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

[Dr.Funk]

Curious wording, tho. I mean, he could have the impression that they’re on the ropes or could be getting info from somewhere….but they *have* been in place for 10 years with no organizational evidence that upheaval is imminent. How many FO’s have been that stable?

Yeah most people believe this was kinda of a shot at the Padres ownership drama.

 

[phillipmike]

Paraphrasing Davidi’s notes on the JD Bunkis show:
-Jays are looking to be opportunistic with Alonso. They won’t overextended themselves to sign him
-If there are opportunities, they will present them to ownership
-Feels the Jays are up against their budget now and will have to put a business case forward to spend more money
-Re: CBT, they are at the $268M range and that’s $3M under the 2nd CBT of $271M, and that’s where he expects them to sit
-Finds the Alonso stuff fascinating because from what he has heard, the talks with the Jays aren’t active at the moment.
-Doesn’t feel like they were that interested in Profar, they spoke to him but nothing was close. They would have added him but at a lower cost.
-Jays are chasing WAR, so they are interested in everything to help them make an impact.
-Feels if they sign Alonso, it has nothing to do with Vlad. Just an opportunistic signing to add more HRs and make the lineup deeper
-Believes their will be another period of negotiations between Vlad and the Jays before Spring Training
-won’t trade Vlad unless they get a ridiculous offer.
-Believes there is a path for a Vlad extension even after the season if it doesn’t get done now
-In September, Vlad said “3B is my position” and would be “happy to play there” but is willing to play 1B
-Says in a perfect world they use Vlad 15-20 times at 3B. If they got Alonso, thinking it could be pushed to 40+ games
-Bo doesn’t want to move off SS unless it’s for a premier SS
-Suspects the Mets have their eye on Vlad
-BNS says Max Scherzer is their top target. Davidi says he has heard before Max Scherzer makes a decision on the Jays, he wants to see what else the Jays do because he wants to win
-Re: Max, it’s similar to Alonso, discussions are not as active as people are making it out to be. Doesn’t mean it won’t pick up.
-Jays are willing to be patience and wait like the Giants
-Ross specifically said he will run further opportunities up to ownership if value presents itself
-Similar to last offseason with Chapman, Bellinger, Snell and Montgomery, the Jays monitoring if some of the top remaining guys have to take short term deals with opt outs.
-With the deferrals and AAV hit on Santander, the Jays weren’t actively after him but when they saw they could get him for such a cheap deal, they made it.
-Only with Soto and Burnes, they lunged and went above their evaluations to get them but it didn’t work. They will stick to their evaluations with everyone else like they did with Santander
-Again, the opportunity works out, they could look at taking money like with Presley or Montgomery.
-The prefer to add a starter and move Yariel to the pen. Could look at a 6 man rotation

 

[Hellcat]

Always the brides maid never the bride ...

Astros RP Ryan Pressly Shuts Down Potential Trade to Blue Jays

Ryan Pressly, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, has reportedly stopped the Astros from trading him to the Blue Jays ahead of the 2025 season.

www.si.com

 

[DuklaNation]

Only few weeks before training camp opens, which is Vlad's deadline for extension. If nothing is done, the risk of him walking at end of '25 season goes up dramatically. Not sure what thus front office is doing but you can't let players dictate everything.

 

[stats1]

Paraphrasing Davidi’s notes on the JD Bunkis show:
-Jays are looking to be opportunistic with Alonso. They won’t overextended themselves to sign him
-If there are opportunities, they will present them to ownership
-Feels the Jays are up against their budget now and will have to put a business case forward to spend more money
-Re: CBT, they are at the $268M range and that’s $3M under the 2nd CBT of $271M, and that’s where he expects them to sit
-Finds the Alonso stuff fascinating because from what he has heard, the talks with the Jays aren’t active at the moment.
-Doesn’t feel like they were that interested in Profar, they spoke to him but nothing was close. They would have added him but at a lower cost.
-Jays are chasing WAR, so they are interested in everything to help them make an impact.
-Feels if they sign Alonso, it has nothing to do with Vlad. Just an opportunistic signing to add more HRs and make the lineup deeper
-Believes their will be another period of negotiations between Vlad and the Jays before Spring Training
-won’t trade Vlad unless they get a ridiculous offer.
-Believes there is a path for a Vlad extension even after the extension
-In September, Vlad said “3B is my position” and would be “happy to play there” but is willing to play 1B
-Says in a perfect world they use Vlad 15-20 times at 3B. If they got Alonso, thinking it could be pushed to 40+ games
-Bo doesn’t want to move off SS unless it’s for a premier SS
-Suspects the Mets have their eye on Vlad
-BNS says Max Scherzer is their top target. Davidi says he has heard before Max Scherzer makes a decision on the Jays, he wants to see what else the Jays do because he wants to win
-Re: Max, it’s similar to Alonso, discussions are not as active as people are making it out to be. Doesn’t mean it won’t pick up.
-Jays are willing to be patience and wait like the Giants
-Ross specifically said he will run further opportunities up to ownership if value presents itself
-Similar to last offseason with Chapman, Bellinger, Snell and Montgomery, the Jays monitoring if some of the top remaining guys have to take short term deals with opt outs.
-With the deferrals and AAV hit on Santander, the Jays weren’t actively after him but when they saw they could get him for such a cheap deal, they made it.
-Only with Soto and Burnes, they lunged and went above their evaluations to get them but it didn’t work. They will stick to their evaluations with everyone else like they did with Santander
-Again, the opportunity works out, they could look at taking money like with Presley or Montgomery.
-The prefer to add a starter and move Yariel to the pen. Could look at a 6 man rotation

This is all nice and dandy. But I have a hard time taking anything from Shi or BNS other than corporate manager talk. I have a hard time believing they really weren’t after Santander but they were talking to him since November… everything about these two is always negative.

