Blue Jays Discussion: Off-Season IV: Off-season progression! (Lockout over: Jays acquire Chapman for 4 prospects!)

[Eyedea]

Not a fan of Kikuchi to date but averaging 95 from the left side and showing previous success with his slider likely gives Walker some belief he can fix him. Might be as simple as Kikuchi using less of his cutter and adding more offspeed in his approach.

Plus adding him to the pen where he can throw high 90s in postseason ball could be absolutely filthy.

 

[Ale Brew]

Ok, who is Damon and should we be taking him seriously?

 

[phillipmike]

Jays have the 2nd highest World Series percentage;
1. Dodgers: 15.1%
2. Blue Jays: 11.6%
3. Astros: 10%

 

[theaub]

Not a fan of Kikuchi to date but averaging 95 from the left side and showing previous success with his slider likely gives Walker some belief he can fix him. Might be as simple as Kikuchi using less of his cutter and adding more offspeed in his approach.

Plus adding him to the pen where he can throw high 90s in postseason ball could be absolutely filthy.

My guess is Walker tries to get rid of his weird leg kick thing and make him more compact.

 

[Blitzkrug]

This might be how it felt in 1993, just without the prior championship.

"Things are looking good? Spend the money."

"How much, sir?

"all of it. Leave no penny untouched"

Give me Freeman and Schwarber. Jays about to be hitting dingers and will finally have a theme team in MLB the show that doesn't suck ass.

 

[GoonieFace]

I have a feeling we are going to be disappointed

 

[howlman]

I have a feeling we are going to be disappointed

Think positive thoughts

 

[Blitzkrug]

I have a feeling we are going to be disappointed

I don't think we will be. Even if they can land just Schwarber or Freeman that lineup looking mighty juicy. Both puts them in the conversation for the best lineup in baseball.

I want both because f*** it, Ive never gotten to see a Jays team go full out all in. Sure we had the 15 and 16 teams, but I don't think they were on the level of this potential lineup if it comes to fruition. It was basically the big three, Tulo when he was healthy and a bunch of blah.

This team is more akin to 1993 where they have a former all-star at almost every spot in the field and were like yes Im going to buy another world series thanks for asking.

 

[Woodman19]

At this point it feels like we are getting either Freeman or Schwarber, I know people would be disappointed because of the hype yesterday if we "only" got Schawarber but it would still be a huge offensive addition to the lineup.

 

[LeafChief]

If they can go all in for Schwarber and Freeman, they keep all of their prospects and can use someone like Groshans to double down at the deadline. exciting times ahead.

 

[Eyedea]

Good thing about adding a guy like Schwarber is his deal would go max until Vlad/Bo hit their FA salaries. Freeman is a little longer but that's another Springer-level impact player and turns the team into a legitimate WS contender. Including Kikuchi that would see the payroll hit the 190s, if not touch 200 (including arb deals). Enough space to add Kenley too

 

[GoonieFace]

At this point it feels like we are getting either Freeman or Schwarber, I know people would be disappointed because of the hype yesterday if we "only" got Schawarber but it would still be a huge offensive addition to the lineup.

I will be happy with just one of them, but I don’t think we are getting either. Prove me wrong Atkins, I dare u

 

[Blitzkrug]

Plan for success

1. Sign Freeman and Schwarber.

1A. Sign Kenley Jansen to assert already established dominance

2. Laugh as you hit dingers off the AL East all season

2A. Laugh at the Yankees for being a poverty franchise as half of their lineup can't play in Canada

3. Get to midseason, enjoy 80 percent of the AL starting lineup being Jays in the all-star game.

4. At trade deadline, use remaining space left to trade for Jose Rameriez. Prospects? Marty, where we're going we don't need prospects!

4A. Remind the Yankees they are a poverty franchise

5. ?????

6. Win all of the world series.

7. Remind the Yankees at the victory parade that they are in fact, a poverty franchise.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I will be happy with just one of them, but I don’t think we are getting either. Prove me wrong Atkins, I dare u

I mean I feel like the last 3 years have proven they will be major players in free agency. No guarantees the players sign on but there is no reason to doubt our front offices will to get this done at this point.

