January 10: The Jays have officially announced Belt’s signing.
January 9: After 12 seasons with the Giants, Brandon Belt is headed to Toronto. He’s in agreement with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $9.3MM contract for the 2023 season. The Excel Sports Management client has reportedly already passed his physical. The Jays are expected to formally announce the signing Tuesday, at which point they’ll need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move.
A fifth-round pick by San Francisco in 2009, Belt reached the majors two seasons later. He played in 63 games as a rookie and took hold of the primary first base job by his second season. Belt was a key contributor on San Francisco’s 2012 World Series team, hitting .275/.360/.421 over 145 games. Injuries limited him to 61 regular season contests during the 2014 season but he was healthy enough to contribute to San Francisco’s third title in five years during the playoffs.
Belt battled intermittent injury issues throughout the coming years. When healthy, he was a consistently productive offensive player. While San Francisco’s pitcher-friendly home ballpark depressed his over-the-fence power, he was an annual threat for 30+ doubles and posted huge on-base numbers thanks to massive walk rates. At the start of the 2016 season, the Giants inked Belt to a $72.8MM extension that kept him off the open market through the 2021 campaign. He followed up with a .275/.394/.474 showing through 655 trips to the plate, earning his only career All-Star nod in the process.
The Texas product saw his production tail off a bit over the next few seasons, hitting at a slightly above-average level through 2019. He rebounded in a huge way in 2020, mashing at a .309/.425/.591 clip to secure some down-ballot MVP support during the shortened season. He continued to rake the following season but saw that year frequently interrupted by injury. Belt lost time to a left oblique strain and soreness in his right knee but managed a .274/.378/.597 showing while shattering his previous career mark with 29 home runs in just 97 games. Unfortunately, an errant pitch fractured his left thumb late in the season and he wasn’t able to participate in San Francisco’s playoff run.
In advance of what was set to be Belt’s first trip to free agency, the Giants tagged him with an $18.9MM qualifying offer. He accepted and returned to the Bay Area for another season. Injuries again proved problematic, this time seemingly have a deleterious effect on his performance even when he did manage to take the field. Belt had a trio of IL stints last season and while the first was a very brief absence related to COVID-19, the latter two were more worrisome. He lost around three weeks between May and June due to inflammation in his balky right knee and that again arose in mid-August.
After his second knee-related IL placement, the veteran elected to shut things down and undergo season-ending surgery. It was the third surgical procedure he’d undergone on that knee. Belt acknowledged he might contemplate retirement if recovery didn’t go well, but he told reporters a few weeks later he felt revitalized by the operation.
The injuries sent him to the open market in advance of his age-35 campaign coming off arguably his worst season. He hit .213/.326/.350 through 298 trips to the plate. Belt still walked at an excellent 12.4% clip but saw his power production drop. He managed eight home runs and posted a career-low .138 ISO (slugging minus batting average). Belt’s 38.5% hard contact rate, while still a bit better than average, was markedly down from his 2020-21 levels.
Toronto clearly believes that diminished production was a symptom of the injuries, which the club can hope won’t be as concerning after last summer’s surgery. If Belt can recapture any of his previous form, he’d add a quality left-handed bat to a predominantly right-handed lineup. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be the everyday first baseman. Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk figure to get a decent number of designated hitter at-bats when the other is in the lineup at catcher. Everyone in that group hits from the right side, so Belt adds some balance to the mix. None of those players will be strictly relegated to the short side of a platoon by Belt but he adds another high-upside offensive option for skipper John Schneider.
It’s a short-term deal but isn’t an insignificant commitment for the club. Tacking on Belt’s $9.3MM salary brings Toronto’s projected 2023 payroll a bit above $212MM, as calculated by Roster Resource. That shatters last year’s approximate $171MM commitment, which had been a franchise record. More notably, it firmly positions the Jays as likely luxury tax payors for the first time in franchise history. The organization is up around $242MM in tax obligations, according to Roster Resource. After entering the night within a rounding error of the base threshold of $233MM, they’re pushing well past it to bring in more offensive help.
A team’s CBT number is officially tabulated at the end of the season, so the front office could theoretically look for ways to dip back under the line. That seems unlikely as the Jays battle for what they hope will be their first AL East title in eight years. Toronto boasts one of the league’s best lineups but could still look for help at the back of the rotation or in the bullpen over the next couple months.
The Blue Jays will pay a 20% tax on their first $20MM in CBT overages. They’re set to take on around $1.84MM in fees as a result of this signing, meaning their actual commitment to bring in Belt is closer to $11MM. If they surpass the $253MM mark, they’d be taxed at a 30% rate on any additional overages. Going past $273MM would come with further penalties.
San Francisco will move forward without one of the last remaining players from their excellent run in the first half of the last decade. Brandon Crawford is the only player from the 2014 team who’s still a Giant. It had long looked as if the club were going in that direction this offseason, with LaMonte Wade Jr. and J.D. Davis looking likely to share first base reps.
Belt had been one of the top first basemen still available on the open market. The free agent class at the position is now led by Trey Mancini and Yuli Gurriel, while Luke Voit and Miguel Sanó are around as bounceback targets for clubs looking to roll the dice on a power bat.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle was first to report Belt and the Blue Jays were in agreement on a one-year contract that’d be announced Tuesday and that Belt had already passed his physical. Kaitlyn McGrath of the Athletic was first with the $9.3MM guarantee.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
kiddhoff
Wow!
RobM
Jays adding depth to solidify their 3rd place finish.
bigdaddyt
Can still make the wild card In 3rd but I’d say there better than Tampa and on par with Yankees if not better
wayler
Predicting standings now is meaningless. If you’re a good team — like the Jays – you have a chance. This is a solid club.
terrymesmer
Do you know the Jays finished in second in 2022, six games ahead of #3 Tampa Bay?
Marius
Do you know, TB didn’t have Glasnow, Wander Franco and Brendan Lowe for the majority of the year?
RodBecksBurnerAccount
Marius–Do you know the Jays added Chris Bassitt and will be getting Ryu back this year?
Manoah
Gaussman
Berrios
Bassit
Ryu
That’s arguably the best rotation in baseball.
Franco missed a little less than half the season. Lowe looked terrible when he did play last year with a .383 slugging pct. Glasnow will be a huge add to the rotation if he stays healthy though.
Hank Murphy
and they are not as good a team now
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
I’m calling right now blue Jays. Finish 2nd in the AL East but they’re gonna win a WC spot.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
1st Place Team all the way. Rotation looks more structurally sound than Yankees, and a far more consistent offense. Jays may run away with it.
Marius
You can’t be serious. Jays have two glaring question marks at 4 and 5 in the rotation. NY is stacked
Mystery Team
Yankees are stacked that’s for sure. Toronto has a nice staff but not quite on the level as New York.
Cole Manoah
Rodon Gausman
Cortes Bassitt
Sevvy Berrios
Montas Kikuchi??
German Ryu??
You see where it kind of takes a downturn for Toronto? Say what you want about German it doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a talent and he’s sixth on that list and Berrios has nothing on Severino.
Dumpster Divin Theo
There’s a German Ryu? How does he stack up against Korean Ryu?
Mystery Team
Okay but neither guy is as good as a Puerto Rican Ryu.
Lindy
Neither touched Ryu from Street Fighter
Dumpster Divin Theo
Wow Bluejay fans are an active bunch, up and at them early, eh? Halifax, New Brunswick and Bay of Fundy, in the house!
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
No the trouble with the Yankees rotation is if they can stay healthy.
