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

[Rude Dog]

Give the 250 over 7 years to a guy who can make a difference. AA

 

[phillipmike]

But you aren’t saying it isn’t a possibility……

I’ll think about it if we get Burnes. And I said Burnes not Boo-urns.

 

[dredeye]

Well didn't Shatkins say the other day they were interested or something along those lines with bringing Teo back. The big question is would Teo even bother coming back, because he told Hazel Mae don't expect a reunion, so I have a hard time believing he will, but it would help, and maybe help someone like Vlad to stay as well. It's Atkins last year of his contract so he should try everything he can imo, but I just don't trust him.

To be fair when did he make that statement? If he was still under contract he can't say that he would consider it.

I think it was someone from baseball America who stated Jays drafting was more of an issue than their development.


Still would like another bat with this lineup.

Our drafting is an issue for sure. They been absolutely awful drafting

 

[dredeye]

They were willing to spend 700 million on Soto, Edward Rogers even went to the meeting.

So we’re suppose to believe there’s a special budget for Soto to spend 700 but not Burnes and Santander or something similar!? There’s no way.

These guys better pay up. All in rogers, let’s go

Sure but that contract amounts to 45 million a year. So Burnes would be like 80% of those allocated dollars

 

[jiggy35]

Who is supposed to be our closer right now?

 

[jetsforever]

Pretty exciting that we, uh, might sign Burnes!

 

[Scotianhab]

Bassitt could be traded if we sign Burnes. I still think Bo could be traded as well.

 

[aingefan]

Pretty soon, we’ll be at the ‘mystery box’ class of offensive free agents.

If we get lucky, it might even be a bat.

I’ll show myself out.

 

[Dr.Funk]

I was actually wondering if they'd bring Teo back as a tool to make Vlad happy. Not sure if it's enough to get him to sign before hitting free agency at this point though.

The thought crossed my mind with him and Santander being very close in ability o each other, I give Santander a slight edge over Teo, and normally I'm not one to have friendship be a determining factor in signing someone but with the gap between Santander and Teo as a minimal as it is does the friendship make tip the scales over to Teo over Santander.

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[Ale Brew]

Any Oilers fans that post in this thread, is this guy legit or no? He seems to have a good track record but you guys would know more because he's an Oilers guy.

Is it me or are these bogus reports usually the kiss of death? I’m no longer optimistic about landing Burnes, he probably a Giant.

 

[GoonieFace]

Is it me or are these bogus reports usually the kids of death? I’m no longer optimistic about landing Burnes, he probably a Giant.

All I heard was he wanted to be in California, so this makes sense. Wasn’t a fan of spending big on him anyway

 

[Ale Brew]

All I heard was he wanted to be in California, so this makes sense. Wasn’t a fan of spending big on him anyway

The contract is likely going to be steep, but he’s a legit ace and some of our pitchers are aging. If we’re serious about contending this year, particularly with how the AL East has loaded up, we need significant additions to the pitching staff and lineup.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I feel like if the ownership had at least a clue they would have fired both Atkins and Shapiro. You don’t win in this league by run prevention. You win by having thumpers. If Gimenez is their biggest move, nobody should come to the hope opener in March. Enough is enough. Yea, the off season is not over yet but these guys don’t give you much hope they will do much more. They really think Gimenez makes that much difference.

The contract is likely going to be steep, but he’s a legit ace and some of our pitchers are aging. If we’re serious about contending this year, particularly with how the AL East has loaded up, we need significant additions to the pitching staff and lineup.

Tell that to Atkins. He thinks he can turn Gimenez to his 2022 self.

 

[trellaine201]

All I heard was he wanted to be in California, so this makes sense. Wasn’t a fan of spending big on him anyway

I think he is from California.

 

[Discoverer]

Tell that to Atkins. He thinks he can turn Gimenez to his 2022 self.

I don't think anyone thinks that.

 

[Ale Brew]

I think we all recognize that Giminez CAN’T be the big move of the offseason. He’s a fine addition and a good player, but he doesn’t fix any of our issues. I don’t hate the trade, we probably grow to love having his speed, defense and hustle on the team, but he doesn’t fix the bullpen and he doesn’t give the lineup any thump.

