12:20pm: Though Mae, The Athletic, MLB Network and several other national outlets have all reported a deal is in place, a Blue Jays official now refutes that notion to Mae (Twitter link). That official’s statement, per Mae: “The team remains interested in Michael Brantley but there is no deal currently in place.”
It’s possible that there are some semantics at play, of course, as the reported contractual agreement was still pending completion of a physical. Reports after the initial word of yesterday’s agreement with Kirby Yates pushed back similarly, stressing no deal was completed, as Yates was still in the process of taking his physical.
Jeff Passan of ESPN and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com both tweet that a deal could yet be pushed across the finish line, even though nothing is final just yet. Still, the door seems to remain cracked for Brantley to yet land elsewhere.
10:57am: The Blue Jays have continued their frenzied free-agent strike, agreeing to a three-year contract with outfielder/designated hitter Michael Brantley, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae reports (via Twitter). The deal is pending a physical. Brantley is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Brantley follows his former Astros teammate, George Springer, to Toronto on the heels of the Jays’ agreements with right-handers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood. It’s a dramatic crescendo after months of the Jays being linked to virtually every free agent on the market — one that gives Toronto one of the deepest lineups not just in the American League but in all of Major League Baseball.
While Springer was rightly heralded as the top bat on the offseason market, Brantley has a legitimate claim to being the second-best hitter available. The former seventh-round pick has displayed elite bat-to-ball skills and hit for a high average since his Major League debut back in 2009, but since a breakout showing with Cleveland in 2014, Brantley has more quietly ranked among the game’s elite bats, hitting a combined .311/.371/.481 in more than 3100 plate appearances over that stretch. In that time, Brantley’s 131 wRC+ — indicating he’s been 31 percent better than an average hitter after adjusting for park and league — ranks 29th among 398 qualified hitters. (Springer’s 134, in fact, sits just five spots higher.)
Not only has Brantley been among the best overall hitters in the game during that seven-year stretch — he’s also been one of the most difficult to strike out. Only four players have a lower strikeout percentage than Brantley’s 10.1 dating back to 2014. Springer himself has dropped his strikeout rate considerably, punching out at a career-low 17.1 percent in 2020. The Jays’ newest pairing, then, not only brings plenty of power to the table but also will further improve upon a 22.4 percent strikeout rate that was the 11th-lowest in MLB.
The addition of Brantley and Springer gives the Jays a host of outfield options on the 40-man roster, as that pair will join incumbents like Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Randal Grichuk and Derek Fisher. Between that potential logjam and a similar collection of options behind the plate (Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, Riley Adams, Gabriel Moreno), there’s been plenty of speculation about the Jays utilizing those ostensible surpluses to acquire pitching help on the trade market.
Springer and Brantley will become anchors in a lineup that already boasts an impressive collection of young talent, headlined by budding superstar Bo Bichette as well as Gurriel, Hernandez, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Rowdy Tellez. It’s still possible the Jays will add an infielder to that mix, but the rotation, led by Hyun Jin Ryu, figures to be the primary area of focus in the days and weeks to come.
Prior to their agreement with Brantley, the Jays had about $98MM committed to a dozen players and were more than $80MM shy of the $210MM luxury tax barrier. For a club that carried a payroll of nearly $165MM as recently as 2017-18, there’s obviously considerable room to further supplement the roster even after signing Brantley. It’s possible, too, that the Jays could trade away some players who alter that financial outlook; Grichuk is owed $28MM over the next three years, while Gurriel is owed $13.4MM in that same stretch. Hernandez is signed for $4.325MM in 2021 and controlled via arbitration through 2023.
Frankly, the Blue Jays ought to have the payroll capacity to take their pick of available free-agent starters and relievers, should they choose. They’ve already met with Trevor Bauer who, like Brantley, is a known entity to Jays president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins, who were the Indians’ general manager and director of player development at the time Bauer was traded from Arizona to Cleveland. Toronto has also been tied to Jake Odorizzi, a client of the same agency that represents Springer, Brantley and Chatwood alike. The trade market presents myriad opportunities, and now that the Jays have Springer and Brantley set in place, they’ll have a better idea of their budget and which players they feel are potentially expendable.
Regardless of which specific arms the Jays add to the mix, it’s clear that they’ll be adding some form of pitching. The magnitude of those additions will go a long way in determining just how good this club can be, but it’s clear right now that the Jays are emerging as credible threats to both the Yankees and the Rays in the American League East.
So the Blue Jays were interested after all…
Seriously good for Brantley, I’ve always admired his game. You have to figure that one or more Blue Jay hitters is now available for trade for pitching, and it’s not at all a bad strategy.
This team is getting good. Wow, this great for the Blue Jays fans. Congrats to the Jays for signing Brantley he is a terrific player and Springer is also great. I wish my team could be doing something too like signing Yadi and Wainwright.
I’m a Pirates fan but even I would like to see Molina and Wainwright back with the Cards, but not at too high of a price. Blue Jays definitely going for it, nice to see it when teams do that… ours certainly aren’t at the moment.
@connfyoozed
If you are a Pirates fan then why are you concerned about the Cardinals potentially spending too much money? Odd.
I’m not concerned about it. I just don’t think the Cards should break the bank to keep Molina or Wainwright just because they are Cardinal icons. I was speaking as more of a general baseball fan than as a Pirate fan. In my opinion it doesn’t make sense for the Cards to pay top dollar for either of them.
I have to admit, even as a Red Sox fan I think these signings by Toronto are very cool from a baseball fan perspective. The lineup should be fun and interesting, and Toronto toiled as a “solid team that would have competed in other divisions but was handicapped when it came to winning the AL East” for long enough that it’s nice to see them make some noise. Perhaps before long I will rue them, but for now it hits a fond note for me.
NL Central was been dead quite, I am a disappointed cubs fan, Cards are my guess for division winners this year.
Are Yankee fans liking this new version of the Blue Jays? 🙂
Good for them and good for spending when so many owners aren’t.
No I’m not .. I want ever another teams in the east to suck
If the Jays get Brantley, what will this do to the WS aspirations of our White Sox, Aaron?
Realistically, only Grichuk (ideally) needs to be moved –
OF – Teoscar, Gurriel, Springer
IF – Vlad, Bo, Biggio, Rowdy, Jansen
DH – Brantley
Only problem is Vlad is bad at 3rd. They are likely to add another infielder IMO.
It would help if Vlad showed up in shape. They shouldn’t have a problem scoring runs now.
This is my hope too, if they trade Gurriel I’m gonna be really mad
I can’t imagine Vlad will be at 3B in 2021 – his defense was horrid from all reports in winter ball there. Slight chance of Gurriel going to 3B (he was a SS a few years ago, very poor one, but can’t be worse defensively than Vlad).
