16 Comments
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jimboknows's avatar

I think it's too much for a reliever, and one who might have already had his best season. Happy the Jays didn't do it. But I'm happy he got paid!

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Simon Pond's avatar

It's Rogers money. Who fucking cares?

Ugh.

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Marc E's avatar

Payroll parameters.

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Andrew Stoeten's avatar

People who would like them to be able to bring in as much talent as possible with that money before reaching their budget limit?

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Simon Pond's avatar

Yeah of course. That's one course. The other would be trading for Lindor and adding someone like Hendricks. How much does their win expectancy go up with just those two guys? They could do nothing else, go with Hatch, Merriweather etc al in the rotation and that off-season would be fine. I'm not into this slow play FA market thing. Be aggressive.

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Andrew Stoeten's avatar

It’s sometimes hard to be aggressive when other teams aren’t being aggressive and bidding up free agents to the levels they want. And Lindor, while great, is only a one-year thing, and the Jays didn’t match as well as the Mets did given Cleveland’s desire to get big leaguers back. The concerning point will be if we’re still talking about the Jays’ inaction when the off-season is over, but we’re a long way from that. Just 5 of MLBTR’s top 27 FA’s have signed and NL clubs aren’t even sure yet if they’ll have a DH or not, so we’re a long way from that.

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Simon Pond's avatar

Yes agreed with that. But I guess the question is, which I've posed before; have the Jays ever been able to lure any free agents here? Slow market or otherwise? BJ Ryan, Pete Puma, yes. Frank Thomas? (Although if I remember correctly they gave him a second year when nobody else would).

Hyun Jin Ryu yes.

My point is....OK sure...slow play the market. But what makes you think Brad Hand picks the Jays over the Mets? Or JT Realmuto picks the Phillies over the Jays? It's what I've been saying all along...If you trade for Lindor at least you get him for one season. That's better than none.

I guess I'm just not as optimistic about good/great picking Toronto unless there's a big overpay, or they're traded here and don't have a choice.

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Simon Pond's avatar

Which makes it all the more important to be super aggressive and take some gambles. I'm not trying to be a piss baby, I promise...But I think I've seen this act before.

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Andrew Stoeten's avatar

There are 22 of the MLBTR’s top 27 free agents still unsigned, so there is absolutely no reason to think that.

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Andrew Stoeten's avatar

A guy not going to a team unless they offer more than anyone else is exactly how free agency works. Yes, they’ll take the Jays’ money if they make a clearly better offer. If they offer the same as five other teams, maybe not. But that’s true for every club.

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Simon Pond's avatar

Yes, agreed. And perhaps the Jays gave done all the things I've suggested (offer Cleveland a better package for Lindor, give highball offers to Springer, Hendricks etc) and still have come up empty. I guess it will all come out.

I appreciate your work, Stoeten and have for many years. Thanks so much.

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FaketownNS's avatar

Yea.....$54MM.... no thanks......

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Paul M's avatar

Just wanted to say I finally got my act together and subscribed. It’s so good to see you writing again, Stoeten! Looking forward to good things from The Batflip and the Jays alike (likely mostly from The Batflip as things are currently going haha).

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Andrew Stoeten's avatar

Thanks so much man. It's great to be back -- and, honestly, also to be back in this format... and working for myself... and at my own pace.

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Seth's avatar

With relievers so volatile, this seems like an $18 million a year deal for 3 years. Good for Liam, but smart move for Jays if they can continue to find value with relievers elsewhere. If they are going to spend so much on n pitching it should be put towards Bauer so during playoffs they can really compete with the elites.

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Nemanja Tacic's avatar

That Simpsons meme sums up my entire feeling about this signing.

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