After a 95-loss season in 2019, the Blue Jays’ rebuild began to bear fruit in 2020 as the team went 32-28 and earned a wild card playoff berth. This result has left the Jays eager for more, and general manager Ross Atkins told reporters (including MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson and Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi) that despite all the financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic, “the quickest way to recovery is winning. The quickest way to getting our business back to a very good financial spot is winning and our ownership knows that.”
The Blue Jays have their own unique set of revenue issues to deal with heading into 2021, such as not yet knowing if they’ll be permitted to play in Toronto next season. In terms of pure player payroll, however, the Jays are in better shape than most teams. The Blue Jays have less than $54MM on the books for next season since so many of Toronto’s key players have yet to reach salary arbitration, or (like Teoscar Hernandez) are only just entering the arb process for the first time.
This flexibility allows the Jays to pursue upgrades in several different ways, and Atkins didn’t rule out the possibility of another big-splash acquisition like the Hyun Jin Ryu signing last offseason. “I think we are in a position where we could add to this team with talent that is condensed in one player and a super high impact….We’re going to continue to think about how we can build upon this group, and hopefully it’s both complementary as well as making as making a really high impact,” Atkins said.
Speaking of the broader offseason landscape, Atkins noted that “the COVID-19 pandemic hit the finances of different clubs in different ways, creating an extremely uncertain outlook as we eventually approach free agency. Some believe this could open up the trade market, with teams more willing to use prospects over cash to acquire talent entering 2021.” It’s safe to assume the Blue Jays will look into both trades and free agent signings, though Atkins’ comment could be interpreted in two different ways — the Jays could be one of those teams that prefer trades to signings, or they could use their payroll space to be more aggressive in free agency if other clubs are holding back.
Looking at the 2020-21 free agent class, such names as J.T. Realmuto, Trevor Bauer, George Springer, and DJ LeMahieu stand out at the top of the market, if Toronto planned to look into the very upper tier of available players. Since Ryu and Nate Pearson seem like the only locks for next year’s Jays rotation, pitching is an obvious need, so the Blue Jays could be more apt to explore signing Bauer or a known AL East commodity in Masahiro Tanaka. Re-signing Taijuan Walker wouldn’t be as expensive as those other names, though Walker is sure to attract a lot of attention given how well he pitched in 2020, particularly after joining the Blue Jays at the trade deadline.
In regards to position players, Atkins said the front office will “stay open-minded” about possible additions. Davidi speculates that shortstop could be a target position, as the Jays have had interest in free agents Andrelton Simmons and Didi Gregorius in the past, and the club could also revisit trade talks with the Indians over Francisco Lindor. Bo Bichette would move off shortstop in this scenario, with Bichette and Cavan Biggio likely handling second and third base in some combination.
If they can get Trevor Bauer and Andrelton Simmons, then they win the offseason.
I would rather have Didi before Simmons.
And no way Bauer is coming to T.O.
But the Jays need better pitching.
Chase Anderson is dumpster fire
Yes, Didi.
Bauer said he will sign 1-year deals rather than 1 long one to max his AAV. Jays have the money and they are trending up so FAs will be lining up at the dor.
If the rocket can do it anybody can
They have money but Bauer wants to be on a playoff team every year, hence his willingness to be a free agent mercenary. If he wants to be on a contender he should have options with teams who are more likely to be playoff bound next year
Either that or teams can only stand him for a year? 🙂
Don’t forget about the other dumpster fire Tanner Roark
Return of Stroman?
*dislike
Too much drama
Bauer, LeMahieu/Gregorius, and Liam Hendricks. That’s one big addition for SP, RP, and the offense. I know they’re not going to sign all of these guys (maybe not even any), but it’s already the off-season for us Blue Jays fans, so don’t hate on me for dreaming. 😉
That would be quite the haul, @clrogers.
Looks like they could actually afford to do something like that, too.
Bauer would give you guys a good top of your rotation.
