I’m not sure if a mail bag every week is too much, but I do love a good mailbag, so let’s try one again later on this week. To do so means that I’ll need some questions to answer, so here’s the place to leave them for me. Submit yours in the comments on this post!
But keep in mind, in case you missed it last week, that the ability to post comments is for paid subscribers only.
Yes, this is a way to hopefully entice some people to upgrade to a paid membership. And yes, I’m sorry to have to do it this way, because I am very aware of the state of the world and how difficult finances are for a lot of people right now. Believe me! Just please know that I genuinely love and appreciate everyone who has signed up so far this week, paid or otherwise. (I must say, however, that I’ve learned over the last few years that limiting the comments to paying customers only makes for a much more respectful and inviting forum than otherwise — perhaps something else to consider if you’re on the fence. Join us!)
Is this THE offseason to hand out a contract that will "win" a free agent? 6 years for DJ? Awesome he got that, but does that deal work with Toronto's window? It's frustrating to watch players go off the board, but a few of the deals I can at least understand why Toronto didn't get the player. Some of the class from next year looks pretty good, and one more year of internal development could be very beneficial. To actually include a question in this; Does the DJ deal mean that Springer also likely gets 6 years? And if so, is that a deal the Jays should make? Thanks Grif!
I'm wondering how much the aspect of probably not playing in Canada is affecting the players on the Jays and players on the Jays radar this off-season.
I understand that the free-agent market has been very slow-moving this year due to a number of economic factors but the Jays seem to be in on everyone and no one knows where they are playing this year. Buffalo is probably not an option this year as I assume the Bisons need to play there.
Dunedin has been upgraded, many of the players live there, and the new facility seems to be top-notch but the training facility is still almost 6km (a 10min drive) from TD Ballpark. Although the new Dunedin park looks great for a low-A or Spring Training venue, no one could confuse it with a major-league ballpark. The Jays players can't be thrilled at playing 81 (or 60, 40 or whatever number) at that venue instead of the big-league spaces they're used to. That doesn't even start to address the visiting club's facilities (although they can sleep in a Winnebago in the Walmart parking lot as far as I care!)
The NHL got an exemption to current (and I assume future) lockdown restrictions but all the teams are staying in Canada for the duration. I can't see MLB getting a similar exemption as although flimsy, the hockey = Canadian Heritage argument is at least fathomable, not so for MLB.
Thoughts on what may happen? Do you think it's affecting FAs like Kim, Springer, Bauer (yuck!), et al with their decision? (Personally, I think old Aussie Cauliflauer ears would have come north if the $$ was there - he got overpaid, but good on ya, mate!).
Long-winded question, I know - but WELCOME BACK!