Free agent Liam Hendriks visited the Blue Jays’ training complex in Dunedin today, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The 31-year-old (32 in February) is unquestionably the best reliever available on the open market and has been quite arguably the best reliever in the sport over the past two seasons.
Hendriks had been loosely tied to the Blue Jays in recent weeks, but today’s visit seems to underscore the seriousness of those talks. Toronto has been connected to virtually every prominent free agent and trade target available this winter. It seems likely they’ll bring in at least one key player from outside the organization.
It remains to be seen whether Hendriks, who pitched for Toronto between 2014-15, will be among the Jays’ noteworthy additions. The Mets, Dodgers, White Sox and Astros have also been tied to the right-hander at various points this offseason. Chicago remains in play for Hendriks, reiterates Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Houston is still “all over him,” hears Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The Dodgers’ “strong interest” in signing Hendriks also persists, adds Robert Murray of Fansided. It’s clear Hendriks is finding rather robust interest, which should aid his attempt to land the four-year contract he seeks.
*instert “Blue Jays Interested In” joke*
It should read Hendriks interested in Jays
Or it could read Hendricks using Jays to leverage his market.
Mistake. Team needs a DH, depth in rotation. Has multiple potential options for closer. You don’t blow 14 mil on a closer when you are already operating on a tight budget and can solve the issue in another manner. The White Sox have historically done a solid job of finding closers, good ones, through minors, trades and even the waiver wire (Jenks, Santos). They need to pass and allocate money toward Brantley, or a player like Pederson, Rosario or Schwarber and a veteran starter.
I think a corner infielder is much more of a need than DH. Hernandez, Tellez and Guerrero can handle DH. While Vlad wants to try 3B again, idk if the Jays are too keen on trying him over at the hot corner. They don’t have any big commitments and should go after some starters and possibly Turner.
The Jays dont need a DH. They have Vlad, Rowdy and Teo, all of whom could benefit the team by spending less time in the field.
Edit – what 1225 said
Max, they also have more money available this winter than 90% of the teams.
I mean, there is no salary cap. So technically, every team has the same money available.
Jays are operating on a tight budget? You sure you follow this team at all?
Max is talking about the White Sox. It is an odd thread to be posting about the White Sox since 99.9% of the article is speaking to Hendricks and the Jays, though I agree with Max’s assessment of the White Sox.
Sorry, it popped up in white Sox feed. But I would say same about any team outside Yankees and dodgers. Closers are bad investments.
Oops, missed that. My bad.
Don’t think anyone caught on to the fact your not talking about the jays
Max, even though they do a good job of it, I’m not sure that’s what you want to depend on when you’re switching from also-ran / rebuilding to contender. I’d say that Brantley over Eaton would make less of a difference than Hendriks over your average waiver-wire pickup, especially once you get to the playoffs.
It doesn’t have to be Hendriks. It could be Hand or even bringing back Colome, but the Sox should definitely spend on a solid, proven closer, not some guy they just hope can develop into that role.
Team with too many DH options and tons of spending room needs to focus on DH with limited money to spend. Bruh?
Where did you pull the $14MM from? Is it an AAV number? This site has Liam Hendriks signing a 3 year, $30MM contract in its prediction contest. Have you seen other numbers to suggest his market is more robust?
If you are referring to the White Sox, how much value does a lights-out veteran closer hold for a young team just beginning its window for championship contention? Hendriks has proven to be elite the past two seasons with a legit contender in Oakland after the Blue Jays finally made the wise choice of transitioning him from a starter to a reliever ahead of the 2015 season. He’s been solid since then and became prolific as the A’s closer in 2019 and 2020. His numbers the last two seasons match up with anyones including Brewer power lefty Josh Hader who’s only issue seems to be keeping the ball in the yard. Hendriks is much better in that regard which should be a consideration for a White Sox team that has a HR friendly ballpark.
Many commenters worry about Hendriks age which will be 32 in February but he has limited mileage on his arm with just 516.1 innings pitched over his 10 year MLB career. Even if you combine Hendriks major, minor and foreign league numbers over his 13 years of pitching it only amounts to 1330.2 IP’s which is less than what similarly aged pitcher Jose Quintana has racked up in his 9 MLB seasons alone. There’s speculation that the White Sox might want to re-sign ‘Q’ this offseason. If so, it would be as an inning-eating veteran who slots into their rotation at #4 behind their trio of veteran TOR’s and ahead of Dylan Cease. As a closer it might take Hendriks 3 seasons to accumulate a similar inning total to what Quintana might provide in 2021 alone.
