It’s been a slow-moving market for all of the game’s top free agents, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan shines some light on where things stand with George Springer, reporting that the Blue Jays and Mets are generally viewed as the two strongest possibilities for the longtime Astros slugger.
Newly hired Mets general manager Jared Porter plainly acknowledged in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM last week that Springer is “going to be part of the process” as they evaluate options on the high end of both the free-agent and trade markets (Twitter link, with audio). As one would expect, Porter didn’t tip his hand as to anything more specific, but MLB.com’s Jon Morosi did write recently that the Mets are “focused” on Springer at the moment.
In some ways, it’s not particularly surprising to see. The Mets and Jays are widely seen as the two teams most willing to spend this winter, and both could use an impact center fielder. Other teams who are seen as potentially active clubs have reason not to aggressively pursue Springer.
Giants president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi has suggested his team will focus on pitching and look at more “complementary” hitters. The Yankees are focused on DJ LeMahieu, and their outfield is crowded as is. The Red Sox’ most pressing need is in the rotation, given the uncertainty around the health of their veteran starters. The Twins are focused on Nelson Cruz and their pitching staff. The Braves have eschewed this type of long-term deal under GM Alex Anthopoulos and may be more apt to retain Marcell Ozuna if they do make an uncharacteristic outfield splash. The White Sox have already signed Adam Eaton. Houston is an obvious fit, but an extension between the two sides never came together and the price surely hasn’t come down now that Springer has the benefit of open-market bidding for his services.
Free agency is an ever-fluid situation, as various factors can rapidly change a player’s market. A team could trade a current outfielder or lose someone to injury. An owner not expected to spend lavishly could have a change of heart or be swayed by a direct meeting with Springer’s representatives. However, Passan writes that as things stand right now, executives from other clubs view the Springer market as a two-horse race between the Jays and Mets.
The Mets have already been aggressive early, signing James McCann (four years, $40.6MM) and Trevor May (two years, $15.5MM) to early deals that bolster the club while still leaving Porter and president Sandy Alderson ample payroll space. The Mets currently owe just shy of $95MM to a combined 10 players, though they have just as many yet-unsigned arbitration-eligible players to whom they tendered contracts. Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard and Edwin Diaz headline that group, but most of the group is in line for relatively small-scale salaries. It’s be a surprise if, after their arb work was completed, the current iteration of the Mets roster exceeded a $150MM payroll by much.
The financial outlook in Toronto is even cleaner. Toronto owes about $57.5MM to seven players in addition to forthcoming arbitration raises for two players: Ross Stripling and Teoscar Hernandez. They only have $35MM in guaranteed salaries on the 2022 books, with Tanner Roark, Robbie Ray, Shun Yamaguchi and Rafael Dolis set to come off the books. Signing Springer would likely necessitate a move sending Randal Grichuk elsewhere, and while his remaining three years and $28MM is an overpay, it’s not so glaring that the Jays couldn’t reasonably expect to find a creative solution.
You don’t say
All I want for Christmas is MLB trades and signings…
When the “source” is Passan, Morosi, or Heyman, it’s almost like no one did
Covid is going to make this a very long offseason. If the Yankees were really “focused on LeMahieu” he would have been signed already. Everyone is waiting to see a more significant signing to gauge what value these FAs will have. I can see the player’s union crying delusion. This may be the perfect season for Bauer to do like he said he would – sign a one year deal.
@DakotaJoe
I think to say that the yankee’s not signing LeMahieu yet is indicative of their focus to sign him kind of takes all of the context out of this situation (I’m a jays fan btw). They’re dealing with the luxury tax which minimizes what they may be able to spend. Also, many (all) of the leagues top FA’s haven’t signed. It’s more indicative of a slow market, a unique market, perhaps the yankees tax concerns as well, then it is their “focus” on signing him. Even if they don’t sign him, he still may have been their biggest focus. It’s just that other teams can force the yankees to pay LeMahieu a premium rn which they don’t want to do because it’s affect is actually far more than the contract they give him because of their already high payroll being close to or above the tax threshold.
I don’t believe anyone is waiting for another signing. I think it’s more along the lines of how many games are we playing and how soon until they can have fans.
I think the biggest names will start to come off the board and things will really heat up as soon as they agree on DH and like you said, how many games, etc
Surprised it didn’t end with the blue jays being interested in Babe Ruth’s dead corpse
They WERE interested, but their scouts claimed his bat didn’t have much life.
Now that’s funny!
My sleeper team remains the Red Sox. They are still looking for a CF. Jackie Bradley Jr. could return but George Springer is the ideal fit with his right-handed bat. All things being equal, I believe Springer would prefer the Red Sox with his ‘geographic’ ties or a return to the Astros. The Mets win this battle if it comes down to a bidding war.
Aaron, his “Geographic ties??” come on man it is 530 miles from Boston to Toronto. an 8 hour drive or what a 1 hour flight.
George Springer’s geographical ties are with the Red Sox. He is a native of New Britain, CT where he also starred as a high school baseball player before doing the same at the University of Connecticut. His parents still live in the area which is about a two hour drive from Boston.
