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

[TheTotalPackage]

And I hope you're right, and the only thing keeping Pete from signing here is Pete himself.

But it seemed fairly imminent last week only to fall apart completely. So hopefully the reported offer of 3years x $25 mil is enough to sway him to commit to Toronto - which in turn might convince Max Scherzer to lock in as well.

This is where I'd like to management be proactive and really put the screws into Alonso. If their current offer is the reported one above, then increase it to 3 years x $27/28 million per year. An extra $6 to $9 million over the duration of the contract. Whether it is overpaying, and if it means extra cash outlay that the team doesn't want to give (but we all know it can afford), so be it...if you really want Alonso, step it up a notch.

If the Mets come back and beat it or match it, and he re-signs with the Mets as a result, that's fine. At least they gave it their best shot. But being a bit more aggressive to secure your guy is never a bad thing or look.

 

[habamillions]

Good deal for tampa. Pretty cheap

 

[Discoverer]

Annoying to see the Rays get better with a contract I would have been very happy with, but Kim isn't the greatest fit for the Jays. If they're going to add more, I want another big bat, not another versatile defensive star with an ok bat.

 

[Bjindaho]

Good deal for tampa. Pretty cheap

It's being reported that there is an opt out after year 1

 

[Amadeus]

Good pick up for them. Playing in a minor league ball park may help him cash in next year. He's a solid player.

 

[phillipmike]

Basically Alonso isnt dropping Boras.

[Feinsand] A number of teams have been loosely connected to Scherzer this winter, though the Blue Jays appear to be the most serious, sources said... “Toronto has been hot for him for about two months,” one source said. “They certainly feel like the favorites to get him.”​

https://www.mlb.com/news/max-scherzer-free-agency-outlook

 

[Vector]

 

[Dr.Funk]

 

[phillipmike]

Toronto Blue Jays Schedule, Top Prospects & Roster

www.baseballamerica.com

1. LHP Ricky Tiedemann
2. RHP Trey Yesavage
3. SS Arjun Nimmala
4. 2B Orelvis Martinez
5. RHP Jake Bloss
6. SS Josh Kasevich
7. RHP Landen Maroudis
8. OF Alan Roden
9. LHP Kendrys Rojas
10. RHP Fernando Perez
11. RHP Khal Stephen
12. OF Jonatan Clase
13. 3B/2B Will Wagner
14. OF RJ Schreck
15. RHP Ryan Jennings
16. OF Charles McAdoo
17. SS Christopher Polanco
18. LHP Johnny King
19. OF Jace Bohrofen
20. LHP Adam Macko
21. RHP Carson Messina
22. RHP Angel Bastardo
23. RHP Juaron Watts-Brown
24. 3B Sean Keys
25. 1B Peyton Williams
26. LHP Brandon Barriera
27. SS Juan Sanchez
28. RHP TJ Brock
29. RHP Dahian Santos
30. 2B/3B Eddinson Paulino

 

[phillipmike]

Sucks the brothers wont be able to play together. Wonder how and why they came to the conclusion to trade him or the Reds pick one over the other;

 

[hockeywiz542]

Alex Bregman Reportedly Sitting On 6-Year Contract Offer From Toronto Blue Jays

While most signs are pointing towards Houston re-signing Alex Bregman, Toronto has apparently made a competitive offer to the All-Star free agent.

www.si.com

Three months into the MLB offseason, Alex Bregman remains a free agent.

The 30-year-old third baseman is one of the top position players on the market, as he has been all winter long. The Houston Astros trading reliever Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday suggested that they were shedding payroll to make room for Bregman, but there hasn't been much movement since.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale went on Tuesday night's episode of "Area 45 with Bijani and Creighton" to break down where things stand between Bregman and the Astros. The six-year, $156 million deal they offered him in December is reportedly still on the table, but at least one other suitor is in the same ballpark.

According to Nightengale, the Toronto Blue Jays are "still big on" Bregman and have offered him a six-year contract as well. That stands in opposition to the Boston Red Sox, who have been hesitant to give Bregman a long-term deal.

The Astros do not seem to be intimidated by the Blue Jays' pursuit of Bregman, though, considering Texas does not have state income taxes. Bregman's tax bill would be far higher in Toronto than it would be in Houston, so Nightengale has theorized that the Astros wouldn't feel threatened by a bid on Bregman worth less than $180 million.

Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, are seemingly holding out for a $30 million average annual salary. Perhaps Toronto could beat Houston to that magic number, putting the ball in Bregman's court.

Less than three weeks remain until Spring Training gets underway, compressing the timeline that Bregman, the Astros and the Blue Jays have to complete negotiations.

Bregman won a Gold Glove in 2024 after falling short his first three times as a finalist. He also hit .260 with 26 home runs, 75 RBI, a .768 OPS and 4.1 WAR on the year.

 

[phillipmike]

What I'm Hearing About Former Mets Ace Max Scherzer's Market

Free agent starting pitcher and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is still looking for a new home. As Mets On SI first reported, Scherzer threw a bullpen in fro

www.si.com

Scherzer has spoken to the Blue Jays, with sources briefed on the situation describing discussions as being serious, but nothing seems to have come to fruition yet. The belief is that Toronto's goal is to land two out of three names on the open market in Scherzer, Alonso and third baseman Alex Bregman. The former two look to be the most attainable at this point in time.

