The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that they’ve reinstated top prospect Orelvis Martinez from the restricted list and optioned him to their spring training complex. Daulton Varsho, who recently underwent shoulder surgery, was moved to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
It’s a procedural move. Martinez was hit with an 80-game PED suspension earlier this season and has completed that lengthy ban. Varsho’s season is obviously over, so moving him to the 60-day injured list creates roster space in the short-term while kicking the more pressing decisions regarding 40-man openings down the road a bit. Varsho, Will Wagner, Alek Manoah and Jordan Romano will all need to be reinstated from the 60-day IL at the beginning of the offseason. Ryan Yarbrough reaching free agency will open one spot, but the Jays will need to open a trio of other spots, which will likely be accomplished by outrighting some fringe players.
Martinez, 22, appeared in just one major league game before his suspension was handed down. He’s long rated among not just the top prospects in Toronto’s system but in the entire sport. He posted a .267/.346/.523 slash in Triple-A this season before being called up — numbers that align neatly with the .263/.340/.507 line he put up in a half season of Triple-A games in 2023.
The 2024 season should have marked an opportunity for Martinez to establish himself as a key piece of the Jays’ future. Toronto traded veterans like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Justin Turner at the deadline. Shortstop Bo Bichette has endured three different IL stints and will finish the season with only 81 games played. Instead, Martinez watched idly after testing positive for a banned substance, creating questions about his future both because he couldn’t seize the opportunities that would’ve otherwise presented themselves and because PED bans naturally trigger questions about the legitimacy of prior performance.
As it stands, the Jays will head into the 2025 season with Bichette, Wagner, Ernie Clement, Addison Barger and Leo Jimenez in the mix for infield reps. There’s been some speculation about a potential trade of Bichette, but all indications are that Toronto wants to take another stab at contending in 2025. Bichette would presumably be a large part of that effort, and selling low on him would be tough for the front office anyhow. Clement has had a strong season, particularly with the glove, but none of those infielders have played so well that they’d stand as a firm impediment to Martinez in the event that the top prospect forces his way into the mix. He’ll need to earn a look next year, particularly after sitting half the current season on the sidelines for disciplinary reasons, but the unsettled infield mix should create some opportunities — even if the Jays are likely to bring in some veteran help over the winter.
DFA – I would put Davis Schneider on that list as he will/should be non-tendered anyway, Horiwitz could probably net something in a trade but he can’t defend at all and lacks power as a DH, also some of the catchers as some will always be AAA players.
Next Year – They need two power bat outfielders that can roll in the DH spot with Springer, they also need a second baseman, a backup catcher that can catch 65ish games (Austin Hedges is probably the best of the FA) top of the order Starter, a closer and a lot of bullpen. As for the young players mentioned only Clement should be on the roster as a utility player the rest need to force the Jays hand at AAA. The Blue Jays can probably hold down third base with Clement and Vladdy until one of the AAA players force their hand. That IKF trade keeps making me shake my head ((and they paid money for both years)
Non-tender Romano
@bucsfan0004
Incredibly dumb move.
A team with no bullpen depth or talent non-tenders their closer. Genius idea. SMH….
I suppose…trade him to the Pirates for a bucket of balls?
@bestone
*facepalm
*non-tender and sign him for less… Romano is coming off a serious injury and is due to make $8.3M. No team would tender a reliever a contract for that money.
But of course the Jays just throw money around…. bunch of money for some #6 starter project, $4M for Biggio, $2M for useless Vogey, $10M for Kiermeier, $7.5M for IKF who didnt have a position (thanks btw for paying down his salary next year), etc
for one this is horwitz’ first year in MLB, and its funny how you say he “cant defend at all” despite him having a 1 OOA and his other metrics look good as well offensive wise….he has a 130 OPS+ also no power? he has 12 home runs as a rookie so far, which isn’t terrible and means he has power, it may not be as much considering its his first year, but he still has power.
I thought his defence at second has been quite stellar but I don’t know the metrics
Horwitz D hasn’t been that bad, what’s bad is the fact he has not played 2B every day. That was my point last week to Jays fans; give him reps in these games.
Yes! The lineup needs to be set, then used repeatedly. It’s no wonder they had problems, there was always someone different at the bases. Mgmt seems to have forgotten that Vladdy improved at first only because that was “his position” after Rowdy was traded.