More has to be coming, the pitchforks are already out. Most of the fanbase wants Atkins head, he HAS to respond with some moves that bring some optimism that we can compete.

 

[matand]

Bassitt could be traded if we sign Burnes. I still think Bo could be traded as well.

Doubt that unless they have another starter lined up. By signing Burnes you can move Rodriguez to the bullpen and makes are relievers much stronger then it was last year. Only way you trade bassit is if your going after sasaki and I think they should. No way you should not be in on sasaki and sign him to a long term deal he's a player who can put fans in the stands and sell jerseys so even if they go over the luxury tax for sasaki they will.

 

[GoonieFace]

It’s hard to imagine where their headspace is at. If they believe they will re-sign Vladdy, than now is not the time to be timid. If they have the belief that Vladdy is walking, they need to trade him now, and start dumping Bassit/Gausman etc. Easier said than done I guess, but I am not confident these 2 have any clue what’s going on

 

[Discoverer]

Doubt that unless they have another starter lined up. By signing Burnes you can move Rodriguez to the bullpen and makes are relievers much stronger then it was last year. Only way you trade bassit is if your going after sasaki and I think they should. No way you should not be in on sasaki and sign him to a long term deal he's a player who can put fans in the stands and sell jerseys so even if they go over the luxury tax for sasaki they will.

Sasaki is an International Free Agent, so teams are restricted in their spending by IFA pools. I expect pretty much every team involved will offer him the max, so it's just going to come down to where Sasaki wants to play.

 

[LaP]

Who is supposed to be our closer right now?

His name will be committee and no it's not going to work.

 

[LaP]

I feel like if the ownership had at least a clue they would have fired both Atkins and Shapiro. You don’t win in this league by run prevention. You win by having thumpers. If Gimenez is their biggest move, nobody should come to the hope opener in March. Enough is enough. Yea, the off season is not over yet but these guys don’t give you much hope they will do much more. They really think Gimenez makes that much difference.



Tell that to Atkins. He thinks he can turn Gimenez to his 2022 self.

Gimenez is a nice piece to have in your depth but he can't be part of the middle of the bat order. Bo and Vlad wont be enough. It has been not enough for two years now. Springer can't be that 3rd guy anymore he is a depth player now.

 

[hockeywiz542]

MLB Winter Meetings notes: Why Garrett Crochet trade was necessary first step for Red Sox - The Athletic

Explaining the Guardians’ thinking

If the Cleveland Guardians’ only trade Tuesday had been the Andrés Giménez stunner with the Toronto Blue Jays, it would have looked like little more than a salary dump. Even after the Guardians’ second deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the motivation to purge Giménez’s remaining $96.5 million was clear. But once they flipped first baseman Spencer Horwitz to the Pirates for right-hander Luis L. Ortiz and two left-handed pitching prospects, the Guardians’ maneuverings made more sense.

Giménez’s salary this season is $10.6 million, but after it rises to $15.6 million and then $23.6 million in each of the final three years of his deal. His elite defense at second base alone makes him valuable, but his OPS+ has declined from 41 percent above average in his breakout 2022 season to 4 percent below and 18 percent below the past two years.

The Guardians, according to sources briefed on their thinking, feared a third straight subpar offensive season by Giménez would leave them unable to trade him. Facing their usual payroll limitations, they badly wanted to avoid the downside risk.

Club officials are confident Juan Brito, the Guardians’ No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, can handle second short-term. And the path is clear for Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, to take over the position, perhaps even later this season.

Horwitz, whom The Athletic’s Keith Law described as “a 27-year-old first baseman with middling power and fringy bat speed” seemed a curious return for Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin, even with the Guardians clearing all of Giménez’s money and also getting minor-league outfielder Nick Mitchell from the Jays.

But for Horwitz, the Guardians acquired Ortiz, a rotation candidate who is under club control for the next five years, as well as minor-league left-handers Michael Kennedy, a fourth-round pick in ’22, and Josh Hartle, a third-rounder in ’24. Considering the Guardians’ success in developing pitchers, the trade ultimately might prove a steal.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I want nice things!

 

[hockeywiz542]