Didi is awesome. I’d hate to see him back in the division but he’s a really fun player. I’m pro fun players. Always.
I can’t even think about losing DJ, man.
Hendricks would be a good guy to replace Giles.
I watched that 9th inning (strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t to check it out) Hendricks threw against the Good Sox in game three of their series. So great. I don’t know how anyone who saw that can question the validity of this year’s champion. Good ahead. Tell Liam Hendricks this is a “fake season”.
Jays should pass on Lindor.
Jays should sign La Stella to play 3rd or try Biggio at 3rd and sign LaMahieu or Hernandez to play 2nd.
They need to solidify the rotation. Id pony up for Degrom and sign Bauer.
Austin Martin and Jordan Groshams to start the Degrom talks. Steep price but you have a young core on the INF and OF.
the whole point of their SS interest has been not knowing if Bichette is a long term answer at SS.
The Mets aren’t trading DeGrom this offseason.
Even though we have left several weeks of playoff baseball, my team is out of it, the teams I love to hate are out of it, and so I’m left with no rooting interest. All of this makes the next four months before Spring Training seem to stretch out endlessly before us. And all of this roster fantasy is just so much blah, blah, blah.
First they need a Major League Manager.
Second they need to make decisions. Where is Biggio best suited to play? If not third is Vlad Jr. better over there? If neither at third then get a third baseman. Is Hernandez worth leaving in right or better at DH. If DH then what is Tellez worth on the trade market.
Third say goodbye, via trade or release, to Drury, Facer, Roark, Anderson, Shaw, Villar. You can add Giles and Shoemaker to that list because of their injury history UNLESS you can get them on low cost deals (it would have to be a 2 year plus option for Giles).
Fourth look at trading Grichuk, Jansen and maybe Tellez (depending on Hernandez). There values will never be higher and they are not that good. Jansen was the worst of the four catchers on the post season pool and second worst potential because Joseph was vet so no more upside for him. Trade Jansen now. Grichuk is very overrated he has one maybe two, week and half sessions a season, where he is very good but the rest of the year he is average or below. Better to have a strong center field defender, especially if Hernandez is to be playing right field, and one that can hit a little when it counts.
That would be a start for me but I guess Atkins will probably do all the opposite.
Ya I’m thinking Jano lost his spot and it became evident as the season got to a end that they value Kirk way more at this point going forward. Definitely can’t have 60 pitch count and your out Charlie in charge next year. You know it’s bad when Buck Martinez comes out at the end of the season saying Charlie is a good manager despite buck constantly throwing shade at Charlie all season (justifiably so as he was bad). They’re all about building this great culture yet went out and mistakenly spent assets getting Villar I get they were desperate but he was bad especially his attitude after getting pinch hit for. I get the future is bright in Toronto but I seriously have no clue where their going from here. Shulman was on 590 the day after they lost and he thinks one of the core players is gone and he hinted he thinks it should be vlady and they keep Rowdy, throw Hernandez at DH get another top line starter and a SS move Bo to 2nd and if Biggio can’t be everyday 3rd then they need a someone at third who’s better then Shaw. Was quite the interview but basically came down to jays 100% need another Ryu like front end starter, figure out SS, CF and lastly get the DH spot freed up for Teo if they plan on competing. That’s a hell of a tall order for an off-season like this ones gonna be
lol “Jano”
Bichette is not a long term answer to SS. We heard that years ago in these pages. H belongs at 2nd.
Atkins and Shapiro are not the executives to take the BlueJays to the next level. The Hays need an elite GM type like Dombrowski. Fire Atkins and remove all baseball decisions from Shapiro now.
Rogers is bidding $3 BILLION for cogeco. They can spend $200 m every year 0n the Jays.
Dombrowski will not come here unless he has full baseball autonomy and he will not get that with Shapiro here. So Shapiro would have to go too.
Not sure he is the right choice.
Jimmer never ceases to amaze.
do you have a personal relationship/connection with DD jimmer? because for as long as I have been reading these comments, you keep blowing smoke up his rear. has he done well? yes, but usually at the expense of bleeding the farm system dry.
