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

[Puckstuff]

The same organization that said that Horwitz doesn't provide enough offense to play 1B/DH signed Turner to play 1B/DH for 13M (Turner hit 23 homers the year before and it was widely viewed that his power was regressing).

Ross Atkins appears to have contracted a "baseball mind virus" that fixates on defense-first players, even at the cost of team value. This narrow focus leads to decisions where offensive production and surplus value are unnecessarily sacrificed. The virus drives an overemphasis on defensive metrics, overshadowing the need for well-rounded players. While defense matters, an unbalanced obsession with it hurts the team's ability to score runs!

 

[Discoverer]

Ross Atkins appears to have contracted a "baseball mind virus" that fixates on defense-first players, even at the cost of team value. This narrow focus leads to decisions where offensive production and surplus value are unnecessarily sacrificed. The virus drives an overemphasis on defensive metrics, overshadowing the need for well-rounded players. While defense matters, an unbalanced obsession with it hurts the team's ability to score runs!

Even if the players themselves aren't well-rounded, the roster needs to be. Having a handful of elite defenders with mediocre bats is fine if you have a few big bats in the middle of the lineup providing the offense. The problem right now is that they have Varsho, Kirk, Clement, and Gimenez as elite defense/average-at-best bats with only Vlad to balance it out. Throw in Santander or Teo and a bounceback from Bo and it starts to round into form, but I'm not particularly convinced we're going to see enough to balance it out.

 

[Puckstuff]

Even if the players themselves aren't well-rounded, the roster needs to be. Having a handful of elite defenders with mediocre bats is fine if you have a few big bats in the middle of the lineup providing the offense. The problem right now is that they have Varsho, Kirk, Clement, and Gimenez as elite defense/average-at-best bats with only Vlad to balance it out. Throw in Santander or Teo and a bounceback from Bo and it starts to round into form, but I'm not particularly convinced we're going to see enough to balance it out.

*Patiently waiting on edge for a Teo/Santander/big bat signing to see if the prior moves were good moves or literally insane*

Damn, I really wanted Joc. Probably wasn't in the cards for the Jays though.

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[canucksfan]

Even if the players themselves aren't well-rounded, the roster needs to be. Having a handful of elite defenders with mediocre bats is fine if you have a few big bats in the middle of the lineup providing the offense. The problem right now is that they have Varsho, Kirk, Clement, and Gimenez as elite defense/average-at-best bats with only Vlad to balance it out. Throw in Santander or Teo and a bounceback from Bo and it starts to round into form, but I'm not particularly convinced we're going to see enough to balance it out.

They need two solid bats but I am expecting one. Expecting a bounceback from Bo is logical but I am thinking Springer declines again. Currently, Kirk would be after Vladdy which is ridiculous.

 

[Ale Brew]

Supposedly this guy was first to have Joc Pederson to the Rangers last night.

I have to assume they let Alonso go if they bring in Bregman.

I know he’s not an ideal fit (either Vlad moves to 3B or Pete is a primary DH) but it would be pretty fun having him batting behind Vlad and providing a legit power threat.

 

[cyris]

Supposedly this guy was first to have Joc Pederson to the Rangers last night.

I have to assume they let Alonso go if they bring in Bregman.

I know he’s not an ideal fit (either Vlad moves to 3B or Pete is a primary DH) but it would be pretty fun having him batting behind Vlad and providing a legit power threat.

I have mixed feelings about Alonso. He is probably the best FA hitter left. But he is seeking significant money and term. Also I really worry how his best tool which is power is going to age as he already 30.
The upside is he is running out of potential destinations. A lot of the teams that have money to spend don’t really need a 1B/DH.

 

[trellaine201]

I am starting to wonder if Rogers has decided to NOT let Atkins etc give out that huge contract to Vlady or Bo. They may go status quo or try and move them.

 

[Dr.Funk]

I am starting to wonder if Rogers has decided to NOT let Atkins etc give out that huge contract to Vlady or Bo. They may go status quo or try and move them.

I mean we do know that an offer well over 300M was recently rejected.

 

[The Iceman]

I am starting to wonder if Rogers has decided to NOT let Atkins etc give out that huge contract to Vlady or Bo. They may go status quo or try and move them.

Did they decide to not let them sign them 2 years ago when they should have signed them or just now?

 

[tmlfan98]

This is the most in-depth summary I've seen of the recent Vladdy interview so far. A lot of interesting points:

 

[dredeye]

I mean we do know that an offer well over 300M was recently rejected.

They should be moving both now

 

[landy92mack29]

Face of your franchise and send a assistant lol. It's honestly impressive how they've screwed up the contract situations with Vlad and Bo. Even the Royals were smart enough to lock up Witt

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Extend Vlad or move him. It's not that complicated.

You can get a Soto-like return for Vlad right now from a number of teams. If you try to get too cute again, and he starts the year cold and/or gets injured then you're relegated to trading him for this year's Julian Merryweather.

 

[MikeK]

Extend Vlad or move him. It's not that complicated.

You can get a Soto-like return for Vlad right now from a number of teams. If you try to get too cute again, and he starts the year cold and/or gets injured then you're relegated to trading him for this year's Julian Merryweather.

Agreed. You either extend him now or you move him now. If they allow this to drag into spring training and into the season it'll be one of the wort screwups this Franchise will have ever made. There is no benefit for prolonging this. If the team truly wants to extend him than you get it done. If not you move him now while his value is high.

 

[Dr.Funk]

They should be moving both now

Sign Vlad, trade Bo