Who cares if someone is a 2 hour drive or a 2 hour flight from his parents, when he’s making $25m a year?
Great thought, but NY City is 112 miles from New Britain which is about 2:20 time wise so geographically speaking, its a wash between Boston and Queens.
And yes, I do agree that when you’re making $25 Million/year, you can fly/drive your family to watch you play if thats an issue.
My comments stated, “All things being equal”. It’s foolish to disregard a player’s preference for a location or for other personal reasons.
Just last offseason there were personal factors involved with a couple of the biggest free agents. Garret Cole wound up signing with the Yankees, his favorite team growing up along with his fathers. The family moved from upstate New York to southern California but Cole chose the Yankees over the Angels with both teams reportedly offering similar dollars. There was also the case of Zack Wheeler taking less money from the Phillies than signing with the White Sox. That decision was based on a geographic preference in part due to his fiancee who was from nearby New Jersey. I also believe that Springer met his wife while she was attending Albany University so there may be a location preference involved with that couple as well.
It’s not always strictly about the money. Geography and other factors may prove to be a continued problem for the Blue Jays when all is said and done this offseason.
I could be mistaken but I believe that Springer and his family were fans of the Red Sox and not the New York teams as Connecticut natives. It could be a deciding point with money and geography being equal.
@seamaholic does that 2 hr flight include the 2-3 hrs you have to be there beforehand each way along with different covid protocols between countries which im sure are different. Also does this include valuation of the dollar which is worth more than the canadian dollar?
do you mean stalker?
For what it’s worth, I was a boxer in my youth. I boxed all sorts of things in our family grocery store. Some may have referred to me as a stocker as well.
Unless your hometown is a 5 minutes drive from the stadium, it doesn’t matter much. Players spend 50% of their time on the road during the season (normal season, that is…), and while their at their team’s hometown, they are expected to spend most of their time with the team on the field, playing almost every day.
Not really sure if a two hors drive or a 4 hours flight make any difference in the decision making.
Who’s suggesting that location is THE major factor in a free agent’s decision making process? It’s something that may come into play along with other reasons provided their contract offers are ‘in the ballpark’.
There are a multitude of factors that a FA has to weigh including what may be best for his family. Many married players have children to factor in. The quality of schools may play an important role in their final decision, especially if their preference is for a child to be educated in a public system as opposed to a private setting. Most kids attend school for 9-10 months which has a huge overlap with a player’s typical 9 month season. Most dads, even those who travel extensively, still want to be around their young children as often as possible while also providing them with the best educational opportunities.
No big time free agent is going o Toronto/ Buffalo this year or any other. Nice place but not a destination spot for someone like Springer.
@Yep it is Player’s want to make money and not every team has the money to spend that Toronto does so Idk bout that. Historically and definitively not the ideal place for most big name guys, I agree (and I’m a jays fan saying this). But it very plausible and free agency changing so much over the past few years kind of make’s the current context, rather than a history of jays not signing big name players, more important. Also, the jays signing Ryu last year (to a one year overpay, which is how Toronto gets bigger FA’s) is a very recent example of a big name FA signing with them. He led the NL in ERA when he signed with them.
Aaron was talking about Boston
Any money Boston has must go to pitching, not a position where they already have two in house options.
The Red Sox in-house options aren’t ideal for CF. Andrew Benintendi is more suited to LF and Alex Verdugo to RF. Just acquired Hunter Renfroe is strictly a corner outfielder who has the arm to man RF. Renfroe is also best suited for a platoon role as a lefty masher who struggles versus RHP.
I’ll be surprised if the Red Sox don’t bring in a true centerfielder. They may re-sign Jackie Bradley Jr. but he gives them a third outfielder who hits left-handed. George Springer would be the ideal fit for the Red Sox in CF along with a strong right-handed bat to help better balance their lineup and replace the departed Mookie Betts.
It’s not going to happen. If JD Martinez had chosen to opt out which he wisely didn’t, Springer may be on their board.
Bloom isn’t here to spend money and bring big free agents in like springer. He is here to draft,, develop,, replenish the farm system,, while trying to find cheap talent to be competitive on the cheap.. being competitive is his second concern. Not his primary concern like it was for dombrowski…They just signed hunter renfroe, a right handed hitting outfielder. I think their number 1 option is a reunion with Bradley but that they won’t overpay. If they miss out on him then they could bring in a cheap all glove centerfielder or another corner outfielder (Verdugo or benintendi would move to center)
Chaim Bloom was brought into Boston to help the Red Sox continue their recent trend of winning championships. That includes developing talent while his owner John Henry continues to spend money. The Dodgers did something similar when they hired Bloom’s former Tampa boss, Andrew Friedman.
The Dodgers didn’t undergo a rebuild and try to compete in the NL like they were the second coming of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox won’t do that in the AL either. Bloom can bring in his own people to help develop talent while Henry will continue to sign off on spending that will keep the Red Sox competitive with the Yankees.
Last I checked the Yankees and Dodgers continued to have the highest payrolls in their respective leagues. The Red Sox finally got under the luxury tax last season with Bloom’s help but still had the #4 payroll in MLB and figure to get back to their previous level of spending asap.