Dombrowski is a winner. Stop talking about farm systems when you should be talking about winning a World Series.
Maple Leaf loser mentality SovietCanuck.
a leafs fan I am not. DD inherited much of his BoSox roster, admittedly, he tweaked it, very very well. but most WS caliber teams have a good chunk of home grown talent on them. im not saying preserve the farm, just not to give it up for one or 2 good years.
Bruh they said they’re not a leafs fan lol. He also didn’t really crap on DD. Holt, Devers, Bradley jr., Boagarts and Betts were all there before him which I think is what SovietCancuck’s referring to. Id say he did more than “tweak it” like was said since he brought in Sale, Porcello, Price (I think), Kimbrel and Eovalidi (basically the whole staff). DD has won, no taking that away. There is a reason he was fired by the sox (more than one), though. And he has a losing record as an executive in his career. DD has been a part of rebuilds just like Shapiro and Atkins. Give the jays management a chance, they might surprise you.
DD wins. Jays management hasn’t shocked me through 5 years and won’t. When you know history it prepares you well.
how many titles did he win in Detroit?
Simply winning shouldn’t be your only berometer for the effectiveness of a management team. Process is very important for the longevity of that success. Again, DD won, and that is undoubtably the main goal for MLB management… not taking that away. A ton of factors go into winning a small sample playoff series, many that are out of managements control completely (such as luck). Boston saw a poor process from DD and fired him despite just winning the WS. He may be a GM again and may have success but I’ve been more than happy with the trajectory of the Jays these past 5 years, especially when taking into account the narrative. The jays returned to the playoffs in 2016 for one last push with an old core. They pushed it a bit more in 2017 – which I would have not preferred (would have preferred the rebuild started before the year). Management didn’t greatly improve the squad in ’16 or ’17 because there was hardly a farm system to trade at that point. Now the team has done what many others have done (Astros, cubs, White Sox, twins, among others) and are starting to find success at the ML level. Not only that, they have some good players at the ML level while also having a farm system to either deal from to win or keep to watch them become usable players on the Jays. I dont mean they will surprise you with big signings or trades (they may however). I mean the on field product may have more success than what you posit. If anything the success they had this year is more impressive because they spent a fraction of, say, the yankees payroll. Going foreward, they will likely spend more money to increase payroll to 150 mill+ (while also signing younger players to long term contracts). Its really a good position they’ve put themselves in.
And yes, he also couldn’t get the Tigers over the hump. If winning the WS is considered the primary barometer. He was GM there for 14 years I believe, overseeing: poor, mediocre and good years. This could just as easily happen if he oversaw the Jays, what you should look for in management is an upward trend and moves that are positives for an organization in the context of when they’re done.
However, I won’t say DD is a bad gm – he has won twice with two different organizations. That is the end goal 100%. I also won’t say ever move Shapiro and Atkins will be good or has been good. Simply put, the direction and process seem sound so far.
I never implied he was a terrible GM. But I simply don’t get what some people’s fascination with him is. He isn’t bad, but I don’t think he moves the needle much more over the current regime.
First, nowhere on this thread did I say DD needs to replace the current guys.
Second, you Billy boy came in and made a short-sighted comment about Dombrowski. I hate to break it to you, Pat Gillick left every organization in a rebuild situation after he left them. Nobody is saying a bad word about Gillick (and they shouldn’t).
Lastly, you’ve had 20 years of Rogers ownership. That is the barometer we should use. Gord Ash had a direction prior to Rogers’ arrival, how did that work? Ricciardi had a direction 15 years ago, how did that work? AA had to empty the entire cabinet just to reach the postseason at the very end of Bautista’s prime, how did that work? Zero playoff appearances with Roy Halladay and Carlos Delgado.
There are many reasons to be skeptical of the process. At least Dombrowski’s track record is successful. Even in-spite of previous GMs and ownership.
