The Blue Jays are looking to add multiple position players this offseason. It’s possible one of them will be a bat-first option who doesn’t provide much defensive flexibility.
General manager Ross Atkins told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet yesterday that the club is open to bringing in a designated hitter. The veteran executive cited “the versatility we already have on our team” as affording opportunity to add an offense-first player.
That’s not surprising considering the Jays may lose this year’s DH. Brandon Belt led the team in at-bats from the position. He’s back in free agency on the heels of last winter’s one-year, $9.3MM free agent deal. While a surprising move at the time given Belt’s previous knee injuries, that proved an excellent pickup for Atkins and his staff. The longtime Giant turned in a .254/.369/.490 line over 404 plate appearances for the Jays, albeit in a platoon role that shielded him from left-handed pitching.
Any mention of a DH pursuit this offseason is going to lead to speculation about Shohei Ohtani. It’s fair to presume the Jays will kick the tires on the expected AL MVP, although they’re not generally regarded as a likely landing spot. No one else in the class comes close to Ohtani, of course, but there are a handful of offense-minded veterans who are on the open market.
J.D. Martinez connected on 33 home runs in 113 games with the Dodgers. Justin Turner declined a player option with the Red Sox on the heels of a .276/.345/.455 showing. Jorge Soler blasted 36 homers with a .250/.341/.512 line for the Marlins, leading him to decline a player option of his own. Mitch Garver and an excellent year as a DH/catcher hybrid. Rhys Hoskins missed all of 2023 after a Spring Training ACL tear. When healthy, he has proven an annual threat for 30 homers and is career .242/.353/.492 hitter. He could look for a one-year pillow contract or a two-year deal that gives him a chance to opt out next season. None of those five were tagged with a qualifying offer (Turner was ineligible), so they wouldn’t cost draft compensation.
There are additional players likely to be available on one-year deals, including a couple with local ties. A Belt reunion isn’t far-fetched. As a Toronto native, Joey Votto has been floated as a speculative target since the Reds bought out their option. Carlos Santana and Joc Pederson are also on the open market. Other than Ohtani and perhaps Martinez, each of those players could factor in at first base or the corner outfield on occasion — although a run at any would pair them with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as defensively limited players who could step into the middle of the Toronto lineup.
Oh they can have Vogelslug for a bag of balls to be named later.
2 balls
I don’t have any.
Better be the 2019 Juiced balls!
He would still run laps around Kirk.
Until you see how many infield singles he had this year. Deceiving speed for someone of his stature.
Ive seen him. He has no speed. Can’t even tag up to score on a fly ball from third even if Nick Castellanos was throwing the ball.
Why would they drastically over pay like that?
brooklyn62, Jays have already been there done that, Had him for about a month before DFA’ing him.
Prediction: Toronto as the dark horse will sign Ohtani with the biggest $ value contract.
Would love to see it happen, but it feels like a fantasy. Everyone and their mother think he is going to the Dodgers. But I would love it if your wish came true!
Blue Jay fans would go crazy. Would probably make them a top 3 most popular mlb team around the world.
As a jays fan it would be awesome. However, you’re gonna extend Vlad and bichette with what money? I wonder if they ultimately decide to let one go
The smart move would be not to extend Vlad unless he begins to take the game seriously, shows up in shape and puts up 40+hr 100+rbis. He is too inconsistent and at times a liability even. Probably a great guy but he does nothing to promote a winning culture in that clubhouse. He is blessed with most of the tools to be as good if not better than his dad yet squanders it away. A trade for a top notch everyday player in his prime with a couple solid prospects wouldn’t bother me none.
Bo is the guy to build around and Vlad isn’t him. Think Seager and Semien. Guys that play hard every day and are clubhouse leaders
Pretty large Asian community in Toronto.
Imagine having two whole countries rooting for you
If there adding a Mostly DH it should be Martinez if its a free agent, or maybe hoskins. Theres trade for maybe Eloy Geminez or they could get Nick Castalonos for maybe 5-10 mil a year for pretty well free. I like Solear but he has 1 good 1 bad year and hes going to get a 3+yr contract in this market easy. They need to add a 30 HR bat to the line up so thats how they do it fine. I think using either Barger or Orelvis there top position players to fill 3b and be back up SS, Schneider is the extra IF who get plenty of ABs Biggio is IF/OF util. So they need to add a Duvall type a good starting OF and a Starting 2B, if this is there off season heavy lifting i think they will be ok. But if this is what they are doing this is the floor if its any less then this they are screwed. If they add a starting 3b Barger has a cannon arm and has started RF this year past maybe he mixes in 3b/RF depending on matchups he and Schneider are LHH so
Also Joc pederson would be cool as the DH/Duvall type or Garver aswell.