Dumpster Divin Theo
4th place. An odd year so the Red Socks will be good
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
1st Toronto. 100-62
2nd New York. 88-74
3rd Boston. 84-78
4th. TAMPA Bay. 76-86
5th. Baltimore. 74-88
BlueJ’sAllDay
Swap Boston with Tampa and I think you’re on to something
Hank Murphy
You think they can finish 3rd?
I think you over estimate their chances.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I think they will get some more luck this season and get big contributions from a couple upstarts.
TennVol
Great pickup to spell Vlad and DH. If healthy.
ruff kuntry
I thought Vlad was decent defensively at 1B though.
bigdaddyt
I mean he did just win the gold glove at 1st
BlueJ’sAllDay
Yeah Gurriel won a gold glove too but that doesn’t make them elite defenders. These awards sometimes are based on people voting on stats and not seeing the players play on the regular. Not sure how else to explain it. Vlad winning last year was definitely a major head scratcher just like Gurriel’s was. Vlad has definitely become slightly above average though so credit to him. He’s elite at ground balls his way which is very important. Still shaky at overall awareness and flow at first base but he’s improving. His receiving skills on throws are right around average. Belt is definitely the far superior first baseman but obviously Vlad will be in there most of the time.
firegibby
DH LOL they need the DH for Kirk,Jansen and Springer
Rsox
Belt will DH against RH pitchers while Kirk/Springer will likely DH against LH pitchers
BlueJ’sAllDay
Jansen is not a DH. Anyone who thinks he’s a good enough hitter to be in there on his off days is smoking that real good stuff
Murphy NFLD
Vlad is a gold glove 1B with a. Cannon arm
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
He was, but he may go back to being the fielder he was prior to 2022. I hope it sticks!
Joe Carters walkoff
Prior to 2022 he was learning 1st base and was decent. He was bad at 3rd. What you see now is likely the norm. Hes highly dedicated to his craft and getting better
bucsfan0004
Vlad is very good at first. But 2x a week it seemed Biggio was at first and batting 9th. Now the Jays have a suitable left-handed bat to spell Vlad, as well as DH some. I think its a good signing. Who cares what the money is?.. Its one year
Snellzilla #7
Belt is a gold glove 1B
FullMontilla
‘Belt is a gold glove 1B’
Just never in this league…
Sorry, I agree he’s a gold caliber fielder, but find it interesting that he’s never actually won the award
jonnyblah
Definitely gold glove caliber, at least in the past. Goldschmidt always beat him out. Belt is streaky as hell, but when he’s hot, he can carry a team. That balky knee is a real problem, though
Balk
As a Giants fan, the captain was the best! Watched the 18 inning game against the Nationals where he belted the game winner. Best of luck to him and his health.
AverageCommenter
Where is he going to play?
scissormetimbers
DH
roiste
Presumbably backup 1B/DH, and as a pinch-hitter. The Jays have an extremely right-handed lineup, so having a quality lefty bat on the bench is a good pickup for them.
I’m shocked Belt signed though, I really thought it was Giants or retirement for him
Rsox
Jays lineup is a lot more balanced now with Belt joining Varsho, Kiermaier and Biggio (when he’s in the lineup) as LH hitters.
smuzqwpdmx
They’ll surely solve their struggles against left handed pitchers with the addition of all these lefties who’ve never hit well against left handed pitchers.
Charels
Are you serious? Varsho batted .235, Kiermaier batted .228, Biggio batted .202, and Belt batted .213 in 2022. That is NOT the type of balance Blue Jays fans expect!!!!
DTD/ATL1313
And how did they fare against righties?
Dustyslambchops23
2023 people still using batting average
DTD/ATL1313
That’s because batting average is relevant. It’s not the end all be all but it’s still important.
Sunday Lasagna
Hits are good @Dusty, high percentages of hits per at bat are good. On base and slugging % are better but there is nothing wrong with looking at batting average. It’s much easier to teach pitch selection and launch angle to improve on base and slugging than it is to teach consistently putting a bat head on major league pitching.
Mystery13
Does it explain varshos 27 homers and 16 stolen bases
Still in talks
You could say that about any statistic.
NoSaint
@DTD/ATL1313 A baseball stat invented in the late 19th century is hardly relevant for a game played in the 21st century.
Dustyslambchops23
Not really and that poster used it as the end all
Career wrc+ Vs RHP
Varsho 112
Kk -102
belt -130
Dustyslambchops23
It’s easier to teach eye at the plate Vs bat head on major league pitching?
Going to need to back that up
tedtheodorelogan
Getting hits still matters. Don’t see many dudes finishing high in the MVP voting with an average in the .230s
Dustyslambchops23
Getting hits is just one part of the equation a low average doesn’t mean youre bad, just the same way a high average doesn’t mean you’re good.
Dee Gordon is almost a .300 career hitter and has been signing minor league deals for the last few years but a slap singles hitter doesn’t fit in to todays game
PhiladelphiaCollins
Lots of righties to worry about. It’s not just left-handed pitchers,
DTD/ATL1313
NoSaint, so the number of hits vs at bats isn’t relevant where the team that scores the most runs wins? That’s stupidity at it’s finest. I guess strikeouts, walks, runs, homers, and errors are also hardly relevant then? I look forward to your response.
Tassix
Please don’t quote single season batting averages as analysis.
Tassix
Batting average should never be given alone. If you’re going to one stop shop, at least go with OPS.
You also shouldn’t use BA with too few appearances to qualify. That’s why the line is there!
Tassix
There’s a large swath of players who are both useful and don’t deserve MVP votes.
Which team is 9 deep with MVP votes?
PhiladelphiaCollins
@DTD @ Charles -batting average should be looked at, combined with on-base and slugging no matter what year it is
.235 in Varsho’s case for example is not bad. It’s not good, but it’s not bad.
User 401527550
Dee Gordon has been getting minor league deals because of injuries and being suspended for PED use. He got a 5/50 million contract before that when he still was arbitration eligible. It’s not because the league doesn’t think his batting average is meaningless.
NoSaint
@Murphy NFLD I’ll stick with BA, since that was in your original post. That other counting stats we can chat about another time.
BA is hits divided by at bats. It doesn’t measure the type of hits therefore it doesn’t show the contribution of creating runs. The thing that determines wins. It also doesn’t include other offensive contributions such as walks. It is a ratio and as such a poor indicator of offensive production.
Fangraphs has an excellent article defining better metrics to describe a players ability to create runs.
Bet you didn’t like that response.
DTD/ATL1313
It would help if you’d respond to the correct person. Your response though doesn’t change anything anyone has said.
hiflew
When the game being played in the 21st century IS a game invented in the mid 19th century then it is very relevant. Baseball is different, but not THAT different. There is nothing wrong with those stats other than they were invented before computers were around to do the work for you.
Dustyslambchops23
5/50 for a .300 hitter is your proof that the league values players with no power ?
Hits will always be important, but singles alone are the least valuable type of hit and that’s why BA in isolation is not a good stat. Why are we debating this
Joe Carters walkoff
I know. Its like using +/- for hockey
NoSaint
Google “wRC+ fangraphs”
It’s a much better stat than BA.
HalosHeavenJJ
It might after the shift bans and new base running rules.
At least I hope it does. I love balls in play, steals, and hit and runs.
Sunday Lasagna
@nosaint wRC+ Is a fictional stat, a made up hypothesis. A 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Emphasis on “would have”……but didn’t because it never happened. So many of the stats quoted are fictional stats. “Defensive Runs Saved” is a made up hypothesis, you don’t know for sure that any one’s play saves a specific amount of runs, just like you don’t know if one player is 25% above average in producing runs if it never happened.
