The Blue Jays have struck a deal with closer Ken Giles for his 2020 arbitration salary, per Scott Mitchell of TSN (via Twitter). It’ll pay him $9.6MM, a $3.3MM on last year’s salary.
Giles is coming off of an excellent season in which he was one of the game’s most effective relief pitchers. While he missed a bit of action with elbow troubles — at an inopportune moment, in the run-up to the trade deadline — he bounced back to finish strong. All said, Giles finished with 53 innings of 1.87 ERA pitching and a healthy compilation of 83 strikeouts and 23 saves.
MLBTR had projected a $8.4MM salary for Giles, but the team obviously felt it had to pay more. The threat of a hearing may have helped move the needle. Uncertainty would be especially unwelcome if the Toronto organization views Giles as a trade candidate.
Ah the road to spring training is becoming clearer!
GO JAYS GO!!!
The Blue Jay’s seem to have a history of overpaying players…..
It’s one year for arguably a top 2/3rd of the league closer
Surely he’s worth something in the neighborhood of Treinen and Betances, who are both risks at this moment in their careers.
Good signing. Top quality closer. Kudos to Jays mgmt.
So a team wanting an elite level closer from July on is only on the hook for $3 million or so. Makes him a pretty attractive trade chip.
The Blue Jays just signed Ryu. They might not be interested in trading Giles.
They most likely won’t be on the hook for anything as I’m sure our FO will cover it to get a better prospect back & I think he’s traded before the season anyway.
Overpay of course. Oh well.
Colome for the White Sox got a higher salary (over $10M) and I believe Giles is better, so this seems like a reasonable salary for him given the market. If Toronto is not in the race for a playoff berth come July, he will be one of the top trade candidates in all of baseball. Keep in mind that the Yankees got Gleyber Torres for a 1/2 year rental of Aroldis Chapman from the Cubs so Giles could end up being one of the most important assets on the Toronto roster this year. An extra $500K – $800K is well worth it if he either leads TOR to the playoffs or nets them a Top 20 MLB prospect by the trade deadline.
Just stop. They aren’t getting a top 100, let alone top 20, prospect for a 2 month rental… have you not followed baseball for the last 2-3 years??? The Chapman trade was a unicorn deal. And they’re nowhere near playoff caliber yet.
Agreed. Jays are on the right track, but still the 4th best team in the division.
And NO ONE is going to give anything close to what the Cubs/Indians did for Chapman/Miller anytime soon. Those were So outside the norm it’s laughable
It could make some sense for the Jays to keep Giles this season and beyond if he starts strong again as they’ll continue to have payroll space and if they are hoping to contend sooner than later, he might prove to fill an obvious need, but I wonder who the next closer would be, if/when he’s moved and if that person is now in the .org. Maybe one of the current depth starters will turn into a closer. Anthony Kay seems like a gamer, maybe it’s him…
Smartest play: Trade him when clearly out of contention, but clearly tell him ‘we want you back on a multi year deal after this season”. Giles has already stated he loves T.O. and should prefer to stay. Get a prospect and keep the player. Win win.
Any Jays fan still convinced Giles is being traded? No traction or rumor he’s being dealt. Blue Jays would be better served packaging him and grooming the next closer to be ready in 2021-2022 when they are ready to win.