The red Sox are a mess. One would assume springer wants to play for a winner and not lose 100 games next season.
The Red Sox are not the “mess” you make them out to be. They still have a talented roster that should see two of their top SP’s return in 2021. Adding a CF like George Springer, a solid bullpen arm along with one of the next tier SP’s after Trevor Bauer in free agency would make them a legit contender in their division and the AL.
Last I checked the Rays are trying to move two of their most expensive and talented players in Blake Snell and Kevin Kiermaier, the Yankees are trying to do what the Red Sox did last season and get under the luxury tax threshold while the Blue Jays are trying to add payroll with no success as we post.
Kevin Kiermaier is only talented defensively, lacks at the plate. The Red Sox look like they are in a bit of a rebuild. Sure, injuries may have kept them from competing, but besides Sale and E-rod, they don’t have much. They look like a 4th place team, 3rd if they’re lucky.
Bloom’s more interested in signing Hunter Renfroe than he is George Springer.
I will be shocked if the Blue Jays take Springer. This doesn’t make them strong contenders, no matter if they get him or not
Pitching is king, but he’d certainly make Jays already exciting lineup very formidable.
The Blue Jays have more overeall talent and better organizational depth than the Mets. Toronto is a heckuva city as well. As nice an area as any in MLB.
That’s your opinion…..not sure everyone would agree given that the Blue Jays haven’t won anything yet and will fight it out in the talent rich AL East……but remember, its a different country with different rules, laws etc and that does factor into some players interest…..and the biggie…..the tax structure as you’re earning your living in a different country who wants their piece of the action…..anybody think about that?
Tax structure? Just a guess that Springer would be making a healthy salary. As for Canada being a different country, why do you think that is a disadvantage? Have you considered all the flaws associated with living in the USA?
Btw, Toronto has as good a chance to win as anyone vying for Springer’s services. A good young team and well-run organization.
@Cey Hey the key point you made there is “Toronto has as good a chance to win as anyone vying for Springer’s services”. that’s definitely true. Those who are referring to Toronto as less of an FA destination are also right as well tho, historically that is the case. Toronto has had very few major free agents sign with them. I think Ryu is a good example of how Toronto can overpay by a year on contracts to get it done though!. Or in per year aav.
At the end of the day players want to make the money they think they’re worth and right now not every team can offer players that, even the rich ones to some extent as they struggle with the luxury tax. So it really does seem like Springer to Toronto is a possibility, just as much as anywhere else if they offer him what he thinks he’s worth.
Jays are at least a lock ahead of the Sox… they are very underrated in my opinion. A couple deals could put them on top. Cavan Biggio, Vlad Jr., Nate Pearson… lot of young talent there. If Pearson pans out, and they have Ryu, and one other starter… look out. Ross Stripling is looking very good as a #4 pitcher. Robbie Ray cannot be worse than he was last year, and he too racks up a ton of K’s. Career 4.12 FIP is not bad for a #5 pitcher in Ray who could easily get 200 K’s.
Since when do the bluejays have more talent???
@MetsFan22 Agreed that’s a questionable statement to say the least.
Thus the question marks.
@MetsFan22
I seem to remember one team making the playoffs and the other team finishing in last place…in a season where all of the Eastern division teams played each other.
Jays have more young talent and potential than the Mets. The Mets have had an league bottom farm system for years and the Jays are at the top. Plus, have you seen the performances from some Blue Jays in 2020? Not to say the Mets don’t have good players, but the Jays are like really good. Plus Jays had a winning record in 2020, Mets came in 4th in their division.
If the Blue Jays sign Springer, he would improve the Blue Jays’ lineup and defence. Signing Springer would allow the Blue Jays to deal Gurriel Jr. or Hernandez and a prospect or two to Cleveland for Lindor.
@bluejays777
It would allow them to trade an outfield yes, which is great it gives them a surplus. I’m not sure the jays will target Lindor with that surplus. One year of Lindor is the exact opposite of how this management operates (and many smart teams like the A’s and Rays’s, who don’t have the ability to offer landscape changing contracts and/or are big market free agent destinations). The jays obviously have more money than the Ray’s and A’s but When Shapiro arrived he “scolded” Anthopoulos for the trades he made in 2015 because the jays were left with no ability to compete long term. The jays of course have a young MLB team but sustained success doesn’t come from trading top-prospects for one year of contention/a phenomenal player (ask the cincinatti reds). And of course an underlying aspect of this is that there is literally zero guarantee that Lindor would resign with the jays.
Yeah, that’s why it’s questionable to trade someone as talented as Gurriel Jr. or a highly touted prospect for one year of Lindor and no guarantee to resign him. I think the Jays will hold back on Lindor for now and go for some free agents.
He’s not as he wants to remain in the U.S., got that from a family member in PR.
“Sustained success” doesn’t exist unless you’re the Voodoo Rays or spending top 5 in payroll long-term.
Neither of which are likely to happen with the Jays (our FO is average at best with trades). But keep drinking that kool-aid.