Actually Gurriel was moved to LF after his terrible outings at 2nd, he was not terrible at SS
Grichuk wouldn’t get much in return. Lourdes would be coveted though.
Yes but the impact would be getting rid of his contract to add Brantley for the next 3 years.
He’d have to be part of a deal where the Jays are taking on more money from another team, and may need to kick in some cash, too.
KC should swing a deal for Grichuk, the price shouldn’t be too high given his contract. He lengthens the lineup, would look good as the #6 or #7 hitter in the lineup.
Good for them and good for spending when so many owners aren’t.
Yeah, Grichuk is not needed-offensively or otherwise.
Never said this but I’m jealous of Canadians in more than one way today!
Toronto is making moves. Good for them. Love seeing teams like Toronto and San Diego succeed like this
Succeeding? Neither have won anything in nearly 30 years. I get what your saying, but simply signing and trading for guys doesn’t equate to a title. Remember the 2015 padres? Yeah neither do I
I don’t either, but the 2015 padres that made all those moves is a different story
Well the Jays never seem to lure big-name free agents, so in that sense they are “succeeding.”
lure/make offers
Inch by inch. The Yankees dynasty, the Braves 14 yr run, the Dodgers recent history all had this in common, a strong farm. The 2014 Padres had a horrible farm. They deconstructed the entire farm system and started from scratch. They then traded from a surplus and retained the pieces devoped in their system Tatis. Signed quality FA’s with playoff pedigree and whether they win it this year or next they have positioned themselves in the conversation for the next few years. At the very least this team is similar to the 90s Mariners who though they didn’t win it were one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in recent history.
Tatis from white sox
I still argue the Sox got the best of that deal. True, Shields finished his career going 16-35 with an ERA of 5.31 (and a FIP closer to 6), but he also has 23 WP (near the league lead) and hit 19 guys (like a good teammate standing up for his guys).
Sorry – where’s the vomit emoji?
First, I will admit the 2015 Padres moves we’re crazy and did nothing. But after both the Padres and Blue Jays making the postseason last year, they are adding to become even better. That’s what’s teams do when they are close.
2015 Jays tho… team was legendary
2015 Jays… team was legendary
Exactly the Padres and Jays haven’t done much. Padres beat .500 Cardinals at home in WC series omg! then got mauled by Dodgers. Winning off season doesn’t translate most of time
I don’t know if succeed is the right word here. If the season was based on who “won” each offseason, the Reds would be champions by now. Still have to play the games on the field before you can say the team is a winner.
The trade for a pitcher is incoming!!! Let’s go Toronto!
Totally agree. This signing makes a couple out fielders redundant. Got to think Gurriel is on his way out
hopefully it’s teo or Grtichuk of all the outfielders Gurriel is the one I want to keep the most, he can play multiple positions
If you want to get a good pitcher, you’re probably going to have to give up a good player. Grichuk isn’t going to get you much.
I think the Jays will keep all of them and let Gurriel compete for both 2nd and 3rd base.
They can get pitching in free agency still
Agree, Gurriel’s contract is so good it also helps the jays out perform their payroll just like Vlad, Biggio and Bichette
he was moved to the outfield for a reason. he had issues throwing in the infield, IIRC.
That was 2 seasons ago. They will obvioulsy need to get creative to get all these guys in the lineup and having a guy that played the infield his entire life is a good start
never change what works well“,Gourriel is the best player in this team
I have to wonder if this means that they’re out of Bauer now or if they’ll sign Bauer… aaannndd trade for a pitcher. Castillo? Gray? Eovaldi?
I really hope these moves make Bauer want to come to Toronto even more
I hope these moves mean Bauer can’t come to Toronto. A lot of the fan base wants Bauer but a lot do not want the extra he brings. Atkins & Co can reasonable claim they can’t afford Bauer now and save face.
Full respect for Bauer’s talents – he’s one helluva player but he is also extra.
I can see how people can find Bauer’s antics “extra”, but I find it as extra in a good way – not a cancerous way. He gets a bad rap for what he does, but he’s really just outgoing and passionate. He’s extra in a good way.
Genuinely hope it’s in a good way regardless of where he ends up. Personally, keep going back and forth with it. Some days it’s good, other days it’s too much. It could become a new norm among savvy players.
Kind of like excessive alcohol consumption in a good way, ahahaha
I can see how people can find Bauer’s antics “extra”,
====================================================
He is way too much high maintenance. As a RS fan, I liked him a little, if the price was right, but the dude is nails on a chalkboard. The most recent articles about him building his ‘brand’, was the last draw.
I think trading Gurriel would be a big mistake. He’s gotten better offensively and defensively every year he’s been in the majors.
Feels good to be a Jays fan right now.
Yeah man, congratulations! You guys have been patient for sure. Good to see your team taking these steps and getting these players that “won’t play in Toronto” lolol.
I’ve been following the team for more than 20 years and this seems like the first time they’ve actually lured some big-name free agents. Feels good man.
Ryu
To be fair, back in the December of 2005 they signed B.J. Ryan and A.J. Burnett to a pair of 5-year contracts that were worth a decent amount at the time (actually Ryan’s is still a decent amount for a back end reliever these days). Those were both very notable at the time.
Unfortunately they didn’t work out as well as hoped due to injuries mostly (Ryan put up an elite first season though, and a very good third season; Burnett was pretty solid in his three seasons).
Roger Clemens was also a prime FA add
This is a dream come true!
Look out Yankees! The Jays are coming BACK!
They’re putting together a formidable team.
They still need starting pitching badly though.
who said the season is already over? Lol, you think they are done? Think again.
True, but so do the Yankees, who are restricted by the luxury tax this year.
Are they? @lordd99
I keep seeing Yankee – & indeed MLB fans at large – post this. I don’t buy it, however.
If you have a link or a story or whatnot to validate that getting under 210 is the actual goal/mandate I’d appreciate it. I’ve not been able to find anything of the sort.
Thanks in advance.
Woooo…. so the Astros are moving to Canada??! Lol they should get verlander too! Can’t relive the Cito Gaston days.. you’ll be looking up at the Yankees!
If Houston is having money problems (I doubt it), I’d love if they could bring in Greinkes contract.
Next step: Add another starter, then profit.
What’s step two
Add a second starter…THEN profit.
Happy to see this guy out of the AL west.
This is awesome
Now they can flip some of those young guys for pitching and they take the al East
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to the Jays on basically clinching a playoff spot, even clinching the division before the season started. Next step is to add a starting pitcher. Maybe a Chad Kuhl and/or Jameson Taillon from the Pirates… Just someone under the radar, maybe resigning Taijuan Walker as well… Maybe even guys like Zac Gallen from the D-Backs, Marquez or Senzatela from the Rockies, there are a lot of options for the Jays. But once again, congrats to Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins, and that whole entire Blue Jays front office.