Not a wise option in Pederson. His power took the year off last season, his defense is horrendous, and he has too many holes in his swing. He’s an all or nothing hitter, and the Giants got a whole lot of nothing from him most of the time in ‘23.
Manoah for Carlson and Burleson. Jays need outfielders long and short term. Also need lefty bats Carlson is better from the right side but he is a switch hitter Burleson is a lefty. Burleson can be the DH type.
I would not trade Manoah at all this off season. If he gets his head straight and his mechanics back in Rythm, he could become a dominating pitcher again and it’s too soon to trade him.
Well if he doesn’t get his head on straight soon he won’t be worth anything. The Jays need outfielders. Gausman is an ace and I think Berrios, Bassitt and Kikuchi is a pretty good 2 through 4. The Jays need position players and they don’t have enough money to buy all of them in free agency.
Spit take
I hope he does get his head straight and his mechanics back or Toronto has another Rickey Romero…
Woukd be a massive overpay by the Cardinals
Cardinals wouldn’t miss Burleson or Carlson. Burleson isn’t that good and Carlson is low ceiling with health issues. If Carlson is healthy he can be an everyday guy but he’s not a star. Manoah perhaps more risk but more reward.
Its an overpay. One of them is the basis of a trade for Manoah but buyers will be aware of the clubhouse inpact of a sulky player as well as the risk he doesnt turn his pitching around
1-1 with either of them is a decent trade for both clubs imho but its hard to value manoah as his performances have been so volatile
Again Burleson isn’t that good. To say that Burleson would be a deal breaker is crazy because he’s not that good.
@Joel P: No, thank you.
Do you want to trade Orelvis or Tiedemann? Because the Jays are in win now mode. They have 3 or 4 position players to acquire this offseason and can’t afford all of them in free agency.
What would you do?
Sign a few FA and go with in house on any position they can’t fill from free agency or make a trade for someone else. Cavan Biggio has had more success than either of the 2 players you want to trade Manoah for. Manoah has at least proved he can succeed at the MLB level. Carlson has a 99 OPS+ in nearly 1500 PA at the MLB level. What success he had came 3 years ago. He is a solid defender, but the Jays need offense.
A 99 OPS+ for an outfielder who can play center isn’t bad at all. That’s a valuable player. And the Jays have lost Kiermaier they need defense. The Jays are losing Kiermaier, Chapman, Merrifield and Belt. They can’t replace all that in free agency. This is why trades happen.
Most if that 99 OPS+ came from 2021. Last year it was 79. He has gotten worse each year rather than improving. He only managed 0.5 WAR last year even with the defense. He simply can’t be counted on for a win now team.
Also I’m just not enthused about trading for another Cardinal’s OF. Never seems to work out for the Jays.
What has Manoah done lately? You think he can be counted on for a win now team? Manoah was a negative win player in 2023. And as I said it’s wouldn’t just be Carlson but Burleson too.
1 bad season and you want to write him off? He is only 1 season removed from a 3rd place Cy Young season and a 2.24 ERA. Even with last year he still has a career 3.38 ERA.
Gausman mentioned Manoah was having a problem with his shoulder in spring training that he tried to push through. It likely messed with his mechanics or the injury carried into the regular season. There was evidence that something was off as he lost velocity on his 4 seamer and break on his slider. By shutting his season down early he will have a lot of rest by the time spring training rolls around. He should be healthy and have a regular spring training this time around. He jumped from 119 innings in 2021 to over 200 including the playoffs in 2023. With the much lighter work load this year and the extra rest, he should be in a better position healthwise.
As for Burleson he had negative .8 WAR last year. He has a .670 OPS and negative 10 outs against average at the MLB level. He isn’t an asset at the plate or in the field. Maybe he finds a way to make some improvements at the plate, but that glove is going to kill his value. If he doesn’t improve at the plate you are left with a Varsho level bat whose best position is DH.