Just imagine the dominance of the 2021 White Sox bullpen with the electric right-handed arm of Hendriks closing games, preceded by their duo of power lefties in Aaron Bummer and Garrett Crochet. Add in RHP’s Evan Marshall, Matt Foster, Codi Heuer and LHP Jace Fry and this pen could be extraordinary. That doesn’t even include a potential wild card in Reynaldo Lopez who might also provide an intriguing arm to the White Sox bullpen this season.
Operating on a tight budget? The Jay’s are one of the few teams who are corporate owned…you know Roger’s? Yeah they arent broke, and arent worried about losses as much as other owners due to the pandemic. As well as most of our core being at the league minimum in salary. They also have more money available to spend then any other team in the league at the moment. Not sure where you were going with that one lol also Need a DH? Seriously? Guerrero, tellez or Hernandez’s are all great options for dh
Lmao I thought it was Jay’s to lol taking foot out of mouth now
Would be the 3rd time they acquire him.
Yep just like Happ some players love to return to play for the Jays more than once
i think it was 4 for tony f
I thought the Blue Jays were planning on a rather quiet winter – not pursuing many players or spending much.
He’s going to the Dodgers, unless the Mets give him a ridiculous contract, which could happen.
Do you still think so after re-signing Treinen?
4 years on a 32 year old who is asking for a lot of money doesn’t seem like a good move, Shatkins will likely do it
This doesn’t make a lot of sense… he’s a luxury not a need. Much more glaring holes we need filled. Wasn’t brad hand able to be had for cheap?
Hand wasn’t cheap. Jays have plenty of cash to spend and Hendricks is a dominant force at the back of any pen.
Hand could have been had for one year and 10Mil which everyone in the league passed on. I’d call that fairly inexpensive considering his performance.
The Jays bullpen is scary bad. They lost Giles and the rest of the dudes are shaky. Position players are the luxury, they need quality arms in the rotation and pen
Scary bad is a bit extreme. Smoke and mirrors I could buy. But the Jays bullpen is not bad. If they land a closer and roll Romano, Bass, Dolis, Borucki, Hatch, Merryweather, Murphy and a long man they are in decent shape.
Agree— the Jays pen is deeper than many outsiders think. Merryweather, Hatch and Romano are solid.
Then they’d need to resign Bass
It’s not like Giles contributed in 2020. I’m firmly in the making a cheap bullpen out of failed starters camp… until all other needs have been filled. The Jays have done pretty well at assembling average bullpens from bargain bin relievers and converted starters in recent years. If it fails, it’s the easiest area to acquire talent at the trade deadline. Whereas if your rotation or lineup fails you aren’t in the competition at the deadline.
Jays need a guy like Hendricks with giles gone. Last season was not good with 3 to 4 different guys closing out games. Plus Henricks knows the jays. The best thing about him is he is a habs fan haha.
I had no idea that Hendriks was an Ornithologist.
Nice
Ornithologists are very cool in my world of ornithopters!
Coincidence that today is National Bird Day? Ha
Seriously? I thought it was National ‘Dune’ Day. I’m such a birdbrain!
Ornithologists are very cool in my world of ornithopters!
Good thing the Blue Jays lost Canadian dollars which are less than American dollars so they’re in better position than the American teams for all these free agents on the market. Eh?
Except they conduct their business in USD so we will ok….Y’aal!
they pay in US currency and always have. something easily learned via a google search
Most revenue is in CAD, that’s the point.
Most revenue is cad….but it’s a lot of cad revenue
Hendriks wouldn’t be a bad get, but I think starting pitching is more of a need along with another bat who can play 3B or 2B.
there is no reason the Jays can not get all they want and need, relief pitcher, 2 Starters a 3rd baseman and a few other odds and ends!!
Don’t forget the kitchen sink!
The headline sounds so casual lol. “Yeah, we had brunch and talked a little baseball… nothing much.”
Was in minors a starter. Long reliever like lugo?
Then signing could be under the radar.
I believe Liam’s wife is Canadian. Not 100% certain. Otherwise there is no reason for Hendriks to return to the organization that quit on him and thought little of his talent. Would be shocked if he wants to return to Toronto.
