The Blue Jays were among the teams in on southpaw James Paxton before he agreed to a contract with the Mariners over the weekend. However, Toronto never made a pitch to Paxton (via Gregory Balloch of Sportsnet 650). “They showed a lot of interest, and I had interest too, but they never came forward with an offer,” Paxton said. Paxton was a first-round pick of the Jays in the 2009 draft, but after the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement, he joined the M’s as a fourth-rounder in 2010. The now-32-year-old, who’s known as the Big Maple because of his Canadian roots, will earn a guaranteed $8.5MM in his return to Seattle in 2021.
- Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard remains on track in his recovery from March 2020 Tommy John surgery, per Tim Healey of Newsday. Barring any setbacks, Thor should rejoin the Mets’ rotation sometime in June or July. Without Syndergaard, they’re slated to open 2021 with Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman and David Peterson as the top four in their starting staff. There isn’t a set fifth member of the group yet, but the team does have interest in free-agent righty Taijuan Walker.
- Lefty Jake McGee could close games for the Giants this year, manager Gabe Kapler told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle and other reporters Wednesday. The 34-year-old McGee, whom the Giants signed to a two-year, $7MM contract last week, has saved 45 games since his career started in 2010, though the former Ray, Rockie and Dodger hasn’t picked up a save since 2018. The Giants went to a closer-by-committee approach last season with five hurlers totaling at least one save, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see McGee join others in finishing games for the team this year.
- Righty Anthony Bass is the favorite to close for the Marlins, Craig Mish of SportsGrid suggests. Bass signed a two-year, $5MM guarantee with the Marlins last month after a productive season in Toronto, where he notched a 3.51 ERA/4.09 SIERA with a 62.3 percent groundball rate in 25 2/3 innings. He could now be in line to succeed Brandon Kintzler, who closed for the Marlins in 2020 but signed with the division-rival Phillies last week.
Well, that’s a disappointment that the Jays didn’t even try with Paxton.
I can’t believe they didn’t make an offer.
They’ve made win now moves and they need SP still. Paxton didn’t go for that much really, even with his recent injury history.
The jays don’t need more reclamation projects. It’s rumored they are looking to resign walker. He is a much better option
Not sure what they are doing. AL East is ripe for the picking yet jays are tight w wallet and tighter w prospects.
One super deal w reds and they can sure up 3rd and/or rotation…..
Blue Jays interested once again
Lots of interest but never made an offer?
The Blue Jays come across as the guy who tries to flirt with a girl but never asks her out and ends up in the friend zone here.
To be fair Toronto signed George Springer.
Toronto biggest need is pitching not George Springer. The BlueJays are going no where this year because they only have one starter capable of going through the batting order more than once.
To be fair I respectfully disagree in part to your comment. Outside of their need of pitching CF was by fair their biggest need which is now addressed for the foreseeable future. Jays are setting up to see what they have this year before fully breaking the bank next offseason with a the super crop of free agents. Yes they need more starters but they also have so many kids who can hopefully make the next step into the rotation at some point this year. Think if SWR comes out throwing fire their gonna bring him up.
CF was not a bigger need than 3B prior to the season. CF was priority #4 for the Jays behind SP, SP and 3B.
I suppose they were addressed with Ray, Matz and Semien. But let’s not rely on the kids. Jays had more pitching stocked up 7-8 years ago and most did not pan out.
Don’t know about that. Even if the jays didn’t sign anyone for the infield Vlad was always an option to throw at 3rd for half a season until you make a trade or bring up Martin/Groshans. Think having 2 gold glove caliber OF now is such a big improvement compared to signing a 2nd baseman. This team isn’t what we’re gonna see at the end of the season or even the start of the season. Also out of those big name pitchers the big 3 did turn into solid pitchers, if Sanchez didn’t have so many injuries he was on his way to being an ace, Stroman biggest knock is attitude and Thor is injures problems too. I really like our pitchers that are coming up, Romano, Hatch, Merrywearher, Kay all took big steps forward last year if they can continue to make improvements along with others stepping up you have a very good pitching staff (not a great rotation but good pitchers all round)
First off, Vlad can’t be trusted at 3B. Your argument dies on a midget hill as Grichuk is far better in CF than Vlad is at 3B. That is not a debate, ever.
Second, Martin has yet to play minor league baseball. Groshans, coming off foot issues in 2019, was in Lansing. Groshans has struggled defensively. Martin doesn’t have the arm for 3B.
Third, you forgot the 7 or 8 arms who didn’t pan out. AA had more depth than the current Jays.
Fourth, Kay didn’t take a step forward. Merryweather and Hatch are slated for AAA to start. No MLB contribution at the start. Merryweather hasn’t been healthy since little league. Romano, when healthy, was outstanding.
Fifth, Jays do not have a good pitching staff. If compared to Baltimore then yes they have a good staff. But to say very good is an embellishment to say the least.
