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

[Ale Brew]

Maybe we should trade for Luis Castillo who’s apparently on the block.

Would love to get Castillo, but I believe they are after a big bat in return, and we’re certainly not in a position to offer them one. I suppose we could broker a 3 team trade, but seems unlikely.

 

[ChuckNorris4Cup]

Jays Manager believed Springer was still a lead off hitter all year, so he must be really good still right... or is John Schneider just that bad....

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Move Bo to Houston for Tucker and put Giminez at shortstop.

 

[MK78]

Move Bo to Houston for Tucker and put Giminez at shortstop.

Pretty sure thats the plan for Gimenez at some point, depending if they trade Bo before the start of the year or mid season.

 

[hockeywiz542]

BIG Teoscar Hernandez Free Agency Update! Will LA Re-sign Teoscar Hernandez?

Dodgers Nation

Streamed live 112 minutes ago

 

[dredeye]

I wish we weren’t attached to every player as a close second

 

[Ale Brew]

I wish we weren’t attached to every player as a close second

Yeah I’d prefer a more balanced 1st or 4th on everyone

 

[TheTotalPackage]

What's the deal with Tucker? Why would the Astros be looking to trade him? I'm not following them or that situation, so as an outsider, it makes no sense to me.

 

[Eyedea]

What's the deal with Tucker? Why would the Astros be looking to trade him? I'm not following them or that situation, so as an outsider, it makes no sense to me.

Just a case of the GM on record saying he'll listen on anyone (including Tucker and Valdez). Doesn't necessarily mean he'll move either of them.

The + on Bo would need to be a significant one to come close to getting Tucker.

 

[Killer Orcas]

What's the deal with Tucker? Why would the Astros be looking to trade him? I'm not following them or that situation, so as an outsider, it makes no sense to me.

I believe the Stros don't like giving out long contracts and realize he's gonna want one and be able to get it on open market.

 

[jetsforever]

I can't help but feel that the reason why Burnes hasn't signed yet is because the Jays currently have the best offer but he's hoping either the Giants or another team comes up on their offer to either match Toronto or come pretty close. It's pretty evident he doesn't want to come here.

Let's hope that money talks then and we can just buy his loyalty.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Hellcat]

Jays Manager believed Springer was still a lead off hitter all year, so he must be really good still right... or is John Schneider just that bad....

I get the sense that Schneider is told what to do by the stats guys. I'm not 100% sure he has the latitude to set his own lineup. The playoff game a few years back when he pulled our SP when he was having a great game, Schneider seemed to suggest the decisions was made by someone else. I've read articles in the past that suggest the Jays advance stats nerds dictate who plays. Who gets AB's, when RP are called in, which RP they are to use, when the SP is to be pulled. I appreciate the value of data to make decisions but there is allowing data to blindly dictate what you do and then there is data that you use to inform you of the possibilities and then allowing yourself to use logic and baseball knowledge to decide what you do.

Another sign that Atkins and Shapiro think they are the smartest people in the room, lets hire bean counters to run a sports team, until they are gone and we get Baseball people in the Front Office this insane merri-go-round with the Jays will never stop.

 

[Discoverer]

I get the sense that Schneider is told what to do by the stats guys. I'm not 100% sure he has the latitude to set his own lineup. The playoff game a few years back when he pulled our SP when he was having a great game, Schneider seemed to suggest the decisions was made by someone else. I've read articles in the past that suggest the Jays advance stats nerds dictate who plays. Who gets AB's, when RP are called in, which RP they are to use, when the SP is to be pulled. I appreciate the value of data to make decisions but there is allowing data to blindly dictate what you do and then there is data that you use to inform you of the possibilities and then allowing yourself to use logic and baseball knowledge to decide what you do.

Another sign that Atkins and Shapiro think they are the smartest people in the room, lets hire bean counters to run a sports team, until they are gone and we get Baseball people in the Front Office this insane merri-go-round with the Jays will never stop.

If the manager doesn't have final say, why was there such a clear difference in lineup construction and bullpen usage once Schneider replaced Montoyo?

Also... the Jays didn't exactly have a bunch of good options for the leadoff spot, but you won't find any advanced stats anywhere that support Springer being in that role. If anything, that's a classic "baseball guy" move, where he gives the benefit of the doubt to the scrappy veteran regardless of how far he's fallen statistically.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

His track record isn't long but I'd rather sign Profar than Santander. He's slighgly older and has a shorter track record, but I think he'll be cheaper and is a better overall hitter. Neither are going to be good defensively in left.

 

[tmlfan98]

Jim Bowden kiss of death, Jays will not be signing Corbin Burnes.

 

[Hellcat]

If the manager doesn't have final say, why was there such a clear difference in lineup construction and bullpen usage once Schneider replaced Montoyo?

Also... the Jays didn't exactly have a bunch of good options for the leadoff spot, but you won't find any advanced stats anywhere that support Springer being in that role. If anything, that's a classic "baseball guy" move, where he gives the benefit of the doubt to the scrappy veteran regardless of how far he's fallen statistically.

Good point ...

Lots of odd things happen with the Jays that I'd like the answer to also.