Didn’t these two guys say the budget wouldn’t rise drastically yet found a deal for Santander, signed Hoffman and are in on Alonso and Sherzer. They really have no leads to anything, they never break any news. I’m even questioning if they have any legit sources around the league

 

[Hellcat]

Only few weeks before training camp opens, which is Vlad's deadline for extension. If nothing is done, the risk of him walking at end of '25 season goes up dramatically. Not sure what thus front office is doing but you can't let players dictate everything.

All I got to say to Atkins is if he can't sign Vlad before Spring Training Camp... Rantanen the F#ck out of this.

Losing him for nothing is an abdication of duties.

We all know what will happen Ross will think this team is a contender, so he wont trade Vlad or Bo. We will finish last or 2nd last in the East... he will tells us before the season begins he thinks there are kids on the farm that can step up. Our starting 5 will look like a Seniors Bowling team. We lose both Bo and Vlad for nothing.

Shapiro will make excuse for his little Rossie, he will keep his job and rinse wash repeat in 2026 but we are even worse with no Bo , no Vlad...

 

[Discoverer]

This is all nice and dandy. But I have a hard time taking anything from Shi or BNS other than corporate manager talk. I have a hard time believing they really weren’t after Santander but they were talking to him since November… everything about these two is always negative.

Didn’t these two guys say the budget wouldn’t rise drastically yet found a deal for Santander, signed Hoffman and are in on Alonso and Sherzer. They really have no leads to anything, they never break any news. I’m even questioning if they have any legit sources around the league

Yeah, none of it really makes much sense. Plus, I'm pretty sure every single year, going back at least a decade, their reporting on payroll has been "They're pretty much at their limit but maybe they have a tiny bit to spend and if they spend more it's because they asked ownership for special permission." They clearly have no clue on payroll.

 

[GreytWun]

Sure would be nice to not be spending all that money on Straw would help us put money towards Alonso. Front office just makes bad decisions to put them in these holes.

 

[Eyedea]

Sure would be nice to not be spending all that money on Straw would help us put money towards Alonso. Front office just makes bad decisions to put them in these holes.

Do we really think the ~5m aav they’re paying Straw these next two years is impacting their negotiations with other players?

 

[phillipmike]

Negotiating tactics here between Boras and Cohen to get him back to New York. It’s only if Alonso feels slighted where he will go elsewhere.

 

[dredeye]

I'm curious what extra prospects we got for that 2 million in extra international spending

 

[Puckstuff]

Cohen on Alonso talks

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[aingefan]

I'm curious what extra prospects we got for that 2 million in extra international spending

Interesting question.
Not many of the signing numbers are disclosed aside from the top few (Polando, Blanco and Sanchez, who combined for about 4mil of the ~8mil pool)
It does continue until December, tho.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Seven MLB moves — signings, trades and extensions — I’d like to see right now

Teams, players and agents are on the clock. With spring training only weeks away, there are several moves that need to be made now.

www.nytimes.com

5. Blue Jays: Sign Vlad Jr. to 12-year, $477 million extension

Guerrero is the face of the Blue Jays franchise and it’s imperative they make him their best offer ASAP. The four-time All-Star has set a deadline for talks of Feb. 17, the day before Toronto holds its first full-squad workout. One way or another, Guerrero, who would be eligible for free agency after the 2025 season, will soon be the third-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind Soto and Shohei Ohtani. He would reach free agency ahead of his age-27 season and his next contract, via an extension or on the open market, is going to dwarf the mega-deals of stars such as Mike Trout, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.

Guerrero said last month that he’d turned down a Blue Jays offer of around $340 million, and although that’s a big number, it’s not even close to what he’d get in free agency. Big-market teams like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Rangers could be looking at him next fall if he’s about to hit the open market, and the Blue Jays don’t want to get into a bidding war with them if they can prevent it.

So, to the Jays and Vladdy, how about a 12-year, $477 million extension? Does that get it done for both sides?

 

[stats1]

I understand agents sometimes gotta be unconventional to try and squeeze every penny out of a GM but this whole Alonso situation as a fan is exhausting. I couldn’t imagine how exhausting it is to actually deal with Boras over a period of time with a client. Holy shit just get a deal done Scott!

 

[GreytWun]

Do we really think the ~5m aav they’re paying Straw these next two years is impacting their negotiations with other players?