It was always the big 3 though in terms of pitching the rest were middling arms like Joe Musgrove. In terms of Vlad does anyone trust him at 3rd? Obviously not but he’s also finally motivated for the first time ever. As for Groshans injury from 2 years ago seems very relevant for 2021. Where do must young starters find success first in the bigs, in the pen which is a were merrywearher, hatch, Romano and maybe Kay are headed not AAA.jays pen/rotation is wide open it will start with whoever is out of options making the team then go from there neither you nor I know what the next 6 weeks before the season are going to bring. Also sir There’s a way to talk and have a friendly conversation with someone without trying to brow beat them with holier then though comments. Your Opinion is no more valid than mine.
Nobody said my opinion was more valid than yours except you. Own that.
You backtracked real quick on Vlad at 3B. You mentioned it. Remember that.
You glossed over Groshans’ defensive struggles on the left side of the infield. Have you watched him? I have. There is potential but lots of work. He’s a ways away.
Hatch is being sent to AAA to be a starter. Where have you been? Kay too. Merryweather is the iffy decision. But this has been announced already. You sure you want to question opinions when you’ve been sleeping on these guys? The only way Kay and Hatch aren’t in AAA is injury.
I’m talking to someone who’s neglected actual stories on the Blue Jays and you are coming in stating things that simply aren’t true.
And we know crapy pitchers don’t cut it. So It’s not the year to go all-in don’t you think.
Oh stop I can’t take anymore you hurt me so bad
Says the armchair GM
Daddy, just follow the reports. That’s all I ask.
but i dont wannna
That’s evident…
Just commenting on this deal.
That’s the Mets they swung & missed on all the big names they went after
That’s ok, I think the Mets will be ok with getting Lindor.
They will be just fine, but you know a lot of Mets fans entered the offseason saying “we are gonna sign springer AND JTR. Look how that turned out. They had a great offseason, but “daddy cohen” hasn’t proved he can sign big FA’s.
Really want to put Cohen’s Wallet up against Anyone Else???
He’s being a GOOD BOY this Year as a NEW OWNER…
LMAO what kind of reply is that. Cohen has no reason to be a “good boy”, he’s not a puppy. He tried to get big fa’s and couldn’t, it’s a fact. He still had a great offseason by getting the best ss in the game.
mets1536 was hoping to get Cohen to sit and give him a treat.
The Mets picked up some good pieces and did not just squander money.
imo, as a Mets fan, I’m more than happy with the offseason. JTR would have been better than McCann, sure.
Signing Springer made no sense to me. They already have Nimmo, Conforto, and Dom Smith for the outfield, and when Cano comes back in 2022, McNeil moves back to the outfield as well. On top of that, it would have been expensive, and the Mets need to re-sign a bunch of guys after 2021 (Conforto, Thor, Stroman, Lindor, etc).
And also, starting pitching is/was a bigger need than outfield. But I was not enamored with Bauer and certainly not at that price. Getting Carrasco helps a lot, but I’d still like to see them pick up Walker or someone else to help out until Thor comes back. Or even Odorizzi, though he’ll be expensive, too.
@HalosHeavenJJ, that comment would be fair up until Jan. 18. Jan. 19 onward, they signed Springer, Semien, Yates and others… I’d say, not only did the Jays ask out the dream girl, but it became its trophy wife.
Ooof. You clearly didn’t check out the mom first to see how trophy wife Springer was going to turn out. He’s losing his cheating so you are going to see what that face really looks like under all of that makeup lol
I’m just thinking at least they got to flirt with the girl in the first place, good for them
The comment is specific to this case. Showing lots of interest but never making an offer…..friend zone.
It’s just ironic that TOR couldn’t sign him in 2009 when drafting him (going to SEA in the next draft) — and it almost literally happens again.
Not really because I am sure back in 2009 the Jays offered him something. He just didn’t like it and passed up the opportunity. That’s on him, not us. It was also a completely different management team.
Gotta be honest, I’m alright with it. The guy cannot stay healthy. I’d be more down to re-sign Walker.
I’ll be extremely confused if they don’t add Walker or Odorizzi before the season starts.
bhd I’m ok with it too. Now down for Walker too.
RunToneLoc….that is NOT irony.
Good news about Syndergaard. He’s overdone it before and he has a lot of motivation to perform this year. Hope he learned from the lat injury.
Expecting anything from Syndergaard after the minimum recovery time from TJ surgery is likely wishful thinking at best.
I am glad that Paxton is back with the Mariners. He and Gonzales as the top is a very good top two. It’s not elite but with the arms on the way (Hancock, Gilbert, Kirby), the Mariners future is bright on both sides of the ball. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Paxton signed to an extension if he’s not traded mid-season.
People are sleeping on the Mariners. Future is looking pretty nice and isn’t that far off. Solid farm system, will have spending flexibility, great ballpark to enjoy on a summer evening.
I can see Seattle fans being pretty happy pretty soon.
Logan Gilbert
Emerson Hancock
George Kirby
Sam Carlson
Juan Then
Isaiah Campbell
Brandon Williamson
Connor Phillips
M’s farm system is loaded with arms for the future.
Syndergaard will come back in June and be out with a thor arm by mid July!!
..”who’s known as the Big Maple because of his Canadian roots…”
Sure isn’t because of his durability.
Makes sense why he didn’t play hockey in a country that holds it sacred
Exactly how does that “show an interest “ work? Q- would you like to join our club? A- what are you offering?
