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

[Canada4Gold]

Was quite happy with that number until we heard about the concerns Baltimore had with his physical. Still can't really complain. If things go to shit which they probably will those last 2 years won't matter. We get a good pen arm and it's a reunion with one of our best prospects from years ago. That's fun.

 

[Killer Orcas]

Was quite happy with that number until we heard about the concerns Baltimore had with his physical. Still can't really complain. If things go to shit which they probably will those last 2 years won't matter. We get a good pen arm and it's a reunion with one of our best prospects from years ago. That's fun.

Baltimore still wanted him according to article linked. They also have a reputation of being extra attentive to injuries. Hopefully he's fine for us.

Orioles Backed Out Of Deal With Jeff Hoffman

The Orioles pulled out of a contract with Jeff Hoffman because of injury. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[mikeyz]

I would love the Hoffman signing if I knew that the Jays would have a 9th inning lead at least half of the time.

 

[smitty10]

If they can sign Santander and get Vladdy to sign an extension that would be a decent off season. Really love the Hoffman signing.

Jays need a big bat (Santander), 3B (likely not Bregman), LF, backup C and a starting pitcher.

At least 2 of these spots will be filled. My concern is that we add no offense and can't hit again.

 

[saska sault]

Hoffman is a nice signing , injury concerns are what they are for an aging pitcher.... If hes healthy, he is elite and thats all that matters. Have to imagine he will be the closer unless they have other plans to bring in high end arms for the bullpen.

 

[Puckstuff]

Jays need a big bat (Santander), 3B (likely not Bregman), LF, backup C and a starting pitcher.

At least 2 of these spots will be filled. My concern is that we add no offense and can't hit again.

If they can fill only two of those holes, it should be Santander and a starting pitcher.

Clement can handle 3B.

Grandal would be a solid backup catcher, but adding a big bat (Santander is the best fit I agree) should be the first priority.

Springer can shift to LF if Santander plays RF and we can use Orelvis or Will Wagner at DH.

If Roden is ready in 2025, he could play the outfield with Santander at DH. If he's not ready, Santander can stay in the outfield, and DH goes to Martinez/Wagner.

1. 2B - Gimenez
2. SS - Bichette
3. 1B - Vlad
4. RF - Santander
5. C - Kirk
6. LF - Springer
7. DH - Wagner/Martinez
8. CD - Varsho
9. 3B - Clement

 

[aingefan]

Jays need a big bat (Santander), 3B (likely not Bregman), LF, backup C and a starting pitcher.

At least 2 of these spots will be filled. My concern is that we add no offense and can't hit again.

Agree on the bat need.
3B is likely Clement plus internals helping out like Barger, maybe even Wagner. Alternately, they look for a reclamation 1B and rotate that guy with Vlad and Clement between the two spots.
Agree on backup C, or heir apparent….but the FO seems to have parked that need.
Still good starters available who weren’t qualified. Quintana being a southpaw might be at the top of the list. There’s still Flaherty, and the dream of Sasaki isn’t dead til it is.
As others have mentioned, a better lefty situation for the pen would be nice, but I think that’s probably parked too. I imagine they rotate through Little/Walker/Eisert and Lucas, counting on the fungibility of relieving. Maybe Tiedemann and Macko or Trent Wallace by the end of the year.
I’m still of the kind that Bo is on the move, and might fill some of those needs.

I’d love to know the actual plan wirh YRod. Some talk of moving to the pen, but maybe he’s better served getting stretched out. Inconsistent last year, but that’s the most he’s pitched in a long time.

 

[LeafsNet]

Do something.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Jays need a big bat (Santander), 3B (likely not Bregman), LF, backup C and a starting pitcher.

At least 2 of these spots will be filled. My concern is that we add no offense and can't hit again.

If we can't hit, then a good bullpen is useless because they won't have many leads to protect. Something has to happen here. If your team sucks, then Hoffman in the back of your bullpen won't make a difference. They need bats and they need them now. So I hope there is still a plan to add some thump.

 

[EpochLink]

Vlad in a contract year - monster production

 

[phillipmike]

 

[Kurtz]

Vlad in a contract year - monster production

He OPSed 1.127 in the second half last year.

If he actually figured something out and brings that into his contract year...watch out.

 

[Woodman19]

aka, not getting the Japanese player (not that we were going to anyway lol)

 

[habamillions]

There was another guy too they are rumored to sign aince last year. So those 2 will take up a good chunk of the 6 mil. Those sasaki bs rumors can go away now

 

[Amadeus]

There was another guy too they are rumored to sign aince last year. So those 2 will take up a good chunk of the 6 mil. Those sasaki bs rumors can go away now

Not neccessarily. Can't the Jays not acquire additional international spending money somehow? Also, it's' a moot point on what he signs for as I read we can extend him fairly soon for a very large sum if we want.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[dredeye]

Vlad in a contract year - monster production

He hasn’t been good in any pressure situation so it may not be

aka, not getting the Japanese player (not that we were going to anyway lol)

And unsurprisingly the Pirates are signing on that was long committed to the Dodgers. Exactly as planned lol

 

[MK78]

So there's potential medical issue with Hoffman. Same thing was with Romano and they ditched him.

