Blue Jays Discussion: 2024-25 Off-season: The free agent watch begins (and sometimes old baseball radio broadcasts)

[MK78]

I find this one a bit hard to believe, tbh. Santander has been rumoured to want to cash in, with no preferred suitor (unlike Teo). Our money's as green as anyone's.

Wow if that report is true that's a pretty bad look on the Jays. You figure every above average free agent would meet with a team looking to spend, even if to only use the offer as a bargaining chip with other teams.

I think players are noticing the Jays inability to sign their young star players, and dont wanna be stuck in a losing situation for years.

This wasn't the case just a few years ago, when the grass was green and the team's outlook looked great.

This front office needs to change.

 

[Discoverer]

Wow if that report is true that's a pretty bad look on the Jays. You figure every above average free agent would meet with a team looking to spend, even if to only use the offer as a bargaining chip with other teams.

I think players are noticing the Jays inability to sign their young star players, and dont wanna be stuck in a losing situation for years.

This wasn't the case just a few years ago, when the grass was green and the team's outlook looked great.

This front office needs to change.

Honestly, it's not even a report. It's a guy who got a couple things right last offseason posting more shit. If you look back, the last thing he "reported" was that his sources confirmed with 90% certainty that Burnes was coming to Toronto.

My sources are 95% sure that tweet is bullshit.

 

[trellaine201]

Our money is actually purple, blue, red-orange, and green.

Better than every dollar looking the same. Those players probably blow tonnes of money not even knowing whether they gave $5, $100 etc

 

[MK78]

Honestly, it's not even a report. It's a guy who got a couple things right last offseason posting more shit. If you look back, the last thing he "reported" was that his sources confirmed with 90% certainty that Burnes was coming to Toronto.

My sources are 95% sure that tweet is bullshit.

I sure hope its bullshit.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

What if Detroit Tigers miss on top target Alex Bregman? Anthony Santander interest exists

The Detroit Tigers have interest in Anthony Santander, possibly as the backup plan for Alex Bregman, but the Tigers aren't frontrunners for Santander.

www.freep.com

RF Anthony Santander

The Tigers have interest in right fielder Anthony Santander, but the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels are the frontrunners for his services.

Santander, who turned 30 in mid-October, hit .235 with 44 home runs, 58 walks and 129 strikeouts across 155 games for the Baltimore Orioles in the 2024 season. A switch-hitter, Santander hit .239 with an .822 OPS against right-handers and .225 with a .793 OPS against left-handers. He made the All-Star Game in 2024 for the first time in his eight-year MLB career.

Santander averaged 35 homers and 153 games per season from 2022-24, with an 8.5% walk rate, a 20.5% strikeout rate and a .795 OPS. He is a solid fit for the Tigers as a power hitter from both sides of the plate, but he chases too many pitches outside of the strike zone (though not as often as Javier Báez).

He isn't expected to reunite with the Orioles in 2025.

If the Tigers add Bregman, Matt Vierling — a fellow right-handed hitter — would play all three outfield positions, which is where he fits best. If they add Santander, Vierling would stick at third base because Santander is limited to right field.

 

[The Iceman]

Yes I did read your post. And yes they do need at least 3 bats. And 7 of the positions are definitely not fine. Outside of Vladdy, Bo and to a certain degree Springer, everyone else right now is average at absolute best. Kirk, Varsho, Giminez while they're very good defensively, they can't hit the broad side of a barn most of the time. Clement, Loperfido and Wagner are still too young and too early to tell how good offensively they can be. But you can't trust them if you're in "win now" mode.

And I don't think you know what "The bottom of the order" means in baseball. Because their 7 to 9 right now is not good at all. Hell. It's like I said earlier. Other than Vladdy, Bo and to a certain degree Springer, the rest of the lineup is either absolutely horrendous at the plate or too raw and very touch and go at best.


Imagine thinking that the bottom of the order of this team is good? LOL

And extend that right to AAA where we have zero guys knocking on the big league door.

It Is embarrassing to me to see Washington sign a player like Josh Bell but to see it as a nice puzzle piece mixed with Nath Lowe.

A team with a plan/ vision.
So far from what we have in Toronto.

 

[dredeye]

I don't think I have ever been this apathetic to the Jays and I watched them in the 90's, there is no direction and no hope to me.

Yea I really couldn’t agree more. Just adding random pieces that don’t address needs. Missing on all free agents. About to lose our “franchise players” for comp picks in a year. Management that’s clearly in its last year. A farm system near the bottom of the league. Another year for a manager that continues to fail. I’ve tried to support these guys but this is as dark as it gets for the Jays. It’s going to be a long road ahead.

What if Detroit Tigers miss on top target Alex Bregman? Anthony Santander interest exists

The Detroit Tigers have interest in Anthony Santander, possibly as the backup plan for Alex Bregman, but the Tigers aren't frontrunners for Santander.

www.freep.com

RF Anthony Santander

The Tigers have interest in right fielder Anthony Santander, but the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels are the frontrunners for his services.

Santander, who turned 30 in mid-October, hit .235 with 44 home runs, 58 walks and 129 strikeouts across 155 games for the Baltimore Orioles in the 2024 season. A switch-hitter, Santander hit .239 with an .822 OPS against right-handers and .225 with a .793 OPS against left-handers. He made the All-Star Game in 2024 for the first time in his eight-year MLB career.

Santander averaged 35 homers and 153 games per season from 2022-24, with an 8.5% walk rate, a 20.5% strikeout rate and a .795 OPS. He is a solid fit for the Tigers as a power hitter from both sides of the plate, but he chases too many pitches outside of the strike zone (though not as often as Javier Báez).

He isn't expected to reunite with the Orioles in 2025.