 

[Discoverer]

I wouldn't even be against a Votto trade at this point, though I would be surprised if the Reds moved a franchise icon right after dismantling the rest of their team to save money.

 

[Blitzkrug]

I wouldn't even be against a Votto trade at this point, though I would be surprised if the Reds moved a franchise icon right after dismantling the rest of their team to save money.

Too old. I feel for Votto though. Dude basically wasted his career in Cincy where he only got one real shot at a ring in 2012.

He's probably gone at the deadline if I had to guess.

 

[GoonieFace]

I mean I feel like the last 3 years have proven they will be major players in free agency. No guarantees the players sign on but there is no reason to doubt our front offices will to get this done at this point.

For sure, this front office has been nothing short of amazing, I’m just greedy

 

[Blitzkrug]

Once again: lol

Papa Steinbrenner must be rolling in his grave compared to how he ran the team..

 

[Discoverer]

Too old. I feel for Votto though. Dude basically wasted his career in Cincy where he only got one real shot at a ring in 2012.

He's probably gone at the deadline if I had to guess.

The age is a concern (he would be here for his age 38-39 seasons) but there are only two years left and he's coming off a 140 wRC+ and 3.6 fWAR.

The fact that he would be off the books so quickly compared to Schwarber and Freeman would be a huge bonus for the way the team is structured right now.

Regardless... I'm not a huge fan of going after both Freeman and Schwarber, as exciting as it would be. I think if you're going to make two big plays like that, you want to make sure one of them can play 3B or 2B. One of those guys plus Bryant, Chapman, Ramirez, etc. would be amazing, though.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Bryant is probably off the table since the Rockies are apparently pushing hard to sign him?

Not sure I understand that after they dumped Arenado, let Story walk without even so much as qualifying him...but uh, sure, I guess.

 

[djdev]

Plan for success

1. Sign Freeman and Schwarber.

1A. Sign Kenley Jansen to assert already established dominance

2. Laugh as you hit dingers off the AL East all season

2A. Laugh at the Yankees for being a poverty franchise as half of their lineup can't play in Canada

3. Get to midseason, enjoy 80 percent of the AL starting lineup being Jays in the all-star game.

4. At trade deadline, use remaining space left to trade for Jose Rameriez. Prospects? Marty, where we're going we don't need prospects!

4A. Remind the Yankees they are a poverty franchise

5. ?????

6. Win all of the world series.

7. Remind the Yankees at the victory parade that they are in fact, a poverty franchise.

that was a fun read right there lol

 

[Discoverer]

Bryant is probably off the table since the Rockies are apparently pushing hard to sign him?

Not sure I understand that after they dumped Arenado, let Story walk without even so much as qualifying him...but uh, sure, I guess.

Story got the QO. But yeah, the Rockies are always super weird, but watching them go after big-name free agents after what they've done the last couple years is... very Rockies, I guess.

 

[Woodman19]

that was a fun read right there lol

Could have summed it up with a making it rain gif.

 

[Tony Romo]

Plan for success

1. Sign Freeman and Schwarber.

1A. Sign Kenley Jansen to assert already established dominance

2. Laugh as you hit dingers off the AL East all season

2A. Laugh at the Yankees for being a poverty franchise as half of their lineup can't play in Canada

3. Get to midseason, enjoy 80 percent of the AL starting lineup being Jays in the all-star game.

4. At trade deadline, use remaining space left to trade for Jose Rameriez. Prospects? Marty, where we're going we don't need prospects!

4A. Remind the Yankees they are a poverty franchise

5. ?????

6. Win all of the world series.

7. Remind the Yankees at the victory parade that they are in fact, a poverty franchise.

8. Trade for Juan Soto after winning the world series imo

 

[Blitzkrug]

8. Trade for Juan Soto after winning the world series imo

I like the way you think