NoSaint
There is just so much there. All I will say is read the article.
iverbure
Batting average is not relevant to any gm who runs a baseball team
iverbure
For anyone who thinks batting average is important please link a interview of any GM who says we gotta improve our batting average. I’ve been to the winter meetings and spring training and have talked to all kinds of people within the game some of whom help run or ran teams in the past and some who were gms at the time. I’ve ask them specifically about if they look at batting average for a player. And you’ll get this answer. It’s not unimportant but nobody running a baseball team in 2023 looks at batting average.
The sooner all fans realize it’s pretty much meaningless they’ll be better informed on how the game is played and managed and ran by gms.
Joel Sherman talked to a former player this past year about why don’t more guys go the other way like fans suggest to beat the shift. The player told a story about him going the other way one night in a 7-3 game down 4 in the 8th inning. The next day a guy from baseball ops said to him hey last night in the 8th that single up the middle what were you thinking there? We’re you trying to do that. He explained yeah I wanted to get a knock. Baseball ops guy said yeah, instead we would like you to lift the ball in the air and try for a extra base hit instead. Takes too many hits to bring you in. And he said that wasn’t the first or last time baseball ops people told him this.
In conclusion, you the fans are asking players to do something the teams aren’t even trying to do. And banning the shift isn’t going to have the desired effect most people think it’s going to have. Players are being told and taught not to get that base hit because team don’t value batting average.
You can keep thinking it’s important but the Ivy League guys running the league know it’s not important
disadvantage
@hershiser
“…there is nothing wrong with looking at batting average”
The team in your avatar seems to disagree by regularly playing Muncy, Belli, and acquiring Gallo (on purpose).
Murphy NFLD
Actually i agree the problem is i didnt mention anything about BA or anything other then vladdy is a GG 1b defender with a cannon arm. You have the wrong guy bud lol. Twas charles who started the BA rant
Poster formerly known as . . .
“A baseball stat invented in the late 19th century is hardly relevant for a game played in the 21st century.”
So runs, hits, put-outs, assists and errors, all included in Henry Chadwick’s 1859 box score, are all irrelevant.
Good to know.
Sunday Lasagna
Conveniently left out the first part @disadvantage, you qualify to be a reporter. The quote was “Hits are good @Dusty, high percentages of hits per at bat are good. On base and slugging % are better but there is nothing wrong with looking at batting average. ”.
Sunday Lasagna
@iverbire can you link an article of any GM that says they need to improve their wRC+ ? The quotes I read don’t call out specific stats, they say things like improving “run production”. I’d be interested if you have articles that quote GM’s referencing wRC+ or any other advanced metrics.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Batting avg? Hmm. Thanks Charels. Say there’s one more piece of valuable information– RBI (Runs batted in). How many RBIs do Varsho, Kiermaier, Biggio and Belt have, do you have the answer? I haven’t picked up their 2023 baseball cards, so did not have an opportunity to flip them over and see the numbers on the back of their cards.
Poster formerly known as . . .
That’s an oversimplication and a distorted view of Dee Gordon.
Sure, Gordon has declined since his peak, and his BA has declined as well. In his last season in the majors he batted .300, but in only 59 AB in 22 games. In his previous two seasons in which he played at least 100 games, he batted .268 and .275.
In his best season, 2015, he batted .333 with 205 hits, only 36 of which went for extra bases. He was 22nd in fWAR, tied with Mookie Betts who hit 18 HR to Gordon’s 4 HR, and Gordon was 16th in the MVP voting.
The value of a player’s skill set varies according to the team context in which he plays. A singles hitter with a high BA can absolutely be valuable to a team overladen with low BA, high-strikeout power hitters. Ichiro could’ve hit home runs but chose not to, specifically because he wanted to hit for a high average. He’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Dumpster Divin Theo
I’m down with OPS (yeah you know me)
Dumpster Divin Theo
Geez, I wish there was a way to look up batting avg, RBIs and HRs and have it in one convenient place. When does Baseball Digest come out? Guess I’ll have to ride my Schwinn over to the Public library, make some copies. Be right back.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Hershiser must be fun at parties.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Iverbure? More like Iverbore. Amirite?
Dumpster Divin Theo
Avatar. That’s one good yarn. Spoiler alert- Sully goes rogue, becomes blue, kills his captain. Natives are thrilled. Can’t wait for the new one.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Please don’t be a baseball stat nerd gatekeeper.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
I hear OPS+ is the best
holecamels35
Good luck building your team around guys like Gallo, Belt, and Bellinger then since it doesn’t matter. They will all take turns walking and striking out and no runs will score.
disadvantage
@Herhiser
“Hits are good @Dusty, high percentages of hits per at bat are good. On base and slugging % are better but there is nothing wrong with looking at batting average”.
Here’s your whole quote again for those in the back. It doesn’t absolve the fact that you’re defending batting average as “nothing wrong”, which in a vacuum isn’t a terrible sentiment if that’s your jive, but in the context that we are only discussing batting average because a comment was arguing that Varsho, Belt, and Kiermaier are all bad because their 2022 batting averages were low, completely neglecting that they are all MUCH better players than their batting average.
utah cornelius
@Disadvantage – Let’s see you applaud when your team’s GM loads up your roster with .175 hitters.
Dustyslambchops23
This comment is all over the place
You’re including WAR which includes defensive value as an argument that teams care about average?
But ichiro! Okay ichiro hit doubles, walked and stole bases.
I swear you’re just trying to argue for the sake of it, but congrats I guess. I’ll concede, average is the best
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Then why is MLB banning the shift if all the “Baseball ops” people would be against it ??? If they are the smartest people in the room, wouldn’t their viewpoints be held in high esteem by the major decision makers??
Snellzilla #7
Ah, yes, Oral Hershiser, the former San Francisco Giant
iverbure
More like Iverisalwaysright
User 401527550
Ozzie Albies got a 5/35 contract in the same stage of their career. Are you saying he is not valuable too?
ForeverGiantsFan
Nice signing for Blue Jays. The Captain is an excellent hitter. Hopefully his knees are better after surgery. My favorite Giants player.
Snellzilla #7
#roiste – Belt himself has literally been saying he’s open to playing for another team, since before last season ended.
Nick Baratta
He could be a pinch hitter for kiermaier/biggio/merrifield/Espinal and play 1b/dh on other days. He’s hurt every year anyway so asking him for 300 abs instead of 600 isn’t much of a stretch.
Good depth signing for the jays
Snellzilla #7
He’s a gold glove first baseman
Samuel
Shapiro and Atkins will throw money at any over-the-hill player hoping to get the team across the finish line.
Flash – Baseball is a young man’s sport….always has been, always will be.
davidk1979
They’re very good execs weird to hate on them.
Samuel
davidk1979;
I was thinking when I wrote the comment above, I haven’t seen them make one smart under-the-radar move that proved to be productive in the past few years. I’m sure people can find one and exaggerate the players importance. don’t they have a farm system? Don’t they develop any players? Dombrowski supposedly has a crummy farm system, but he keeps bringing players up that were coached well and help the Phillies win games. No, They’re not good execs.
They have a big budget and just keep throwing money at over-the-hill players. I like Brando Belt. But come ‘on – $9.3m dollars. Small and many mid-market teams can bring in 3 players for that amount that will help their team in 2023 and beyond.
Jerry Cantrell
Agreed, $9.3MM is a massive overpay.
vtadave
Not sure how you define “under the radar” moves, but signing Ray worked out pretty well. Semien was a nice one-year signing. Teoscar was a solid deal. Cimber has been quite good.
SpringersDinger
Samuel,
The Bluejays farm system has produced.
