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

[shaner8989]

By Varsho being out, our offense becomes better

Think about that.

What a sack of shit franchise this is.

Gonna miss a few cool catches though.

 

[Fourier]

Do the Jays really have a choice but to sign Vlad? How much money do they lose if he walks and they go into a decade of darkness. It's not just about his own contributions but also the message it send to others outside of the organization about there ability to field a competitive team.

 

[saska sault]

Do the Jays really have a choice but to sign Vlad? How much money do they lose if he walks and they go into a decade of darkness. It's not just about his own contributions but also the message it send to others outside of the organization about there ability to field a competitive team.

Unfortunately the front office has been foreshadowing his departure with the comments "we will never close the door on Vlad" and "we have been working extremely hard to make it happen" .. i may be paraphrasing a bit but not far off. Also the fact the mentioned they have their own player evaluations and need to stick to it seems like he's good as gone in my opinion. Not usual comments that point to a player getting extended, sounds more like damage control before the season starts. Id love to be wrong.

 

[Fourier]

Unfortunately the front office has been foreshadowing his departure with the comments "we will never close the door on Vlad" and "we have been working extremely hard to make it happen" .. i may be paraphrasing a bit but not far off. Also the fact the mentioned they have their own player evaluations and need to stick to it seems like he's good as gone in my opinion. Not usual comments that point to a player getting extended, sounds more like damage control before the season starts. Id love to be wrong.

I don't disagree with your assessment of the situation. But for me losing Vladdy is a firing offense, though really that should have already happened for at least Atkins. Not that Vladdy is on the same level as someone like Ohtani or Soto, but one consequence of chasing these guys is that you lose any credibility in talking about Vladdy's deal in this manner.

Unfortunately, Shapiro and Atkins will move on leaving the jays with an absolute mess. Even if they trade Vladdy is their any evidence that they will get enough back to turn it around anytime soon. The team just spend 100's of millions renovating Rogers Centre. Was the plan to have the building lees than half full for a decade?

 

[Dr.Funk]

Do the Jays really have a choice but to sign Vlad? How much money do they lose if he walks and they go into a decade of darkness. It's not just about his own contributions but also the message it send to others outside of the organization about there ability to field a competitive team.

It will be more damaging to the organization to lose him than it would be to overpay him .

 

[saska sault]

I don't disagree with your assessment of the situation. But for me losing Vladdy is a firing offense, though really that should have already happened for at least Atkins. Not that Vladdy is on the same level as someone like Ohtani or Soto, but one consequence of chasing these guys is that you lose any credibility in talking about Vladdy's deal in this manner.

Unfortunately, Shapiro and Atkins will move on leaving the jays with an absolute mess. Even if they trade Vladdy is their any evidence that they will get enough back to turn it around anytime soon. The team just spend 100's of millions renovating Rogers Centre. Was the plan to have the building lees than half full for a decade?

Agreed. They also backed themselves into the corner of Vlad knowing the fanbase is behind him, knowing they have the funds to overpay players and now.. hes holding all the cards. He's a 25 year old, there is zero chance he doesn't follow all the baseball social media accounts and see how fans view the situation. He is going to ask for the moon, and he is going to get it from someone. He also helps himself because he is very charismatic, he is viewed as a positive person, good team player and is a fan favorite. Who ever signs him will make their money back on merchandise and the value of the name on the back of his jersey. Clock is getting close to zero...

 

[Ale Brew]

Apparently we signed Amir Garrett to a minor league deal. I like these types of low risk deals, as there is some upside with Garrett. He needs to harness his control, if Walker can help get him there his arm has plenty of juice and he can be a power lefty out of the pen.


Also, all this doom and gloom talk is silly. Atkins tries to say nothing when he talks, it really doesn’t mean anything. I still think we get a Vlad signing in the next 48 hours. It’s too important to the franchise. Can’t see them spending what they’ve spent this offseason only to go cheap on the legit home grown star.

 

[DuklaNation]

Vlad isn't worth the money he reportedly is asking for. Jays should have known his demands earlier and just traded him. A 10 yr, $40M AAV is the max you should go on him. Even that's overpayment. Bo Bichette should be more of a priority as he plays a more crucial position.

 

[trellaine201]

By Varsho being out, our offense becomes better

Think about that.

What a sack of shit franchise this is.

Gonna miss a few cool catches though.

LOL but he has such a nice swing. He just can't see the pitches.

 

[Discoverer]

Apparently we signed Amir Garrett to a minor league deal. I like these types of low risk deals, as there is some upside with Garrett. He needs to harness his control, if Walker can help get him there his arm has plenty of juice and he can be a power lefty out of the pen.


Also, all this doom and gloom talk is silly. Atkins tries to say nothing when he talks, it really doesn’t mean anything. I still think we get a Vlad signing in the next 48 hours. It’s too important to the franchise. Can’t see them spending what they’ve spent this offseason only to go cheap on the legit home grown star.