BillyJ14 there are a couple factors you may want to consider in your assessment concerning the current Jays management.
1. The Jays Payroll this year was closer to the 150 million than you might think. It was a prorated portion of just short of 137 million. Still along ways from the Yankee prorated 254 million BUT I don’t ever see the Jays ever going that far.
2. The current roster has a lot of Alex Anthopoluas “influence” still on it in spite of Atkins trying to do away with it. Guys like Davis, Guerrero Jr. Borucki, Murphy, Jansen, Tellez, Foley, Romano, and someone I am forgetting were all drafted/signed under AA.
3. Bo Bichette was drafted under Atkins BUT he did not want to draft him, The guy Atkins insisted on and drafted is no longer in baseball. The guys involved in the draft pushed hard for Atkins to take Bichette when they had another pick a few picks later. All those who convinced Atkins to take Bichette are gone from the organization with the highest influencer being let go a month or so after the draft.
4. The true test of the powers that be will come in the next couple plus years when their draft picks should be coming to the majors only time will tell on that.
Just some stuff to consider as when a team does well or bad with home grown talent fans tend to give credit, or blame, to current management when the talent may have been drafted and developed under former regimes.
Darthyen, thanks for the comment you make good points. I’ll respond to each.
1. The jays had the 19th highest payroll in baseball this year (not prorated, but if pro-rated it would be similar). I agree that this isn’t comparable to, say, Tampa or Oakland – which is far more impressive given their capital restraints. Either way, every time the jays have been competitive they have been closer to 10th in the league.
2. The current roster does have AA influence 100%. However many of the better jays this year were brought in by their management: Ryu, Lourdes, Teoscar, Bichette (ill get to your point abt him), Biggio, Dolis, Cole, Hatch, Grichuk, Bass, Merryweather. Kirk was also Shapiro/atkins. Of the top players by wins above replacement the only one that was there when AA was there is: Jordan Romano.
3. I fully believe that the final decision to draft a player comes down to the upper management. I won’t disagree that scouts/pd directors/scouting directors who are no longer with Toronto had a great impact. However, if Atkins really didn’t want to draft Bichette they likely wouldn’t have. In their most recent drafts I’ve been pretty happy with the picks but of course its hard to tell what will become of them. In terms of international signings, the jays have been very solid (probably not the best in baseball, but solid). Guys like Kirk, Hiraldo, Orelvis Martinez, Lourdes are some fine looking players/prospects and they are what makes me think the farm is still strong and that they are capable.
4. I somewhat agree that this will be a true test, how they continue to draft talent. I do think it’s a little more nuanced. They have to be able to find players like many of the consistent best teams do, and get value/production from them. Teams like tampa and the dodgers (I know they spend a lot), find players from many different avenue such as the draft, free agency, minor leagues – and give them a shot. I agree though it will be a wait and see thing on whether this management can draft and develop talent to continue the stream of players coming in.
I think given what I’ve said a vast majority of this team and it’s performance does fall on the current management at this point. However, I also agree that given the influence some credit can be given to AA. You’re right that it is common to point to current management for blame and credit and it’s important to recognize the entire context of what made the team what it is.
wild bill tetley
Alright fair, if you didn’t say he should be replacing the current management thats fine. I believe it was said above, or implied, and that is the main current of conversation I though we were discussing. Either way, its fine if that isn’t your belief.
DD was largely fired because of poor process (if thats the short-sighted comment you refer to). There were likely some other factors but I believe that was the narrative at the time. I would love for the Jays to win a World Series. Pat Gillick did get it done, and maybe he did leave teams in a rebuild as well. DD being fired due to poor process isn’t the issue (at least in my eyes), it simply an aspect of the situation that was discussed above. Truly great management teams focus on winning, and that is definitely the goal. But, winning just to fall off right away is not what I find to be a good process when it is in fact possible to build a team that.sustains success. I’m also not saying that even if one tries for sustained success that it will last forever, because in almost all cases it will not.