Vlad Jr, Bo Bichette, Alex Manoah, Jordan Romano, Alexandros Kirk, Danny Jansen, and several other pieces on the 24man. And produced Matt Chapman, Varsho, and Berrois in trade. All in the last 4 years. This signing is more of a set up for a professional clubhouse and a lefty bat that has been very good in the past……I could care less what the paid for it. FYI. Bluejays have the 9th youngest average age in baseball even with the veteran signings.
FLASH: Samuel’s comments are based on a weak opinion, not based in fact…… always has been always will.
RobM
It was a weird comment on many levels.
Still in talks
They have made a number of smart moves. Obviously people like you will focus on the negative and ignore the positive. People expect GMs to never miss on players, but they all do.
Out of touch fans only remember the bad signings and trades.
Jobba11
Under the radar … Robbie ray won a cy young – Steven Matz trade they were laughed at for , he had a good season . The 1 yr deal for semien that people said was overpay
They drafted Bo , Alek Manoah. The farm system was gutted when they took over and yes already had Vlad in from previous front office but put together a pretty good farm in a few years .
I don’t understand this hate . It seems they are highly respected in the industry, yet us as fans think they are trash ?
Still in talks
Agreed, Samuel is out of touch. He’s clueless, probably should take his comments to the ESPN chat board, where no one knows baseball.
terrymesmer
>I haven’t seen them make one smart under-the-radar move that proved to be productive in the past few years
Robbie Ray.
Giants78
If he stays healthy, Belt will do well and is a good add. He has lots of playoff experience, including 2 World Series rings, has a good eye, and if his now repaired knee is strong, has power at the plate. He won’t be an everyday player but will be an everyday mentor in the dugout on hitting and how to handle a playoff run.
disadvantage
@samuel
So you mean like acquiring a young inexpensive player like, say, Daulton Varsho? What three players are you bringing in for the $9mm Belt was signed for?
You either get (1) a very good pre-arb player that is inexpensive in price but expensive in prospect capital, or (2) an unproven MiLB signing that pays off. You’d be lucky to get one of those type signings to pay big, let alone all three. Not that you would even give them credit if they did.
Shoguneye
Who said Semien was overpay? I was stunned they only signed him for 1 year. His 2nd half numbers in 2020 aligned up with his 2019 season.
Ray was a low risk gamble that payed off. He had some very good years before.
TheRickestRick
Who are the other over the hill players they’re throwing money at?
Samuel
TheRickestRick;
Let’s start with Springer – they gave him an outrageous contract to play CF. He’s couldn’t play it the day they got him, and deteriorated from there. Merrifield. Kiermaier. The relief pitchers.
Same thing I wrote above – don’t they have a farm system? Can’t they bring in any guys that can contribute for less than multi-million dollar contracts? This is truly pathetic.
hoags1137
They had to give Springer the cash to come to Canada. It’s not an easy sell. And I find you writing merrifeild soft like he’s not a very good bat when he’s playing laughable.
Still in talks
What’s pathetic is not knowing that Manoha, BO, Vlady, Jansen, Kirk, Romano.
Plus trades that brought in Chapman, Varsho, Berrios.
They are not the Mets, this is a team that built its core from the farm and draft.
PhiladelphiaCollins
Other than Springer none of those players are having money “thrown at them”
He himself doesn’t have a massive contract (only 4 more years) and can actually produce so enjoy him while he is in Toronto!
Spaced-Cowboy
Hyun-jin Ryu would like a word
BuJoBi
The team is still young, and it’s not young teams that wins its veteran teams. Or teams with a combination of both….like the jays have
Cardsfanatik redux
@Samuel…
Congrats on the dumbest comment today. Did you watch a 42 year old Albert Pujols last year? Lots of 20 somethings that would like to have that season. Belt is still a solid player. I never get the hate for teams making low risk signings like this.
Samuel
Cardsfanatik redux;
Yes, I watched Albert.
You want to compare Alberts’ past year to what Belt will do this year and put some money on that?
(And Albert got paid $2.6m for 2022…not $9.3m.)
Albert belongs in the HOF and was a once in a generation Cardinals player in a unique situation.
Why do kids with no perspective read something someone writes on chatroom board, cite an exception that proves the rule by misrepresenting the situations, and insults the poster? It never ends.
User 4245925809
“”Why do kids with no perspective read something someone writes on chatroom board, cite an exception that proves the rule by misrepresenting the situations, and insults the poster? It never ends.””
Ease of using a phone and no real clue of the game itself Samuel
Easy way to blow apart the all veteran teams not winning.. Exactly how many WS titles did those Iltch owned Tigers teams win during the Dombrowski years? No lack of spending, Every last prospect was swapped away for another aging veteran. Stars.. Cabby, Verlander etc.. Given boat anchor type extensions, all trying to win that title for Iltch.. Yet no title.. Roster full of aging, veteran stars and no title, but won’t see these kiddies mention those teams. Doesn’t fit the narrative.
stymeedone
Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello, Inge, Granderson, Monroe, Castellanos were all young players that came up with the Tigers during Dombrowski’s time with the Tigers. Yes, they didn’t win the title. It wasn’t for a lack of young talent. So YOUR example doesn’t fit the narative.
PhiladelphiaCollins
@Simon poor Simon you simply fail to grasp the reality of the situation Cards fan was not insulting you when he said your comment was dumb…he was only stating a fact.
Accept the congratulations Simon you were the dumbest. lol
YourDreamGM
Samuel has been on here for 5 years and been watching baseball for 50. You can only dream of having his baseball knowledge.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Uh! THE HORROR! THE HORROR!
Spaced-Cowboy
Care to contribute instead of rambling on about unforseen hatred and targeting online? Is there anything you like about the signing? I mean clearly it’s your cash, but I thought you had gone on record that you don’t mind exceeding the luxury tax. Young team doesn’t need a bench presence or maturity? Are you confusing a knee injury with a head injury? Will he be unable to mentor or bestow years of pitcher and hitting knowledge? Is it the plethora of power L bats on our team that makes it a bad fit? So much salt for a poorly licked cracker.
Poster formerly known as . . .
I have to ask — are you Samuel?
BuJoBi
Samuel just lost any respect he had on here. Which probably wasn’t much to begin with, he’s rant made no sense, his argument made no sense, he just sounded bitter and uneducated on baseball and roster construction. It’s very rare a truly young team wins anything, that’s just common sense. The jays have what 3 or 4 players over 30? Yet calls the team old? He sounds uneducated, saying we are overpaying for players when anyone who knows anything about Toronto baseball knows we have to overpay due to the tax bracket in Canada, so to criticize a team for doing what they simply have to is a lack of knowledge plain n simple. We should be commended for willing to overpay to get quality to have people come play in a different country, we will always have to overpay, anyone who has been paying attention to jays baseball knows this. So in conclusion, if u don’t know what you talking about just don’t talk, I don’t say that rudely, it’s just common sense
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
If a team isn’t emulating the Baltimore Orioles to a T, then to Samuel that team is trash. He thinks Baltimore is the gold standard lol.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Phink: starting to come to believe “Samuel” is a parody account meant to unironically portray a certain perspective/mindset completely devoid of humor or self-awareness. Might be “on the spectrum” adjacent. If so, I give it good marks.
Murphy NFLD
The team needed a bat that can hut lefties to platoon with an OFer. I dont know a ton about belt, i know he hammers LHP, i know he had surgery which i believe held him back this last year. I believe he used to be a ok to bad OFer and he is likly a 1b/DH now. Before i look into this was i right on any of it?