Again why is it Carlson is no good for a win now team but Manoah is? Manoah was terrible in 2023 worse than Carslon. Sure Manoah might figure it out but he’s got farther to go to get back to where he was.
Burleson isn’t that good but he can play a good 1b which I don’t believe Guerrero can. And Burleson hit into a lot of bad luck in 2023 he’s better than that OPS says he is. He’s nothing special but I think he has a much better 2024.
You can’t fill all those needs in free agency. Trades have to be made and Manoah is the guy people will want. Who else would you trade???
Joel, Manoah might be a buying low situation and not worth much. I would trade Garcia and Kirk and perhaps Romano. All have decent value, Romano’s value is high and likely the highest it will ever be. I would switch to close by committee.
Jays needs 2 power bats and quality depth in starting pitching.
It costs something to get something,.
Win now teams can’t trade away players who performed well in 2023. It doesn’t make sense. And the Jays are definitely a win now team.
My guess unless the Jays get what I mentioned and they do not have the prospect capital to trade for it, so they will have to FA it, they have no shot at winning anything. Hence my suggestion to trade away some talent for different talent. This team has way too many holes for win now.
I think that’s why they will consider trading Manoah. He has value but he isn’t necessarily going to help the team in 2024 or moving forward. Worth the risk to get guys to help now.
Manoah has proved he is capable of playing at a high level in the majors, Carlson has not.
The Jays have Varsho to take over in CF. They don’t need an OF that can play CF. They need an OF who can hit. They just won the team Gold Glove for the AL. Defense is not a need at this point in time. Their offense on the other hand did not perform well and needs to be improved.
Also if they trade Manoah they will need to aquire another SP since Ryu is a FA
Carlson has proven he’s capable of being a big leaguer yes he has. And Manoah was absolutely terrible in 2023.
Kiermaier was a big reason why their team defense was so good and now he’s gone. Yes Varsho can play center but you need a backup centerfielder too. Springer is looking washed up he can’t play there anymore. Carlson can backup center.
Cardinals can include Dakota Hudson and the Jays can pick up someone else to co.pete with him for the 5th rotation spot.
I never said Carlson was not MLB caliber, just that he has never really played at a star level.
One final reason why I don’t want the Jays to trade him is he has been working hard in the offseason and looks to have lost some weight and looks non much better shape. I feel like he has a chance to do something similar to Vlad’s 2021 after he showed up after having lost 40 lbs in the offseason. He has been posting some videos of his workouts:
twitter.com/Gate14Pod/status/1716884758637261301
I agree. This sounds like “hey JD , we’re waiting for your call”
Would Ozuna be of interest to the Blue Jays ?
Only if you want to ensure that all the female fans revolt.
Almost every team employed someone with DV issues
votto…hope he retires
Joey Votto homecoming?
The Jays’ shrinking window doesn’t leave room for sentimentality. They need a DH who will produce for sure.
Votto would be a nice value add. Love how they describe Vlad as a defensively limited player, ignoring his GG, as they should be ignored. Still, he is a much improved 1B from when he started.
Joey Votto hit 36 bombs just two years ago. Votto was injured in 2022. Last year, while recovering from shoulder surgery and still hit 20 home runs. The team who signs Votto in 2024 is going to get a bargain.
As long as he isn’t the only one they add for offense and he doesn’t cost a lot I would be onboard. He did hit 14 HR in only 65 games so he still has some pop. Maybe a healthy offseason and a proper spring training could allow him a pujols like resuregence if his playing time was managed properly like Belt’s was last year. Despite the low average he still walked enough to get his OBP to a reasonable rate.
Would love to see the Jays sign Turner to a 1yr contract and platoon him at 3B with Barger as a LH/RH combo. I would like to see Schneider and Biggio platoon at 2B as well. The Twins are looking to shed salary and I think a trade for Max Kepler, who is a GG level fielder with a very good bat would be perfect fit for LF. I would then look at Soler as my full time DH. Regardless of who we bring in at 3B, we are taking a step back defensively there. But, the Turner/Barger platoon could greatly improve the offense the Jays received there last year. I think Espinal could be traded or non-tendered moving forward as well. Barger is good enough to fill in at SS every now and then. It leaves them room for a 4th OF as well and the Jays could look at a glove first player with high upside like Bader or Michael Taylor on 1yr deals. I personally like Garver if the Jays dont get Soler as his power and batting numbers are impressive.
