With Teoscar and Lourdes both headed to free agency in two years what do you see happening in light of the teams' current contractual obligations and possible (huge) extensions for Vlad and Bo? Do we try and extend them as well (if that's possible in a $$$ sense) and is there sufficient outfield depth in the system to absorb the loss of two cornerstone players, both of whom have probably not even reached their full potential yet?
Seemed like a great move at the time to get Brad Hand at the deadline last year. A lefty with closer stuff. He had nothing and you could argue was the cause of the Jays missing the playoffs. Then the Phillies gave him 6 Mil. I don't understand.
No one likes to go on the IL but do you think a brief IL stint followed by rehab time in the minors would give Ryan Borucki the best chance to stick with the Blue Jays by giving him time to recover and to show what he has? Because right now it looks like he might make it out of spring with the club but will not get a load of appearances before the rosters contract to 26 again, when he becomes a DFA candidate.
I’ve been thinking of free agents recently and what it takes to sign with a team. I’ve heard Atkins and Shapiro talk about selling potential players in baseball culture in Toronto, top tier facility in Dunedin, training staff, etc. But, do any of those perks matter to a player who is going to sign with a team? Doesn’t the team who offers the most money win out 99% of the time? Does telling a player that “we will ensure that you don’t have to look for a place to live while playing in Toronto because we have staff that will do that for you” even matter?* (I made up that perk). Interested in your thoughts.
Better late than never! The Blue Jays are fourth (!!) in FanGraph's Positional Power Rankings at catcher. That is higher than I would have guessed, Danny Jansen's small sample 105 wRC+ last year feels overlooked to me. Almost certainly because of the terrible cold streak? For all the talk of a trade for José Ramírez, I can't help but feel cost-controlled already-fourth-in-the-league catching isn't something to give up, or at least I think the gain would be closer to marginal. I'd be much more willing to deal Orelvis or even Moreno, am I off base? FanGraphs calls Moreno "The most athletic catcher to come along since J.T. Realmuto"... The Blue Jays are projected for Realmuto type-production out of the catching position the year! The value the Dodgers get from Will Smith and Austin Barnes is incredible... and the Blue Jays are one projection-beating season away from that?
Another question in case you thought my first one was dumb. Given we could benefit from a good left-handed hitter, can you see a 'like for like' trade sometime this year? For example, trading Teoscar for a left handed hitter of similar calibre? Straight up, or close to. Simple like.
If the shift is banned next year, does that help left handed hitters more? Seems to be more extreme pull hitters from the left side. The right-handedness of the Jays this year might be ok, but next year lefty hitters in the lineup would be more important?
Is team chemistry really a thing? Does everyone need to get along? Too much change could be detrimental, ie trading Biggio or Gurriel even if the return is better?
Defence matters. Chapman will make a difference on infield D. OF bats are good, but is the D good enough? Do the Jays need a glove first CF? Would there still be room for Grichuk?
Hey Andrew, I hope you are well. The Jays look they will have an exciting team this year, my question is about the future. I assume the team has a budget- which players do you think the Jays will be hanging onto long term- if they can? I’m looking at Teo, Lourdes, Chapman, and wondering how do they all stay with Vladdy and Bo?
There's been some talk about when the Jays will extend Vlad Jr or Bo or both and I think we'd all like to see it sooner rather than later. But here's a crazy thought - what if the Jays are happy to have them for as long as they can without extending because they are confident that they can be replaced by others either internally (another crop of stars) or externally? It would potentially be a PR nightmare, but there's parallels with what AA did in Atlanta with Freeman/Olson. What do you think?
Pitching staff thoughts. There is a lot going on there this season. Spoiled for choices in the starting rotation. A bunch of possible adds to the relief core. Will there be a couple more depth pieces there? How are the Jays going to work this? Will Ryu's workload be managed? Will Nate get his shot? Seems to me a few guys on the RP are looking at their last shot to stay, who replaces them if they get let go?
Hi Andrew. Long time reader, first time writer. I am so happy with the roster and depth right now I'm not understanding the craving for more, more, more. Plugging up the DH with Freeman? Selling the future for JRam? I don't get it. We were promised a perennial contender and it feels like that's in place. I'm happy if there are no more moves this off season. Are you?
With Teoscar and Lourdes both headed to free agency in two years what do you see happening in light of the teams' current contractual obligations and possible (huge) extensions for Vlad and Bo? Do we try and extend them as well (if that's possible in a $$$ sense) and is there sufficient outfield depth in the system to absorb the loss of two cornerstone players, both of whom have probably not even reached their full potential yet?
