Blue Jays manager John Schneider told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and other reporters that designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach will be part of Toronto’s Opening Day roster. Vogelbach will join Davis Schneider, Ernie Clement, and Brian Serven as the Jays’ bench mix to begin the season.
As noted earlier in regards to Serven, Vogelbach will also have to be added to the Jays’ 40-man roster prior to their first game on Thursday. Vogelbach signed a minor league deal last month that will pay the slugger $2MM in guaranteed money if he makes Toronto’s active roster, though Davidi suggests that the Jays could possibly avoid that full payout if Vogelbach agrees to an advanced consent. This would create a 45-day window wherein the Blue Jays could outright Vogelbach off their 40-man roster and owe him only a prorated portion of that $2MM salary.
This contractual loophole could reflect Vogelbach’s status as something of an understudy for Joey Votto, as it looked like Votto’s arrival in Toronto on a minor league deal would likely spell the end of Vogelbach’s stint in the Jays’ camp. However, it already seemed like Votto was going to need some extra tune-up time in the minor leagues once Spring Training was over, and the former NL MVP has also been hampered by a minor ankle injury that has limited him to just one plate appearance (a home run) this spring.
This created an opening for Vogelbach to stick with the team, and he helped his case by hitting .226/.314/.581 with three homers over 35 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play. Vogelbach doesn’t bring much roster flexibility as a DH-only player who is only playable against right-handed pitching, yet he has shown some solid pop against righties over his eight big league seasons. His left-handed bat is also particularly helpful on a heavily right-handed Jays team, as Daulton Varsho, Kevin Kiermaier, and Cavan Biggio are the only lefty-swingers on the Opening Day roster. (Nathan Lukes and Spencer Horwitz were optioned to Triple-A.)
Vogelbach hit .233/.339/.404 with 13 homers over 319 PA with the Mets in 2023, and all but 16 of those plate appearances came against right-handed pitchers. Over his career, Vogelbach has a drastic set of splits — 74 home runs and a .240/.362/.452 slash line in 1555 PA against righties, and a dismal .129/248/.215 slash in 323 PA against southpaws.
I hope they also added a buffet.
It’s in his contract…
The McDonald’s in the Rogers Centre already bringin in extra nuggets for the 2024 season
Only needed for the first 45 days…
Ross Atkins approved Vogelbach.
Robert Atkins did not.
I can’t see how this guy keeps getting jobs. Do the owners own food companies?
Between him and Kirk they def need an addition person to prepare trash bags full of chimichangas
Vlad and Manoah feel left out of your comment.
Ghostbusters’ Stay-Puft Marshamallow Man returns!
He honestly said he eats açai bowls as his pregame meal
That has to taste NASTY on his pizza!
Indeed. He’s changing his name to Daniel Vogel-fat-bach
Buzzzzzzzz! Making fun of the Blue Jays’ fat guys is pretty low hanging fruit. And still you came up crickets. Keep working on your material.
Rumor has it he’s starring as the Fat B.astard in the new Austin Powers 4 movie.
100% chance he’s said get in my belly at multiple points in his life. Made for the roll
The analytics guys are still in love with Vogelbach because he takes up a lot of space, I mean to say because he gets on base.
He seems to be the most patient at the plate amongst the entire roster. Everyone else just hacks away like usual
Bucs …Suggest you look at the Team OBP numbers this spring.
Yea, theyre all batting .350, which obviously inflates team OBP …. watch the games…. none of the players work the count, they swing at the first strike they see. I dislike Vogey just as much as the posters commenting on his weight, but he works the count better than the other players on the team.
It happened!
All seriousness, best of luck to the fella
My favorite hefty baseball player of all time will always be John Kruk
Best John Kruk moment for me was the All-Star game facing Randy Johnson. Johnson sailed one over Kruk’s head and Kruk turned his helmet around backwards and hit righty. I was very, very young, but I’ll never forget that.
My least favorite John Kruk moment was when he got stabbed by Robert De Niro in the movie “The Fan”
🙁
@Clip—-I remember that vividly. Hysterical!!
Although he did have a memorable “at bat” against the Big Unit during the ’93 All Star game, I believe you are remembering Larry Walker’s 1997 All Star shenanigans.
Oh dang, was that Walker?
Between Vogelbach and Manoah it’s a good thing the Jays don’t wear pinstripes
The pinstripes were so Ruth looked thinner. Facts matter when you attempt to be humorous.
They wore pinstripes in the “teens”
Ruth’s first year was 1920.
I think he’s going to fall short of replacing Brandon Belt.
John Olerud ain’t walking out of that dugout anytime soon
“I used to have a teammate wore a helmet out on the field just like you.”
“That was me, Rickey. We used to be teammates.”
Them lime green Mizuno Rickey Henderson batting gloves from his days in Oakland were absolutely zen
Atkins is going to be some slight of hand roster wise if/when Votto/Jansen/Manoah are ready.
Danny burgers is a .230 hitter that can’t run unless it’s to the buffet. What kind of DH is that? The BJ’s look desperate.
With questionable power and clogs the bases
does DH stand for disturbingly hefty or downs hamburgers?
Little known fact about Vogelbach. He played a supporting role, some might say star, as Randy. In a little Canadian show Trailer Park Boys
Put your shirt on, Randy.
This boy eats it all and leaves no crumbs. Bet.
Even Ohtani…I mean his “interpreter” wouldn’t bet against it
Is Vogelbach gone in 30 days when Votto is ready? In my world Vogelbach is gone soon. He is a step down from Belt and can’t even play firstbase.