Every team that was in the playoffs last year and hasn’t lost anything is a strong contender. Yes the playoffs were expanded, but the Jays were only a game out of a traditional wild card, and they only lost to the eventual league champion.
The Pirates are focused on Blake Swihart.
No way, he would cost too much for them, and by too much, I mean that he would cost something.
I still see Boston as the dark horse in this race.
Not a chance. They’re focused on pitching and youth.
I’ve always thought that Springer’s contract will be one of the big surprises (surprisingly low) of the off-season. He’s 31 and soon to be a corner outfielder. My guess is this “Mets-vs-Jays shootout at the OK Corral” story is entirely a creation of his representatives, and that the Jays aren’t really all that hot on him. His reps are probably just trying to up the Mets offer.
I agree, for the reasons already stated above in my initial comment. In addition to his geographical ties, Springer also has an excellent relationship with Red Sox manager Alex Cora. If his free agency drags on or the Mets decide to prioritize Trevor Bauer, I believe Springer signs with Boston or simply returns to Houston.
I agree. I just saw Cora ad Springer at Home Depot shopping for trash cans.
Boston isn’t close enough to winning for it to make sense signing a 31 year old
You’re one of the people who said the Red Sox “weren’t close enough” after the 2015 season too weren’t you?
This is the Red Sox. Now that they’ve reset their luxury tax they’re free to spend whatever they want. They have plenty of talent already, but were doomed in 2020 losing their top 2 starters for the entire season. It was not indicative of where they are as a potential contender in 2021.
I mean, if they think so then fine. I was under the impression that they were still in a re-tooling phase. But personally, no, I don’t think the Sox have much of a shot next year without expanded playoffs. And, no, I made no predictions for them whatsoever back then.
They really don’t have that much talent. Sale is a total wildcard and many baseball people have been expecting him to lose his mojo for a while now. Beyond him, there’s nothing in that rotation beside Rodriguez, who is in his walk year and will likely be traded at the deadline. The lineup looks shaky too, with J.D.’s collapse (at age 32, so right on time) last year. The pen is a catastrophe, and the good farm pieces are years away.
This is a lower-middle team now, albeit one with huge spending potential. But they aren’t going to start spending until they have a more solid young core. They’re more likely to trade Rafael Devers than to sign George Springer.
Yea that’s my thinking. They’re not ready to start spending yet. Not this off-season. And if they do spend big, it’d only make sense for it to be a younger player.
DMC…Very optimistic view of the current Red Sox situation and big excuses for their 2020 season…they were a lot shorter pitching wise…both starting and relieving and other than a couple of players, much of their expensive offensive talent underperformed against norms…a year older and who knows how 2021 will play out.
If the jays sign springer, perhaps a deal with cleavland involving gurriel and lindor may be more realistic. Grichuck in left is a little less deadful than in center.
If the plan is to sabotage the team by losing Gurriel for a rental after, I hope they don’t get Springer. That’d be a disaster.
Odds are better to win the lottery than the jays signing anyone significant!!
They literally just signed one of the top FA’s one year ago and look primed to do so again…
If the Jays don’t spend $60 million in AAV this offseason, their payroll actually declines. Ryu is the only free agent of significance they’ve signed in five offseasons so far. Tanner Roark, Robbie Ray, Kendrys Morales and Jaime Garcia are more their speed.
@Charles Kime
The reason Ryu is the first big FA in the last 5 years (since the new management came in) is that they felt the were verging on the ability to compete for the first time last year.
They were rebuilding, but I’m not surprised you didn’t notice that.
Not when they signed Morales and Pearce they weren’t. Not surprised you’d revise history.
@BillyJ14 @JDGoat
They didn’t sign a major FA after 2015, but made the playoffs in 2016.
They didn’t sign a major FA after 2016, and missed the playoffs in 2017.
THEN they started rebuilding.
If there was a thumbs down tag you would have many for that bonehead remark.. There is nothing out there that should prompt such a comment. When they sign Lemahieu away from your Yanks think of me LOL!
Somehow I see the Jays signing him and try to dump him next year.
Why?
If the Jays sign Springer, who gets traded? Likely not Gurriel Jr., and it’d be hard to find a taker for Grichuk’s contract, so does Hernandez get moved? Could also trade Tellez to free up DH and let Grichuk and Hernandez split time there and RF.
MLB.com had an interesting trade proposal involving Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and two other prospects going to the Cubs for Yu Darvish (mlb.com/news/trade-ideas-for-mlb-stars-offseason). That trade along with signing George Springer would instantly make the Blue Jays a team to be reckoned with in the AL East.
I read that this morning too, but I don’t think they’d be willing to trade Gurriel Jr. He’s been a solid bat every year in the majors and his defense has been improving with it. I don’t see the Jays trading Gurriel for him, especially after how inconsistent Darvish has been the last few years and how much he has on his contract. They’d be better off going after Joe Musgrove, Sonny Gray or Luis Castillo.