Yeah, Atkins can be super annoying with the WAY he says nothing, but most GMs ultimately say nothing (or outright lie) about negotiations like this because... why? What good could it possibly do?

Either they'll sign him o they won't, and the should be judged when that does or doesn't happen. Judging them based on the meaningless things they say leading up to it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

 

[trellaine201]

Vlad isn't worth the money he reportedly is asking for. Jays should have known his demands earlier and just traded him. A 10 yr, $40M AAV is the max you should go on him. Even that's overpayment. Bo Bichette should be more of a priority as he plays a more crucial position.

Yep I think Vlday is asking for too much IMO

 

[Discoverer]

Vlad isn't worth the money he reportedly is asking for. Jays should have known his demands earlier and just traded him. A 10 yr, $40M AAV is the max you should go on him. Even that's overpayment. Bo Bichette should be more of a priority as he plays a more crucial position.

I disagree because I think Vladdy is MUCH harder to replace at this point, especially with Gimenez now able to move over to SS if Bo leaves.

 

[GreytWun]

Yeah, Atkins can be super annoying with the WAY he says nothing, but most GMs ultimately say nothing (or outright lie) about negotiations like this because... why? What good could it possibly do?

Either they'll sign him o they won't, and the should be judged when that does or doesn't happen. Judging them based on the meaningless things they say leading up to it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Of course…

How about we judge them based on body of work and the regression of this team. Losing Vlad is just the icing on the cake.

 

[Vito_81]

Why is there no talk/concern about Kirk being the only catcher? No way he can handle the workload. Not to mention his bat is getting worse. He himself is a backup C. But not here…

At that. Who even is the backup catcher, Heineman?

Can’t wait to see that minor league level scrub catching 60 games this year.

 

[Discoverer]

Why is there no talk/concern about Kirk being the only catcher? No way he can handle the workload. Not to mention his bat is getting worse. He himself is a backup C. But not here…

At that. Who even is the backup catcher, Heineman?

Can’t wait to see that minor league level scrub catching 60 games this year.

Kirk isn't remotely close to a backup. He's a very good starting catcher. I am concerned about Heineman as a backup, but Kirk is a strength for the team.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Kirk isn't remotely close to a backup. He's a very good starting catcher. I am concerned about Heineman as a backup, but Kirk is a strength for the team.

Kirk is just a victim of the lineup construction really. Similar to Varsho in a lot of respects.

In Varsho's case, a slightly below average hitter with gold glove caliber defense is incredibly valuable to any lineup in the league. That's how KK made a living for a decade+. The problem becomes when Varsho is just one of several below average bats. He then becomes part of the problem without actually being a problem, if that makes sense.

Kirk is similar. Below average bat with other plus attributes is fine when not surrounded by other below average bats.

Change in hitting philosophy could help a couple of these guys out majorly too. We'll just have to see.

 

[Ale Brew]

I low key like Christian Betencourt (sp?) and think he’ll win the backup C job. He was getting regular work as the Rays platoon C in 22 and 23 and hit 11 bombs each year I think. He also has one of the best arms in the league behind the plate. He’s no top of the order hitter by any means but he’s a decent backup.

 

[canucksfan]

Apparently we signed Amir Garrett to a minor league deal. I like these types of low risk deals, as there is some upside with Garrett. He needs to harness his control, if Walker can help get him there his arm has plenty of juice and he can be a power lefty out of the pen.


Also, all this doom and gloom talk is silly. Atkins tries to say nothing when he talks, it really doesn’t mean anything. I still think we get a Vlad signing in the next 48 hours. It’s too important to the franchise. Can’t see them spending what they’ve spent this offseason only to go cheap on the legit home grown star.

It's official. Garrett has good stuff but he can be a hothead.

 

[phillipmike]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[dredeye]

Why is there no talk/concern about Kirk being the only catcher? No way he can handle the workload. Not to mention his bat is getting worse. He himself is a backup C. But not here…

At that. Who even is the backup catcher, Heineman?

Can’t wait to see that minor league level scrub catching 60 games this year.

Kirk is a solid defensive catcher and there is no concern having him play the lions share of games behind the plate. Would be great if his bat did come back to life though.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Garrett isn't a needle mover but i will forever respect him for having the jewels to try and fight an entire dugout at once.

 

[trellaine201]

Can someone tell me why Ryan Yarborough is a FA? I thought he was quite good with TO. Is he asking for too much money? He had a good year split between two teams.

 

[Discoverer]

Can someone tell me why Ryan Yarborough is a FA? I thought he was quite good with TO. Is he asking for too much money? He had a good year split between two teams.

He was great in Toronto, but his previous three years weren't very good and his peripheral stats last year suggest he was roughly the same pitcher, just very lucky.

It's probably the same reason the Jays got him as a salary dump.