Well unless someone forced him against his will to go to their training complex, it really shouldn’t shock anyone.
1225 – his agent asked him to. Meeting and signing are not the same. Not shocked they would speak. Do not get it twisted. One is not the other.
Guest, Maybe he told his agent to set up the meeting, you actually have no idea what actually transpired.
Yeah, and I also bet that millions of dollars would be a fine apology for letting somebody go years ago.
He’s also a 31, soon to be 32 year old man who can make his own decisions independently. If he really wants to cross the Jays off his list, then he probably wouldn’t have went.
Do not get it twisted (2nd time), I would LOVE to have Hendriks return to the Blue Jays. Love Hendriks.
But….why would a player want to sign with a team that thought he was a piece of crap?
Specifically, if you were treated like you didn’t belong, saw inferior relievers get more chances over you when you did not deserve it and then shipped off for a lesser-than, why would you want to pitch for them?
Answer: offering way more money or your wife wants to return home.
JaysFan – if you were treated the way Hendriks was treated by the Jays organization you would not sign there either unless they gave you a blowaway offer. Did you forget all of a sudden? Maybe change your name to JaysFanSince2017 if that’s the case.
Does that mean Hendriks should just go and sign in the KBO since he was put on waivers and nobody claimed him? How under appreciated he must have felt…
He was traded after he could not get any of the Royals out that he faced in 2015, not sure what you think you remember. I seem to remember Happ was also traded away and returned as a FA, so did Tony Fernandez and i bet i can find more if i look. do not change your handle, because you truly are only a guest here!
Is the KBO part of MLB? No. But good try.
How do you know how he feels about the Jays? Are you his agent? Are you in the Blue Jays’ front office? Have you interviewed Hendriks personally? What you might take personally, he might just see as a business decision and nothing more. We don’t know. This is just my opinion, but if he truly hated them as much as you are making it out to be, then I highly doubt he would be willing to visit their training complex.
JaysFan you’re not one to talk but ok. Clearly you forget the 2015 season and enjoyed the trade for Jesse Chavez. Cool.
What is hilarious is you are tearing him down which is not what I am doing. He’s a damn good pitcher.
I wish the Angels would sign him.
1225 – Some competitors have short memories. Maybe Hendriks doesn’t feel disrespected by how he was handled by the Jays. Look, I’ll be shocked if he signs. If he does, I’ll be wrong. It’s pretty easy to admit and I’ll be happy to see him back in a Jays uniform.
How was he treated like crap? Correct me if I am wrong but I do not remember any bad blood that was made public.
He wasn’t very good the 1st time and they traded him to KC. The 2nd time he was pretty good but they traded him again for a player that was a starter the year before. Trades happen….unless you know the front office was kicking his dog or something not sure how that is treating him like crap.
Let’s not pretend we know things we don’t. None of us has any clue what makes a particular player want to sign with a team or not sign with them. We aren’t in the clubhouse or in the negotiations so not sure how you can talk in such absolutes.
Regardless I hope you are wrong….he is a great pitcher and would be a fantastic addition to the pen.
Just saying, you seem more offended as to how they handled Hendriks than Hendriks himself.
Btw, Hendriks was rightfully released by the Jays in 15′ because he was bad then. An era+ of 68 as a reliever won’t get you very far in baseball. He has went above and beyond to get better because he knew he didn’t have what it took back then. I doubt he has bad blood with the Jays. They were just doing business.
1225 – you were offended by my original comment. When your GM comes out and says “we want controllable, affordable players”, then turn around and deal Hendriks for a more expensive, less controllable Jesse Chavez, it says more about what they thought of Liam at the time. Prior to that the team never thought much of Hendriks despite his improvement.
Again, organization quit on him and thought little of him. Some guys don’t forget. I will admit I am wrong if he winds up signing a deal with the Jays. Is this really an extreme point of view here?
This comment makes no sense. Ross Atkins wasn’t even GM yet when Hendriks was traded to Oakland..
Rangers – what are you talking about?
Hendriks 2015: ERA+ of 141
Hendriks was never released by the Jays. He was traded once with Kratz for Valencia. Then traded again for Chavez.
Not offended, just thought why would someone think that Hendriks hates the Jays so much, he decided to go from, assumably, Australia to a Canadadian Spring Training Complex in the middle of January to potentially discuss a reunion. Just odd thinking if you ask me.
LaCava traded him. LaCava is still in the Jays organization. So is Shapiro.