Yu Darvish had some issues earlier in his career with physical and an occasional mental setback. His first season with the Cubs after signing that 6 yrs/$126M was an unmitigated disaster. He continued to struggle for the first three months of 2019. Since that time he has arguably been the best pitcher in the NL while finishing 2nd for the 2020 NL Cy Young Award. Darvish is currently pitching the best ball of his distinguished professional career and still has 3 more year remaining on his contract. He is an ace pitcher and would make any strong contender a legit World Series challenger.
Everybody keeps waiting for the dominos to fall this offseason with the major free agents. The Blue Jays may need a domino effect of their own with a major trade like the ones proposed for Yu Darvish or Francisco Lindor in order to attract FA’s like George Springer and DJ LeMahieu to Toronto.
I read that article. In my eyes, that’s a terrible trade. Who knows how much longer Darvish will be dominant for? Plus both Manoah and Gurriel is a lot to ask for. If Darvish falls off and regresses and Gurriel has some more productive seasons, that could end up terribly. I’m sure Darvish will be fine but it reminds me too much of the Dickey/Syndergaard/D’Arnaud trade.
Maybe nobody gets traded – Gurriel is regular LF with Grichuk and Teoscar sharing RF. Teoscar goes to DH when Tellez is rested against lefties or when he plays 1B because Vlad is at 3B, this should be often enough to get Grichuk a full season of PAs, especially if he covers Gurriel in LF and Springer in CF when they get rested.
Plenty of PAs to go round for all the outfield guys if you’re OK shuffling them around
Yea but the question is do the Jays want to try out Vlad at third again? I know he wants to and has lost a decent amount of weight over the last year to get into better shape to play the hot corner, but he didn’t play a single inning there this year and the Jays might not be too eager to try him there again.
Excellent point mlb1225. Watched Vlad play a few games the last couple weeks. His play at 3B has been near-atrocious. But if nobody sees it then they can’t downplay the idea.
Gurriel’s contract is one of the best in baseball. Jays should avoid dealing him. I’d rather shop Teoscar before Gurriel.
Gurriel Jr. or Hernandez would get traded. Tellez should start at first base in 2021.
Grichuk’s contract is fair value for how he hit last year (and in ’18). As long as they don’t ask for more than a token low prospect in return, there’ll be a taker… and if not, the Jays can send money in the deal.
If they want to improve the defense as much as possible, though, they could consider trading Hernandez. Only if they can get value for him though.
Pathetic cheater
Most mlb teams are looking for a front line starter.the time to get one is THIS YEAR..
2021 Front line starters who are/or might might available this year are.
Bauer,snell,castillo, gonzalez (sea,kendrick(cubs),carrasco-(clv,musgrove(pit),Corbin(wash).
2022 front line starters will/might be available are
Greinke(age37),verlander(age 37),scherzer(age36).
The value is in this year’s crop.
Anyone I left out I personally don’t think as a front line starters or simply won’t be made available.
The time for teams to get their front line starters will be BEFORE SPRING TRAINING STARTS
Those 3 you named for next year may be older but are still better than everyone else in your available this year list
There’s a lot of underrated arms though from the first year.
still annoyed i didnt stick with my gut on Springer-to-TOR in the contest
I’ll be pissed if Toronto signs Springer. He’s old 30, 31, and way too expensive for his age. I’d rather have them sign Paxton to a 1yr deal, and wait till next off season. Heck if they wanna spend so bad sign at least JT Realmuto, but I dont really want that. There’s always next season.
I can tolerate Grichuk in CF for another year until Austin Martin is ready.
31 is not that old. There are still players much older than that still putting up crazy numbers. The 27-32 range is often seen as a player’s prime and Yu Darvish is a very similar aged player that went off. Springer has had great years offensively even without the cheating system. He’d also be a good veteran presence. Plus we’re in dire need of a lock in CF.
Personally i do not think the Jays NEED Springer, but signing him would quiet a lot of the naysayers, Personally i would prefer Le Mahieu to plug in at 3rd or Kim at the very least, but we absolutely need one top of the rotation arm!!! (either via Free Agency or Trade)
Who’s this Kim guy I hear about lately? Is he an International free agent?
I forgot to mention ya Kim would be a great signing along with Paxton. Agreed we need more pitching. I dont get why management is so infatuated with Springer, insane price tag for an old player.
I really think the Red Sox should be more interested. I realize as a Sox fan I may be biased, but I legitimately think that Springer would actually be a really good fit for the team. Yes, they need pitching BUT they are also getting Sale and E-Rod back, along with a hopefully healthy Eovaldi and Pivetta and Houck looked excellent in their brief September stints with the club. Now having said that Sale and E-Rod didn’t pitch at all last season and Pivetta doesn’t exactly have a strong track record in the majors. BUT I just really feel like Springer would be a great fit for the club and really cement the team as a top offense for years to come. And as far as competing next season goes… they’re only going to do so if Sale and E-Rod come back healthy and effective… if they don’t. No other signings (short of Bauer — who they aren’t going to sign) are going to be enough to fix their rotation anyway. So if you go off the assumption Sale and E-Rod do come back and are effective I think the best way to further improve the club is with Springer (and a couple of legitimate bullpen arms).