Yes there has been 20 years of Rogers ownership for the jays, the reason you are wrong (in my opinion), that this should be the primary barometer is that ownership can provide money (which they’ve done in the past), and they can hire a president (or a person as president+GM). That’s about all they do. The performance of the team, after that, is based on the process of the management team – which I have explained I believe is sound. You yourself point to the GMs (and not Rogers), in each of your points following your first sentence in the third paragraph. While you may be pointing to them because they were hired by rogers it’s a very simplistic view of what they did to get the team to where it was/is (regardless of any lack of success).
If you believe the process of the current management team (Shapiro and atkins) is bad thats fine – you can blame Rogers for hiring them – and we can agree to disagree. But to simply say ownership is the barometer is the least nuanced explanation you could possibly have for the success, or lack thereof, of a team.
sovietcanuckistanian
I was making sure that people didn’t think I thought he was a bad GM, sorry if it seemed like that was directed at you. Given how I’ve framed my argument I wanted it to be clear that he has had success and I recognize that.
I think what you’ll see from Shapiro is year after year of being on the fringe of winning. That is what I called when he was hired and I am sticking to it.
When other organizations are willing to trade the farm for a Clevinger or Spend $X00m on a Cole, that means a team needs to do better at scouting and other means if acquiring elite talent. Shapiro is not that.
If this season has been a regular length the BlueJays would have lost 90 games and been close to the cellar because of the starting pitching. The relief core was falling apart after 50 games. With these two guys running the Jays you’d better get used to many more years of winning nothing.
I disagree, but respect that this is your opinion.
Never Dombrowsku no
Jays should look at trading with teams who are hemorrhaging financially and can’t afford some of their bigger contracts
Do you have teams/players in mind we could trade for? I enjoy this idea especially how well it turned out with Liriano a few years back.
I think the Jays should look at something like Tellez and Jansen to Miami for one of their young arms..You won’t get Sanchez but Tellez gives them the bat they need and Jansen gives them another young catcher to try and fill their 1-2 everyday job that vets can’t seem to stay healthy enough for. That should net the Jays a decent one of the young arms.
Obviously with any trade they may have to include other players/prospects or even money to balance it but the base of the deal is there.
I do wonder the types of moves you see by NL club’s this offseason knowing the DH is likely there to stay. Nelson Cruz’s market just doubled.
Off the top of my head, Cueto, Cabrera, Blackmon, Heyward and Myers could be decent targets. Although Myers had a pretty good short season and may not bring back much of a prospect in return.
And the Tigers don’t have much on the books
I do like the idea of Cueto as a veteran arm in the rotation I was thinking about him as well. Heyward is intriguing; Cubs need to get rid of some contracts to be able to resign Bryant next offseason. I’m not sure if Heyward is still the stud he was defensively but he would definitely be an upgrade in the OF.
No I don’t have any players or teams in mind, but I’m sure some organizations will be looking to save money and you might be able to get some big contract above average players for less than in the past, it was just a thought
Cardinals: Carp, Fowler and maybe Martinez
Rockies: Blackmon, Arenado
Cubs: anyone if they blow it up
SF: Longoria, Cueto
I’m sure there’s more.
@WildBill NO NO NO we do not need any over rated over hyped Colorado crap. I never want to see another position player that comes from Colorado. Think how over rated and OVER HYPED and not to mention over priced Tulo the no show was……pure crap. He played like three games did nothing, came back for playoffs did nothing and then played a handful of games each year, which he did nothing in, to collect a paycheck. Oh and we are paying for him again next year to not play for us!!!!!!
Leave the magic shows where they are and let us never speak of Colorado position players again, please.
Your other choices each have some intrigue.
First off, we were assembling a list.
Second, Jays should be open to Blackmon/Arenado if it means unloading Roark and very little else. As overrated as both are, and I agree with you, an INF with Arenado at 3B and Blackmon replacing Fisher is an auto upgrade. Rockies unloading salary means advantage opposing team.