Davis’ spot was at second base for the all star voting…but he rarely played there.
Sorry Its-happening Horwitz should NEVER see second base again he CAN’T field and has little to no upside other than as a DH.
Horwitz is fine at 2B. If you’re going to question him it’s whether he can sustain a good bat for 162 games per season.
#its_happening
If Horwitz is fine at 2B then he still would be there. Since they dealt Turner he’s seeing time only at 1B and DH. With the season all but over he should be getting more time at 2B but he’s getting no time there. The FO doesn’t think he’s a 2B, for once I’m in agreement with them.
If we were talking about a raw rookie with potential I would agree but Horwitz has no potential on defense or to put it simple he can’t catch unless the ball is right at his glove, his foot work is aweful BUT you might be able to correct that but he still can’t catch the ball. So he can’t defend.
As for the metrics, like all metrics, they have to be put into prospective as such with Horwitz he don’t get a stat for not going after the ball properly only if he goes after it and don’t make the play. Even then its 50/50 depending on the scorer.
Bo’s footwork at short was awful in 2019. This is why they need to keep playing Horwitz at 2B as much as they can (only a few games left and it’s a moot point). Waaaaaaay too soon to write off Horwitz’ ability to defend at 2B.
If we are question metrics, question it for Varsho too. He has had some questionable routes and questionable throwing decisions. Wait, that’s blasphemy.
Its-happening there is a difference between poor footwork and inability to catch. You are right that they “might” be able to improve his footwork BUT why bother if he can’t catch the ball. Teaching Horwitz to play second would be a waste of time when there are much better options in and out of house. His ceiling is not that high to waste this much thought and effort on him.
Some people just can’t grasp the art of catching the ball when its not right at the glove. Some still play baseball as a DH and on rare occasion a pretend first baseman.
They don’t need two OF bats. They just need one. They’ll find a second baseman from the gaggle of options – best player emerges in the spring – and (to the other commenter) there has been nothing to say that Romanow’s injury will have him out next year. If he’s healthy, he’s not getting non-tendered
They need Springer to DH a bit more.
Ok MagRupe who are your three outfielders? Springer don’t play everyday. Varsho can’t play everyday (in the front offices eyes anyway). Schneider is a non-tender and the rest are ill proven and need A LOT of seasoning. Not to mention who will DH then.
OF1: The new thumper they sign.
OF2: Varsho
OF3: Springer
OF4: Alan Roden
OF5: Jonatan Clase
Romano is always injured and unreliable. Even when healthy he is suspect against big teams like the Yankees.
In saying that there are very few lockdown closers so he maybe the only option.
Oh, know! I had him on my fantasy league team!
Orelvis has left the building.
“He’s long rated among not just the top prospects in Toronto’s system but in the entire sport.”
Uhhh, come again?
Steve got a little loose with that phrasing
He is one of the best, well I think so…he has higher upside than a lot of dudes on the top 100 list. over 110 career MILB homers, over .830 OPS, is OBP and average are a little low but are still serviceable.
How much of that success was cause he was on the juice ?
is this a joke comment?
OrElvis is a keeper. He’s going to be a good major league player.
The Jays have a lot of work to do over the off-season. The The Jays aren’t winning next year unless they can get at least one star bat and two elite relievers, and two better than Pop, or Nance, or Tate, who all belong in AAA. If they can’t get those elite players then blow it up.
Both Bassitt and Gausman then need to go as they are on the downslope of their careers. The Jays normally wait way too long to trade players and then get nothing value back. springer Needs to go and he can probably be traded at the deadline in 2025 To get a low level prospect and get rid of part of the money so they can use that money for something else.
2024 was a write off, but we knew it was going to be and so will 2025 unless they get big pieces.
I don’t think Atkins and Shapiro and Click and their VP scouting are the people to do this rebuild.
Disagree on the “keeper”….time to trade him to another team
Jimmer, never talk ill of Atkins or Shapiro ever again. Because this take is basically crap.
Orelvis in many instances was a lost cause in the minors, and one has to wonder if taking something helped his turnaround. That door is open. Also, why wasn’t he traded for MLB help the last couple years as a top prospect? Are you hoping for a World Series win, or keeping prospects that won’t do much like Orelvis? Can’t field, suspect bat, only has power which is now in-question thanks to PEDs.
