Blue Jays Discussion: Off-season Edition II - Winter Meeting Madness

[phillipmike]

Davidi from yesterday before the Kiermaier signing;
-Jays and Boston bid more for Heaney and lost out on him because of other factors, perhaps geography
-Doesnt think Nimmo was plan A for the Jays
-The Jays are exploring trades
-There is mutual interest between Kiermaier and the Jays
-Lots of offseason left; believes there will be a bat to replace Teo's production and there will be "a lot of focus on the pitching side"
-There is still impact out there to acquire but not obvious clear fits
-Lots of teams still have work to do; Baltimore, Dodgers, SD, White Sox
-Teams with players to trade kept them to trade. Trade market will heat up as teams wait for free agency to play out and make trades
-White Sox may want to move Liam Hendriks
-Isnt sure the Cards put any of their OFs on the trade block for the Jays
-Cards were only interested in Danny Jansen and offered Ryan Helsley and that is it, when there wasnt a match they turned up their pursuit of Contreras
-Cleveland needs a catcher and there are opportunities for the Jays to move a catcher to fill other needs
-Doesnt think Correra or Rodon are targets if the Jays werent willing to go all out on Nimmo

 

[hockeywiz542]

Kiermaier, Blue Jays agree to deal: Source

Kiermaier is a three-time Gold Glove winner and was named the 2015 American League Platinum Glove winner.

theathletic.com

Why did the Blue Jays sign Kiermaier?

The Blue Jays had multiple openings in their outfield after trading Teoscar Hernández to the Seattle Mariners and non-tendering outfielders Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer. Adding Kiermaier is the first major step this offseason to re-stock their outfield ahead of the 2023 season. Kiermaier is a left-handed bat, which is a need, but while his offense has declined in recent years, he remains an elite defensive center fielder, posting above-average defensive metrics since he became an MLB regular in 2014.

He’s spent his career in the AL East, after 10 seasons with the Rays, so he’ll be familiar with playing at the Rogers Centre. Although it’s worth mentioning Toronto’s outfield will look a little different next year after stadium renovations are completed, Kiermaier gives the Blue Jays options in the outfield and the club likes to have flexibility at as many positions as possible.

With Hernández gone, right field is open and it’s possible Springer will play the corner position more regularly now. Right field is less physically demanding than center field, which can only help the 33-year-old Springer, who has dealt with several injuries during his two seasons with Toronto. Kiermaier, meanwhile, gives the Blue Jays an elite defender to play center field, and as a complementary piece, he fits in well. His bat alone can’t replace the offense lost by moving on from Hernandez, though, so in all likelihood, the Blue Jays aren’t done re-building their outfield just yet. – McGrath

What’s next for the Blue Jays?

Even with Kiermaier in the mix, the Blue Jays could still target another left-handed outfielder. Free agents Andrew Benintendi, Michael Conforto and Michael Brantley are all reasonable fits and would bring more offense than Kiermaier. If the Blue Jays can’t find an outfielder via free agency, they still have the option of moving one of their three catchers in a trade that could send back a lefty outfielder. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres are among the teams that could still be in the market for a catcher.

On the pitching front, the Blue Jays still have a hole to fill at the backend of their rotation. More starting depth would be an asset, too, as would another high-end reliever. Or, said another way, the Blue Jays still have much work to do this offseason. – McGrath

 

[Kurtz]

Somebody hasn’t been paying attention

?

 

[SDig14]

Was it such an overpay that it broke the internet and we can't even get terms?

 

[phillipmike]

 

[GoonieFace]

Was it such an overpay that it broke the internet and we can't even get terms?

Pending a physical, so maybe waiting until he passes or if he passes

 

[Canada4Gold]

Pending a physical, so maybe waiting until he passes or if he passes

These physicals usually take days. DeGrom agreed to terms 8 days ago and it was only official a couple days ago once he passed his physical. If we've got to wait 4 days to find out how much it's going to be because they don't want to make it public until the physical is done it will be the first time in history that's happened

 

[Puckstuff]

This isn't too bad, it seems logical after missing out on Nimmo and Bellinger and the price should be reasonable. I just hope the injuries aren't too much of an issue.

I could see them going hard after Conforto and one of the lower end starting options like Wacha.

Conforto's bat has Nimmo potential. He's not as good as Nimmo but if his bat rebounds then Conforto+Kiermaier could be close to what a Nimmo+Gallo outfield could have been without the term.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[GoonieFace]

These physicals usually take days. DeGrom agreed to terms 8 days ago and it was only official a couple days ago once he passed his physical. If we've got to wait 4 days to find out how much it's going to be because they don't want to make it public until the physical is done it will be the first time in history that's happened

So never in the history of baseball were the terms of a contract made public after the physical was completed? In not saying they haven’t agreed on terms, just saying maybe they won’t announce till after

 

[Canada4Gold]

So never in the history of baseball were the terms of a contract made public after the physical was completed? In not saying they haven’t agreed on terms, just saying maybe they won’t announce till after

Never in the history might be pushing it. But in the twitter era I would guess it's never happened. 4 or 5 days in a long time to keep that information in. I would be shocked if we didn't know the number by the end of the day

 

[phillipmike]

 

[as Pure as Evil]

We myswell put capes on springer and kk theyll be flying around and diving like lawn darts might be nice not having a stress fit when balls are flying to the corners

 

[Cloned]

They still need another bat to replace Teo’s offense and another starter. Hopefully Atkins has a good trade lined up.

 

[ChuckNorris4Cup]

So I guess Kevin can give Kirk his card back since he doesn't need it anymore.... Talk about an awkward signing... weird but ok.

 

[Anthrax442]

So... is Kiermeier an everyday player or a bench guy

 

[Ale Brew]

So... is Kiermeier an everyday player or a bench guy

I think he’s playing the Tapia role. Like 400 at bats and will likely come in to play CF late when we have the lead (on his off days).

 

[Discoverer]

I think he’s playing the Tapia role. Like 400 at bats and will likely come in to play CF late when we have the lead (on his off days).

He's a great fit for that role and obviously a huge improvement for them when he's in the lineup. I still hope they add a really good OF to ensure he can stay in that role and not be expected to play every day.

Brantley or Conforto make some sense as more offense-first players (but probably similar value to Kiermaier overall), but I would love to see them aim higher, either for a star like Reynolds or a young, less-proven player with huge upside.

 

[TMLeafer]

Yay we finally got KK!

 

[tmlms13]

KK is just an improved version of those D replacement guys we put in in the 7th.

Still it's weird to sign him since he's one of the more hated players by the Jays fanbase. Especially after that card this last year.

 

[dredeye]

I think he’s playing the Tapia role. Like 400 at bats and will likely come in to play CF late when we have the lead (on his off days).

Pretty much what I see from him for this team. Take some time away from springer in the field and push him to right if they are both in.

 

[TGB]

Was there really no one better than an aging, injury prone dude who has already lost a step and will lose more when he starts playing on turf?

These are...not the most impressive moves.

We myswell put capes on springer and kk theyll be flying around and diving like lawn darts might be nice not having a stress fit when balls are flying to the corners

I dunno about you, but there's plenty of stress to be had seeing these fragile players diving all over the place on turf.

 

[phillipmike]

Was there really no one better than an aging, injury prone dude who has already lost a step and will lose more when he starts playing on turf?

These are...not the most impressive moves.



I dunno about you, but there's plenty of stress to be had seeing these fragile players diving all over the place on turf.

If only Kiermaier played on turf his entire career.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

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