Agreed Jeff. Two arms returning from injury, perhaps a buy-low guy in Lester or Kluber plus Springer puts the Red Sox back on the map. They should not be written off.
Priority is pitching. Second priority is pitching. Third priority is a 3B or 2B.
The idea of dealing Gurriel as he is entering his prime with an amazing contract does not appeal to me. Deal Teoscar. He’s in arbitration coming off his best season. He is at peak value. Grichuk will be hard to move given the bad contract. Grichuk is an upgrade defensively in RF over Hernandez.
If the Jays plan on re-inserting Vlad at 3B they are asking for trouble. He makes Miguel Andujar look like Nolan Arenado. Slight embellishment here.
Jays don’t need to prioritize Springer over the other needs.
It is not like Shapiro and Atkins to trade a player at his peak. Normally they wait till that player is worth nothing or is injured or walks away for nothing.
Good point.
JTR will be a Phillie
Bauer will be a Yankee (just a hunch)
Springer will be a Met
Turner will be a Blue Jay
I think JTR’s market unfortunately isn’t there.
I think the Yankees will swoop in at the last second to get Bauer because they need pitching desperately.
Springer just smells like a Met to me.
And I think the Jays will get antsy after Springer doesn’t sign with them and will give JT the extra year.
And for trades……
Snell will be an Angel
Kris Bryant will be a Dodger
I don’t see the dodgers going into 2021 with Rios as their 3B and the Rockies would rather burn Coors down than trade Nolan to them.
I think the Angels will get antsy after Bauer spurns them and they’ll trade Marsh with 2/3 other good prospects for Snell.
Bauer won’t be a Yankees signing. As good as he is and I mostly agreeing with his social media takes, he doesn’t fit into their culture.
What is it with Bauer?
He has1 great season in 60 games.
Well he was pretty great in ‘18, but yea… overrated and a good bet to not be worth the monster contract so many fans wanna throw at him.
You also forget that Bauer and Cole historically hate each other… ever since their days at UCLA
Why would the Dodgers trade for one year of Bryant. Their 3B of the future, Kody Hoese, is a year away. Meanwhile, Edwin Rios and Will Smith can share time at 3B. Smith can play there when not behind the plate, allowing the Dodgers to find playing time for Ruiz.
More likely the Dodgers bring Turner back on a short term deal to bridge the gap to Hoese. Turner and Rios can platoon at 3B. Bryant as rental has almost no trade value at the moment as it is unlikely he would be willing to sign an extension with whomever he is traded to.
I know a lot of Blue Jays fans want Turner, but if he is signed to do anything other than DH the money is better spent elsewhere
As a Dodgers fan, I would be okay with moving on from Turner. Whatever happens, I trust Andrew Friedman to do the right thing. The Dodgers just won the World Series and, with all the in-house talent on hand, figure to be improved in 2021.
A 45 FV prospect, who by the way, will be 24 in July and hasn’t seen a single pitch above A-ball, is the 3B of the future?
As laughable as it when anyone says “(player) is the (position) of the future, this one is odd.
Snell doesn’t get the Angels to the playoffs. And a team that had horrific bullpen issues last season may want to steer clear of pitchers who only last five innings or less.
All this talk of the Angels trading Adell and Marsh is not realistic. Both could be in the Angels Outfield by midseason. Would Angel fans really rather have Scott Schebler in their lineup over either of those two prospects? Especially for a pitcher who clocks out after the 5th inning?
Whose decision has it been to clock out Snell? He is a 28-year-old former Cy Young winner with immense talent. Every team in baseball would like to have a proven SP like Snell.
Also, why do you think Schebler will be a starter for the Angels? It is still December and no roster is set.
That Cy Young season seems like an outlier given the rest of Snell’s body of work. Snell is not a proven ace, he has probably been the third best starter in the Rays rotation the last two seasons.
He looked like an ace in the post-season. I get that the Cy Young year is a statistical outlier, but that’s not how baseball people see him. Whoever trades for Snell would be looking at what they think he can do in the future, not what he’s already done. For a team like the Angels, he would be an improvement over what they have. It’s just a matter of what they’d have to give up. It might be quite a lot because you can bet several other teams are in on Snell. It’s not just the Angels or bust.
Many, many times I went to college one hour from there and Toronto is hideous.
Perhaps Toronto looks better when you get close than it does from many miles away.
Condolences about how many times you had to repeat college.
If Angel fans had their way, Marsh would have been traded for Kluber last year.
I’m with you about trading Adell and Marsh. You don’t trade these guys.
Anyway, last year if the Angels had a pen, they make the playoffs. And with Oakland and the Astros coming back to the pack, this division is closer than you think.
One starter and a bullpen would give them a lot more than a fighting chance.
Always thought Mets and Alderson were going to draft Springer in 2011 before the Astros selected him 2 picks ahead of Mets.
Oops I forgot darvish
The Red Sox have too many glaring needs to commit to a big money contract for Springer. Unless the deal is massively back-loaded or money deferred it just wouldn’t make sense.
Babe Ruth resurrected from the dead, Blue Jays contact his agent to gauge potential interest.
You have to hand it to the Blue Jays, at least they are trying.