Too much platoon is what ended up making the Giants crappy. Can’t go into a season with 2 out of 9 spots already set for a platoon, in my opinion.
Completely agreed. Why platoon when you can just sign a player who can hit both righties and lefties? I hate the term platoon and how everyone resorts to it and thinks it’s a good idea. I’m not going to use euphemisms here, but platooning (if it’s the only thing) is a waste of a roster spot.
I’m a Jays fan & I don’t want any part of Votto. He has not been good the last few years. Can’t sign someone for sentimental reasons & I feel like that is what a Votto signing would be. There are far better options available.
Worked for Albert Pujols.
He hit 36 home runs just two years ago. He hit 20 bombs last year despite recovering from shoulder surgery.
Votto has had 2 bad seasons in a row. His body is breaking down. That’s a red flag for a 40-year old. Martinez, Soler & Hoskins are all far better options than Votto. If the Jays sign Votto, he’ll end up on the IL for most of the season & be a waste of a roster spot. Help your team. Sign someone who will help on a day-to-day basis. That’s not Votto
With so few teams needing 1B, I gotta imagine it’s Hoskins. Belt maybe, but Hoksins might be able to be had for less given the lack of 1B needy teams.
Confirmed! Jays signing Ohtani.
In your dreams.
They should be open to designated pitching, otherwise they ain’t winning.
I feel like the Blue Jays always get better at what they’re good at but never where they need to get better.
Blue Jays FO are dumpster divers who overpay free agents and don’t know how to value trades. FO should be fired. Dugout also needs a new manager who can motivate Guerrero and Bichette to live up to their potential and make a serious play-off run before they are free agents and playing elsewhere.
Rogers is in the business of advertising their services not fielding a championship team. They won’t win until they get rid of Rogers.
I agree 100%. Rogers’ overall biz model is offering “just OK” products, goods and services. They’re making $$$ Ted jr. and shareholders are happy. Clients and fans are stuck with perpetual mediocrity.
I absolutely agree about Rogers they a invisible owner and need to be more hands on as far as who is the President and GM. They made a big mistake not hiring Dombroski instead of Shapiro. Like does Edward Rogers even check to see if the club wins or not on a daily basis. Shapiro and Adkins have contracts to the end of 26. Even when 2026 comes and goes and if there isn’t any progress to a WS. Rogers will likely just extend both contracts citing ” we can’t be bothered to find anyone else so just keep Shapiro. The circus continues.
Great take Baseball iq. – been saying the same since 2015/16.
Eloy Jimenez can be yours!
I could actually see that as a fit. Jays definitely have the pieces to get it done.
Maybe sign garver and look to trade Jansen in a package for an outfielder or a Manoah replacement when he gets traded for an outfielder
How about bringing back that Teoscar guy?
I believe JD Martinez is a Vladdy fan. And he’s such a student of the fam, I’m wondering if he could be a good mentor for Vladdy.
Otherwise, Turner would be a good fit. He’s a DH who can be somewhat of a utility infielder.
The Jays still need to be wary of their lefty/righty balance in the lineup, which is why they should trade for Jorge Polanco to play second base.
I think JD could really help Vlad and he really is the stick the jays need 2/36 or 3/45 is about the max they should go with him, Teoscar is a better fit tho. As a side note i always that Gurriel should have been tried as a 3b
Springer will need to DH more, and if both Kirk and Jansen hit well one of them would fit at the DH spot. DH should not be top priority. Not even top 3 (3B, OF, RP).
Jansen should be extended he is a great all around catcher and has legit power. He should DH 40 games and catch 80-90 kirk can catch the other 75 games or so. The jays need to find a way to add a 30 HR bat, a legit OF a back up Duvall type, let a young guy start 3b and back up SS amd add a starting 2b. Keep Manoah unless a team like the cards can fill 2 holes with 1 player having 5 years of control. You dont just trade a young starter with #2 starter upside and a 4 floor with 4+ years of control. The cards need starting pitching with control, unless its Nootbar a 1 for 1 is no amd the cards dont do that. Burelson and Oneil works with the jays adding something else
Jansen can’t stay healthy.
Jays didn’t pursue Duvall last year when they should have.
They don’t need a backup SS. 3 bats to replace Chapman, Kiermaier and Belt.
Jays need to keep Manoah. He’s the #5 and the Jays don’t have a #6.
