both teams. Having mlb ready talent to trade and some prospects I don’t see Toronto or NY being done yet. Although it feels like cashman is going to go into the season as is and make a move by deadline. Maybe sign another bullpen piece or Gardy back. Toronto still feels like they’ll make a big or at least good trade to acquire a very good pitcher before the season starts or who knows maybe they go into the season and trade by deadline too. Still might have some left over if they do add Brantly to add another good reliever. Either way it’s cool to see Toronto being serious. It seems like a great sports city recently especially with the support they’ve given to the Raptors and the Jays in recent past.
You have to wonder if this is hinting at a trade for a pitcher…
No you don’t.
What
an
*
Don’t see the point of this, unless a trade of one of their other OF’s is in the works. Didn’t think Grichuk had any real value, though. Teoscar and Tellez, maybe, but seems odd to go after another OF with their other holes.
Give Brantley another 2 yr/$32M deal.
This aged well!
I’m still hoping (fruitlessly, I know) that Reinsdorf will pull his head out of his rectal cavity and go after Brantley. Eaton is not the answer and Brantley could take primary DH duties when Grandal is playing until Vaughn arrives.
I have y’all getting Ozuna because I think that the Braves go out and sign Pederson or Puig as their buy-low of the off-season. He’d be a really good pickup too; there just hasn’t been much talk around him recently.
I wouldn’t mind Ozuna, but I think the Sox really missed an opportunity not just with Springer, but with Rosario. The OF would be an adventure on the corners if they got Rosario, but he’d be about as expensive as Eaton with better production. And it’s not like Eaton is a gold-glover. They’re also missing a chance in not going hard after Cruz. If I were Reinsdorf, I’d offer him a high AAV on a one-year deal, with a 2nd year team option at a lower price. Something like $17M/$13M. It would bridge the gap until Vaughn is ready and, if he busts or is traded, they’d get Cruz for another year while weakening the Twins. They’d also likely have the best offense in baseball.
Ozuna would help a lot in that regard, but I just find his play too inconsistent year-to-year to favor him instead of Cruz. Even as a RF, part of me would rather go for Rosario and use the savings elsewhere.
Right now the Jay’s look like a poor man’s Yankees team. 1 good proven pitcher, some shakey defense and thats it.
All offense
Jay’s had a good offensive team last year. They need pitching, like 3 quality pitchers with 1 being an ace level. Plus still need to fix their infield defense. Until that happens they are a fringe playoff team if only 5 get in.
The White Sox are not impressed. The AL East title will now remain in Yankee hands.
As a White Sox fan, I recognize that the Blue Jays’ time is coming. Vlad hasn’t shined as everyone thought he would, but I still believe that will happen. Some of their other young guys, particularly Bichette, are stars in the making. So long as Ryu stays healthy and they add another quality pitcher, I can see them overtaking the Yankees this year and being in the playoff picture for the next half decade.
But are the Blue Jays interested?
Wait…
Regardless if they sign Brantley, they should hang onto Gurriel and move him to 2B. Biggio to 3B. Lourdes came up as a SS and has plenty of range. He got moved to the OF because he got the yips throwing and then Biggio stole his lunch.
And outfield of Teo, Springer and Brantley, with Grichuk in reserve (if not traded) would be very strong
And infield of Biggio (3B) Bo, Gurriel and Rowdy as 1B and Vlad DH would be very strong too.
Yips happened as 2B.
Hasn’t been tried at 3B yet.
Played some 2B and SS when he was sent down to get his head straight, but settled in at LF upon return.
Springer, possibly Brantley, Tyler White, Teoscar Hernandez, the son of an Astros legend (Biggio), Derek Fisher is it safe to call Toronto Houston north?
His numbers in 2020, he looks like his value may have declined. Maybe 10 million, but not 16 million.