My bad, I was looking at the 2014 season where he was traded to KC. That’s when he had a 68 era+.
1225 – Hendriks lives in Florida in the offseason and has a house a couple hours away from Dunedin.
Still not a short trip just to go visit someone you hate.
Rangers – Hendriks was 12-2 in AAA in 2014 with a 0.963 WHIP and 2.45 ERA. Did he fair well in the majors? He had two decent starts and one where he got blown up for 6 runs in 1 2/3 innings. We were subjected to crap from Santos, Rogers and a bunch of others.
Hendriks was excellent in AAA and did not get an extended look in the bullpen when the Jays were in the hunt for a wild card in the middle of the season.
1225 – Or….
Agent: Liam, Jays want to me with you.
Liam: Ok.
Jays: We want you to be our closer. You proved us wrong, and letting you go was a huge mistake. We can admit when we are wrong.
Liam: No harm, no foul. Let’s talk.
It was a confusing trade to say the least because Hendriks did have a good 15′ season, and Jesse Chavez is.. well… Jesse Chavez. Though I’m not sure why that would indicate they hated him? That just makes me think that AA made a bad trade.
And I’d have to say that it wasn’t hatred that drove that trade because he’s still talking with the org today. Maybe it’s because of a different FO, but it’s still the Jays. Idk, this has gotten very conspiracy theory-ish.
Or, Hendriks was never offended in the first place and the two sides never left off on bad terms.
1225: I never used the word hate. I said “the organization that quit on him and thought little of his talent”.
Rangers – My original comment: the organization that quit on him and thought little of his talent.
Did not say the word hate.
I corrected my comment, but I highly doubt either side was offended to start with.
I’m sorry – “But….why would a player want to sign with a team that thought he was a piece of crap?” – piece of crap, I mean, not hate. My bad.
Well….they didn’t think much of him. The same organization that allowed Romano to be drafted in the Rule 5 by the White Sox, winding up on your Rangers team. They preferred to protect other arms nobody knows or remembers, and this was only a couple years ago. Your Rangers would love Romano on their team right now – and you had him.
Hendriks was one of the very few bullpen arms performing in 2015 before the team picked up arms at the deadline. He should have remained a Blue Jay. 2016 the team struggled in the bullpen (again). It would have been nice to have Hendriks. But the organization gave up on him. For no reason.
If the man was offended in any way by being traded, mlb1225 is correct., He never would be wanting to return to a team that he feels offended him. The same year, JA Happ was traded. by the Jays. His wife is from his hometown in Illinois. By what I had seen written back in 2015 when Happ resigned with the Jays, it was said it was because his wife lived the city and wanted to go back since they had the chance. No other ties. I had read that the Pirates had an fair offer on the table with the promise to beat another offer unless totally unrealistic. It was said that he got the Jays offer and wanted to resign with the Jays because his wife wanted to go back to Toronto. Never went back to the Pirates to see if they would beat the offer from Toronto. You seem to be getting overly defensive about not imagining a player being willing to resign with a team that traded him.
I wouldn’t call it overly defensive. People twisted words I said into something I didn’t. I have some time on my hands and thought I’d defend my position.
Maybe he isn’t all that mad. Hendriks was not given a fair shake the first time around when he was on the team. Had 1 bad start in 2014 and was banished to AAA where he performed, meanwhile the Jays needed an arm in the bullpen or long-man role and they gave lesser-thans a shot instead. Then he performed in 2015 and very few noticed. Then he was traded.
But no way should Hendriks’ situation be compared to Happ. Not the same situation whatsoever.
A lot of guys get sent back down after a bad outing and are kept down for various reasons. Not going to speculate as to why. The Jays did trade to get him back from the Royals so that should have shown that they wanted him.. The only thing I was comparing Happ and Hendricks was that they were both traded by the same from office in 2015 and then Happ resigned with the same front office for personal reasons. No reason why Hendricks could have the same type of personal reasons why he would consider resigning with the Jays. I know every player is different and unique. Most every player gets moved at least once in there career. Just remember, because players are unique, it is hard to judge why they decide to do what they do in free agency unless the come forward and tell us why. Just because you feel he should not consider re-signing with the Jays for his treatment by the team does not mean that he has the same feelings about the Jays for the way they handled him that you do.,
Angels already acquired Raisel Iglesias. Can’t see them paying for two Closere when they need Starting Pitching
Gozurman – I said I’d be shocked if he signed, I did NOT say he shouldn’t consider signing in Toronto. I am a Jays fan and I want him to return to Toronto. Please stop making things up.