Murphy NFLD
Ahh looked i to it LHH CAN BOT hit LHP. Good olayer for a playoff team. They really need a LHP smashing OF, i wanted Pollok or Grossman theres another guy that escapes my mind right now aswell. Cutch isnt much of an OF any more but prob would have been better then this
rememberthecoop
I hear you Sam. But I gotta tell ya, there are lots of owners much worse. They are doing a good job overall. Their topb4 starting pitchers are very solid ( if Berrios can rebound)
Nantaico
This is a very dumb take.. the Jays have an extremely young core and rarely throw money at over the hill players.. who do you think is available to fill around the edges of a core?? Ah.. that’s right.. older players..
GhostofRandySavage
Justin Verlander has entered the chat
Still in talks
Tell that to Verlander and mad Max.
Old York
Jays are a young team and got knocked out in the first round. Your theory doesn’t work. Meanwhile, the Astros were much older and won it all.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Noooooooo! But Texas could have had him relearn left field.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Hold on… that 9.3 million update makes me completely rethink stuff.
Rsox
There is zero chance Belt would make it through April, much less the entire season playing LF anywhere
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
2 speedy outfielders in Adolis Garcia and Bubba Thompson/Leody Tavares (Thompson is maybe top 5 in MLB for speed) could compensate for him with ease. Just pitch in a way that guys don’t pull the ball to left field. Easier said than done, but still possible
vtadave
lol he’s coming off a season decimated by bad knees, but yeah, let’s toss him in the oufield!
stymeedone
Give him a chaise lounge so he can relax those knees while playing the field.
Jaysfan1981
The Article states he feels the best he has in a long time, he was thinking either Giants or retirement.
Not out of the realm of possibility. But in order to maximize his chances and contributions with his bat, perhaps he has suggested he’s willing to play LF semi regularly.
Knowing himself that this could be his final year, he’s willing to sacrifice injury in order to bring himself his team and Toronto another WS.
Snellzilla #7
Belt has said for months he was open to joining a different team. Good signing
BuJoBi
Loving this signing
deGromTexasRanger
overpaid for days
Dustyslambchops23
You’d be ecstatic if the rangers made this deal
Still in talks
Rangers would know what a overpay is. The whole team is overpaid. DeGrom will probably start 20 games over the life of that $165M contract.
TheRickestRick
I am perfectly happy with this.
TheRickestRick
Ok
Didn’t expect 9.3Mil
But it’s not my money
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
There could still be a third update that there is a team option for 10 million with a 4.3 million buyout. You never know.
CJML
Longoria got 4 and belt got 9.3? Crazy
Dustyslambchops23
2 years older and while Longoria was the better overall player belt has always been the superior bat
CJML
Longoria has career ops + 120 and belt 123. Belts had one full season of baseball since 2016.
Dustyslambchops23
Belt had a 160 OPS+ in 2021, 170 in 2020
Longoria hasn’t been above 130 since 2013.
Again really like both players but as bat only/dh options belt is younger and has the more recent strong performance offensively
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Also consider that Belt has two monster seasons in 2020 and 2021.
utah cornelius
Belt had 179 ABs in 2020 and 381 in 2021.
bluejays92
Didn’t expect that, but I don’t hate it. He’s another lefty, can play 1st when Vlad needs a day off/a DH day, and if need be he (Belt) can play a bit of left field in an emergency. He’s not what he once was, but I can see him being a useful pickup.
Jacksson13
With Belt’s bad right knee, although surgically repaired, AGAIN; I suspect his days of playing the outfield, other than in a dire emergency, are long gone.
bluejays92
Yep, like I said, in an emergency. Realistically I see him getting around 300-350 PA’s if things go relatively smoothly. Mostly action at DH and first base and an option later on to pinch hit against a righty. I’d imagine Merrifield and Biggio (if not moved) would be getting the call to play in the outfield (for the latter, at first base too) before Belt.
Murphy NFLD
Likly says no more biggio at 1st
Jaysfan1981
Yea, you dont have Belt on the bench and use Biggio at 1B at the same time.
Biggio may be a late inning replacement if Belt started at 1B and Vlad at DH that particular game.
Shoguneye
Thats a relief.
jdgoat
LH bench bat that isn’t Tapia
andrewhanna
To me this spells the end for Biggio. Espinal is a better back up option at 2B, 3B and SS. They have enough outfield depth. Only reason to carry Biggio would have been his ability to back up 1B.
NoSaint
Kinda disagree about the end for Biggio. It’s more like the beginning of the end. If they grab a righty 4th OF kinda bat to go against LHP, then it is the end for Biggio.
Murphy NFLD
Id say they have to hold onto biggio. Who knows if barger pans out or if chapman reaigns, whitt is gone to. Next season as of now there infield is vlad, Biggio, BO and Espinal. Even if barger is there future 3b/2b they still need 1 more person
NoSaint
@Murphy NFLD Ok, where do they put him?. He’s 3rd in depth behind Espinal and Merrifield at 2B. He can’t play 3B or SS. There are already 2 LHH in the OF and Merrifield is probably ahead of him for depth. Belt is taking reps at 1B.
He has options, so that’s good.
Dustyslambchops23
Biggio is probably going to be a bench piece this year, whit only has one more year.
No sense in moving Biggio now, his value is so low you might as well keep him for depth
Rsox
Not really. Any given night the Jays will have a lineup with:
C Kirk
1B Guerrero
2B Biggio
3B Chapman
SS Bichette
LF Varsho
CF Kiermaier
RF Springer
DH Belt
And a bench with Jansen/Espinal/Merrifield/another bench player yet to be added
NoSaint
Biggio batting 3rd is as likely as Devers batting 9th.
Redsoxx_62
That’s not a batting order, it’s just listed in order of position
NoSaint
Noted.
Shoguneye
Thats not the order but Biggio is not a starter anywhere in this lineup on most days. unless he proves he can make adjustments, actually swing the bat on 2 strikes and catch up to some velo.
jimmertee
Right-on Shogun, Biggio hasn’t adjusted since his first season other than about 15 swings last year when he tried to go the other way. He has a gaping hole in his swing and any decent pitcher can get him out. I will say he has a lightning fast hands very similar to Derek Fisher. But can he make contact enough to be more than a poor utility guy?
Jaysfan1981
@ Jimmer.
If Biggio is healthy, I think he can go back to a 250 hitter minimum without the shift, and close to 400 on base, like his rookie year. He’s got a wicked eye and fast hands. If he was 3 inches and 40 lbs heavier he’d likely be an easy 30/30 guy. His size and build are better suited at 2B vs anywhere else. Let’s give him a few months of run at 2B as the starter, see what happens
He’s perfectly acceptable at 2nd and hitting 7th 8th or 9th.
Shoguneye
Exactly, he reminds me of how Brandon Nimmo used to be a walk first guy, even same bat wiggle. Sweet swing but needs to figure it out
Shoguneye
Hope springs eternal. The pitchers are onto him unlike his rookie days. Quick hands, discerning eye is only good for shoplifting if you cant manage the at bat.
imgman09
Varsho is your lead off,Belt gets on base a lot and the Best 1b defender
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Good for Belt!
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
It would be a waist not to sign Belt
BlueJ’sAllDay
Hell yeah! This is the move I’ve been hoping for all offseason! He’s the DH against righties all season long and a great clubhouse guy. Love this move! We’re winning 100 games this season you heard it here first lol
Jerry Cantrell
I won’t doubt the 100 win prediction, but it sure won’t be because of Belt.
Jacksson13
The 100 may just be the number of days that Belt is on the DL.
BlueJ’sAllDay
Hate all you want and base your evaluation of Belt from last year. If you’re really interested look at his stats from the two years prior and see how he could be the lefty cleanup hitter we need. He signed here because he believed we have the roster to compete for a ring. And he’s right about that. Blue jays all day!
Springer
Varsho
Guerrero
Belt
Bichette
Kirk
Chapman
Kk
Espinal
This lineup is the best in the league now offence and defense. Can’t wait for the season to start!
