With the Blue Jays edition of the Offseason Outlook series now posted, click here to read the transcript of the associated Jays-centric live chat.
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“In terms of what they could get back, loads of trade options [in trading Guerrero] would be on the table that could help the Jays in both 2024 and in the future. A first baseman wouldn’t really be needed in return, since the 1B spot is relatively easy to fill in free agency or in a lesser-tier trade.”
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Right there is where we see why smart teams such as the Rays, Orioles, Stearns Brewers, and others can build contenders for years on a small market budget.
Why are the Jays wet-nursing this guy at a high salary with a more substantial salary to come based on his rep and something like his “advanced statistics”? Because the fans think he’s an icon and are afraid he might succeed elsewhere?
I keep writing “The successful teams in today’s MLB make the players they have under contract better”. (The Jays seldom do.)
The O’s picked up Ryan O’Hearn for “cash considerations” from the Royals last offseason. Their video/analytic/coaching people saw something in his hitting approach that they felt could be modified to make him a solid hitter. The O’s paid him $1.4m this year to play mainly 1B and some LF and RF. He primarily played against RH pitchers which he hits better (the O’s had plenty of RH litters to face LH pitchers). They also own his rights for the 2024 season. He had a far, far better year on both O and D than Guerrero for 1/10th the salary (Vladdy was paid $14.5m in 2024).
This is how successful FO’s construct a roster in the 2020’s.
>“The successful teams in today’s MLB make the players they have under contract better”. (The Jays seldom do.)
Is this a joke? Look at how many players came to Toronto recently after a down year or an injury, got better, then were overpaid elsewhere: Matz, Ray, Stripling, Semien. Kiermaier is next on the list,
terrymesmer;
Is your comment some sort of a joke?
Those players came in on their walk year, established value and left……”Kiermaier is next on the list,”
Other than Bo Bichette and Brandon Belt, what Jays position players got better in 2023? In fact, it seems all got worse. And the pitchers weren’t much different. Every team in MLB has a few guys that get better each year – even the cellar dwellers.
I wrote on here 3 or so years ago that the White Sox showed their desperation in the Kimbrel trade and they were heading downhill. The teams players were maxed out. Got called names (what’s new). I didn’t think they’d immediately collapse, but it was obvious that there was little upside on the roster and in the high minors, and that their trajectory was headed down….and when that happens as some point there is a collapse.
The only difference between that White Sox team and the Jays of 2022-23 is that they have more money to spend. All that is going to do is slow down the inevitable.
Teams don’t play in a vacuum. 3 of the other 4 AL East teams have high potential upside on their 40 man roster; and the Yankees have some as well. MLB is a young mans game. Signing a strategic veteran or two to mesh with the core of a team can work. Signing some each year to fill holes doesn’t.
None except Stripling played beyond one season. That’s not exactly a recipe for long term success, is it?
I see quite a few last place finishes for them in the next decade
They are still in a much better position than the Yankees and Red Sox.
Now that Bloom is gone you may be correct.