Sorry line’s busy???
Craig Mish always has the Marlins scoop. He should have a column called Mish’s Fish Dish
Anthony Bass is the closer? Just wow
Bass as closer worked out fine for the Blue Jays last year.
Rockies tried Jake McGee as a closer. It didn’t go great, although later when they were using Wade Davis it made McGee look like Mariano Rivera by comparison.
Mcgee is good outside of Coors.
And we know crapy pitchers don’t cut it. So It’s not the year to go all-in don’t you think.
I know right.
Not sure what people expected the Jays to do in FA about starting pitching. Go all in on Bauer? Maybe pay Oddorizzi whatever he’s asking for (which is obviously more than anyone is comfortable with)? Same with Tanaka?
Other than that all that was available was more 4s and 5s. Jays have a full AAA staff of legit prospects on pre arb contracts. Most FAs not already mentioned likely aren’t enough of an improvement over those guys to justify the contracts.
Trade market is always a possibility… but you never know what teams are asking for there. They could have comfortably beat the deal for Darvish… but who knows what the Cubs would have wanted from the Jays.
The likely increase in pitcher injuries due to a huge innings jump from last year’s shortened season is another reason not to go all-in on expensive pitchers this year. A larger percentage than usual will get hurt and never be the same again, leaving their team with a boondoggle contract.
I’m not ready to go all-in on Toronto in the AL East until that rotation improves. Even if it’s not in the offseason, they are going to need to add a quality SP (or more) at some point. Ryu is the only truly proven guy. I am definitely pulling for them though.
I think the Jays are pumping the brakes on their starting rotation this year to see where the team is at as a collective. They have a lot of payroll opening up again next year and suspect further action on the SP FA front next year. In season trade route most likely avenue now to upgrade the rotation for 2021.
The Jays didn’t make an offer because they didn’t want to spend the money. they blew the budget on Springer.
It might turn out well for them though as I am told Paxton isn’t close of what he used to be. It would have been a waste of money.
I think the Jays have an elaborate plan that consists of a big AAA pitching staff in Buffalo who’ll be shuttled up and down throughout the season to limit the innings on Pearson and Ryu. That is one reason why they are opting to remove Hatch from the bullpen and turn him into a starter. Also why they have Stripling and Chatwood (stretch them out), possibly Liriano. And the silly reason why Merryweather is going to start in AAA.
Unpopular opinion here Jimmer, since the Jays probably won’t allow their starting pitchers to go more than 6 full innings why not just go with a 4-man rotation? That way it gives them 8 relievers plus a closer to fill up the innings, and bring up a spot-starter whenever necessary. Are you telling me pitchers cannot recover on 4-days rest throwing 85 pitches? 90 pitches? If a guys throws 100+ pitches you bring up a AAA arm like Thornton or Hatch for that spot start. Pitchers should be able to go on 4-days rest throwing under 90 pitches in a game, theoretically.
Just an idea. Sling arrows, fellas….
Could be, but that BlueJays plan doesn’t win anything.
What ever happened to having starters that could pitch 125 pitches or members of a staff that would go 9 innings regularly?
Dead and gone. Media would ridicule GM, President and Manager to no end if a guy throws 200+ innings and goes down to injury. Owners, prioritizing PR over on-field success, will consider firing them. Execs don’t want to lose their jobs over that.
But the big difference is arm padding worn by hitters. They have more confidence to crowd the plate, they are well protected and they can prolong at bats. Take the guards off and you’ll see more CG’s and possibly a 300 game winner within 25 years.
Hmm good thought about arm armor. Never thought of that but it makes sense. Kinda goes along with not throwing inside or hard slides into second and home. Politically correct world we live in I guess.
I can’t believe Execs and owners are concerned about the optics over injuries of 200+ inning pitchers. No way, that can’t be the reason, really??? An exec that thinks like that will never likely win.
I look at guys like Dombrowski and his goal is to start with a solid rotation at any expense then fill out the roster. And those starters that he would use are horses, all-star types. Pitching and defense win mentality.
You always had to be on your toes when turning a double play or standing in-front of any base during a play. That has gone away and the game is not necessarily better for it. For pitchers, ban the arm padding and pitchers will return to 200+ innings, 20 game winners, stay healthy for a longer period and the game speed will see an improvement.
Unfortunately I do believe owners look at optics. Execs less so. But we saw Rizzo shut down Strasburg in 2012, costing the Nats a chance to win a World Series. One of the clearest of examples.
Yah I can see that for execs. Some of these players are making so much money and the contacts are so long they are treating them like babies.
It seems like the front office is done.
Wow, why spend all that money on an outfielder and an infielder and then settle with having, I think, one of the worst starting rotation the Blue Jays have ever fielded.
Ryu, hype but nothing more so far (Pearson) and garbage, garbage, garbage.
Wow, what a rotation!!!!!
I could understand doing nothing with the rotation if they didn’t go out and spend like a drunken sailor on Semien and Springer, but to do that and then be happy with only one out of five spots where the starter can be counted on to give up less than 5 runs over 6 innings is just sad.