BlueJ’sAllDay
Or possibly
Springer
Bichette
Guerrero
Belt
Kirk
Varsho
Chapman
Merrifield
Kk
Either way you’re looking at top shelf in the league all day
Shoguneye
Setting the table for Springer with espy 9th?
Snellzilla #7
Giants won over 100 games largely because of Belt
Buzz Killington
Gonna have to get the jab now.
Dustyslambchops23
Nope
Shoguneye
Yup, have to play in the states and they want the jab. Canada has ‘suspended’ that policy
Dustyslambchops23
He’s an American citizen and that won’t apply to him.
Snellzilla #7
Nope, vaccine not required in America
Snellzilla #7
#Dustys – His citizenship is irrelevant in this case. And when we visit other countries their laws apply to us anyway
Shoguneye
Ah ok, only to foreigners, legal variety. Thx
Dustyslambchops23
Canada doesn’t have that law, and US citizens do not need to be vaccinated to return to their country.
A simple google search would help you guys from looking like clowns on the net
5TUNT1N
Good for Belt! Sad to see his days in San Francisco over but glad he’s playing for a more competitive team to end his career! Dude when healthy has a super underrated bat, and his defense has always been gold glove level! You’ll be missed but you’re no longer the baby giraffe!
Jaysfan1981
I dont understand this move exactly. It’s not bad, 1 year a little over 9 million for the Jays is peanuts.
He’s not going to play 1st often. I see in comments he’s terrible in LF.
He can’t be a PH for anyone LH as he’s also LH, you’re not PHing for Vladdy , Chapman, Springer, Bo, Kirk or Jansen
I don’t see this as Biggio losing his roster spot. I see this more like Espinal losing his roster spot.
Color me confused
NoSaint
Espinal can play SS and 3B, Biggio can’t. In a previous post I said that if the Jays get a 4th OF that can hit lefties, then he’s done.
Jaysfan1981
Yes Espinal can play SS and 3B.
But there’s also a few kids in the Minors who can also play SS/3B. The 2 closest being Barger and Martinez.
Martinez performed poorly in AAA but still hit over 30 HR almost 40.
Barger Performed extremely well. And both are set to arrive this year.
We also have another highly touted prospect whos still a few years away in Tucker Toman.
If im Biggio I try to win a 2B job and focus on leading the league in walks. He’d be fine at 2nd. And fits better as a LH option than Espinal
NoSaint
@Jaysfan1981 Barger has 36 PA’s at AAA and Martinez has none. Short of an ill-fated trip in the teams charter plane through the Andes mountain range, neither will see the majors.
Kirk might put on a few pounds come to think about it.
Jaysfan1981
@no Saint.
I disagree. Both should and likely will be given a chance to win a spot on the team.
Being the 26th man isn’t likely, kids need to play more often than not.
But , stranger things have happened and the way the Jays have used 300 different lineup combinations and use players all over the diamond, except for Vlad and Bo. Everyone else is playing 4-5 games out of 7 each week
Digdugler
Doesnt make sense. Really Atkins should have just not traded for Varsho. Or if he REALLY wanted to get fleeced, not signed KK. Or if he really wanted both, not signed Belt.
NoSaint
@Digdugler I don’t agree with slot of what the FO does. But this was a good addition.
Stealing Signs
And if he didn’t make any pf those moves you’d probably be whining that he didn’t address any holes. What exactly do you have against Varsho or having one of the best OF defense in the majors?
Dustyslambchops23
In what world is Espinal losing his spot over Biggio.
Also you would absolutely pinch hit Belt for Chapman Vs a RHP
It’s building better matchups, bench and roster depth, really not that complicated
Jaysfan1981
@ Dusty.
For the same reason we’d pick Espinal over Biggio, other teams probably feel the same way. Im sure Whitesox are giving more and wanting Espinal over Biggio for their 2B situation right?
FO also values the ability to get on base, which Biggio is better at, being versatile which Biggio is better at, and being LHH which Biggio is
And Chapman actually hits RHP better than LHP last year, he had 100ABs vs LHP only 4HR but 23HR vs RHP in about 430ABs.
Building better match ups requires positional versatility as well.
Only way I see this really working out is if Vlad is injured alot.
Or he can play a passable LF so Varsho can bump KK to 4th or 5th OF duties
BlueJ’sAllDay
Everything you’re saying here Dusty is accurate. Anyone thinking Biggio has any value is smoking the good stuff. Belt just replaced Biggio and the need for him at first on Vlad’s off days. Biggio is barely hanging on by a thread for playing time and for good reason.
Belt is DH against righties all day and the rest will sort itself out. We don’t need our catchers being DH on the regular and lineup projections I’ve seen of Jansen being DH on off days is just laughable. This is a money move and anyone who doesn’t see that is not seeing clearly. We’re built to win now and I’m pumped for the season to start!
Jaysfan1981
@ Bjallday
Wait, a guy who had nearly an 800 OPS in his rookie season. Almost 20 HR, with an on base 130 points higher than his average, is completely washed up at 27 after 3 consecutive years with injuries that weren’t severe enough to call him injury prone yet bad enough to limit him to like half seasons?
If he’s healthy, he’s getting the chance to grab a spot somewhere because of his Eye, his being a LHH, having 3 more cheap years, and showing at one point he was pretty damn good. And versatile
Stop hating on this man.
Edit, also if Belt is your main DH vs righties, that’s like 75% of the at bats.
Problem there is Kirk loses alot of playing time in that scenario. Springer doesn’t get many rest days. Vlad is playing 1st 162 games? Unlikely
Jaysfansince92
How is Jansen at DH “laughable”? He lead the team in OPS last year. Anyone who has followed his career and knows about the change back to a pull hitter should know it’s no outlier either. Not sure who talked him into trying a spray to all fields approach but it simply wasn’t the right approach for him. He was a pull hitter through the minors and when he first got called up. For some reason he switched to trying to spray the ball for 2019 and 2020, but went back to pulling the ball mid 2021. If you look at the stats below it seems pretty likely his resurgence will continue:
2017: .884 OPS in Minors (pull hitter)
2018: .863 OPS in Minors and .780 in majors (pull)
2019: .640 OPS (Starts trying to spray the ball to all fields)
2020: .671 OPS (spray)
2021: .772 OPS (spray then switch to pull halfway through)
2022: 885 OPS (pull hitter)
We have a lot more data on him with the pull approach than people realize. I think he is a very good bet to continue producing.
Another thing to factor in is he spent very little time working on his offense and a ton on his defence and game calling early on when he got called up. In recent years he has had more time to focus on his offense.
If anyone is still unsure about him I can go deeper with statcast. His underlying metrics in 2021 and 2022 show it was not luck and an obvious skill change.
Jaysfansince92
I should also note that in 2022 his expected wOBA was actually higher than than the end result which is further proof that he was not lucky in 2022.
Shoguneye
2020 – 60
2021 – 161
2022 – 160
You’re right no history of 162
Gmen777
His home run against the Nats in the 18th inning will live on in Giants lore. Thanks for all the great memories Belt good luck north of the border!
Giantfan78
Gmen I remember that homer like it was yesterday. What a memory. Good luck, Baby Giraffe!
Snellzilla #7
I remember that HR like it was yesterday too. Watching into the night, with my kid. Got kinda arduous, watching a stressful tied game so long. When he hit that HR it was a huge relief lol
Diggydugler
Atkins will be fired after this season. I mean this deal is fine…if they didn’t trade away teoscar, gurriel, Moreno, acquire Varsho and sign kk. They got rid of teoscar to cut his salary and then sign a part time dh to 10m? The whole off season was trash
Shoguneye
Cut his salary? That’s a fact? They got 4 years of control for Swanson and a good prospect. They are cutting next years salary
Murphy NFLD
Losing Teo stings but if they were not willing to pay him 25-30 per for 5-7 seasons why not get a piece you can use for 3 years.