Jays thought little of him. There really isn’t an argument to say they didn’t. He was dealt for Chavez and they felt 2015 was a fluke. They gave inferior pitchers more chances in 2014 when Hendriks earned chances with his great AAA season. They didn’t see him as a viable bullpen option.
Now the Jays want him because he was given a real shake when the Jays didn’t. So we will see how he feels, what his wife feels and what Atkins can say to convince him to return.
Me? Yeah, I’d Rick Vaughn it in Lou Brown’s office before he fights Dorn. If I use the quote it’ll be flagged.
His wife is from Montreal I believe the Shi Davidi stated on his article on sportsnet.
And he’s Manny Machado’s brother in law!
I think half of the league is related to Manny somehow. Big family !!!
Several teams “quit” on Hendricks… Twins, Cubs and Orioles all put him on waivers in 2013-14 before Toronto claimed him then traded him in 2015. JA Happ was traded by the Jays in 2014 as well. His wife and kids loved Toronto so when the Jays offered him a contract in the 2015 offseason he re-signed with the Jays. He had an offer from the Pirates, who were winning at the time, with the promise to look into beating any offer he may have gotten. His agent never called Pittsburgh back as he wanted to sign with Toronto. Could be the same for Hendricks. Time will tell
Not the same for Hendriks. He was never wanted in Toronto and was never taken seriously by AA, Shatkins or the holdovers from previous regimes. I said I’d be shocked and Hendriks signed with a more competitive team where he is wanted.
His wife is from Montreal. This is not an insignificant fact. A lot of American’s are afraid of Canada..lol. Seriously. Your kids will be fine. The school system is actually pretty good in Canada..lol
I agree. A lot of people love Toronto and move there from the US. That is why I brought up Happ. Neither he nor his wife are from Canada. Both grew up in Illinois. Happ had a desire to re-sign with Toronto because his wife loved it there. If you have a solid marriage, you do things in life to make your spouse as happy as you can and when you both are happy, the marriage is good.
Liam’s wife Kristi is from Montreal. No matter, because he will sign with da Sox because we speak better English in Chicago.
I wonder if he signed while he was there. Doesn’t seem realistic that a player would travel just to visit a spring training site – especially one they’ve already been too.
Maybe wanted to see the upgrades, Jays have spent a lot to upgrade the facility and since it seems likely that their season beings in Dundedin, players might wanna see how close it is to MLB clubhouse standards
The Toronto ballpark is still a dump. They are trying to buy land now to build a new facility.
Maybe was just easier to meet with the Jays in Florida with all of the travel restrictions that Canada has over Covid-19.
My wife is visiting Colorado tomorrow. Does that mean she’s signing with the Rockies? (At what the players are making today I can dream).
& I’m going to Nebraska this week. That certainly doesn’t mean I’m going to sign with…um…
So, you are gonna sign with the Royals? You let the cat out of the bag!!! Can you bring the heat??? 🙂
Do you consider 77 mph to be “the heat”?
It is if you’re a knuckleballer!
Lol. 77:would be heat to me at the plate. Especially if your catcher has you hit the mascot then tell me that he has no idea where the pitches are going 🙂
Ya know…I’m probably rounding up a “bit” at this point in my life.
Instead of going all the way i’d rather see the Jays settle for a Hand job, Brad could be just as effective and significantly cheaper
Insert McGuire joke here >>>
That would be a stroke of genius
Sorry, in my world a Brad in the Hand is not worth two in the bush.
“Unquestionably the best reliever” is debatable. Colome is the same age, his career ERA is more than a run lower and he has 100 more career saves than Hendricks. Also his ERA last year was a run lower than Hendricks. When did K rate become the only stat that matters? I’ll take the guy who gives up less runs every time.
ERA became obsolete long ago
Nah. Just needs to be used in conjunction with other stats. Those who say it has little value are no different than those who say it has great value.
Hendriks last 2 years:
1.79 ERA, 1.7 FIP, .9 WHIP, .49 HR/9, 38% K-rate, 5.7% walk rate, .188 opponent average
Colome last 2 years:
2.27 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, .76 HR/9, 20.9% strikeout rate, 9.1% walk rate, .211 opponent average
Colome has more saves, but Hendriks didn’t start out 2019 as the A’s closer.
