Blue Jays Discussion: And the off-season begins (list of FA's in Post #1)

[Discoverer]

Still have a crush on the idea of Reddick. Reddick/Upton, re-sign EE and grab Morales.

I can dream...right?

If they re-sign Edwin, I don't think Morales makes much sense. He's not very good, and I think they would be better off focusing on players who provide flexibility instead of having multiple 1B/DH only players.

Hell, even Bautista makes way more sense, since he can at least fake it in RF now and then to give someone else a day off. I'm really starting to come around to the idea of signing Bautista to a two- or three-year deal with an opt-out after the first year. That seems like a great fit for everyone.

 

[SpezDispenser]

If they re-sign Edwin, I don't think Morales makes much sense. He's not very good, and I think they would be better off focusing on players who provide flexibility instead of having multiple 1B/DH only players.

Hell, even Bautista makes way more sense, since he can at least fake it in RF now and then to give someone else a day off. I'm really starting to come around to the idea of signing Bautista to a two- or three-year deal with an opt-out after the first year. That seems like a great fit for everyone.

That's true, we need two corner outfielders, not just one.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Exactly. He's a DH which limits the suiters.

So who in the AL might go after him that are contenders? Boston? Toronto? There isn't many. I think EE could be back.

He's good enough to be considered a 1B, thus opening things up to a 30 team market. However, of the teams who actually have money to spend, many of them are committed to 1B\DH already.

The man suitors I imagine are Philly (if they want to spend and don't believe in Tommy Joseph), Texas, Houston (if they've given up on AJ Reed), Toronto, Seattle and Boston.

 

[Bluelines]

He's good enough to be considered a 1B, thus opening things up to a 30 team market. However, of the teams who actually have money to spend, many of them are committed to 1B\DH already.

The man suitors I imagine are Philly (if they want to spend and don't believe in Tommy Joseph), Texas, Houston (if they've given up on AJ Reed), Toronto, Seattle and Boston.

He will be in Boston, at this point its really how much $$$ will they overspend to get him?

 

[SpezDispenser]

Reddick was born to play here. Hits righties with aplomb, can play a good RF, is an old teammate of Donaldson, we have the platoon player to not only hit vs lefties, but play RF.

Make it so!

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

He will be in Boston, at this point its really how much $$$ will they overspend to get him?

Considering the following:
- Boston closed the year with a $215MM payroll (and no notable salary coming off the books, save for David Ortiz's $16MM)
- has roughly $140MM tied up in eight players in 2017
- owe increases through Arb to the following players:
a. Pomeranz (arb 2)
b. Ross (arb 2)
c. Leon (arb 1)
d. Kelly (arb 2)
e. Holt (arb 1)
f. Bradley (arb 1)
g. Bogaerts (arb 1)

I believe they're less formidable than one would have you believe.

 

[Mach85]

Considering the following:
- Boston closed the year with a $215MM payroll (and no notable salary coming off the books, save for David Ortiz's $16MM)
- has roughly $140MM tied up in eight players in 2017
- owe increases through Arb to the following players:
a. Pomeranz (arb 2)
b. Ross (arb 2)
c. Leon (arb 1)
d. Kelly (arb 2)
e. Holt (arb 1)
f. Bradley (arb 1)
g. Bogaerts (arb 1)

I believe they're less formidable than one would have you believe.

I also wouldn't put it past them to make their splash through trade rather than FA.

 

[rojac]

A friend of mine who is a Red Sox fan isn't sure that the Sox will pursue Edwin or any major free agents. His main reason is the number of big names that may be available as free agents next year.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

AJ Jimenez added to the 40 man

Looks like the Jays have their backup catcher for next year. It's nice to see internal candidates come in to save some money.

Or he's just taking the Thole 3C role. Most likely he'll have a good shot against a cheap trade or signing in FA.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Reddick was born to play here. Hits righties with aplomb, can play a good RF, is an old teammate of Donaldson, we have the platoon player to not only hit vs lefties, but play RF.

Make it so!

So sign Reddick, trade Carrera, have Upton rotate around with Reddick and Pompey?

Wouldn't cost us much money probably. Bautista's money ---> Reddick's much less money, so you'd get savings. Pompey is cheaper than Carrera as well.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

That's true, we need two corner outfielders, not just one.

Not really. I'm sure the Jays will run with at least two of Carrera, Upton and Pompey next year as a corner outfielder and a 4th outfielder. I think they'll trade the other one, and sign someone like Reddick.