BetterMuppet:JUDGEorKERMIT?
Did you watch the jays over the last few years?
I’m not going to miss cringing everytime a ball is hit to right field or left, waiting for Gurriel’s bizarre routes or a playable ball dropping in front of Teo
Teo was streaky at the plate and did alot of his damage in batches and Gurriel peaked 2 years ago
You have to give the replacements a chance to actually put on a jersey before writing off the upgrades…..and Varsho has a chance to do a lot more at the plate with some legit lineup protection.
Snellzilla #7
Giants got paid almost 20 million to a part time DH. Jays picked up a gold glove, power hitting, LH 1B for less than 10.
Dustyslambchops23
I know he’s been injured a lot lately and 34 now but he’s always been so underrated for some reason.
He’s one year removed from a 157 wrc+ really like this move.
utah cornelius
He managed 325 ABs, the most he’s had since 2019.
Dustyslambchops23
Good thing jays don’t need him to have 500 ABs
Shoguneye
Also started the season last year with covid and mono
10centBeerNight
Solid move for Jays.
Little Stevie Janowsky
Are you kidding me? What is this front office doing right now?
NoSaint
Building the bench.
Dustyslambchops23
For real no downside to this
DTD/ATL1313
Maybe adding solid players than can help the team?
Snellzilla #7
He’s a power hitting, LH, gold glove 1B.
Sa'ed Faoul
Would’ve been a potential fit for the Rays, but not at that price. Tyler Naquin or Edwin Rios remain as FA options.
SFBay314
Bring out the boat!
Should have gone to Texas with Boch.
Snellzilla #7
That’s what I was expecting.
I was not expecting the boat on opening day. That was fun.
pohle
don’t overthink the team building aspect of this and other fan-panned moves that fill out a contending team’s 26-man roster. depth will still be important,but the floor needs to be raised and Belt is a quality hitter who will do just that in Toronto.
utah cornelius
His OPS+ was 92 last year.
Dustyslambchops23
Now you don’t want to mention ABs?
patricktroen
Jays fans its b2bws series time.we taking this year and next!
seamaholic 2
What the heck system were the Giants using in 2021? There isn’t a dude on that roster who didn’t blow up expectatoins into the stratosphere.
GhostofRandySavage
Like 39 coaches and a lotta luck
gfan
Good luck Brandon/ Blue Jays!
I’ll miss those hot streaks with the classic bat drop bombs.
Forever Giant, and unofficial captain.
Hunteraustin
Wonder if Jose Canseco is still available. They could still REALLY make a splash!
NoSaint
139 wRC+ over the past 3 seasons (800+ PA’s) is fine by me.
Ducey
Its baffling how the cranks are upset about this.
How do you get upset that your team is spending more money? And that’s all it is. It’s a 1 yr deal. No picks/ assets. No lost opportunity.
Look at the massive yr Belt had in 2021. A 160 ops+. That’s better than anyone on the Jay’s had last year. Health is no doubt a factor, but if healthy a big add.
He can play DH, give Vlad a day off/ DH, pinch hit for a catcher, pinch hit for Merrifield at 2B, Chapman at 3B, gives them a lot more depth and flexibility. Will look good in Yankee stadium when on the road.
No more Tapia/Zimmer. Instead bench includes Biggio and Espinal. Much better.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Money could have been spent more reliably on a hitter who doesn’t get injured.
Nothing against Belt- he’s a solid player. But he’s limited by his health and he has only had 500 at bats a few times (you guessed it), once being in 2021. Not getting younger either.
A one year deal is not bad. I just don’t see this being a huge impact with his injury history.
Jaysfan1981
Not mad at this signing. Just don’t understand it.
All things being Equal, Pollack fit better as far as roster construction being able to platoon with one of the two LHH OFs we acquired. He was also cheaper (given we are now over luxury tax thats actually important come the trade deadline). And he mashed LHP which is what we still lack especially factoring in the 2 RH bats we lost in Teo and Lourdes.
Curious to see who’s really gonna play where and how often if everyone is healthy and producing to normal levels, no one slumping badly or overly red hot
Shoguneye
Pollack just doesnt move the needle for me but your analysis is spot on. He strikes me as being flaky
utah cornelius
Ducey – why are you so quick to overlook 2022? Also, 2021 was still only 325 ABs.
rememberthecoop
Cubs are so damn cheap. They claim they want to contend and had a huge hole at 1B, yet signed Hosmer for the min. I think Belt can rebound; and if he doesn’t, so what? One year is no big deal. Apparently it is to Hoyer & Ricketts.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I don’t think this guy goes a year without an injury. Solid player but his stats are inflated by great at-bats in a small frame. Not saying it’s a bad signing, just saying I wouldn’t rely too much on him before he gets injured.
Jaysfan1981
Assuming no other moves and everyone’s staying healthy, here’s how I think things shake out.
Vs RHP
1. Springer CF
2. Varsho LF
3. Vlad 1B
4. Kirk 60% Belt 40% DH
5. Bo SS
6. Chapman 3B
7. Biggio 2B
8. Jansen 70% Kirk 30% C
9. Keirmier 2nd
Bench of Merrifield (CF/2B/PR) Belt/Kirk/Jansen (C/DH/1B/PH) Espinal (3B/SS/2B) plus 1 more addition of a RH platoon OF and a Kid from AAA either Barger (SS/3B/RF/LF) or Martinez (SS/3B/LF) or possibly both.
Gonna be lots of trying to earn playing time. Which is a good problem to have
Vs LHP
1. Springer RF
2. Vlad 1B
3. Bo SS
4. Jansen C
5. Kirk DH
6. Chapman 3B
7. Merrifield CF
8. Barger/Martinez/Platoon FA RHH LF
9. Espinal 2B
All the lefties are on the Bench, Varsho, KK, Biggio, Belt and whichever ones not in the 8 spot
BlueJ’sAllDay
Biggio is not a starter on any team in the league at this point in his career and definitely not the Jays. Period
Jaysfan1981
I hope he makes you eat your words.
Just realized my last couple edits were in the wrong spots and now I have Springer playing CF and two 2B lol.
Wonder if Keirmier could transfer his skills to 2B lol
BetterMuppet:JUDGEorKERMIT?
Did Cavan bang your wife or something. Let up. He and Merrifields versatility over 162 is going to be paramount
Shoguneye
That would be his first dinger in a while
Whyme
Terrible lineups. Varsho has a low obp no way would any one ever pit him 2nd. Secondly Varsho is playing against lefties bc his value is defense and wouldn’t be on the bench. Jansen 4th are you feeling OK?
Stu Macher’s burner
Good signing. The blue jays still really needed a lefty. So glad he’s gone from the giants, felt like he was always clutch against my snakes
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Well, it is go time for the Orioles and Mike Moustakas then!!!
Jacksson13
The Toronto Blue Jays are now able to promise fans, players, coaches and the manager that playing games in droopy uniform pants are at an end.
They got a BELT.
Greenwell
9mil after 3 knee surgeries? Good for him
jimmertee
I applaud Atkins and Shapiro for trying and going for it. But Belt? Why? If he gets 125 AB’s and does a 1 war they’ll be lucky. Massive overpay too. Yeesh.
Stealing Signs
Well since most front offices value WAR at 9 million per it’s really not that much of an overpay is it? Besides who cares, it’s not our money.
NoSaint
Excellent comment!