No better city in MLB to raise a family, if that’s a concern.
If you have a family you avoid raising them in the city of Toronto. You go to the outskirts. You’d know that if you live or are from Toronto.
this website should have a fake news tab — clearly not from Toronto.
To Clarify: Weareallguests has no idea what he is talking about.
Down with OBP I understand your anger but to tell me I’m wrong without truly clarifying doesn’t help your cause. I’d say meet me for an early dinner in downtown Toronto but there is a pandemic. We could hang with the hipsters and young folk flocking around the Dome.
I’m not angry. You presented no evidence for your assertion and I doubt you live around Toronto at all. If the dome area is all you’ve seen, congrats, you probably take a go train in and out.
@WereAllJustGuestsHere and Down with OBP
There are positives and negatives too living and raising a family in rural Ontario compared to Toronto. In general, it’s kind of pointless to make generalization’s on either. I’ve lived for years in Markham and Aurora. Also have lived in Toronto for years. Also, people have different preferences. Furthering this idea that making generalizations about what it’s like to live in either pointless.
I’m honestly curious on if you both disagree with this. There’s just no point in creating animosity between the two either. thoughts?
It’s ok Billy. Down With OBP likes to stir up trouble one way or another and brings nothing of real substance except to taunt or troll. I see you’re a York Region guy with Markham and Aurora. You’d know the GTA pretty well.
I’ve lived in downtown Toronto and work in downtown Toronto. In recent years downtown has become the place for professionals to commute from outside the city and live outside the city if they are raising a family. Some areas like The Beaches or mid-town Toronto have families. But the city of Toronto in recent years has become younger; singles, young couples and maybe couples with a young child. Toronto is a good partytown. Partying typically targeting the younger demo.
I also knew a few players from the Jays past. A couple of them said they rent a condo next to the stadium. One player with school-aged kid would come down during the summer for a couple visits. But rarely are players laying down roots in the city. I merely pointed out to the California guy (Cey Hey) he really didn’t know the city dynamics that well. Down With OBP, true to form, took exception.
Hockey and Basketball guys are more willing to raise a family in Toronto because of the schedule. They can also afford it, as you know the real estate prices continue to soar higher and higher.
I wasn’t crapping on any area outside Toronto. But thanks for your concern. @Guest assumes that downtown Toronto is Toronto I guess? It’s all good – clearly his experience of Toronto defines Toronto I guess? Because young people living on the outskirts have nothing to do on weekends but come down? Or the couple people he knows that were players. Lol.
Atkins lives in my hood. So does that make me a pseudo expert like you?
I took exception to your blanket unsupported assertion. Your anecdotes don’t change anything. Maybe complain about the young kids on your lawn?
And you don’t read well either. At least you are consistent. Your assertion is also unsupported as numerous reports show more families are living outside of the city in the surrounding regions more than ever before. I suppose you’ll say there are no condos in downtown Toronto either. It is not a stretch for you to be off the mark. You’ve had plenty of practice at it.
But hey, agree with Cey Hey. He lives in California.
@Billy do not disagree with that at all – I also don’t disagree that different cities will appeal to different players in different ways. (And different people who like a city will like a city in different ways) But I’m not on here making up stuff so I get how it seems like I’m blinded by Toronto or blinded by hating Toronto like Guests seems to be?
Point out where I said I hate Toronto. Who’s making things up now? Again, learn to read. If saying avoiding the city to live in the outskirts is somehow triggering you I’d say find a new hobby.
I think the Mets get Springer which leads Jays to sign DJ LeMahieu
Springer to NYM is a no-brainer. The Mets don’t have an OF prospect who will be ready until 2024 at best (they were all 2020 draft/2019-20 international FAs), so a 5 year contract isn’t a huge problem.
It’s not a “no-brainer” as it’s up to Springer, not the Mets. Have you been to Toronto?
Many, many times I went to college one hour from there and Toronto is hideous.
I was born and raised in Queens. I love Queens. You cannot compare Queens to Toronto. Calling Toronto hideous is a joke, especially if you’re comparing it to Queens.
I have lived in Queens 4 years[ Elmhurst and Astoria] and near Toronto and Toronto is a lot more disgusting.
Haha. I don’t know what 4 years you’re talking about, but that’s certainly not the case. And again, I love Queens.
My daughter lives in Toronto and I’ve visited numerous times. It’s a beautiful city with lovely people. It’s the 4th largest city in North America and the amount of building going on is amazing. Unfortunately the border is closed so I can’t fly or drive up from Manhattan.
They may not have a CF prospect on the way but they currently have FOUR starting outfielders (Conforto in LF, Nimmo in CF, McNeil and Dom Smith in RF). The Mets have far bigger problems than the outfield. After deGrom, their entire starting staff is one giant question mark.
And they’ll eventually have to start signing some of their players (all four of the guys I mentioned above, plus Alonso, and depending on their 2021 performances Stroman and Thor).
Springer would be great, but unless they’re operating with am unlimited budget, it would be very unwise to sign him. They need pitching and they need it badly. No one is scared of that rotation. Springer is, imo, not a no-brainer. (unless they really *are* operating with an unlimited budget)
Dreaming what might have been with a productive RF in the lineup last season.