I definitely agree they are primed for a playoff spot, but the division will be a 3 team race. I refuse to count out the Rays, even though it seems many do. They always play incredible and are usually a thorn for both the Yankees and Jays. The Yankees are still a very good team as well, but health issues play a major threat.
Whoa, congrats Jays fans!
Hope the Jays win the division
Great move by the Jays!! I hate to see a reactionary move, but if the Yanks are gonna stay ahead they need to trade for a #2 starter now.
They don’t need him but good signing
They have too many outfielders and kinda too many catchers. Trade(s) incoming. They’re not done.
Listen to the trash can bangs next season in Toronto.
Alex Cora isn’t there tho
He means looks for the foreign substance on the balls, oh wait Gerrit Cole isn’t there he’s in NY
Dude, Brantley wasn’t with the Astros in 2017!
After “winning” in 2017 the Astros stopped cheating in 2018 and 2019, right I forgot..
Dude, they recycle trash in Toronto, no cans, just bins.
Trevor Bauer ?
Can’t afford Bauer, so it seems like he is going to either the Angels, the Giants, or the Reds
#BauerToCincy
Do we even know their budget?
Reds cannot afford him
They can still afford Bauer. I think this move puts the payroll at around $125M
Jays can afford him but I hope they don’t sign him because he won’t be worth his contract, it would be better to sign or trade for a SP a tier below him and then add another 1 at the deadline or next year.
Reds? Lol
Chat wood isn’t not good
This post isn’t not good.
GOT ‘EEEM!!1!
Thanks for that.
Mr. Porter likes to “chat wood”
Teoscar Hernandez or Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Who gets who and why?
Braves? Indians? Reds? Dark horse team?
Which pitching gets sent back?
Gurriel probably draws the greater trade interest.
True, but I hope the Bluejays keep Gurriel and convince a team to take Teoscar instead. Gurriel keeps getting better offensively and defensively.
Agree except I’d like to keep both some how and ship out Grichuk and maybe Tellez (Brantley/TEO DH)
Either for zack pleasac from Indians, would think they could do something to for gray or Castillo with additional prospects going to reds
its going to take more then just one of those guys to get a Plesac deal done.
yah bruh lol smh idk bwahaa id
You guys can have Grichuk instead.
Three team trade between the Indians, Blue Jays, and Reds that could meet each team’s needs. Cleveland sends SS Gimenez to Cincinnati, The Reds send SP Sonny Gray to the Blue Jays. Toronto sends OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to Cleveland, Smaller pieces may need to be added, but the basic framework helps all three teams. Toronto gets a solid starter. Cincinnati saves money and gets the shortstop that they need. Cleveland gets a solid, controllable outfielder and Rosario can play SS until their many SS prospects mature and become MLB ready.
That’s actually pretty good.
Hate to be a deby downer but that deal will 1000% not happen. Lourdes is worth Castillo straight up let alone gray straight up
There is no way Gurriel is traded for Gray, maybe Castillo but not Gray
That’s a deep line-up! They will mash! SP is also very underrated. That’s a really good team. Wonder if Bauer just lost a suitor now.
Starting pitching is definitely not underrated. Ryu and a bunch of 4/5’s on a championship team. They need 2-3 quality starters and fix that infield defense.
Hope they can because they will be a fun watch offensively.
Still a borderline playoff team if there are only 5 spots.
I disagree.
Ryu is a Cy Young ace
Pearson looks like an emerging ace to me.
Ray is a K machine and if they can get his walks down he’s a nice 3
Strippling and Roark are both easily 4 type SP
That’s a top 3 AL rotation.
If they all pitched to their best then this is true but we could definitely use another #2 type guy
Interestingly Stroman would have been a good fit.
That seems like a stretch.
Pearson has a chance to be very good. Still unproven, how many innings do you really think he will pitch next year?
Ray was terrible last year.
Roark is a 4/5 guy on good team at best.
Without walker the Jay’s rotation is currently worse then last years. They need real improvement in their starting pitching to be a championship caliber team. Even with walker their starting pitching wasn’t very good last year.
I am sure they will look to address this the rest of offseason.
I like the Jay’s moves offensively. Brantley is a great hitter. At the sametime you don’t make these moves unless you want to compete for a championship.
I am a Jays fan but all of that is reaching. They need one more starter for their rotation to start to take shape. Two would be ideal.
Ryu, Pearson and Ray is a good start. Stripling is a great swingman who can be a spot starter. Roark I think is done unfortunately. Even if I’m wrong he is a #5 who can throw lots of innings. Which is useful but not extremely valuable.
They already have the depth though which is nice.
Pearson is 4/5? Ok, Jan…
So you have decided that Nate Pearson has no chance to progress past a #4, #5? I mean actual baseball people consider the best righty prospect in the game………
I don’t think Pearson is a 4/5 starter and Ray is a solid piece. Seems pretty clear they are going to deal for a starting pitcher.
No matter what bat gets moved out to make room, this lineup is scary good. Maybe they won’t even move out one of the suspected players and just have a ton of depth
Absolute nightmare situation for the Braves. What are we doing…. do something!
so mad right now. Really thought Brantley might be one of our targets. Really need to try and make a Jose Ramirez trade work…AND sign Ozuna? and this is just to do with the offensive side of the ball…not to mention the work needed on arms. If Markakis and/or Inciarte is a starting outfielder this year, might as well pack it up – AA/ownership has thrown in the towel.
Jose Ramirez is more than dream…..not happening. AA would have to decimate the Farm and he won’t do that.
at this point I doubt ANYthing happens for the Braves. But I could see a JRam trade…Riley/Ender/Wilson/de la Cruz, maybe another SP prospect…something along those lines….
aceofks, your package of spare parts would not come close to getting JRam. Cleveland would not take Ender and his bad contract. Waters or Pache would have to be in any package.
@john the tribe can take spare parts in the clevinger and lindor/carrasco deals but when the braves are mentioned, a top prospect has to be involved. Sound like the marlins with the JTR proposals a few years ago…ozzie or acuna had to be involved LOL
Wishful thinking. Here’s all of our crap contracts and prospects nobody believes in anymore. We just want a superstar third baseman making peanuts
The padres traded nearly all of their international signings, and recently drafted prospects. They didn’t trade spare parts. The Mets traded mlb ready players under cheap control for years. Gimenez and Pache or waters probably pretty comparable.
I think the Ramirez concept is a dream more because AA and Liberty simply won’t do it. But I do 100% agree if Ender or Markakis are starting in the OF next year, that’s a white flag and us just giving up.
Now, to those guys who say that the braves have to give up the world to get Ramirez, y’all are mad and not looking at the Indians recent history. Will it throwing a Pache in the trade require less overall prospects? Yes. Will they ask for him? Yes. Is he required for a deal to be done? absolutely not…. clearly they will trade for a package of interesting lower tier prospects. I’m sure they would take ender off our books, but that will likely increase the cost of the prospect capital that we give up. Ex. If Ender is in the deal, then Pachecos might be more likely to be required…
Does one of your top prospects have to be included? Absolutely not. They also aren’t going to get him for a bunch mid 20 year old fringe prospects. It will be guys like Schuster included and there will probably be 4-5 of them.