I’ll take the guy with the lower ERA over a larger sample size, gives up less base hits, less walks, less long balls and keeps the ball out of play the most.
Career numbers would be the largest possible sample size, which is why those are the first stats that I mentioned lol. You contradicted your own argument.
Not sure if mlb1225 had a typo or what but I would take the better stats for the last couple of years over the career stats as the better career guy may be running out of gas now. Teams in the past would pay guys based on career performance and do not get remotely close to value for the contract because the player is n0t performing remotely close to how they performed when they put up the best numbers in their career.
I’m looking at the larger and more recent sample size. It’s not really contradicting unless I was looking at their entire career. Even if you want to look at it since both had their first big taste of big league action, which happened to both be in 2015, Hendriks still has the edge. He’s given up less home runs, less walks, has struck out more batters and both have similar ERA’s.
Hendricks was sent down to the minors in 2017. He’s been great since 2019, but you’re definitely making some silly statements to support your stance on this.
Yet he’s still better than Colome in many different caterories.
@FarBeyondDriven You obviously haven’t seen Liam Hendricks pitch. The guy has been one of the best relievers since 2015. He took over the closers role in 2019, which is why his WAR has skyrocketed since that time. Would he have been a closer since 2015 he’d probably be the top free agent next to Bauer and would be commanding Aroldis Chapman money.
Only a lazy baseball fan would argue the fact that Liam Hendriks “is unquestionably the best reliever available on the open market and has been quite arguably the best reliever in the sport over the past two seasons”.
This site makes it so easy to draw that conclusion with a simple link of Hendriks name to the Baseball Reference stat site. While you and your three ‘likers’ are there, just check out his metrics over the past two seasons, the only ones in his MLB career that matter as a prolific free agent closer. Hendriks previous seasons, particularly those as a failed starter are immaterial to any discussion here. His career ERA means nothing. Hendriks is not going to be paid based on his early career. Despite his age he also has limited mileage on his arm, one that won’t be taxed to its extreme as a 9th inning closer going forward.
After a winter of INTENSE activity, Jays will sign Bartolo Colon and Logan Forsythe.
Right?!!! Shapiro reminds me of my dad. We would spend days test driving new cars and haggling with salesmen only to ultimately go home with a beater with lots of upside. Fans can do without the bluster and illusion. If you’re gonna make a splashy signing, just do it, and spare us the unnecessary buildup
I wonder how the Jays feel knowing that most of the time they are the team being used to leverage an offer. They must feel like Jan when Josh left Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. for Staples
No one huh?
I liked it dude! I’ll blame Hawaiian time for being late to the party…
Osuna, Hand, Yates, Bradley, Colome, Hendricks…
Closer is greatly volatile. A lot of names on that list that suggests overpaying for 4 years of Hendricks would be a mistake.
I’d be very comfortable rolling with Dolis, Romano, Merryweather types and allocate the 60 million (15 million for 4 years) elsewhere.
Idk if the Jays land Springer, Lindor or Realmuto but I think they can sign Hendriks handily. Historical reference for caution: TOR gave out a large contract to BJ Ryan and that didn’t turn out well.
I hope that Liam signs with the Jays just so Guests quiets down.
Wishful thinking I know.
Wouldn’t that just upset Guests more? He perceives that the Jays treated Liam poorly while with the team and would be shocked if he is resigned. Seems like he believes that Liam should not even consider it considering the level of disrespect that the Jays front office had show Liam in the past.
Ducey I know reading and baseball facts are above you. I want Hendriks in Toronto. I never wanted to see him gone. If you are going to make an assumption please do it with more thought.
Four years for any reliever is craziness especially the Chisox.
Always liked him when he was with the Jays before he came into his own. Would love to see him back as a proper 9th inning guy.
Bar here is 3/45 accounting for slow times
For the Dodgers that might mean Turner – I’d pass
I think its a viable play for Tor tho, Dodger news seems possibly drummed up, theres a great chance theres zero teams looking to take on an Rp right now for multi years at 15 mill –
Tor should submit a 3/40 and give him 48 hrs to decide before you say you have to move on to “other” players –
Worth is nothing but perception in these times, time to play hardball and turn the heat up on the players is now. There are deals to be had
Was bummed when he was traded, even more so when he ended up becoming elite a few years later. Not expecting anything to happen since it’s the Jays, but I’d love it if they were to sign him.
