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

[Blitzkrug]

Man, I miss seeing that guy's swing.

Mainstay on my diamond dynasty squad every year, regardless of how hard he is to obtain.

That swing is also probably the reason why i love baseball so much. Even as a 5 or 6 year old watching games with my dad, watching Griffey's swing triggered a "i'm not sure why yet, but that shit looks so cool" type of response.

 

[Discoverer]

Mainstay on my diamond dynasty squad every year, regardless of how hard he is to obtain.

That swing is also probably the reason why i love baseball so much. Even as a 5 or 6 year old watching games with my dad, watching Griffey's swing triggered a "i'm not sure why yet, but that shit looks so cool" type of response.

He didn't have that raw power, but Olerud was my favourite player as a kid for the same reason. Just so smooth and effortless.

 

[aingefan]

We could really use one of Roden, Wagner or Martinez breaking out.

The more the merrier.
Joey Loperfido is in that conversation too. Guy’s ceiling is probably 30hr-20+sb.

 

[Beaumaris]

Ideally you'd just pay Vlad but if you're not doing that, you should trade now because this team has shown no signs that they are just one run away.

But there's no way in hell Shatkins should handle that trade. They shouldn't have even handled his negotiations.

When you think you have to fire a GM, you do it, nothing good has ever come from retaining someone a little longer that has you questioning their competence.

Nonsense.

 

[dredeye]

He didn't have that raw power, but Olerud was my favourite player as a kid for the same reason. Just so smooth and effortless.

Only jersey I own I Olerud and this was my first thought as well.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Nonsense.

Hi, Shapiro.

 

[phillipmike]

This team as currently constructed is a pretender at best. The last thing I want is them wasting more prospect depth to add to this at the deadline and losing both for comp picks. Bo we ride out Vlad should be moved. He's getting vocal about his willingness to leave but isn't willing to discuss an extension. Sell high and move on.

If I get blown out of the water with a deal, sure I take it now. But Vlad and Bo have a lot to play for. They are motivated so I like our chances at a playoff run.

No one in the central scares me and barely any of those teams improved.

Seattle and Texas didn’t get better.

Houston got worse losing Tucker and Bregman.

Yankees made additions but lost Soto, Cortes, Holmes, Torres, Rizzo and Verdugo.

Baltimore lost Santander and Burnes.

Only 2 teams in my opinion who got better are the Jays and Red Sox.

So unless im getting a premium, I’m playing this out to the deadline. Because if the 86 win Royals and Tigers can make the playoffs and most teams stayed the same and got worse, I like my chances enough to see the first 3 months of the season.

 

[phillipmike]

https://www.mlb.com/news/best-position-upgrades-by-mlb-teams-for-2025

Second base: Blue Jays
2024 WAR rank: T-11th || 2025 projected WAR rank: 3rd

Second base wasn't a huge weak point for the Blue Jays last season. But with the acquisition of Andrés Giménez in December, Toronto could be elite at that position in 2025. The winner of three Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove, Giménez is a magician in the field. He led all players with 21 OAA last year, and his 51 OAA at second base since the start of 2021 is the most at the position. That defense combined with Giménez's plus baserunning -- he has notched consecutive 30-steal seasons -- is why he ranks fifth among second basemen in WAR over the past two seasons despite a 90 wRC+.

The big question is whether Giménez can return to being the hitter he was in '22. That season, he slashed .297/.371/.466 and recorded a 141 wRC+ over 557 plate appearances. If he rediscovers that form, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette play up to their potential, Toronto will undoubtedly boast one of the most productive infields in the Majors.