Jaysfan1981
He’s got you there Jimmer. Math checks out.
agnes gooch
Thank you Captain! We will never forget all you did for us! The 18th inning blast and stretching out for every errant throw at first. And you will always have a better eye than any ump 🙂
vikingbluejay67
Hopefully they’re not done and can pick up some SP/RP depth.
top jimmy
$9.3M for an ancient 1B that hit .213 with 8 HR???!
gfan
34 is “ancient “ ?
Are you 12 Jimmy ?
bubba3b
wow. thought he was gonna hang up the cleats. hopefully the blue jay f.o. has some fun and does a shoot with “the captain” driving ‘the maid of the mist’ around niagra falls. 🙂
coldbeer
Seems like the type of guy that would normally be acquired at the trade deadline by a contender. In this case, no asset leaves to get him but they take the risk he underperforms or gets hurt.
I think it’s a smart move as it only costs money in a season that ownership is invested to win it all and if he does get hurt they can still go get someone else at the actual deadline.
NoSaint
The other shoe to drop is who are they going to push off the 40 man roster? Merriweather? Hatch?
Jaysfan1981
Probably Thornton. He’s the worst of those 3.
Merriweather is their reclamation project. He’ll get another shot.
Hatch…. he’s probably next after Thornton whenever another acquisition happens
Or could be vice versa, Hatch then Thornton
thickiedon
Thought for sure he’d retire by his own words. He’s admitted to being physically worn down and his knees are in bad shape. But hell, if he’s offered $9MM to walk around on crutches, good for him.
JayRyder
Thoughts are alittle mixed with Belt. He will be missed. But also good riddance I guess.
When he came up, from what I remember, his defense was his calling card. And the line drive doubles. He struck out a lot. But later his plate discipline also became a calling card. The 18th Inning Homer against the Nats will always be the coolest moment in his career. And one of the best modern Giants moments. He never really hit his stride as an offensive force. Before the fences were moved in a few seasons ago. And the shifts Really took hold. He would slump, and his body language would make the fanbase slump on him. Many years we hoped for more homes and rbi but a lot of freak injuries stalled him out. Concussions. Injuries, etc. Farhan’s regime brought new life to Belt. As Crawford. And many other minor players the Giants signed and caught fire with. Some not so much.
One good season with Belt. Fully Healthy in his prime we hoped for at least .300/30/100 The best we got a few times was .260/17/68 Like I said the Farhan stuff got the best out of his power. But too little too late.
I wish him the Best. A Good offense will be around him. Weird to see him in a Blue Jays uniform. Forever Giant. Part of Two Rings.
Jaysfan1981
Hopefully part of 3 rings.
longines64
Only thing missing in the article is the currency conversion rate of Canadian dollars to USD.
Doug Dueck
All contracts are in US funds; no matter where the team calls home.
baseballencyclopedia
If he’s healthy, he’s great, especially in that ballpark. He’s a better DH option than Jansen.
Jaysfan1981
That makes sense. I can see Belt getting Jansen’s portion of DH duties and just letting him rest more often when Kirk is catching.
HalosHeavenJJ
Shocked at both the location and the price.
Although in this market, less so about the price.
phenomenalajs
I gather Mark P is happy about this signing.
Jaysfan1981
Someone will certainly ask him in the next chat he hosts
Doug Dueck
The article says that the Jays have to remove someone from the 40 man roster to make room for Belt. Who goes?
Jaysfan1981
My bet is Thornton.
TellItGoodbye
Giants blew this one. Should’ve kept The Captain.
Snellzilla #7
Or Gausman or Rodon or Longo
gfan
Your dream rotation of 2023
Gausman
Rodon
Webb
Harrison
Cobb
giantwarrioras49ersraiders
He is going to love it with the no shift
rovssss
Good bat, good add. Hope he’s healthy. Perfect fit for 400ABs at DH (if his thumb and knees are healed). There your cleanup hitter to replace Teoscar. Remember he was playing in San Francisco, expect 20+ homers in Toronto,
Here’s hoping that Kiermaier and Belt are healthy enough to play 100 games each. Would make this team very good.
utah cornelius
His AB highest the last three years was 325.
rovssss
You’re referring to the locked out covid season? He can play 400ABs. Also, he was playing the field. Even if he plays 300ABs, we have Cavan Biggio and Espinal that need some playing time. Merrifield can DH some as well. Springer, Bo…
Snellzilla #7
Blue Jays got a good one
Ricetto
all we need to do now is sign Trevor Bauer and we are set.
baseballteam
Depth for the IL.
Old York
Ever since the 1993 team, ownership has been dumpster diving with no real intention of maintaining a competitive team for years on end. This should help them stay in the fight for 3rd or 4th place in the division. Once all the big dogs have fed, the Jays pick through the leftovers.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
I bought a belt yesterday from Kohls.
luvochka
Goodbye,Captain, thanks for the memories.
GarryHarris
What will the Jay’s 4-rotation and 3-pen look like?
Does anyone post a diamond style depth chart anymore?
Mystery Team
Not a fan of Belt. He’s a decent bat at best I’ll say that but he is literally never healthy. I mean out of twelve years in the league he’s played five non-injury shortened seasons, less than half and one of the full seasons he still missed over twenty games. That’s a horrible percentage actually worse than horrible. Bang for your buck the dude is one of the worst. I’m sure many of you will say but he’s only a bench piece and to that I say $9M for a bench piece that’s unavailable is unacceptable.
Rush Jez
Amazing to find that GM prefer Belt instead Cueto. Cueto was more needed… weakness are 4 and 5 spots in Blue Jays rotation. Cueto 8.5MM and Belt 9.3. Only Mr Atkins know…
Jaysfansince92
Your assuming that Cueto was willing to sign with them. It’s not like you can just walk into a department store and pick up a Cueto off the shelf and call it a day.
Mayne they were trying sign him and once they realized he was going another way they pivoted to Belt. Who knows; maybe they sign one of the other starters now. Since they over the luxury tax no point in stopping now.
FrozenRopes
Brandon “Triage” Belt.
User 2079935927
I get get no kick from champagne,
Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all, So, tell me why should it be true, That I get a belt out of you
Sheriff Bart 1974
tobysilverwood
I like Belt, and the Jays could use some power from the left side, but I don’t understand where he fits on this team. The overwhelming majority of 1B and DH ABs are already spoken for between Guerrero, Kirk, Springer, and occasional off days for the rest of the roster. $9.3M seems like a lot of money for… a pinch hitter? Injury depth? Short end of a platoon?
KamKid
Schneider is starting to have a collection of situationally useful tools. Belt represents the type of left handed balance they were talked about as needing. How and when he’ll be deployed and how that affects other guys on the team will be interesting.
biffpocoroba
And yet nowhere in this write up is it ever mentioned that Belt is one of the best defensive 1B’s in the game.
utah cornelius
Because his knee won’t let him play much defense. The guy is going to “walk” around the dugout on crutches.
mattyj
Jays fans should be excited about this signing ! 2 WS rings , leader , lefty bat . Checks most boxes . This team is vastly improved from last season . IMO vladdy is going to have a monster season 40 plus HR , 120 plus RBI
Hank Murphy
BJ’s building up their ALL-IL team.
What’s the combined O/U on IL time served by Belt, Kiermaier and Springer?
and who’s going to be playing in the OF when Springer and Kiermaier are on the IL?
(and even when healthy KK stinks and Springer isn’t all that good anymore either. Injuries and age take their toll, neither are anywhere near as good as they used to be and in KK’s case, the peak wasn’t all the good anyways.)
The Fiend
You go over the luxury tax for Brandon belt? Weird.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Slight overpay
tigerfan1968
another head shaker for the Jays…