Good for TOR, go big or go home! All those interests finally coming to a result.
AA is very smart, show some patience. Theres always the trade deadline too.
Jays are the 2019 Phillies or the 2011 marlins?
Depends on Rogers annual profit margin unfortunately
So….
CF Springer
DH Brantley
SS Bichette
3B Vlad Jr.
LF Gurriel
RF Hernandez
1B Tellez
2B Biggio
C Jansen/Kirk
I could see
2nd Biggio
CF Springer
SS Bo
DH Brantley
1st Vlad
RF Hernandez
3rd Gurriel
LF Grichuk
C Jansen
just curious, not a close follower of the Jays, but is Biggio at 2nd and Gurriel at 3rd better then Gurriel at 2nd and Biggio at 3rd?
Gurriel will play in LF. Brantley will likely be in DH duty most days.
They don’t really have a 3b at the moment Vlad or biggio can play there but Vlad sucks at 3B and biggio has been mostly at 2B. Most people seem to think they will sign another infielder for 2B SS or 3B and then move guys around both niche TE and biggio can play multiple positions.
Just curious, as an adult, what prevents you from capitalizing your sentences? Are you just lazy or do you think that it’s cute?
Darkside. Gurriel is a natural SS who had throwing issues a couple of years ago (essentially the yips). He has better range than Biggio,
If Gurriel is over his throwing issues, then he would be better at 2B
I’d like to see that. Keep Gurriel and Teoscar. Grichuk is expendable but would make a nice 4 OF to spell off the other guys on an almost daily basis. The 4 OF would be nice in case of injury and if Tellez turns out not to be for real.
They wont put vlad at 3rd, no way! His defense is not good enough for the hot corner. Grichuk is also not giving up an outfield spot or a spot in that lineup, guarantee that!
So is the plan to trade from their glut of outfielders/DH’s) for starting pitching? NOt sure what Gurriel/Hernandez/Grichuk/Tellez would get in return but for a team spending so much on bats they really need mid-rotation starting pitching
Try and package Grich with possibly a top 10 pitching prospect like Woods-Richards or Kloff and another lottery for someone with controllable years. Pry Castillo from Reds or even Gallen from D-Backs!
I think it would take a bit more to get either and being expected to take back grich whose owed 10 million per year for next 3 years.
Another swing and miss. I guess not!
Pitching remains an issue.
Guess this means they are out on JTR. Who is left for him besides Philly?
They’re not going nowhere. They gonna be watching the postseason from their couch.
they are at least the 2nd best team in the AL
No they aren’t.
And just like that BJ fans had no issue with sign stealing
Not saying they didn’t do it other years but He wasn’t on the Astros in 2017…
I’m not a Blue Jay Fan, I’m not a Padres fan, but I appreciate the owners for going for it.
Well done.
More TO** come…..
The Jays having the case of the Prellers, huh? Go get ’em!! As a non-Jays fan, Jays lineup looks offensively strong!
3 years?
What?
I don’t like that
OK, Hal has got to allow Cashman to make a deal for a starter now
“The Blue Jays will not get one top free agent”
Remember me from last night? Springer to the Jays darkside!!!!
1 or 2 trades are def coming…I feel like one of Hernandez or Grichuk and Maybe Tellez+ prospects are gonna get traded for some SP…Idk who is gonna play 1st and 3rd but there is a lot of guys that can play DH now…Will be fun to see
I wonder how the Jays will draw in Buffalo?
I don’t get these digs at all
you mean Dunedin
Now trade for Castillo. Gurriel and Kirk + 1/2 more pieces.
I like that, but I think they want a young shortstop. Maybe add Groshans and replace Kirk with Moreno.
Reds have 7 outfielders on their 40 and their catcher of the future along w a catcher under contract. Start over lol.
Grich, Teoscar, Guerriel, Tellez. Any combined with prospects and/or catching can be had for quality starting pitching now. Look out!
each of those four players has vastly different value
Grichuk doesn’t get you a quality pitcher. In vehicle terms, he gets you a Yugo that’s been beat to hell. Guirriel and Teoscar could fetch someone of value, though.
Grichuk plus prospects do, as per the comment.
Ok, but take out Grichuk and the prospect cost goes down. I’m just saying that deal isn’t built around Grichuk; it’s built in spite of him. For the other guys, a deal could actually be built around them.
Blue Jays on fire now.
Grichuk or Hernandez to Braves for one of wright/touki/Wilson?
why do the Braves want Grichuk
Big hole in left/dh without ozuna. Gricuk could be a decent alternative all things considered for now. And he’s a righty.
Grichuk has $31M left on his deal and is not good. He’s decent, but in the last 2 years, Adam Duvall has been better — and that resulted him being released, so…yeah.
Grichuk is not someone you want. His contract means he had negative value.
Yeah maybe you can add ender in the deal to soften the money blow or jays pay a little. With ozuna not coming back the options are becoming smaller and smaller. I’d prefer Hernandez obviously over grichuk
I’d be interested in Hernandez. Not Grichuk though
Seems pretty fair if the braves take all of Grichuks contract. Those pitchers you mentioned have seen their prospect luster fade, but certainly would be welcome as the return for essentially a salary dump.
I could still see the Jays close it out with a utility player like Marwin to fill out the lineup and complete their takeover of old Astros
Grichuk or Hernandez
—————————–
Any suggestion that starts with this is DOA. It makes them seem like equivalents, while Hernandez is twice the player at a fraction of the cost.
No doubt they have a trade of an OFer already done. Just waiting for the best PR time.
Good move. Brantley’s skill set ages better than Springer’s. Jays are now “in it” with NY and TB.
I still believe the Red Sox will be more competitive than people are assuming. It’ll be a tough division. Poor Orioles.
The Sox have too many :toys” (X, Devers, JD, Verdugo, Vasquez, E-Rod, Sale when he gets back) not to be in it.
But they’re fourth in line at this point.
Biggio
Springer
Brantley
Bichette
Gurriel
Hernandez
Guerrero
Tellez
Jansen
Jesus Christ.
Randal Grichuk is mad at you!
yeah I dont see why Tellez is starting over Grichuk
This is assuming that Gurriel stays in a corner OF slot
Tellez > Grichuk offensively.
Hel’ll be just fine as 4th OF and bench bat
I just think the postseason experience is amazing, let alone the players.
Wow. Springer AND Brantley. Breaking out the checkbook …
Maybe the Astros will take Grichuk and Jansen for a pitcher? Probably not getting a high end pitcher but a bullpen piece or low end prospect might be available.