Rick Hahn needs to put Jerry Reinsdorf’s money where his mouth is and sign Liam Hendriks to close out games for the White Sox over the next 3-4 years.
The White Sox are passing on big ticket free agents Trevor Bauer and George Springer this offseason. Rick Hahn instead traded for affordable TOR Lance Lynn and signed Adam Eaton who each only have guaranteed contracts for the 2021 season. In his comments to the media following those acquisitions, Hahn explained that he would rather spread out his offseason budget to fill the other White Sox needs which include a closer. As White Sox fans. we should hold him accountable and hope he fills that need with Hendriks.
If Hendricks signs with the Jays he will join Jays favorite Tony Fernandez as the only player they have brought back on three seperate occasions
He’s been with the team twice and he still had to “visit?”
Ok.
It is a new facility in Dunedin and there is a chance it’ll be their full time home for at least a year.
I am happy that the Jays are talking with Hendricks. But why? Yah he’s a great closer but the Jays need one elite starter and one very good starter and a CFer with a good bat long before they need Hendricks. Yeeeesh.
And a 3B unless you’re pro-Vlad at the hot corner.
True enough. I would prefer an very good 3B but Biggio might have to do. This team has lots of holes to fill.
They have to do those things before they talk to a RP?
In terms of the teams pressing needs, yes. SP is a big problem at this time. RP is maybe problem #5.
Sometimes timelines are sped up on certain players and their availability. While other needs may be more pressing, there is still the business matter of getting “your closer” at hand.
Going through the MLBTR top free agent list of SPs…
Jays met with Bauer.
One of the remaining teams in on Sugano.
Jays one of the teams showing interest in Odorizzi.
Jays showed interest in Richards.
Re-signed Ray.
Showed interest in Happ.
Nobody has shown interest in Tanaka yet for some reason, not even the Yanks- with just as pressing a need for SP. (edit- Yanks can get away with depth filler to be honest with myself)
No real interest in Walker or Quintana yet.
Nobody talking to Wainwright yet.
Not seeing any talks on Porcello.
8-10 teams in on Morton, I’m not finding whether Jays were one of them.
They ‘missed’ Smyly, Minor, Desclafani.
Haven’t been in on Lester or Archer, not many have so far.
Several teams showed interest in Hamels, were the Jays one? Will they attend any showcase he puts on?
Were they one of the 20 teams watching Paxton?
Will they be one of the likely 20 teams to watch Kluber?
Landing 2 of Bauer, Sugano, Odorizzi, Richards, Happ could still happen.
If they get 0 of these names they have been linked to, then they can shift focus to Tanaka or trade path?
Much hope still remains.
Several reports claim Tanaka is either pitching for the Yankees or going back to Japan, and he’s only going to pitch for the Yankees.
He followed those reports with a tweet in the past week saying that he and his representatives haven’t put a limit on what teams Tanaka may be considering for 2021 and beyond. Let’s hope harder! lol
I mainly think there are other alternatives that can have the Jays competing for the East if they can’t land Bauer.
So far it seems that they are trying to fill the holes that we tend to discuss while we wait for some action.
I also think that shopping for RP at the same time they shop for SP is very doable.
As well as shopping for other targets.
Easy to be skeptical, but still tough to say the team has come up short when you consider the rest of the division’s progress at this point.
They may just be pawns for these free agents but last offseason’s signing of Ryu gives me that extra hope that we might still be in for a surprise splash.
Hendricks is great and I certainly wouldn’t be upset if the Jays sign him…. but you could probably get Hand and Bradley both for less than Hendricks?
Liam Hendriks will garner a FA contract better than either but probably not both combined.
Dex, I like your thinking. The Jays need to spend on an elite and very good starter. That is the priority. Then Cfer, then 3B then relief. There are lots of holes to fill on this roster and it is going to take lots of money and trades. Otherwise it will be the same old, same old – long-term competitive garbage from Shapiro.
Can confirm!
We had “a seat at the table” with Hendriks
The perfect offseason for the blue jays IMO
1) DJL make him a priority. Not only do you sign the best hitter in baseball you also “steal” him from NYY.
2) Sign Hendricks. One of the best arms in the game.
3) Take a chance on one or two of the following Happ Paxton Kluber Odorizzi
4) Make sure Vladjr stays away from grandmas cooking