The expectation is that Scherzer could land around $15 million or so on a one-year pact (first mentioned by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com). And if Scherzer decides on Toronto, the word is that this could potentially enhance their chances of getting Alonso due to the players having a close relationship.

And if Scherzer decides on Toronto, the word is that this could potentially enhance their chances of getting Alonso due to the players having a close relationship.

 

[MK78]

So are opt outs. It only seems different because contracts are always viewed from the perspective of the team.

Player A signs for 5/100 with opt outs after years 3 and 4
Player B signs for 3/60 with 2 team options for $20 million each

Those are the same contract, only Player A gets to decide on years 4 and 5 while the team gets to decide for Player B. It only gets reported as a 5 year deal vs a 3 year deal because they're talking about the commitment the team has made.

Except when these high priced players opt out after 1 year.

i just wish there was a solid commitment from both sides no funny business. you want to bet on yourself and cash in a year later? sure, but it's a 1 year deal.

 

[Puckstuff]

If the estimated Alonso price is 70 million and Bregman is 156, I'll take Alonso all day... and just bump the offer up 10 %.

 

[GreytWun]

How about we sign Vladdy. There’s a thought

 

[Dr.Funk]

If the estimated Alonso price is 70 million and Bregman is 156, I'll take Alonso all day... and just bump the offer up 10 %.

If price was 156 for Alonso and 156 for Bregman I'm taking Alonso

 

[Hellcat]

I'm truly puzzled about all these opt-outs. Especially after 1 year.

That's like 0 benefit to the team and 100% to the player. "If I'm good i can opt out, but if i suck or get injured I can just stay on it".

The contracts are already guaranteed so why are they allowing this shit. IMO that needs to be changed in the next CBA.

... because some managers are so desperate they will do anything to save their hides... I wont name names because I'm not that kind of guy ...

 

[Hellcat]

How about we sign Vladdy. There’s a thought

I agree that would be the right thing to do but when has right ever been a consideration.

Maybe and this is a crazy thought, I said this a couple of years ago, the Jays dont like the immaturity of Vald or the culture he promotes? We had a decent LF (Gurriel) and he was traded and arguably we have not replaced him with equal value. We had a RF (Hernandez) and we replaced him with arguably less production, granted he was a mess sometimes in the field.

I do find it odd that of the 3 amigos, who were seen dancing in the dug out, clowning around when we were losing games, two of the 3 are gone and the last guy is begging the Jays to give him what he rightfully earned. I'm probably reading more into this than what it really is but then again.. locker room chemistry is important. you got some guys who look like their dog just died after losing and other guys who look like they don't care and are ready for a party... maybe this is a philosophical road block vs an incompetence road block?

 

[Discoverer]

If price was 156 for Alonso and 156 for Bregman I'm taking Alonso

I think Bregman is clearly the better player, but Alonso represents more of what the Jays need right now: a pure thumper to plug into the middle of the order rather than a good, well-rounded player.

I don't know what to make of Bregman's 2024. It was a very good season, but a second year of decline. Even offensively, his only significant change was that his walk rate was nearly cut in half from his normal numbers, and I don't really know what to make of that going forward. Everything else across the board was just fine. Overall, his offensive numbers the last three years are right in line with Alonso's.

 

[aingefan]

I think Bregman is clearly the better player, but Alonso represents more of what the Jays need right now: a pure thumper to plug into the middle of the order rather than a good, well-rounded player.

I don't know what to make of Bregman's 2024. It was a very good season, but a second year of decline. Even offensively, his only significant change was that his walk rate was nearly cut in half from his normal numbers, and I don't really know what to make of that going forward. Everything else across the board was just fine. Overall, his offensive numbers the last three years are right in line with Alonso's.

Really, I’m fine with the slow play on either player and I’m fine with the team holding firm at not getting bent over on term.
Either guy, up to three years with opt outs is fine by me. Better out too early than too late as a rule. The fits are both good for that duration and the ability to flex has value. Both guys will be moving to a new league, have the same adjustment risk, and project similarly, and both slide into a good lineup spot with protection. Bregman is prolly more up the teams alley chasing war and loving D.
I didn’t expect more than one ‘big bat’, so anything else is gravy.

 

[Discoverer]

Really, I’m fine with the slow play on either player and I’m fine with the team holding firm at not getting bent over on term.
Either guy, up to three years with opt outs is fine by me. Better out too early than too late as a rule. The fits are both good for that duration and the ability to flex has value. Both guys will be moving to a new league, have the same adjustment risk, and project similarly, and both slide into a good lineup spot with protection. Bregman is prolly more up the teams alley chasing war and loving D.
I didn’t expect more than one ‘big bat’, so anything else is gravy.

What is this, 2005?

 

[aingefan]

What is this, 2005?

I don’t follow.
I mean they’re both moving to the AL so will face equal adjustment to all new pitching, so that part is equal?

 

[Discoverer]

I don’t follow.
I mean they’re both moving to the AL so will face equal adjustment to all new pitching, so that part is equal?

Houston is already in the AL.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Houston is already in the AL.

I think he meant Alonso and Scherzer, coming to Toronto.

 

[Kurtz]

I don’t follow.
I mean they’re both moving to the AL so will face equal adjustment to all new pitching, so that part is equal?

Astros are in the AL. But in terms of league adjustment, that definitely used to be a thing back in the day - you'd see starting pitcher ERA jump like half a point when guys went from NL to AL. But with the addition of the DH slot in the NL and the sharp increase in the number of interleague games I think that probably went away.