 

[oilers89]

my dream off season would be...
One big signing: Edwin
One big trade: 1 of Mccutchen/eaton/pullock
decently big signings:1 of Fowler/Reddick for OF... Beltran/Morales/Holliday for Dh and 1st
Platoon/utility: matt joyce/sean Rodriquez/steve pearce

 

[Muston Atthews]

my dream off season would be...
One big signing: Edwin
One big trade: 1 of Mccutchen/eaton/pullock
decently big signings:1 of Fowler/Reddick for OF... Beltran/Morales/Holliday for Dh and 1st
Platoon/utility: matt joyce/sean Rodriquez/steve pearce

Quite the dream

 

[oilers89]

just naming options. Not that I want all them of expect all them... But a couple of those guys could really round us out decently well

 

[StuckOutHere]

Don't want to sound like a late dumb, but AJ Jimenez was added to the 40 man and both Thole and Barney elected free agency according to the Jays website. Thole was a non-tender certainty, but Barney seemed like he'd stick around until at least the non-tender deadline or simply be re-signed. Some weirdo clause in his contract maybe?

 

[SpezDispenser]

Not really. I'm sure the Jays will run with at least two of Carrera, Upton and Pompey next year as a corner outfielder and a 4th outfielder. I think they'll trade the other one, and sign someone like Reddick.

I'm really not sure on how ready Pompey is. He seems to be 'in the pipeline' every year.

 

[Bad News Benning]

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2016/11/08/edwin-encarnacions-agent-believes-client-should-get-five-years-would-be-perfect-replacement-for-david-ortiz/

David Ortiz first called Edwin Encarnacion a “perfect replacement†for the retiring designated hitter when speaking to WEEI.com in April. He reiterated his endorsement immediately following the All-Star Game.
And now we’re learning how much those statements might have impacted Encarnacion.

“It definitely intrigued him,†Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, told WEEI.com at the general managers’ meeting Monday afternoon. “He and David are close, and that meant a lot to him when David did that.â€

I know Ortiz isn't technically management but I have no idea how that isn't some form of tampering. Im sure players talk about all kinds of stuff privately but you cant be saying that stuff in public when the other player is under contract to another team.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[barilko05]

I'm really not sure on how ready Pompey is. He seems to be 'in the pipeline' every year.

I really wonder if Pompey has done something to piss off Gibbons. During the past 2 September pennant races, Pompey has recorded almost no PA's. Just 2 this year. Can't tell how many in 2015 because his stats include his AB's at the beginning of the year, but if memory serves, his September appearances that year, other than as a pinch runner, were few and far between.

I understand we were in tough playoff races in both years, but c'mon? 2 AB's in a month? Is he really that much of a liability at the plate or in the field?

 

[SpezDispenser]

I really wonder if Pompey has done something to piss off Gibbons. During the past 2 September pennant races, Pompey has recorded almost no PA's. Just 2 this year. Can't tell how many in 2015 because his stats include his AB's at the beginning of the year, but if memory serves, his September appearances that year, other than as a pinch runner, were few and far between.

I understand we were in tough playoff races in both years, but c'mon? 2 AB's in a month? Is he really that much of a liability at the plate or in the field?

I'm not sure, but if it really is Gibbons that doesn't care for him perhaps they'll use him as trade bait this off-season. Really no idea about this prospect...

 

[ShaneFalco]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/dalton-pompey-year-pretty-frustrating/

“The whole year as a whole has been pretty frustrating for me,” Pompey told Arden Zwelling on At the Letters. “With the injuries I’ve had to deal with, especially early on, it was hard for me to find any sort of consistency but I just (had) to keep grinding. Those are things I couldn’t avoid. I’ve been trying to play hard and those things happen and I just had to deal with it. It’s been tough. I’ve tried to look at the positives in everything and I’m happy how the year ended up. This is one of the first times in my career where I’ve really had to fight.”

I think he needs to get things going from the get-go, make the team, and play well enough to stick around

 

[Eyedea]

I really wonder if Pompey has done something to piss off Gibbons. During the past 2 September pennant races, Pompey has recorded almost no PA's. Just 2 this year. Can't tell how many in 2015 because his stats include his AB's at the beginning of the year, but if memory serves, his September appearances that year, other than as a pinch runner, were few and far between.

I understand we were in tough playoff races in both years, but c'mon? 2 AB's in a month? Is he really that much of a liability at the plate or in the field?

It's just tough to go with the unknown, especially a young player that has struggled throughout the season. If he had played poorly, made mental mistakes, and the Jays missed the postseason then that could have killed whatever confidence he had left.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Especially once you get into the later stages of September. He hasn't swung a bat in a game situation in over half a month when he's used to playing everyday. You don't want to go to a player in that situation then.

They decided he was only gonna be a pinch runner and that's fine, but come next year I really hope they give him a legit shot to make the team

 

[Discoverer]

It's just tough to go with the unknown, especially a young player that has struggled throughout the season. If he had played poorly, made mental mistakes, and the Jays missed the postseason then that could have killed whatever confidence he had left.

Yeah, I thought he would have gotten a bit more playing time last year once they locked up a playoff spot, but the way he was used this year made complete sense. They had enough OF that he was basically 6th on the depth chart, and they were fighting for their playoff lives until the last day of the season. To me, it made perfect sense to call him up to be around the club and get a major league salary for a few weeks without putting any pressure on him after a long, challenging season.

 

[Canada4Gold]