• Why have the jays suddenly be come all defence and no offence?
• Maybe it is stubbornness thinking he was just in a slump and would eventually come out of it?
• Why did we pursue Ohtani and Soto when we clearly had zero chance to actually sign them?
• Why did we dump Teo then try to get him back via trade and now seemingly want to sign him as a UFA?
• Why did Atkins say they think they can fix Andres bat, when we've done nothing but kill bats for the last few years?
• Why do Atkins and Shaprio always think they are the smartest person in the room and frequently talk down to Jays fans?
• Why did we sign Yimi to a 2 year deal, when he imploded last year towards the end of his Jays tenure and completely fell off the rails with Seattle but let Romano go when he had one year remaining at the same hit as Yimi?

 

[Discoverer]

His track record isn't long but I'd rather sign Profar than Santander. He's slighgly older and has a shorter track record, but I think he'll be cheaper and is a better overall hitter. Neither are going to be good defensively in left.

I would expect Profar to regress at least a bit, though his Statcast page and expected stats from last year look awesome, so maybe there's something to his breakout.

One thing I like about Profar is that his offensive profile is more OBP-driven with a bit of pop. He's slow, but you could legitimately plug him into the leadoff spot and let Vladdy go to work.

If the Jays signed him, I think I would still feel like they're missing a bit power bat for the middle of the lineup, though.

 

[Kurtz]

If the manager doesn't have final say, why was there such a clear difference in lineup construction and bullpen usage once Schneider replaced Montoyo?

Also... the Jays didn't exactly have a bunch of good options for the leadoff spot, but you won't find any advanced stats anywhere that support Springer being in that role. If anything, that's a classic "baseball guy" move, where he gives the benefit of the doubt to the scrappy veteran regardless of how far he's fallen statistically.

Wasn't there a stat prior to last year that showed Springer put up his best numbers hitting leadoff?

 

[Hellcat]

His track record isn't long but I'd rather sign Profar than Santander. He's slighgly older and has a shorter track record, but I think he'll be cheaper and is a better overall hitter. Neither are going to be good defensively in left.

I think I'm with you on this. IMO I think Profar is more of a 2nd or 3rd in the lineup guy, where Santander is more of a 5th, 6th or 7th (7th in a deep lineup) guy. Profar can play 3B/LF (anyone can play LF ) Santander K rate is too high but he did hit 44 dingers last year. Ideally you get Profar to be your full time DH and spot duty in the field.

 

[Ale Brew]

I would expect Profar to regress at least a bit, though his Statcast page and expected stats from last year look awesome, so maybe there's something to his breakout.

One thing I like about Profar is that his offensive profile is more OBP-driven with a bit of pop. He's slow, but you could legitimately plug him into the leadoff spot and let Vladdy go to work.

If the Jays signed him, I think I would still feel like they're missing a bit power bat for the middle of the lineup, though.

Probably unlikely, but if we sign one of Santander/Teo, perhaps we could circle back to Profar if his market doesn’t develop. Obviously not in budget if we land Burnes, but this offense really needs at least 2 bats. They have the AB’s to offer between LF/DH and Profar came up as a SS who morphed into a super utility guy. Probably would want him in LF most of the time, but he’s capable of being moved around a bit to give other guys a DH day.

 

[Discoverer]

Wasn't there a stat prior to last year that showed Springer put up his best numbers hitting leadoff?

Technically his best career wRC+ is 141 hitting 2nd, then 129 hitting 3rd, then 128 hitting leadoff. But the sample sizes outside of the leadoff spot are pretty much meaningless since 80% of his career PA have been in the leadoff spot and the majority of the rest came in his first three seasons in the league. Considering the player he's been the last two years, I don't think you can really draw any conclusions from his career numbers.

 

[Hellcat]

Anyone buy into the speculation (Jeff Blair) that Andres was brought in so the Jays can trade Bo? He was commenting on previous statements by Atkins that Will Wagner will be the Jays starting 2B eventually, Andres moves to SS which is his natural position (not a great arm though). He also said there is zero chance that Vlad and Bo are part of this team in two seasons. Thoughts?

Probably unlikely, but if we sign one of Santander/Teo, perhaps we could circle back to Profar if his market doesn’t develop. Obviously not in budget if we land Burnes, but this offense really needs at least 2 bats. They have the AB’s to offer between LF/DH and Profar came up as a SS who morphed into a super utility guy. Probably would want him in LF most of the time, but he’s capable of being moved around a bit to give other guys a DH day.

I think we need 4 production bats: DH, RF, LF and 3B. Springer may bounce back but not convinced he will, he is on the wrong side of the old man mountain.

 

[Discoverer]

I think I'm with you on this. IMO I think Profar is more of a 2nd or 3rd in the lineup guy, where Santander is more of a 5th, 6th or 7th (7th in a deep lineup) guy. Profar can play 3B/LF (anyone can play LF ) Santander K rate is too high but he did hit 44 dingers last year. Ideally you get Profar to be your full time DH and spot duty in the field.

Weird thing about Profar is that he's managed to be a complete disaster defensively everywhere he's played on the field over his career with the exception of a bit of time at 1B. I think they would likely just plug him in left and hope the ball doesn't go there much, then give him a little time at 1B/DH.

Santander doesn't strike out a lot at all.

 

[Hellcat]

Santander doesn't strike out a lot at all.

Sorry, you are right I was interpreting the K% backwards, he is top 1/3 in the league.

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/anthony-santander-623993?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb