Blue Jays Discussion: The off-season is on. (Robbie Ray wins AL Cy Young)

[phillipmike]

2022 Toronto Blue Jays Top MLB Prospects

Me: "A lot of Jays fans seem convinced that Gabby Moreno should move off 3B so he can get in the lineup everyday and will have less wear-and-tear to deal with. [...] Where do you stand on Gabby’s future defensive home, and what do you think the Blue Jays are likely to do?"

Ben: "I think Moreno is their long-term catcher of the future. The reviews on his bat and his defense have been glowing. I love Kirk’s hitting ability, but Moreno has the best combination of offensive potential and defensive skill behind the plate. I think the reason they’re giving him at least some exposure to third base is because of the different options they have at catcher, he’s athletic enough to handle it and you just can’t play a guy behind the plate every day, so it might be a way to keep his bat in the lineup on days where he’s not catching or DH-ing. But I don’t have any concerns about his defense behind the plate, and I think pretty soon he will take over as their regular catcher."

Gabriel Moreno | C
BA Grade: 65/High
The Future: Some scouts believe Moreno has a chance to be a perennial all-star, a potential plus to plus-plus hitter who could hit 20-25 home runs while chipping in above-average defense at a premium position. He should be ready to contribute in Toronto at some point in 2022 and eventually become an impact player in their lineup.
Hit: 70. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Pretty live arm that dominated the fall league. Could be an option in the pen next year.

 

[aingefan]

Pretty live arm that dominated the fall league. Could be an option in the pen next year.

Similar to Romano in that his stuff played up out of the pen, after a hohum beginning to his career as a starter.

 

[Discoverer]

Matz has to be happy with this. E-Rod of course has a better 2019 but he didnt pitch 2020 and Matz's 2021 WAR was 2 vs E-Rod's 1.8. Got to think Matz gets at least 3-4 years, maybe $39M to 54M.

Rodriguez had a much better season by fWAR, had better peripherals, has a far better track record, and is two years younger. I think Matz getting half the total contract Rodriguez (so something like 3/39) got is closer to his ceiling.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Wouldn't have paid that much for E-Rod given the pick attached. He doesn't feel good enough for the high end acquisition, and clearly too expensive to be a 2nd starter signed. Given the lost year and the bad results last year despite the better peripherals it feels like too much but definitely could be a shrewd signing by the Tigers.

I'm feeling old though. Feels like it was only 3 or 4 years ago he was an interesting rookie with the Red Sox.

 

[phillipmike]

Rodriguez had a much better season by fWAR, had better peripherals, has a far better track record, and is two years younger. I think Matz getting half the total contract Rodriguez (so something like 3/39) got is closer to his ceiling.

Really? I guess time will time. Rodriguez did have the pick attached to him too which Matz doesn’t. I think Matz gets a little more.

I will say Rodriguez is a lot more durable and dependable than Matz so he does have that in his favor.

I suspect people will overpay be or starters with pretty much every playoff team stumbling to the finish line in terms of starter use. In the WS and CS I believe only 4 starters went 6 or more innings.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I think his age is a pretty big factor in him getting 5 years of term. Like probably the biggest reason. I will be stunned if any team commits to Matz for 5 years. That is just a bad contract the second the ink hits the paper. He should be getting a 3 year deal.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Anthrax442]

Detroit??

 

[phillipmike]

MLB free agent predictions: Landing spots for top 20 players, with Yankees signing Correa; Bryant to the Mets

No. 6 Robbie Ray, LHP: Blue Jays

Since we have Semien heading elsewhere, we'll keep Ray in Toronto. The Blue Jays certainly have the means to reward his excellent season with a longer, more lucrative contract than the one-year deal worth $8 million they gave him last winter.

No. 12 Chris Taylor, UTL: Blue Jays

With Semien heading elsewhere, Toronto could use another middle infielder. Taylor would give the Blue Jays a versatile defender and an above-average hitter. He's likely to be a popular target for teams seeking their own Enrique Hernández.

No. 9 Marcus Stroman, RHP: Mariners

The Mariners have numerous good young pitchers either nearing or at the big-league level. Stroman would give them another above-average arm, this time attached to a veteran, to slot in near the front of their rotation.

 

[Dr.Funk]

Detroit??

They are among the favourites for Carlos Correa too

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Anthrax442]

They are among the favourites for Carlos Correa too

Detroit is a dump. even if you are rich.

 

[kb]

Detroit is a dump. even if you are rich.

Real estate is cheap! Buy it up.

 

[Kurtz]

Detroit is a dump. even if you are rich.

Some of its suburbs are nice. Birmingham and Troy for example. Similar to Oakville (but obviously much cheaper).

 

[phillipmike]

 

[phillipmike]

 

[phillipmike]

 

[Leaf Rocket]

surprised and sad to hear this tbh, gone too soon. RIP Lugo.

 

[Bjindaho]

If Thor was willing to sign a multi-year deal, I would steal him in a heartbeat.

If he's recovered from Tommy John, he could be the best value out there in this market.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Is this true?

 

[Amadeus]

Is this true?

Hope so

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Is this true?

Berrios follows the guy on twitter. Sounds like it might be legit.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Berrios follows the guy on twitter. Sounds like it might be legit.

Yeah saw that too! This would be huge!