I much rather play on a natural field than Astro Turf. Artificial turf increases the risk of sports injuries. Also the Mets are in a much better spot than Toronto is. This should be a no brainer for Springer.
The only way he signs with the Jays is if they offer 1-2 extra years — as insurance for the additional risk of injury.
Or move Grichuk to a corner and dangle Gurriel/Teoscar in trades. We forget he was shoe horned into CF rather than being seen as a natural fit there by even Toronto.
I’m probably in the minority, but I wouldn’t give Springer more than 3 years. He will be on the wrong side of 31 at the “start of the season” and you have to wonder how long he’ll be able to stay healthy and fully productive.
With better understanding of sports medicine and nutrition, guys can be productive for a little longer now and the dropoff isn’t as steep in a lot of cases. You wouldn’t get Springer on only a 3-yr deal if someone’s offering 5 unless your AAV was a significant overpay.
This is where that question of the DH in the NL thing has to be irritating.
The jays may be hot and heavy on springer (as they’ve seemingly been on others as well), but I don’t see them signing springer for more than they think he’s worth. Basically, I don’t see them overpaying to get him since he may not be in CF for long. If its a shorter term signing or less AAV for more years, then there is a chance this is a good fit for the jays because regardless of his defense in centre he will provide solid value in that position for at least 2 years, likely. (its hard to say if this is plausible since we don’t really know how the market is looking rn). We’ll see tho, maybe jays management will overpay to get springer. IF thats the case, it will be a good test on whether Atkins/Shapiro overpay for the right guy. Maybe they see a guy who can play centre long term?
I wish the Sox would offer him 1-2 years at an insane AAV just to see if he bites.
I’m still a bit salty that Reinsdorf was dumb enough to sign Eaton instead of going after Springer. RF was such a big hole last year and there are no great in-house options. Engel could have been a passable half of a platoon, but they still need the other half. If they fail to get Hand or Hendriks and let Colome go, this winter will be a huge wasted opportunity for them to improve.
They should have picked up Hand on waivers. For a single year commitment, that was a good deal.
I’m still glad they got Eaton. But damn, Springer in RF would be awesome. You could also rotate Springer, Abreu, and Grandal in at DH while letting Eloy get a lot of time there too.
Eaton is useless to this team. They need a RF who can hit for power and drive in runs for a change.
Mets are going to end up with Springer, Arenado, and whoever they this is the best of the non-Bauer free agent starting pitchers. Probably another bullpen arm as well.
I’m not saying it’s what they should do, but it’s what I expect.
jakec77
Honestly, their new owner seems awesome. Met’s have a nice looking core. This may be the mets time to shine lol
At this point would anyone take the field over the Blue Jays and Mets?
I wouldn’t count out the Nationals here. They have a need and Springer, Turner, and Soto hitting 123 would make that lineup scary to have to start through
I don’t see the Nats spending money on any big FA this year, but if so, I think it’ll be Realmuto.
I just come here to read all the Blue Jays’ rumors.
Doesn’t look or sound like any of these deals will be done before January. Next week is a dead period and I believe league offices are closed. Maybe someone makes a deal but it can’t be announced.
I have lived in Queens 4 years[ Elmhurst and Astoria] and near Toronto and Toronto is a lot more disgusting.
Thank you for this weird non-sequitur about your personal life that has zero relevance to where George Springer is thinking about signing.
Who the f are you kidding? Queens is a giant toilet
Am I the only one who isn’t that big a fan of Springer? He is a good ball player but I don’t see the value at 20-25M per year.
I’m more concerned over the number of years if the Blue Jays do sign him. He’s probably look at 5-6 years. Would not want more than 4.
He’s a good player, but he is also not exactly young. I can see a 5-year contract, followed by 2-3 years of regret.
Hahn, since you decided to ignore an obvious hole on the team (RF), you better make up for with Hendriks AND Colome! No excuses!
I think the white sox are gonna make some more moves this off-season. Although they are one of the more complete teams in baseball and I think Eaton will bounce back. I think Colome will definitely be back and I think they will pick up a Darren O`day type as well. Either way I think your team is pretty well set but I wouldn’t be surprised if they added another starter in the mix as well.
Wish my Braves were in the mix
Relevant Toronto/Buffalo[sewer] or Queens.
George Springer was just seen at Pats and Geno’s. He is scouting the best nursery schools in Delco.
Inputs better than article
Billyj14
Jim stem
Aaron sapoznik
123redsox
Good posts
Springer will not be coming to Toronto. Anyone who believes so is naive. American stars will always choose a US team even for less money. Period
George if you can’t stay in HTown please go to a team that there’s a chance I might care enough about to see you play a game
Springer has just signed with Mets.
Its official
Until he doesn’t get a big enough offer from either, and AA swoops in to sign him to a big one year deal for the Braves!
That would be nice but I don’t see that happening. He doesn’t need to bounce back and he isn’t getting any younger. The time to capitalize on a long term deal is now
Do something already!