Third, I don’t want to see the Jays give up any more prospects for minimal players like Villar and Stripling. Do it for impact players with control.
I like the idea of LaStella, can really play anywhere they’d need him on any given day. Bo isn’t the long term SS, Semien would be my choice personally, Alderton and Didi work too. Bauer?, meh…great pitcher, teammate?…maybe not so much. Trading for SP might be the best route
LaStella can’t play shortstop. LaStella is a poor fielder at second base.
I wasn’t suggesting LaStella for SS, I said Semien. I also like the idea of adding LaStella as well, since they mix and match people all over the place anyhow…LaStella at 3rd, Semien at SS, Bo at 2nd and Biggio in centre
Way more questions to ask after Atkins comments.
Go after Bauer and find out how much it will take to get Paxton.
Decline Anderson’s option and non-tender Shaw. Trade Tanner Roark for Matt Carpenter (pending he waived no trade). Give Bichette one more season at SS. He has improved. He is miles better than he was in the minor leagues. Expect more improvement. If not, address SS next offseason.
Make Catcher an open competition.
Montoyo is not the answer. Since he will remain at manager just let him sink or swim next season. Atkins needs to give him more power. No sane baseball person pulls a starting pitcher 35 pitches in 3 innings unless the front office had say in the pre-planning. Let Montoyo manage properly.
Paxton has the talent, but he’s been bit by the injury bug the last few years. Roark, I agree with, but the cards have to agree with that deal… don’t know that they do 1 for 1.
Cards saving 7 mil is their motivation, allowing them a shot at Bauer or settling for Stroman and addressing other needs. Roark would be their long man and #6 or 7. Paxton would not be costly because of said injuries. You buy low on a guy that was poised for a big contract if not for injury.
Im scared with how much I agree with you
Key comment wild Bill: “sane baseball person”
With Kirk, Vlad, and Rowdy (and for shortly Vogelbach) the Jays should call and see if guys like Jonathan Broxton, Heath Bell, and Todd Coffey want another shot and fill up that bullpen and have an all big boy team
Go for Panda. Change name to Beltbreakers
Zero news or discussion about Shapiro’s future with the team. He is a free agent. No new contract for him has been announced, only Atkins.
I can see him leaving the Jays for a MLB job with either the commissioner or MLBPA in his long term sights depending which one becomes available first.
Pirates could have Joe Musgrove on the trade market. Maybe that is a option for the Jays for backend of the rotation. Chris Archer is at the end of his contract and a free agent. Maybe give him a low end deal and have him re-establish his career out of Pittsburgh. He could fill in at the #3 slot in the rotation. It also bring him back to the AL East and he has decent numbers in that division. Jays need some pitching and these guys aren’t any sort of Ace, but Joe could manage innings and Archer could provide the Jays a solid #3 bargain and becomes his former self in a division he knows to well.
As a Pirates fan, I don’t mean to push off these players like that. But I think those two could help a club in the right situation and with the right team. Jays is one of the teams I think they could thrive with. Much like Morton and Cole did in Houston. Morton was a bargain for the Astros and turned around his career. Cole found glory in Houston. Why can’t Musgrove and/or Archer be those guys in Toronto?
Musgrove was already linked to the Jays at the deadline.
Archer is way past his prime and is exactly not what the Jays need. He’s like Roark or Anderson and Jays simply need someone on the high end of the scale.
Tanaka is the target.weakens a rival and strengthens our team
I say the team should go all out to sign Springer, Didi and Bauer, any other pitching can be picked up through trades or mid level FA’s. I know lots on here think Bauer is only looking for 1 year, but in his interview from Sept. 18th about his upcoming Free agency, he did say he was open to a multi-year deal if the circumstances were right. You can read the article on the Red’s page on this site.
I like your ambition. If all is accomplished, hypothetically speaking….
-Is Springer your CF? And what do you do with Grichuk and Hernandez, along with the 1B duo as they could be affected by this move.
-Where are you moving Bichette and/or Biggio with a Didi acquisition?
