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

Steve Phillips was just on TSN.

Steve Phillips says he expects the Jays to do more. Says he heard what we heard, the chances of signing Scherzer increases if Alonso is coming too.

Phillips believes Scherzer doesnt sign without insider information about Bregman or Alonso coming to Toronto. Scherzer, Alonso and Bregman all have the same agent; Boras. Says the Jays have a 6 year off out on Bregman and an offer on Alonso. Thinks they can get 1 or both players.
Holy sweet Jesus if both.
I mean, holy sweet Jesus if one.
Already pulled together a real nice off-season.
The right side in the pen has to be one of the deepest in league….right?
That’s six legit mlb arms right there.
I’m a lil surprised they don’t push to get more from Yariel as a starter where he’d be more valuable, but man, looks deep.
Maybe they take some of the redundancies and make a push for specific pieces now….a better LHrp, maybe a LH catcher.
 
Nice 1 year deal on Max. From a pure competitor stand point, he will force his way to being a positive addition. He brings an element they lacked and is motivated to win at his age. If they get Bregman and or Alonso, I will take most of my negative comments and agree I may have jumped the gun on a long off season, but still lots of questions to be answered regarding our home grown stars. Can we get additional signings and extensions for our guys? Thats a massive, massive win and locks in the commitment to win for a nice stretch.
 
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I am surprised Max signed so fast. He could have waited because it's not like he is expected to throw 200 innings anyway. Could have waited to see if other teams ran in to injuries during ST and had more teams to choose from. But yay, he likes us and our money! I mean that last part genuinely, by the way. I am happy he signed.
 
What I like about Max is simply if he can stay healthy we have a solid tradeable asset for the deadline if we have another bad season
If it goes to pot, there’s a lil treasure trove of expiring goodies to move: Max, Bassitt, Green, Swanson, not to mention Vladdy, Bo and maybe even a guy or two with term.
 
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Surely you can’t be upset about a 1 yr deal for Mad Max.

Plus the Jays look fairly solid at every position except RF. (And I still blindly believe in George)
It's more frustrating seeing Rogers willing to spend like that and these being the kinds of players we are bringing in
 
If it goes to pot, there’s a lil treasure trove of expiring goodies to move: Max, Bassitt, Green, Swanson, not to mention Vladdy, Bo and maybe even a guy or two with term.

If it goes to shit, we can definitely replinsh the farm system some more. If things are going well in the standings, hopefully we re-sign both Vlad and Bo, then we are set up to contend for several more years to come. Kind of a win-win. Sneaky good job by the front office.
 
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Pivetta, despite the QO, has interest from 10 teams, including the Jays, who’re focusing on pitching (while also trying to extend superstar Vladimir Guerrero). Flaherty’s former Tigers team is interested in him, while the Giants may sign more pitching.

Max Scherzer told the Jays he’d happily consider them if they look like a pennant contender following their 74-win campaign, and after they signed Anthony Santander, Scherzer was good to his word, agreeing at $15.5M for 2025.
 
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Scherzer looked like he was kinda washed by 2023 already but he's realistically a 5th starter anyway so it's not like you need elite production out of that spot. Although if he ends up on IR like he did for most of last season then it's probably an issue.

I would dare say even as dead weight he provides value if Big Meat Pete decides to follow him.
 
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It's more frustrating seeing Rogers willing to spend like that and these being the kinds of players we are bringing in
This management group has been awful at 2 things in Toronto. Money management and improving the farm.

We're currently attempting the "just don't" approach to problem 1.

Problem 2 has been worked on with aggressive selling but more importantly using money. Absorbing hits got better prospects. Taking Straw got 2M worth of IFA. Gimenez's contract made him and Sandlin available.

If the Jays had questions about Jimenez being ready, they could theoretically pull another Straw trade targeting a catcher for the minors instead of pool space.

Scherzer looked like he was kinda washed by 2023 already but he's realistically a 5th starter anyway so it's not like you need elite production out of that spot. Although if he ends up on IR like he did for most of last season then it's probably an issue.

I would dare say even as dead weight he provides value if Big Meat Pete decides to follow him.
Scherzer had 3.2bWAR in 2023.
 
This management group has been awful at 2 things in Toronto. Money management and improving the farm.

We're currently attempting the "just don't" approach to problem 1.

Problem 2 has been worked on with aggressive selling but more importantly using money. Absorbing hits got better prospects. Taking Straw got 2M worth of IFA. Gimenez's contract made him and Sandlin available.

If the Jays had questions about Jimenez being ready, they could theoretically pull another Straw trade targeting a catcher for the minors instead of pool space.


Scherzer had 3.2bWAR in 2023.
Fell off hard as the season went on though to the point he was a burning garbage fire in the playoffs.
 