Thinking Orelvis is a keeper is foolish at best. You thought Bo’s glove was bad, it’s clear you forgot your scouts eyes watching how bad Orelvis is.
@Its, You’ll forgive me if I don’t heed your demand “never talk ill of Shapiro and Atkins ever again”. lol.
As said in 2015/16, Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins will never take the BlueJays to winning glory. They don’t have the baseball skill. Period.
So for those fans that wish to talk nicely about them, if Rogers doesn’t make changes, enjoy watching the BlueJays over the next 10 years winning nothing, hearing nothing but lies and empty promises, more overall bad drafting development, and hearing an overwelming amount of meaningless corporate-speak word salad, stick with with Shapiro and Atkins at the helm.
Jimmer, Orelvis is only a keeper because no other team thinks much of him.
As for heeding some demand, all you did was take Atkins’ talking points in your inaccurate assessment of Orelvis. As a prospect he was no Bo Bichette, and we know where you stand on Bo.
Afraid I’m not a fan of a juicer. Time to trade him for someone that can’t be considered a cheater. I suspect his achievements were subsidized. Been a Jays fan since day one. Not good optics. Time to get a new front office.
The only positive Orelvis brought was power. Contact skills in the minors wasn’t there, defense is bad, and he was popped for PED positive test. Without the power, who is he?
Yup…history shows that them dudes that juiced and were caught, never regained their strength upon a clean return….me doth think “sell now” even at a small loss. Use his space on the roster for someone who has genuine talent
Option 2; leave him in AAA to give him some time. If he performs in April and they need a guy, he’s it.
But you bring up a good point on trades. With the current roster and what they hope to have (since rebuild is not on the table), Jays need to trade for either bullpen help, 3B or OF. Because I dont know if they like Barger, Wagner, Loperfido and Horwitz. I don’t feel Jimenez or Clement are starters. I see Clement as the RH backup platoon. Too many question marks. If they were rebuilding I’d say let ‘em all play.
We’ll see if the Jays best power prospect still has power without juice.
This whole season has felt like one big long tryout for AAA players. Jays need to set an infield and stick with it. This constant shuffling of players around different positions reminds me of a “Jack of all Trades; Master of Nothing” scenario. That’s what coaches do in the minors. Should never be done in the Show unless absolutely necessary due to injury.
Nothing is going to be different in 2025 unless the FO and coaches stop constantly shuffling the lineup. I really like Springer but he is not a lead off hitter anymore. Move him back down to the 5 spot in the lineup. I was encouraged by Wagner in that spot until he required knee surgery. Hopefully that is not a sign of things to expect from him?!
Shady – Having seen firsthand the past couple days what the Jays have become, I can say with certainty nothing will change until they fire Schneider.
The number of easy popups dropped, the lack of hustle on the basepaths, and the throwing errors during the past couple games all point to a lack of focus and fundamentals which falls on the manager.
Even Vladdy botches an easy play at first base, and then when he finally picks up the ball he throws it and hits the runner despite no Jays fielders anywhere in the area. It’s baseball, not dodgeball.
Worst of all, last night bottom of the 8th tie game leadoff runner on base …. and Horwitz isn’t bunting, which of course meant an immediate double play.
Then bottom of the 9th tie game, leadoff runner on base ….. and Clement isn’t bunting which of course meant an immediate double play.
What the hell is wrong with Schneider? Does he simply not care because he already knows he will be fired?
Or…does he not care because he knows he won’t be fired.
There seems to be a bit of an arrogant attitude these days with the front office that lingers on despite their poor performance.
I’m often wonder if Rogers and Shatkins are laughing at the fans that dig deep in their pockets to pay for a game ticket, or pay 3x for their beer that fits in the cup holders?
Fever, this is how nerds like to run their team. They like to “play the odds”, or “data suggests….”
Bestone also has some valid points. Schnieder might be fired next week, or he has one more year as the team will fire him during the fire sale.
its – Yes you are absolutely correct!
Like Cora pulling Criswell after 4 perfect innings and only 52 pitches because he had decided BEFORE the game he was going to replace him in the 5th inning with Hill only because he’s a lefty …. that one will not soon be forgotten.
It’s ridiculous. Reminds me of the Jays pulling Shoemaker after 28 pitches over 3 innings in a 2020 playoff game, and then Berrios last year against the Twins.