Seemed like a great move at the time to get Brad Hand at the deadline last year. A lefty with closer stuff. He had nothing and you could argue was the cause of the Jays missing the playoffs. Then the Phillies gave him 6 Mil. I don't understand.
No one likes to go on the IL but do you think a brief IL stint followed by rehab time in the minors would give Ryan Borucki the best chance to stick with the Blue Jays by giving him time to recover and to show what he has? Because right now it looks like he might make it out of spring with the club but will not get a load of appearances before the rosters contract to 26 again, when he becomes a DFA candidate.
I’ve been thinking of free agents recently and what it takes to sign with a team. I’ve heard Atkins and Shapiro talk about selling potential players in baseball culture in Toronto, top tier facility in Dunedin, training staff, etc. But, do any of those perks matter to a player who is going to sign with a team? Doesn’t the team who offers the most money win out 99% of the time? Does telling a player that “we will ensure that you don’t have to look for a place to live while playing in Toronto because we have staff that will do that for you” even matter?* (I made up that perk). Interested in your thoughts.
Steve D
Better late than never! The Blue Jays are fourth (!!) in FanGraph's Positional Power Rankings at catcher. That is higher than I would have guessed, Danny Jansen's small sample 105 wRC+ last year feels overlooked to me. Almost certainly because of the terrible cold streak? For all the talk of a trade for José Ramírez, I can't help but feel cost-controlled already-fourth-in-the-league catching isn't something to give up, or at least I think the gain would be closer to marginal. I'd be much more willing to deal Orelvis or even Moreno, am I off base? FanGraphs calls Moreno "The most athletic catcher to come along since J.T. Realmuto"... The Blue Jays are projected for Realmuto type-production out of the catching position the year! The value the Dodgers get from Will Smith and Austin Barnes is incredible... and the Blue Jays are one projection-beating season away from that?
Another question in case you thought my first one was dumb. Given we could benefit from a good left-handed hitter, can you see a 'like for like' trade sometime this year? For example, trading Teoscar for a left handed hitter of similar calibre? Straight up, or close to. Simple like.
I do not like Brett Gardner. Does that mean he would be a good addition? How would he change/alter the culture in the clubhouse?
If the shift is banned next year, does that help left handed hitters more? Seems to be more extreme pull hitters from the left side. The right-handedness of the Jays this year might be ok, but next year lefty hitters in the lineup would be more important?
Is team chemistry really a thing? Does everyone need to get along? Too much change could be detrimental, ie trading Biggio or Gurriel even if the return is better?
Defence matters. Chapman will make a difference on infield D. OF bats are good, but is the D good enough? Do the Jays need a glove first CF? Would there still be room for Grichuk?
What does the 28 man roster in April mean for the Jays? McGuire? Palacios? Phelps? Pearson? Merryweather?
Which will be the bigger parade - Jays World Series or CanMNT World Cup?
Living in interesting times ain’t all bad.
Hey Andrew, I hope you are well. The Jays look they will have an exciting team this year, my question is about the future. I assume the team has a budget- which players do you think the Jays will be hanging onto long term- if they can? I’m looking at Teo, Lourdes, Chapman, and wondering how do they all stay with Vladdy and Bo?
There's been some talk about when the Jays will extend Vlad Jr or Bo or both and I think we'd all like to see it sooner rather than later. But here's a crazy thought - what if the Jays are happy to have them for as long as they can without extending because they are confident that they can be replaced by others either internally (another crop of stars) or externally? It would potentially be a PR nightmare, but there's parallels with what AA did in Atlanta with Freeman/Olson. What do you think?
Pitching staff thoughts. There is a lot going on there this season. Spoiled for choices in the starting rotation. A bunch of possible adds to the relief core. Will there be a couple more depth pieces there? How are the Jays going to work this? Will Ryu's workload be managed? Will Nate get his shot? Seems to me a few guys on the RP are looking at their last shot to stay, who replaces them if they get let go?
Hi Andrew. Long time reader, first time writer. I am so happy with the roster and depth right now I'm not understanding the craving for more, more, more. Plugging up the DH with Freeman? Selling the future for JRam? I don't get it. We were promised a perennial contender and it feels like that's in place. I'm happy if there are no more moves this off season. Are you?
PS: Loving the Gritch trade. lol
My now two-week-old question still stands!