If the Tigers add Bregman, Matt Vierling — a fellow right-handed hitter — would play all three outfield positions, which is where he fits best. If they add Santander, Vierling would stick at third base because Santander is limited to right field.

So this is where we should stop discussing Santander.

 

[aingefan]

And extend that right to AAA where we have zero guys knocking on the big league door.

It Is embarrassing to me to see Washington sign a player like Josh Bell but to see it as a nice puzzle piece mixed with Nath Lowe.

A team with a plan/ vision.
So far from what we have in Toronto.

That’s not true about the AAA level, unless you’re considering everyone ‘graduated’
Clase, Loperfido, Martinez, Barger are very close to being ready to make the full time jump.
Roden and Kasevich aren’t far behind.
RJ Shreck may be knocking on the door by the end of the year.

 

[Discoverer]

And extend that right to AAA where we have zero guys knocking on the big league door.

It Is embarrassing to me to see Washington sign a player like Josh Bell but to see it as a nice puzzle piece mixed with Nath Lowe.

A team with a plan/ vision.
So far from what we have in Toronto.

All of Wagner, Orelvis, Loperfido, Clase, Roden, and Barger will be at the back-end of the Jays roster or in Buffalo. Position player depth is fine. What they need is high-end offensive talent so they're not relying on those guys to be the best hitters outside of Vlad/Bo.

 

[LaP]

This is about chasing the last place in the league now

 

[The Iceman]

That’s not true about the AAA level, unless you’re considering everyone ‘graduated’
Clase, Loperfido, Martinez, Barger are very close to being ready to make the full time jump.
Roden and Kasevich aren’t far behind.
RJ Shreck may be knocking on the door by the end of the year.

Which ones of those 4 guys have options to go Down?
Any idea?

If they do they are legit guys to call up. If they don’t they will probably be claimed.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Yea I really couldn’t agree more. Just adding random pieces that don’t address needs. Missing on all free agents. About to lose our “franchise players” for comp picks in a year. Management that’s clearly in its last year. A farm system near the bottom of the league. Another year for a manager that continues to fail. I’ve tried to support these guys but this is as dark as it gets for the Jays. It’s going to be a long road ahead.


So this is where we should stop discussing Santander.

 

[canucksfan]

Which ones of those 4 guys have options to go Down?
Any idea?

If they do they are legit guys to call up. If they don’t they will probably be claimed.

All of those guys could be sent down. I would assume Loperfido is a solid bet to make the team. Might be more of those guys make the team if they don't sign too many other players.

 

[mikeyz]

They'll be extremely lucky if they win 60 games in 2026 if Vladdy and Bo walk for nothing next winter. There's no argument to be made there.

 

[King Mapes]

They'll be extremely lucky if they win 60 games in 2026 if Vladdy and Bo walk for nothing next winter. There's no argument to be made there.

I’ll disagree. Berrios, Gausman, Bassitt, plus free agents they potentially add I don’t think they’d win less than 60 but this team is a mess. Why is no one being held accountable? People should be losing their jobs.

I haven’t posted on this site in years I think Jays are blowing smoke about going after Soto. We need Santandar or another big at left or we are screwed next year.

All of Wagner, Orelvis, Loperfido, Clase, Roden, and Barger will be at the back-end of the Jays roster or in Buffalo. Position player depth is fine. What they need is high-end offensive talent so they're not relying on those guys to be the best hitters outside of Vlad/Bo.

This. I think Wagner has decent upside but yeah they have depth but not really game changing talent.

 

[mikeyz]

I’ll disagree. Berrios, Gausman, Bassitt,
free agents they potentially add
I don’t think they’d win less than 60 but this team is a mess. Why is no one being held accountable? People should be losing their jobs.

I haven’t posted on this site in years I think Jays are blowing smoke about going after Soto. We need Santandar or another big at left or we are screwed next year.

What free agents are they going to get? Nobody good wants to come here now let alone if they lose Vladdy and Bo.

 

[SoupNazi]

They'll be extremely lucky if they win 60 games in 2026 if Vladdy and Bo walk for nothing next winter. There's no argument to be made there.

As an outside fan, I’d be really surprised if your FO lets them walk for nothing. Like shocked.

 

[rojac]

v.

 

[aingefan]

Which ones of those 4 guys have options to go Down?
Any idea?

If they do they are legit guys to call up. If they don’t they will probably be claimed.

@canucksfan already answered. All four. Roden and Kasevich aren’t on the 40 man yet, but Roden might force the issue. I
Not one of them is a classic thumper, but all have pretty great milb resumes.
Loperfido has 20-20 upside
Clase could put up 15-20hr and a as many sb’s as his team will let him take
Barger has legit power
OMart prolly has the most power of em all.
And there’s still Wagner and Jimenez (who I have on the team) who are in the average league nat range.
To answer the options question:
I think Clement and Jimenez are the two out of options. Davis Schneider still has an option I think.

 

[shaner8989]

Just hurry up and fire these clowns. Trade Vlad and Bo. Start the rebuild with new management: try and again.

This was era was a major fail.

 

[The Iceman]

If the Jays sign a Pivetta, Bergman type FA do they lose their 1st round pick?

 

[Ale Brew]

If the Jays sign a Pivetta, Bergman type FA do they lose their 1st round pick?

I think they lose their 2nd round pick, which is in the late 40’s.

 

[GoonieFace]

In no scenario do I see Vlad not walking to free agency. He is going to hit it big. Rogers needs to wake the f up and fire Atkins. It’s like they are sabotaging this team on purpose.

 

[cyris]

I think they lose their 2nd round pick, which is in the late 40’s.

I believe you are correct. It would be a first round pick but top 10 picks are protected.
So it would be our 2nd round pick and after that our 3rd round pick if we sign an additional qualified player