Now can the Blue Jays bring in a vet catcher to mentor Kirk, McGuire, Adams and whomever else shows potential in spring training. Jansen is not the answer and should be traded.
Sign a top of the rotation arm.
Lastly can they bring in someone as a bench coach to teach Chuckles how to manage. I’d rather they just replace him but that doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.
DAMN!!
Martin, Pearson, Groshan for Sonny !
The biggest and most ridiculous overpay
Absolutely no chance that happens!
id imagine at least the 1st two are untouchable
@Darkside, nobody’s untouchable. That term should be retired. It only means “very expensive.” Or do you really believe that if the Braves offered Acuna for Martin that the Jays would say no?
Hyrax, that wouldn’t happen, Acuna is untouchable.
lol. Well played, sir.
Dude!
Are you high?
No, he’s just borderline illiterate.
Pearson alone for Sonny is something I probably wouldn’t do. Yeah, he struggled in his first taste of the majors, but most pitchers do. Now, in a deal for Castillo, I’d probably be willing to include him.
Watch these two struggle bigtime without their trash can assistance!
Brantley wasn’t even on the 2017 roster-
That lineup is lethal, they need an arm though.
How funny would it be to have a starting outfield of Brantley, Springer, Teoscar with Fisher as the 4th! An all Houston outfield.
…well Fisher I guess wouldn’t be funny. But you get the picture.
Fisher would be the funniest
Hope AA has something in mind for the Braves. Names are coming off the board, no real optimism for Ozuna, and no bullpen chatter either. I keep feeling that what we’re gonna hear is “We feel confident that a Riley/Camargo/Markakis rotation will make up for the loss of Ozuna as we could not find the value in signing a free agent over a year.”
I am scared this is exactly what we will get. It’s infuriating.
Woah, this comment section is far less toxic (and intelligent) than the Yates/Springer one(s).
Give it time though.
I’d personally take offense to that, but can’t say the same for others
Jays are looking stacked. Good for them. As a Phillies phan, though, I still say FU Joe Carter! FU!
Remember me from last night? Springer to the Jays darkside!!!!
The Blue Jays are on a roll! They probably aren’t done either. They already had some pretty decent young outfield depth before signing George Springer and now Michael Brantley, with the latter figuring to play more LF in Toronto with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. likely getting most of his PA’s at 1B/DH. This sets the Blue Jays up nicely to trade some of that young OF depth for pitching or even consider dealing Guerrero Jr. who could fetch a pretty good arm all by himself.
The White Sox have some young power arms the Blue Jays might like. If Toronto wants to deal Guerrero Jr. I’m sure Rick Hahn would be all ears. The White Sox are in the market for a versatile DH, reportedly one who could also play an outfield corner. Why not target a young stud hitter like Guerrero Jr. to be their full time DH? Their defense might suffer a bit, but having a long term core of Eloy Jimenez in LF, Andrew Vaughn at 1B and Guerrero Jr. at DH on top of all their other young studs with long term control could give the White Sox the most feared batting order in MLB.
Aaron, I usually agree with you, but I think you’re way off-base on this one. I don’t see the Jays giving up on Vlad just yet. I also don’t see the White Sox trading for a 1B/DH type when they have one of the league’s top prospects probably coming up in 2021 to fill just that role and a bunch of other internal options. I know Vaughn isn’t due until near the end of the year and if Vlad were only on a 1 or 2 year deal, ok, but I wouldn’t want to block him long-term for a guy who hasn’t lived up to his potential in the two years he’s been in the bigs. This move would force the Sox to either delay Vaughn another year or trade him for pitching to replace the guys they gave up to get Vlad.
Now, if the Jays wanted to trade from their surplus of OFs, as long as it’s not Grichuck, that would be a bigger area of need for the White Sox, and probably cost less in prospect capital.
Of course, the White Sox would also have an interest in Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as well as Guerrero Jr. The former would be more versatile than the latter and would fit nicely in LF with Jimenez transitioning to DH. It also makes sense because Gurriel Jr. is Cuban! lol
Careful, Aaron, martymcrae might call you a racist.
Marty, like all horrible posters, will change his name to something else pretty soon.
Once people figure out who these people really are, they change their names for temporary credibility.
WSox need to first see if Katz can get Cease and Kopech to be good starters in ’21, especially since Lynn is a 1yr rental. Keuchel also has the back issues and Stiever needs more time in minors. IMO they need to add some starter depth, as opposed to letting some arms loose when they have a good offense.
Dylan Cease will be the top priority for Ethan Katz as a lock to be the White Sox #4 or #5 starter in 2021 depending on who else Rick Hahn may add before opening day. Michael Kopech will get plenty of attention in spring training but he is also a virtual lock to be in Charlotte’s AAA rotation on April 1st. If Hahn passes on adding another SP via trade or in free agency, Katz will be working diligently with Reynaldo Lopez as the most likely member of the 40-man roster to grab the final rotation spot.
My best guess is that Hahn will add one more SP before pitchers and catchers report next month and it could very well be a significant one. If that’s the case, especially via free agency, Hahn might also consider upgrading his batting order by trading some young surplus pitching for a bat like Andrew Benintendi or go even bigger with Blue Jays Gurriel Jr. or Guerrero Jr. The opposite might also occur with Hahn adding a FA bat like Joc Pederson and trading for any number of SP options who appear to be available.
Hahn can keep his powder dry for the lefty bat until mid-season if that is even going to be a big deal this year with Eaton providing some added balance… and seeing if Mercedes/Collins can help at DH when given the chance early on. I don’t see them having “expendable” young arms to trade at this point for a bat when the lineup is strong. Reliable starters to round out the rotation is their depth concern. They certainly need Heuer as far as the BP, Lopez should be shifted there/has little trade value anyhow and the young starters outside of Giolito are question marks (though nice potential) big picture. Even the recent highly drafted HS arms last couple years should be kept here in lieu of trading until we see if the current young starters are for real.
Can’t imagine the jays are trading their blue chip prospect they are paying league minimum. Not sure how it helps Sox either with Vaughn coming up, abreu still under contract, and Eloy with below average defense. Seems they are set at dh.
They might if they receive a ” blue chip prospect” pitcher in return. The White Sox have a couple who may interest the Blue Jays. With Springer locked into CF/RF for the next 5 years and Brantley the same at LF/DH, something figures to give. Only Gurriel Jr. or Guerrero Jr. would fetch such a pitcher on his own.
As for the White Sox, Jose Abreu is only under contract for the next two seasons. He will be 35 in that last year while also earning just under $20MM. He will likely retire a White Sox but I’m guessing he won’t be making that type of AAV or putting up the numbers he is now at 36 in 2023. I see Andrew Vaughn potentially making his MLB debut later this summer. I also envision him in a 1B/DH timeshare with Abreu in 2022. Vaughn figures to be full time at 1B come 2023.