Not a lot of these Dh options listed provide the value they need – stop filling the lineup with guys hitting .230
More value than Merrifields bat and defense combined
I think thats a mistake for a team with not great defense.Although, I think Votto does fit well being a Toronto native and can play first to give Vlad time at DH.
Two Words: Giancarlo Stanton. #practicallyfree #giveussomecanadianmolson
No to Votto. He didn’t want to be with the Jay’s in his prime we don’t need him in his decline.
Shapiro and Atkins did a good job filling holes last year but this year they have a lot of holes to fill.
The catching position at the plate is weak with Kirk included. Jansen is a stud. If Kirk can lose the non-muscle weight he has put on since being in the bigs, he can return to his original form.
Vladdy Jr is the same. He needs to lose the weight and come back to the 230lbs they they keep advertising that he is. Superstar if physically fit.
Same goes for Manoah. Overweight and mental issues. He needs help on both counts.
Springer is a stud but he is aging and it shows in his numbers at the plate. A keeper.
Bichette: a great hitter, as mentioned previously very injury prone, improved at SS but really belongs at 2nd base. May not age well injury-wise. Violent swing.
Cavan Biggio: he is what he is, utility guy with some pop and has been slowly fixing a giant hole in his swing but it’s not there yet.
Santiago Espinal: took a major step back in his performance. Better defensively than Bo but his hitting is questionable. Quality depth or spare part.
Dalton Varsho: high plate potential, elite defense, he needs to correct swing a miss otherwise he is just an okay 3rd outfielder with great pop. Pull happy.
.Yimi Garcia: overpaid, workhorse. Trade him now if possible. Waiver wire his replacement.
Davis Schneider: great power, fastball hitter, hunts fastballs only. Can’t hit good soft stuff/spinning stuff to save his life and opposing teams have figured him out. If he can adjust he will be good otherwise, AAAA player with great pop and a sub .200 average.
Nate Pearson: Ruined by the Jays. He is strictly a one inning pitcher that needs close load management. One day he will likely step up to an awesome setup/closer.
Mitch White: Fast ball is upper tier but straight. It is easily hit. Great curve but inconsistent control of it. AAAA player that can have major league moments. Poor trade.
Holes to fill: Outfield power bat [not Hernandez], DH with average and power, quality starting pitcher depth[there is zero in the org].
The manager: still not major league level quality manager in the order of a Dusty Baker, Francona/Roberts/Bochy etc etc. Jays botched the Schneider MLB hiring timing and totally botched the Montoyo hiring and both were called so at the time. One day John Schneider will be a very good MLB manager.
Agree with you on Kirk Vlad and Manoah. Don’t mind Schneider but you are right not at the same level as a seasoned manager which is what they desperately need. I feel they need to cut bait with Vlad, cash in on him now as he could be so much better than he is which is an above average, fairly defensively challenged guy that doesn’t have the work ethic or seriousness (at least not up until this point) to be a true superstar.
Disagree about Bo though. He has had no real injury issues up until this season and still rattled off solid numbers. Yes that violent swing could cause issues down the road but for now he is a truly elite player
First and foremost we need a new front office. How Shapkins still run the show is beyond me. I know it’s rehashing but the Moreno/ Gurriel for Varsho is probably one of the worst ever trades for any organization! Head and shoulders above AAs stinker with the fish about a decade ago.
Vladdy is decent but not the guy to build the franchise around any longer. He doesn’t hustle (like ever) and is defensively limited which will only get worse as he hits 30 and older. Trade him high now and keep building around Bo. It’s maybe not something a lot of you agree with but he isnt on the same level as his dad was and Jays nation needs to accept it and move on. He lacks the desire/work ethic to achieve superstardom.
Ibhated that trade from the start and its on this site as a comment somewhere. You dont trade the top prospect in baseball for a league average OF bat in the desert. Coming up here he was likly to fall off a little. I really feel like the jays and cards wish they had a do over and the cards traded nootbar for Moreno hell gurrell to
According to baseballrumors.me Shohei Ohtani is in Toronto this weekend to meet with the Blue Jays. According to the same article Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is also there to help the team make their pitch. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the Blue Jays are doing more than just kicking tires… they are legit contenders for Ohtani.
Source: baseballrumors.me/2023/11/report-shohei-ohtani-mee…