Who knows what’s next, but at various points this off-season there were rumblings that:
The Jays were considering a six man rotation
Chris Bassitt’s name was floated with Detroit among teams interested
Jays liking Quintana
Jays liking Pivetta
Jays liking Alonso
Jays liking Bregman
Plus, you’d think they would like another lefty for the pen, and they’ve gotta think there’s a better backup for Kirk than what they have. Add to that, there’s already a glut of middle infielders/utility types who are mlb tested and a food handful of solid prospects at AAA.
There’s gotta be more coming.
To add: just checked FanGraphs. Jimenez, Schneider and Wagner all have options. They can’t keep all those guys in AAA can they?
 
Who knows what’s next, but at various points this off-season there were rumblings that:
The Jays were considering a six man rotation
Chris Bassitt’s name was floated with Detroit among teams interested
Jays liking Quintana
Jays liking Pivetta
Jays liking Alonso
Jays liking Bregman
Plus, you’d think they would like another lefty for the pen, and they’ve gotta think there’s a better backup for Kirk than what they have. Add to that, there’s already a glut of middle infielders/utility types who are mlb tested and a food handful of solid prospects at AAA.
There’s gotta be more coming.
To add: just checked FanGraphs. Jimenez, Schneider and Wagner all have options. They can’t keep all those guys in AAA can they?
Alonso or Bregman takes 1 off the roster. Jimenez likely needs more time.

After that, you could make the argument that the other 2 belong in the bigs, but if there is a deal to be had (like trading a useful piece for an expensive useful piece plus prospects), then the Jays have to listen given that the time crunch is coming.
 
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Who knows what’s next, but at various points this off-season there were rumblings that:
The Jays were considering a six man rotation
Chris Bassitt’s name was floated with Detroit among teams interested
Jays liking Quintana
Jays liking Pivetta
Jays liking Alonso
Jays liking Bregman
Plus, you’d think they would like another lefty for the pen, and they’ve gotta think there’s a better backup for Kirk than what they have. Add to that, there’s already a glut of middle infielders/utility types who are mlb tested and a food handful of solid prospects at AAA.
There’s gotta be more coming.
To add: just checked FanGraphs. Jimenez, Schneider and Wagner all have options. They can’t keep all those guys in AAA can they?
I thought Wagner showed enough that he deserves to start the year with the team, barring a disaster spring or something.

I think Jimenez and Schneider are the opposite: they should probably start the year in Buffalo unless they force their way in with a great spring.
 

[FAN 590] Davidi: I also wonder if there's sort of a guarantee [after the Scherzer signing] that there is going to be something next for the Blue Jays​


That is a big statement from Davidi. He usually throws water on stuff.
 
I get the feeling they're not done, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see one or two of the young depth guys moved for another reliever, but as of now:

C Kirk
1B Vlad
2B Gimenez
3B Clement
SS Bo
LF Santander
CF Varsho
RF Springer
DH Wagner
Bench - Heineman, Lukes

That leaves two spots for Loperfido, Clase, Barger, Schneider, Orelvis, and Jimenez. I assume one of Loperfido/Clase is almost a guarantee while Varsho is out.

I doubt any of the non-roster guys make it, though I would love to see Roden force his way in.
 
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I get the feeling they're not done, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see one or two of the young depth guys moved for another reliever, but as of now:

C Kirk
1B Vlad
2B Gimenez
3B Clement
SS Bo
LF Santander
CF Varsho
RF Springer
DH Wagner
Bench - Heineman, Lukes

That leaves two spots for Loperfido, Clase, Barger, Schneider, Orelvis, and Jimenez. I assume one of Loperfido/Clase is almost a guarantee while Varsho is out.

I doubt any of the non-roster guys make it, though I would love to see Roden force his way in.
Straw?
 
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Alonso or Bregman takes 1 off the roster. Jimenez likely needs more time.

After that, you could make the argument that the other 2 belong in the bigs, but if there is a deal to be had (like trading a useful piece for an expensive useful piece plus prospects), then the Jays have to listen given that the time crunch is coming.
Jimenez has had a good minor league trajectory, and isn’t far off.
I start wondering where everyone would play from 2B to 3B
TO: Clement Bichette Gimenez
Close if not ML ready: Jimenez Wagner Schneider
I’m really bullish on Warner’s hitting profile enough to want to see him lots at the top of the order.
AAA: Barger Kasevich Martinez
All those guys should play too.
It’s a nice problem to have.
Syracuse could be pretty stacked.
 
I guess maybe? I thought one of the Jays reporters suggested he may not count towards the Luxury Tax unless he's added to the 40-man, but it's impossible to find any information about specifics like that. So... no clue. I would probably be inclined to just give Berroa a chance if we're going that direction or if they want a bit more AAA time for Clase and Loperfido.
 
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