The White Sox locked up Eloy Jimenez with a 6 year guaranteed contract extension just prior to him taking his first MLB PA in 2019. They also hold two additional team options giving the team 6 more potential years of control through 2026, his age 29 season. He just turned 24 last November and will likely be given at least one more year in LF before the team decides if his his long term fit is there or at DH.
It seems the general consensus among pundits including those close to the White Sox have them seeking a DH this offseason, one versatile enough to play another position, likely an OF corner. Gurriel Jr. would fit that precisely while Guerrero Jr. would provide some versatility at the infield corners, more likely 1B. It’s obvious that the White Sox have two excellent long term internal options to cover 1B and the DH position going forward with Vaughn and Jimenez. They also appear to have long term answers at 4 other positions with Luis Robert in CF, Yoan Moncada at 3B, Tim Anderson at SS and Nick Madrigal at 2B. This leaves RF their biggest long term question mark and perhaps LF as well unless Jimenez shows some marked improvement this season.
The addition of Gurriel Jr. would make the most sense with his ability to play LF along with some experience at other positions. His original scouting report coming out of Cuba had his arm as one of his plus tools which might also make him a RF candidate. The fit with Guerrero Jr. would be best as a permanent DH with the added some added versatility as an emergency backup at the infield corners. With Guerrero Jr. your are also talking about the possibility of adding a generational bat to your lineup, something that is already being said about Jimenez and even Vaughn. If he is potentially available and the White Sox can fit him in at DH why wouldn’t they at least kick the tires on him? It’s becoming increasingly apparent that his ideal position for any team will in the DH role.
Honestly it would be like asking the Sox to trade Roberts, not happening. Gurriel would make more sense but can’t see white Sox trading young cheap controllable pitching. Their offense is fine but you have one year of Lynn and haven’t locked Giolito up long term and just traded Dunning. If they are going to make Abreu a lifer he will probably be playing a lot dh.
So is the plan to trade from their glut of outfielders/DH’s) for starting pitching? NOt sure what Gurriel/Hernandez/Grichuk/Tellez would get in return but for a team spending so much on bats they really need mid-rotation starting pitching
Yes. I bet one of Gurriel or Hernandez is traded for a decent pitcher. Grichuk will be traded, maybe in a salary swap type dealio for an overpaid 3B (example: Moustakas). You could MAYBE play Gurriel at 3B, he was an infielder initially.
I like Brantley but not for three years. Good for him that he got it but I won’t have done this if I were a GM.
Toronto fo have read their division correctly. Al east sp is weak.
Toronto has a very healthy offensive line-up
James Click is a disaster! He’s missed on every Astros player target since LYs trade deadline. Not going to be GM long, as he is afraid to pull the trigger.
Jay’s pitching is still issue
Sure, but that offense is now among baseball’s best. That will win a lot of games. With the last 24 hours’ worth of moves, I think the Jays have about pulled even with the Yankees.
O Canada, our home and native land!
True patriot love thou AL East we command.
Nice work Jays!
Not funny. Stop trying to be cute.
Dr. Smooth will fit well in Toronto. Had great years in Cleveland. The Jays will be THE team to watch this season.
I guess another issue with the two signings is the team just got a bit older when they’ve been trying to get younger over the past few years.
The philosophy is to build a young core… and then support it with experienced veterans.
Of course, but most successful teams do this on short contracts.
2025 (when Ross’ contract ends) – all the young’uns in the minors (6 of top 100) are playing, Bo/Vlad/Cavan/Pearson all matured and at peak…2025 the Jays will be killer, just like 2020. Though we still need another arm.
They’d better hope they’re better in 2025 than they were in 2020. If not, their chances at the WS are very slim.
Grichuk is hopefully shot off into the sun with the additions of Springer and Brantley.
The Blue Jays should be spending like the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and now the Mets EVERY year. They are in a massive market, they have a loyal and captive large fan base, and have very deep pockets. A $200M regular payroll should be the norm. Yes. They can still add Bauer if they’re serious. Lots of payroll room still.
Nobody’s taking on Grichuk with that contract unless the Jays either add prospects or pay it down significantly.
Yes. That contract is a problem.
Lord you are 100% correct. I also think Grichuk’s contract can be traded, albeit for another bad contract. There are a few out there that would work for the Jays in some way.
Cubs (Kimbrel and Bryant)
Reds (Moose)
LA (Price)
Rockies (Arenado)
Would need to package others but it could happen.
I’ve seen a lot of ridiculous trade proposals on this site for Luis Castillo. If you want Luis Castillo, it’s going to cost your favorite team a lot more than you want to give up. The Reds are not going to give him away. The only way they trade him is for a Godfather offer that blows them away and it won’t be a salary dump. The Reds basically have Atlantis and if you want Atlantis, it is going to cost The Fountain of Youth.
Never underestimate the ability of the Reds front office to make stupid moves. They would/should be in a position to spend and dominate the central for the next 3-4 years. They opted to sign huge overpay contracts and trade quality depth from the minors to get a wildcard birth in expanded playoffs.
I agree with this. If the reds do decide to trade him they are officially committing to a full rebuild again. I’m not really sure what the reds are currently doing.
I dont think castillo gets moved this offseason, maybe at the deadline if they decide to rebuild again. Either way you are talking about trading top top top young talent to get him.
If reds traded him to yanks for Torres- it wouldn’t be a rebuild. Just more incompetence from the worst franchise in baseball.
Reds and Blue Jays are a perfect match. Jay’s have a super deep system and need 2 quality starters.
Gray and Castillo (14 million cap hit) for Pearson, Groshans Richardson and a couple lesser pieces.
There’s additional room for movement too w Suarez available and a nice fill in at 3rd in Toronto and votto is from there so may be a reunion for him too.
1 mega deal. Be hard for even reds management to muck that up !
Does Grichuk have any value at all ?
With his current contract, no, I’d say he has negative value.
No.
Nobody wants to spend any money, remember?
For the Reds? Grichuk for Moose and a minor leaguer.
If only the Reds needed an OF. Too bad they don’t.
They don’t need a 3B either and decided to have 2 of them.
Just because you sign Danny Tartabull to a big contract doesn’t mean that they hand you a trophy. Lots of years and money committed to aging outfielders. Hope it works out for them, if not they will be awful for the next three-six years.
This next season might not be the season we bring a World Series back to Canada, but we are certainly on the right path. LETS GOOOO!!
Go get Bauer.
Trade for another arm. Whether it’s Teoscar for Gray or prospects and Teoscar for Castillo or Grichuk for Price (that would be funny). Need starting pitching. Otherwise these moves are a waste without SP.
Cut Fisher.
Still need to consider a 3B whether it’s a free agent like Frazier, LaStella or Asdrubal, or a trade. Not sure Gurriel can go back there and flourish. Vlad was still lost in winter ball.