Of course it does. It’s a complete waste.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

Seven MLB moves — signings, trades and extensions — I’d like to see right now

Teams, players and agents are on the clock. With spring training only weeks away, there are several moves that need to be made now.

www.nytimes.com

5. Blue Jays: Sign Vlad Jr. to 12-year, $477 million extension

Guerrero is the face of the Blue Jays franchise and it’s imperative they make him their best offer ASAP. The four-time All-Star has set a deadline for talks of Feb. 17, the day before Toronto holds its first full-squad workout. One way or another, Guerrero, who would be eligible for free agency after the 2025 season, will soon be the third-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind Soto and Shohei Ohtani. He would reach free agency ahead of his age-27 season and his next contract, via an extension or on the open market, is going to dwarf the mega-deals of stars such as Mike Trout, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.

Guerrero said last month that he’d turned down a Blue Jays offer of around $340 million, and although that’s a big number, it’s not even close to what he’d get in free agency. Big-market teams like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Rangers could be looking at him next fall if he’s about to hit the open market, and the Blue Jays don’t want to get into a bidding war with them if they can prevent it.

So, to the Jays and Vladdy, how about a 12-year, $477 million extension? Does that get it done for both sides?

Then have defered till his grand kids are adults

 

[mikeyz]

Do we really think the ~5m aav they’re paying Straw these next two years is impacting their negotiations with other players?

........ Yes?????

 

[Hellcat]

........ Yes?????

Noooooo

 

[Eyedea]

........ Yes?????

Of course it does. It’s a complete waste.

They were throwing ~700m at Soto and 200m+ at Burnes and just committed over 90m to Santander after getting Straw… plus showing legit interest for Scherzer (and maybe Alonso but who knows). 10m is a drop in the bucket and they’ve shown creativity with their deals with Hoffman/Santander to be able to continue to look to add in free agency.

But of course, taking a gamble on an overpaid 2 year contract in order to add more to their bonus pool to pursue Sasaki is going to be the deal that hamstrings them.

 

[GreytWun]

They were throwing ~700m at Soto and 200m+ at Burnes and just committed over 90m to Santander after getting Straw… plus showing legit interest for Scherzer (and maybe Alonso but who knows). 10m is a drop in the bucket and they’ve shown creativity with their deals with Hoffman/Santander to be able to continue to look to add in free agency.

But of course, taking a gamble on an overpaid 2 year contract in order to add more to their bonus pool to pursue Sasaki is going to be the deal that hamstrings them.

It's a factor and was not needed. I am not surprised about the "Oh its not big deal" with the spin.

 

[phillipmike]

Scott Boras defends process after Mets owner Steve Cohen calls Pete Alonso talks ‘exhausting’

Last week, the Mets made a counteroffer of three years to Alonso and agent Scott Bora and it was rejected.

www.nytimes.com

Last week, the Mets made a counteroffer of three years to Alonso and Boras. It was rejected.

The Mets withdrew that specific offer after it was turned down, sources familiar with the matter said. However, it’s unknown if the Mets and Alonso have since re-engaged. So whether the door is open under similar or different parameters remains a question.

Sounds like Alonso really wants the Mets but the Mets only want him on their terms. It’s a game of chicken. Depends how bad Alonso wants to stay.

Unlike Ohtani and Sasaki, I dont mind the Jays increasing their offer, overextend themselves to bump up their offer and say you have 2-3 hours or we move on. Really put it on Alonso, if he rejects without a deal, then you know. I don’t mind losing this one. But Alonso has to be careful because if he rejects and the Jays move on, then he has no other suitor and the Mets are his only option.

 

[Eyedea]

It's a factor and was not needed. I am not surprised about the "Oh its not big deal" with the spin.

When the “it’s not my money” / “richest owner in the MLB” crowd tries to flip and say the Jays can’t be throwing money around like it’s nothing. Not surprised there’s still people criticizing them on spending money on a hail mary.

 

[phillipmike]

Was the Straw trade bad? 100%. It’s a F grade.

Is it a waste of money? Yes

Will it prevent the Jays from spending on other free agents? No

His $6M of the Jays current $270M payroll, which is 2.2%.

That’s the equivalent of a Gary Temple on the Raptors ($3.5M of $163M) who has played 14 games of the Raptors 44 or Calle Jarnkrok on the Leafs ($2.1M of $88M) who has yet to play a game this year.

You wish you had that $6M to spend, but it’s a drop in a bucket.

You always have dead money;
2024: 11.4M (money retained in trades for Turner, Kiermaier, IKF, Biggio and releases in Vogelbach and Mayza)

2023: $7.3M (Retained on Grichuk and Bass release)

2022: $25M (Retained on Grichuk and injury to Ryu)

2021: $27M (Releases of Roark, Tulo, Chatwood, Panik, and Dolis and injury to Yates)

Obviously you dont want to start behind the 8 ball spending $6M on Straw this year but you are. But who knows, he may play, he had a 3.3 and 2.7 WAR seasons in 2021 and 2022 respectively. In 2023, it was 1.1 WAR and last year he was hurt.

But in the end, if the Jays want to spend and land another player of impact, they will. Straw won’t prevent them.