Atkins, why?
why atkins? because vogelbach needs to cut back on the carbs
Vogelbach and Belt have nothing to do with each other. Justin Turner was brought in to repalce Belt, and is an upgrade with more positional flexibility and health. Vogelbach takes the roster spot Nathan Lukes and Jordon Luplow held last April — the bench guy who’s supposed to only play against certain handed pitchers and ultimately doesn’t play much.
Personally I’d have rather taken Lukes again, but they want power.
Danny Bag o’ Donuts
I heard hes up in the majors because they couldn’t fit him on the Triple A bus. I guess its sometimes a good thing to be fat
I’d wager that 90% of the commenters here are above the recommended BMI
Not Blue Baron he smokes too much rock
One Bite, and I’d wager that 90% of them are hitting Google to find out what BMI means.
There is a definitely a misery loves company vibe among some folks on these boards.
You guys laugh at Vogey, but take a close look. Those shoulders and barrel chest are rock solid. Arnie style. Quads are massive.
Ya he’s thick midriff , but he’s a thick rock , not fat
is that roster or roaster.?
I miss the days of watching Cecil Fielder hitting absolute bombs at the old Tigers Stadium
Davis Schneider was 0 for his last 30 last season and struggled in Spring Training. Nathan Lukes completely outplayed him. Schneider is still living off the fast start of his career
He still had a .727 OPS after August despite that 0 for 30, he was still hitting the ball hard, just right at people.
Lukes didn’t hit at all in his limited playing time last year, he’s going to need more than a hot spring. That being said KK and Springer are injury prone, so he’ll get his playing time at some point
Schneider has looked lost at the plate. He hasn’t made the needed adjustments from last season. He’s still swinging & missing at high fastballs. Lukes is also a natural outfielder. The Jays don’t have an extra natural outfielder. Clement does everything Schneider does, but better. He can handle the utility role.
Agreed. Luke’s should have been kept up. Schneider is not hitting and hasn’t for months. Literally. Agreed that Clemens can do everything Schneider can do, only better. I guess we will never know what Horowitz can do as long as Atkins keeps throwing has beens in his path. And I am not talking about Votto. Actually signing Martinez would have been the smart thing to do but who ever said Atkins was smart!
Vogelbach is gone as soon as Votto is ready… Not sure what Nathan Lukes has to do to make the team though . He’s ready…
Hit right handed
@Ducey
BINGO!!!
Lukes will be the first one up if KK or Springer are out with injury.
If the guy could actually hit one might understand the occasional noise over the ‘Big McNugget’ which might have been his nickname plus his forever career as McDonald’s TV pitchman if the guy could actually hit.
Feel like Horwitz is better.
Needs more power. 1B got to hit the bombs
“Blue Jays To Select Daniel Vogelbach”
For what, the hot dog eating contest?
I hope he rakes and makes himself some serious dough down the road. Deserves it.
Dude is 31 and has already earned $4.2 million. He has 80 homers, 348 hits and an All star appearance. At 31, I’m not sure what the rest of you were doing but I’m confident Vogelbach’s resume looks a lot better then most of the posters here. Sure, he’s on the portly side(and I’m actually 1 of the 10% on this site who is the right BMI) but hey, dude has been kicking around MLB for awhile now, so that’s pretty cool stuff. Not sure how he can help the Jays but maybe they catch lightning in a bottle on limited platoon opportunities? Maybe they noticed Votto’s bat speed is slower then they anticipated? Baseball has always been a home for weird and wonderful “athletes” to find a place and possibly a decent career. You’re not finding too many unfit people playing soccer, surfing, basketball, etc., so I reckon it’s kind of fun he keeps getting a shot.
Being overweight doesn’t diminish excellent reflexes, hand-eye coordination, extraordinary eyesight, and upper body strength. I mean the baseball players, not the guys on these boards.
Vogelbach was signed before Votto. Actually they only signed Votto after he asked the Jays for a minor league deal. He also sprained his ankle after 1 Spring appearance. As for Vogelbach or Votto, they are both LH pitch hitters, or maybe if they got hot, turner can play 3B to fit them in the lineup. Is he worth $2M?…debatable but probably worth more at $2M than IKF at $7.5.
As a Met fan, I’m thrilled he’s no longer on my team. Nothing personal, but the walks and infrequent power was a poor tradeoff for his inability to run the bases and score baserunners late. If Toronto can live with him taking a walk while down late and then barely making it to second on a possible double by the next hitter, go for it. We needed someone who can hit more and do more running.
Do you think that Vogie called Garrett Cole to let him know the good news?
All on the same squad at one and the same time:
1. Daniel Vogelbach
2. Alejandro Kirk
3. Alek Manoah
4. Vlad Guerrero Jr.
That’s a lot of beef in one lineup.
One is random, two is a coincidence, three is a trend, four is…
Mooooo
Let’s hope his Canadian-English translator doesn’t have a gambling addiction.
Him and Kikuchi are RL best buds so this is utterly fantastic that they can both have baseball hang times again. Love these guys!
install a richter scale on the field!
Blue Jays start planning world series parade. . atkins signing of Kiner-Fafela and Vogelbach. . beware braves/dodgers Here comes powerhouse Blue Jays LMAO
What a circus! Atkins gives 15 million to a guy who can’t hit his weight but refuses to sign a right handed power bat. Instead he spends more money on more left hand hitters. Atkins is a clown. He needs to go and so does the guy who hired this loser. He can’t open his mouth without lying.
Place holder for Joey Votto, so don’t get too comfortable Danny…
Are there known examples of this advanced consent mechanism? I’m not seeing why Vogelbach would do that. Unless his agent couldn’t get an opt out for him and the Jays are leveraging that control over him.
Except that was Larry Walker, not Kruk.