Agree with all of this. I’m expecting a trade or two to be announced within a few days. I would find it hard to believe that the Blue Jays would have this many outfielders and not have had some laying-the-groundwork talks with teams about trading for arms.
Yep. I think there have been many balls in the air and with less teams battling for position so to speak, the lane is open for the Jays to have talks with several teams either looking to shed payroll, rebuild or there’s an influx at a position. The Jays might have better leverage than we think due to cost cutting from certain teams scaling back.
Why would the Reds want yet another outfielder? You can’t play all seven at once.
Funny because looking at your roster you barely have 3.
I was hoping Brantley would be a fall back option for the Mets. Congrats Jays fans, good things come to those who wait.
Hot stove baby let’s go!!
Will this end the narratives of players not wanting to sign in Canada and also the Jays never spending big? Last year Ryu, this year Springer, Brantley, Ray, Chatwood, Yates.
Never. No one wants to play, live, or sign in Toronto. Pending circumstances like money and picks being tied to players allowed them to sign these two. Just like reds last year (another place no one wants to play)- had to overpay for moose and castellanos while several other players declined contract offers like didi.
They can maybe get Tanaka but odds are they’ll need to trade for pitching. They can trade for gray and Castillo both and it’ll cost em less than Tanaka.
No way Bauer will consider
If Toronto calls Bauer right now and makes an offer I bet he’s strongly considering it. There is zero question about that. You build it, they will come.
No way Bauer is NOT considering it.
the reality is that Blue Jays have to overpay because players do not want to play, live, or pay taxes in Canada…
The vast majority of free.agents sign with the highest bidder. That will always be the team that pays more than every other team thinks the player is worth. Not just Toronto, every team. So yes, Toronto has to overpay, just like every team does.
The narrative will end after FAs choose Toronto over other destinations when money is the same or less. The Mariners can sign Robinson Cano if they offer way more than the Yankees, but for even money he stays in NY. That’s why it took so long for Springer to agree. He was waiting for something/somewhere better.
Pokes Red Sox…. do something already!!!
The first one to the off-season finish line, is not normally the one that team that wins the off-season.
Stove is getting hot. Seems like decisions are being made leading into ST. Just don’t want them to fall too far behind. Looking like based on the moves of Yanks and Jays the last two weeks that the Sox are at the bottom with BAL this season unless they can make some adjustments/get some depth. Still players out there, just don’t want to miss out completely while time is seemingly being wasted on minor league negotiations and dealing away Benintendi. Dealing away Benintendi and Mookie in back-to-back offseasons seems like a no for me, but I’ll hold judgment until I see a package and see how Jeter Downs pans out. Kid seems like a gamer.
AA do something now. C’mon Braves!
I actually had Kluber going to the Braves in the contest. It would have fit their MO with signing one-year deals and they need another arm. I get that they’re waiting on the DH question (why is that one taking so long to answer?), but yeah, they’ve been too quiet.
Okay….but where’s the pitching?? They need more.
Big loss for Astros. I imagine they will be going after Bradley, Jr now.
Plenty $ left.Keep rebuilding the pen,grab another starter,& add an infield utility guy.OR you quickly get into the 3b conversations and move baby Vlad to 1B.
Passan reporting no agreement:
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1351956258715283456
Trust your reputable sources I suppose.
No harm no foul if the Jays don’t nab Brantley. I like Brantley. Solid, solid hitter. But if the Jays can’t lock this down it’s not a huge problem. Thin SP and a questionable glove at 3B is bigger than a Brantley acquisition no matter how much I enjoy his work.
Or, not.
Hats off to the teams taking advantage of a bad situation.Collusion memo didn’t make it past quarantine at the border!
There’s never been collusion. Every player signed has gotten above predictions.
Predictions, though, were all based on a depressed market. BTW I’m not saying there’s collusion in any type of legal sense, although MLB is trying to use the current situation to depress market values. My only point here is beating lowered predictions doesn’t tell us much.
doesn’t look like the Red Sox can compete in 2021…
Nothing has happened so far, that will affect the RS. Oddly enough, at some point, we will have the most available spending money left. That’s where you want to be.
That’s like having the most arms available at the last dance. Yeah, you may have room, but everyone worth having is already taken. Red Sox being quiet means they won’t be contenders any more than they were last year.
The biggest Red Sox additions will be getting a full year out of Erod, assuming he is as healthy as being reported, and Sale back at some time. I would say that Boston could surprise this year but so many things have to go right. Still if 10d, Martinez, and Devers have bounce back seasons and the starting staff holds up they could be in the chase for a wildcard. If not then evaluate what you need and look to make some solid trades at the deadline with an eye to next years free agent class. I’m guessing the Red Sox won’t sleep long.
More like having the most money left in a BB card auction. You might not get the best card, but you are likely to get the best value.
Odd to have a deal reporter at this level and then have it pulled. I suspect an agreement is still forthcoming.
Last second ditch effort by another team?
Or maybe they’re still working on how the deal is structured?
nutting wallet of pirates thinks this bad deal, blue jays lose financial flexibility
Nelson Cruz is a better bat that either Brantley or Springer. He hits for average and power. His only limitation is he is a DH with no hope of playing in the field.
Age is just a number, right?
Kind of a big limitation.
You’re comparing Cruz to Brantley or Springer?
Hi Apples! Meet Oranges!
I think we now have the best lineup in baseball and also the young kids are only going to get better. Time to go get a #2 starter and somehow unload grich. Haven’t been this excited in years to be a jays fan.
And yet you’ll still do nothing come playoff time, if you even make it at all. Truth hurts.
Yankee fan?
Wonderful negotiation tactic, get their fanbase all riled up, demand more money!
Great signings by the Blue Jays. Now I can see them trading for either German Marquez or a Cleveland starting pitcher.
How would Brantley qualify as a good signing? Yuo already have three OFs better than him, plus Grichuk as your #4, and Fischer as your #5, Adding Brantley as your #4, moving the $10M Grichuk to #5, and cutting Fischer, is a waste of money.
We don’t know yet since it was just reported that Brantley hasn’t officially signed.
I knew it wasn’t final when I commented. But the comment is still applicable. Why spend on an outfielder when you already have a crowded outfield?
As a RS fan, it would be like us signing Brantley to play LF when we already have Benni. Even if Brantley was an upgrade, the money is needed elsewhere. In the TO case, Brantley is not even an upgrade in the OF.
If they don’t sign Brantley, I agree with you that the money should be spent somewhere else like starting pitching. In my original comment, I mentioned about trading for German Marquez. Signing Bauer would be another nice move.
Great signings by the Blue Jays. Now I can see them trading for either German Marquez or a Cleveland starting pitcher
Looks like Brantley Googled the tax rate in Canada.
What was that? I couldn’t hear you over my affordable healthcare.