I guess we'll see what happens. Romano only signed for 1 year, and the Jays gave Hoffman 3.

 

[Ale Brew]

So there's potential medical issue with Hoffman. Same thing was with Romano and they ditched him.

I guess we'll see what happens. Romano only signed for 1 year, and the Jays gave Hoffman 3.

Not all medical issues are equal.

The O’s were repeatedly still offering him a similar deal to the Jays but he opted to sign with Toronto.

Have to assume our medical staff wasn’t concerned, this is the most this regime has spent on a reliever.

 

[Dr.Funk]

Not all medical issues are equal.

The O’s were repeatedly still offering him a similar deal to the Jays but he opted to sign with Toronto.

Have to assume our medical staff wasn’t concerned, this is the most this regime has spent on a reliever.

I'm guessing the O's saw something generally considered minor and being they are still cheapskates tried to use that to save a few bucks and instead it cost them the player

 

[hockeywiz542]

Mitchell: Jeff Hoffman checks one box, but what’s next for Toronto Blue Jays? | TSN

The Toronto Blue Jays saw an opportunity to add one of the best relievers on the market and pounced, signing Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33-million deal Friday evening. Elsewhere on the roster, there are still major question marks, as the MLB offseason inches along as usual, Scott Mitchell...

www.tsn.ca

Hoffman joins the recently re-signed Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Erik Swanson at the back end of manager John Schneider’s bullpen, and while it’s likely another depth addition or two is on the way, the core group seems to be in place.

Elsewhere on the roster, there are still major question marks, as the MLB offseason inches along as usual.

There’s still a ton of talent on the market, and many names the Blue Jays have engaged with are still seen as possibilities.

There’s still a hole in the rotation that needs to be filled and the Jays came oh-so-close to landing Corbin Burnes recently, with the club at one point believing it was close to a done deal, before family considerations turned them towards Arizona.

For most, however, it’s what Atkins does to put the finishing touches on the lineup that’s going to decide the tone heading into camp.

An outfielder with power, a legitimate third baseman and/or a big bat to slot into the DH spot are all needed if this team is going to seriously consider itself a contender and able to get into the 85-90 win range.

Alex Bregman is expensive, as is Anthony Santander, two players that fit well.

The Pete Alonso market seems to have started to shift towards some sort of prove-it deal with opt outs built in, but Scott Boras is going to Scott Boras and we’re likely looking at another year where players are signing after spring training has started, which is an unfortunate part of the buzz-kill ways this sport has decided to structure its offseason roster building.

It has been far from an A-plus offseason so far for the Jays, but they have more talent than they did a couple months ago and there’s still both money and opportunity remaining to get leaps and bounds better by the time it matters.

After their bullpen posted a ghastly 4.82 ERA as a team, second worst in all of baseball, there’s no question the ‘pen is better with Hoffman as the lynchpin now.

 

[mikeyz]

This is some ground breaking journalism from BNS here. Lol.

 

[smitty10]

Mitchell: Jeff Hoffman checks one box, but what’s next for Toronto Blue Jays? | TSN

The Toronto Blue Jays saw an opportunity to add one of the best relievers on the market and pounced, signing Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33-million deal Friday evening. Elsewhere on the roster, there are still major question marks, as the MLB offseason inches along as usual, Scott Mitchell...

www.tsn.ca

Hoffman joins the recently re-signed Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Erik Swanson at the back end of manager John Schneider’s bullpen, and while it’s likely another depth addition or two is on the way, the core group seems to be in place.

Elsewhere on the roster, there are still major question marks, as the MLB offseason inches along as usual.

There’s still a ton of talent on the market, and many names the Blue Jays have engaged with are still seen as possibilities.

There’s still a hole in the rotation that needs to be filled and the Jays came oh-so-close to landing Corbin Burnes recently, with the club at one point believing it was close to a done deal, before family considerations turned them towards Arizona.

For most, however, it’s what Atkins does to put the finishing touches on the lineup that’s going to decide the tone heading into camp.

An outfielder with power, a legitimate third baseman and/or a big bat to slot into the DH spot are all needed if this team is going to seriously consider itself a contender and able to get into the 85-90 win range.

Alex Bregman is expensive, as is Anthony Santander, two players that fit well.

The Pete Alonso market seems to have started to shift towards some sort of prove-it deal with opt outs built in, but Scott Boras is going to Scott Boras and we’re likely looking at another year where players are signing after spring training has started, which is an unfortunate part of the buzz-kill ways this sport has decided to structure its offseason roster building.

It has been far from an A-plus offseason so far for the Jays, but they have more talent than they did a couple months ago and there’s still both money and opportunity remaining to get leaps and bounds better by the time it matters.

After their bullpen posted a ghastly 4.82 ERA as a team, second worst in all of baseball, there’s no question the ‘pen is better with Hoffman as the lynchpin now.

I'm happy with the way our pen is currently looking. Add a lefty and maybe one more mid arm and it could be a strong unit.

Hoping for the remainder of additions:

LF Jurickson Profar

DH Anthony Santander

C Yasmani Grandal

SP Jose Quintana

I'd love to get Bregman at 3B, but I just don't see it happening. I think he'll end up in Boston if they don't acquire Arenado. IMO, if he wanted to be a Tiger or Blue Jay he'd have signed by now.