-What is your rotation and is one of the players affected by the Springer acquisition traded for another SP?
That is a good problem to have Bill, Springer in CF, leaves a platoon at RF, as for 1st base/DH nothing is set in stone at that position either, Bo gets moved to 2nd and Biggio takes over 3rd. Remember that thing called Spring Training the questions you have get answered during ST’ing, but fist you need the pieces to get to that point!. What Rotation other than Roark, Ryu we have no rotation pieces in place. If we can sign both of Walker and Bauer, that gives us 3 arms at the top, Roark could be traded or may not even make the team out of ST’ing, Anderson’s Option i do not think the Jays exercise so that leaves a healthy competition for the final two rotation spots. FYI in my opinion Pearson starts the season in the minors, shoe and Ray are FA’s
If only I trusted the decision-making in Spring. I could see a Tellez hit .450 and the Jays would find a way to send him down if he had options left. I don’t take too much stock in Spring.
A Springer acquisition means someone has to be dealt for a pitcher, in my opinion. I do agree with the decline in Anderson’s option. I would also non-tender Shaw as he has 1 more arbitration left. No problem with Walker being re-signed.
Given your Spring argument, if Pearson dominates again how can the Jays send him to Buffalo? He’s on the team and starting if-healthy. I would consider a vet catcher and potentially dealing Jansen.
It really does not matter if you believe in spring training or not, the fact remains that is where roster decisions are made! If Vlad come in out of shape he could well find himself in the minors to work that out, Grich could play himself on to the bench or Teoscar could do the same, You say what if Pearson is lights out, what if he is not? What if injuries happen to say Gurriel, Teoscar or Gritch? What i am saying do not wait for things to happen and not have options, go out and get the guys( Bauer, Springer) and let things work themselves out in ST’ing, nothing says todays lineup has to be the one 2021 starts out with, get the best players available and get rid of the ones that do not fit in! If some end up as bench players so be it! it is about winning lets not be worried about hurting someone’s feelings!
Let me preface by saying I believe in Spring. I do not believe the organization does. Case in-point, Derek Fisher. Should have been cut if they cared about Spring.
Not going to put Grichuk on the bench when he’s the highest paid position player (currently). Vlad going to the minors? There’s have to more than just physical problems to convince them. That all said I’d have zero problem with messages being sent to both.
Nobody is waiting for anything. Pearson should be locked into the rotation and I’m all in for Bauer. I’m in for Paxton. I’m in for a blockbuster to get another arm. Rogers should be spending year in and year out. They should put the rest of the division to shame.
We are speaking the same language. This isn’t about feelings it’s about winning. I do not believe this organization, top to bottom, feel as strong as we do.
One of the biggest problems the Blue Jays have is how to fix the horrid outfield defense, which will improve the pitching. But how do you fix the defense without ruining the offense, since the three bad outfielders are good hitters?
I feel like Gurriel still has potential to be a good outfielder, his arm is impressive and he’s the least experienced out there. Keep him in left. Teo makes me nervous in right but we need his bat too much. So I think the only solution is to try to flip Grichuk for something (or maybe for nothing, if someone will take the contract) and sign or trade for a CF who has great range and can catch some of the balls that Gurriel and Teo should be catching. Somebody like Jonathan Davis, but more likely to hit.
Most of all the suggestions for players ie: Didi, Springer, Simmons, what do they all have in common, they’re all 30yrs & older, jays just got rid of all the old expensive contracts, we’re still paying for Tulo, If Jays are serious about upgrading at SS, Lindor is the guy to get, He’s only 26, if u can get him to sign an 3 -4 yr contract, trade Vladdy , Defensively jays are way ahead, Throw in Grichuk, He has the most expensive contract, Jays need an upgrade in CF. I have my doubts that Rodgers is going to open the vault, Shapiro & Atkins have made a few good moves & some suspect moves, Roark, Anderson, Yamaguchi, Font, Fisher, I hope they’re off season moves they can hit a grand slam. Time will tell.