I’d bet my healthcare costs less than yours, and is better.
My employer pays my benefits, your very high taxes pays for yours. Good luck on that wait to get in to see your doctor.
Canadians need to stop bringing up the healthcare angle. Little to no choice healthcare isn’t always the best.
When I worked for a Canadian firm, my boss’s grandson hurt his knee playing hockey. He was 13 and supposedly a god player. When they brought him to the hospital, they were told it was a 4-5 week wait for an MRI. The company owner had donated a gazillion $$$ to the hospital, so almost like by magic, plus a phone call, the kid got a same-day MRI. When the MRI showed a torn meniscus, they drove the kid to a Minneapolis hospital to have the operation. Oddly enough, it was the same hospital by boss had gotten cancer surgery years earlier.
In real life, you can usually have something made cheaper, or better. But I’ve never seen it where you can have both.
I hear you. Back before we started conduction MRI’s 24/7, I had to wait nearly 7 months for an MRI. This is about 15 years ago.
My spouse also complained that her Canadian cousin’s demise was the fact that he had a really hard time getting any psychological services in Canada.
FWIW, I believe that health care is one of your basic rights (as an American). If you’re poor, I will help pay. And it is possible that having the government monopolize the industry will make it cheaper.
But it will still cost a lot, and anyone that thinks they can shave 10% of the costs, without affecting the quality, I think is going to be sorely disappointed.
Let’s just say I’ve worked within the healthcare confines and have relatives who do also. There is good, there is bad. But once you give the Gov’t the power to control the money they control you in more ways than one. There are people who cannot afford private insurance and there should be a solution for that. There are smart people that can get that done. But there is so much crap going on that if people truly knew they’d kick and scream for a new system.
Hearing rumors about the Jays and Jose Ramirez. Lourdes, Martinez and Kay to Cleveland. Jose doesn’t address the pitching but would make the jays lineup outright deadly.
Yeah, post the link on that one if you want anyone to believe it.
Waiting for it, Brantley to somewhere else
Day late and dollar short Jays…………..Mets still won the off season…………M E T S metsmetsmets.
What about Kay, Groshans, and Gourriel for Bryant and Hendricks?
I was about to say no way BUT I started to think about it and how much sense this makes….Maybe Hatch instead of Kay and they would probably have to take Gruchik to counter some of the salary but either way that is not to bad of a trade if Hendricks has more than one year.
If they sign Brantley I could see a Bryant trade for someone like Hernández or Gurriel. If they trade Hendricks I’d imagine they will be looking for players younger than Kay and Gurriel. It will be a full rebuild.
Magic
That is a big overpay for the Jays.
Another example of the importance of being first to break a story instead of being right about said story.
Brilliant move adding depth and LH sticks.Clearly under Toronto’s all time salary number and below the tax threshold.IMO they are so close,why not trade for a franchise 3b and overpay Bauer 3 yrs 100 million or 2 yrs 70.I am a Dodger & Angels fan with my eye on the Padres.Toronto’s young talent all coming together.If they are going to spend big they could fill any hole with top of the market salaries (plural)….They r not done and if I am TB who won’t pay or NY who can’t pay without crazy tax penalties.TB needs SP and power bats.Yanks needs SP and salary relief.In 2 days did the tide just shift in the AL East?
Brilliant move adding depth
———————————————–
I’m a fan of depth, but at Brantley’s expected price tag of $28M/2, TO is better off devoting the money to the rotation.
Wonder if it’s true?
Scary to think of what they can still add either way.
Blue Jays used the Maple Leafs fax machine which is why there is a holdup.
Hazel is gonna get roasted
I’m scared! 2:16pm EST
In more breaking news, Toronto is also refuting the signing of George Springer but assert they are “very interested”. Ahahaha!
He signed but the ink is still wet…..c’mon man!
Jays will be the first team to employ a permanent five man outfield, with no third baseman or first baseman. The pitcher will cover both first base and third base as needed.
I can’t imagine TOR signing Brantley without having another deal in the works to offload Grichuk since it’s just not realistic to think they’d keep a 4th OF making $10M/year. Gotta be a package that brings back a solid SP and or 3B.
In my eyes they have a few options.
1. Attache one of the young catchers to Grichuk and get salary relif
2. Trade Gurriel/Hernandez + for pitching
3. Move Gurriel back to the infield and have him play 3rd.
I think the likly hood of them is in that order. Gurriel has a cannon arm, so in theory 3b is a good place for him. Problem being he had the yips pretty bad while playing 2b which is what prompted his demotion to AAA and a move to LF.
I would love for Jose Ramirez to come to the jays but i really just dont see CLE trading him as of now, that only happens if they are out of contention pretty early this season. Hunter Dozier is a possibility in theory but im unsure of what KC is doing. The next best move would be to get Moose and Castillo from the red but i dont think thats happening either. They get an elite pitcher that way and there 3b-man.
Anyine else have any ideas about how they can solve there 3b problem
If you are the Blue Jays or Yankees I would be on the phone with Colorado and seeing if they are convinced yet they need to blow it up. Colorado is in serious in jeopardy of becoming completely irrelevant for quite some time. They really don’t have strong farm and there big league club is aging and really in need of revamping. It might be time to blow it up. I’m sure Marquez would get you a sizable return maybe not quite as much as Castillo but damn close. See if you can get Toronto and New York into a bidding war and whomever else pops up. It’s time to blow it up in Colorado.
Wow just looking at there roster they really don’t have many tradable assets. They need a lot of help they really need a reboot and to get some young talent. They don’t have near enough now to compete with LAD and San Diego I had no idea the future looked that bad in Colorado. Put Marquez out there and see if someone overpays and start the rebuild.
I do agree with that. Colorado matches up better with the Yankees for a trade than Cincinnati does, in my opinion. The Rockies won’t need or ask for Gleyber, that alone would be progress.
My guess is that they would want minor league talent or at least they should. Toronto would have the edge there as they have a stronger farm imo. You never know though maybe Colorado would really covet Dominguez.
After “winning” in 2017 the Astros stopped cheating in 2018 and 2019, right I forgot..
shatkins screwing up again
BlueJays are about to sign Mickey Mantle next. It’s gonna happen. Let’s everyone talk about it.
I highly doubt that a corpse would be an effective everyday player. It’d be an interesting experiment though.
Ahem. That’s the point. Everyone talking Iike Brantley was signed based on fake news.
Welcome home Uncle Mike, so glad to have you returning, looking forward to watching you the next 2 years
What an embarrassment this was on reporting. Not only did the guy not go to the Blue Jays, but he signed with a completely different team a few hours later lol.
Just another case of a sports news hack trying to be first with news. Horrible reporting. Writers like this should be penalized.
Hazel Mae is a ditz. Fits in perfectly in Toronto; what a joke, LOL
I bet Shatkins put it out there in the organization to see were the Springer leak from.