Offseason Signings/Rumours Thread

[BigLeagueChew]

That leaves Stroman and Loup left to be signed from arb eligibles.

Next season around this time we have Donaldson, Loup, Carrera,Sanchez, Pillar, Goins,Osuna, Stroman,Travis all arb eligible unless any get released ,moved, signed to an extension.

Also have several free agents.

[zilby]

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[BigLeagueChew]

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached a $1,125,000 deal for 2017 with left-hander Aaron Loup, avoiding arbitration.

-canadian press

[Skin Blues]

So, how long before a 2 year deal with Stroman is announced for almost exactly the expected arbitration awards for 2017/2018?? Good old "file and trial or else just do a 2 year contract" policy.

[BigLeagueChew]

So, how long before a 2 year deal with Stroman is announced for almost exactly the expected arbitration awards for 2017/2018?? Good old "file and trial or else just do a 2 year contract" policy.

He would still be arb eligible for 2019/2020 though. Either buy out all the arb years and some free agency or keep the protection for both sides in arbitration. That is, if they think arbitration is protection. I really don't know everything that both sides think in these situations.

[Skin Blues]

So, how long before a 2 year deal with Stroman is announced for almost exactly the expected arbitration awards for 2017/2018?? Good old "file and trial or else just do a 2 year contract" policy.

He would still be arb eligible for 2019/2020 though. Either buy out all the arb years and some free agency or keep the protection for both sides in arbitration. That is, if they think arbitration is protection. I really don't know everything that both sides think in these situations.

The team wants a 1 year deal, not a 4 year deal. Stroman would be more than happy to take the projected 4 year arb value at this point because the chances he greatly exceeds that value is pretty low. As a young player that hasn't been paid much yet, he has very high risk aversion. If he blows out his shoulder or elbow before his final arb eligible season, he could be non-tendered and miss out on upwards of $20M.

The team's policy to file and trial (which is a threat to the players to make them more likely to submit an lower arb value or agree to more team-friendly terms) makes that impossible, as an undesirable by-product. Last year they played this game with Donaldson and wound up doing a 2 year contract which leaves one more arbitration eligible season for Donaldson. The reality is neither side wants to go to a hearing, but the team might be slightly less averse to one which is why they threaten to take it to one, since they're happy with a one-year deal.

[dballislife]

is there still hope loup somehow learns how to pitch again, cus that would be huge for next season

[dagger]

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[Skin Blues]

Loup can definitely be effective. His underlying skills have actually improved the past few years despite the poor results. Sample sizes are so small that it's really hard to come to any conclusions. In 2014 when he was "good" he had a 9.2 K-BB% with a lucky BABIP and HR/FB%. The past 2 seasons where he was "bad", his K-BB% improved to 21.0 and 17.7 which is fantastic. The skills are there. BABIP and HR/FB% were through the roof, and miles higher than any sustainable level. The year-to-year correlation of the stats that he's doing poorly in is close to 0 (indicating it's mostly luck), yet they have a huge impact on ERA. The stats he's excelling in have a much higher reliability to continue. So... yes, he is still probably a very good reliever. His leash is so short, though, that if he struggles out of the gate he might be jettisoned.

[Natural11]

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This pleases me. Guy was just awful after the all-star break. Hopefully a change will help both parties.

[polo007]

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[polo007]

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Last week, general manager Sandy Alderson indicated there is a real possibility the Mets could begin spring training with Bruce still in a Mets uniform, making for a crowded outfield that would also include Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares.

The Giants and Rangers are among the teams that could still look to acquire Bruce, who hit 33 homers last season, but was a disappointment in his two-month stint with the Mets after arriving at the trade deadline from Cincinnati.

Both the Giants and Rangers showed interest in Bruce at the trade deadline last year and have outfield vacancies. The Rangers spoke to Alderson about Bruce at last month’s winter meetings, but the two sides were never close to a deal.

Alderson has indicated it is unlikely the Mets would deal Granderson given the flexibility he provides the team as a center-field option. Bruce is strictly a corner outfielder, and the Mets would like to give Conforto an opportunity to play on a regular basis while clearing a payroll slot that would allow the team to pursue bullpen help.

To this point, the Mets have been unwilling to swallow a portion of Bruce’s remaining contract to facilitate a trade. But Alderson may have to rethink that philosophy as his trade options dwindle. Even so, the Mets could begin the season with Bruce, a tactic similar to one taken by Alderson in 2014, when he couldn’t find a trade for Ike Davis in the offseason or spring training. Davis was ultimately traded to the Pirates in April.

[polo007]

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[polo007]

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TORONTO – Fresh off finalizing a reunion with Jose Bautista, the Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have shifted their focus to finding a left-handed reliever.

Jerry Blevins and Boone Logan, whom they’ve been linked to previously this off-season, are the top options remaining on the free-agent market. Blevins posted a 2.79 ERA in 42 innings over 73 games last season, while Logan had a 3.69 ERA in 46.1 innings over 66 games – both struck out 11.1 batters per nine innings.

Travis Wood, who limited left-handed hitters to a .447 OPS in 120 plate appearances last season, would also make sense although he may be seeking an opportunity to start. He was an all-star as a starter in 2013.

The Blue Jays completed a one-year deal with Bautista that pays him $18 million this season and includes a mutual option of $17 million for 2018 with a $500,000 buyout, plus a vesting option at $20 million for 2019.

With Bautista on the books and including an estimated $5 million for 0-3 service time players, the Blue Jays payroll is at about $155 million. They’re believed to have around $160 million to work with.

Their primary remaining needs include a lefty for the bullpen and a backup catcher.

[Skin Blues]

Time to go get Jerry Blevins. Now that the Rockies are hopefully out of the bidding, prices should be somewhat reasonable.

[polo007]

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If the season began today, Aaron Loup would project as Toronto's primary left-handed reliever, with Matt Dermody and Chad Girodo among the other available lefties. Considering that the AL East includes powerful left-handed bats such as Chris Davis and Jackie Bradley Jr., that projects as a real weakness for the Blue Jays.

Behind the plate A.J. Jimenez would slot in as Russell Martin’s backup despite having never appeared in an MLB game. An injury to Martin, problematic at the best of times, would be devastating as currently constructed.

With a month remaining before spring training begins, the Blue Jays have time to make additions. Thanks to a slow-developing free agent market, there’s still some choice when it comes to relievers and catchers.

“There are alternatives,” Atkins said. “There are pieces there. Free agents and trades that we’ll continue to work towards.”

The free agent catching market includes Brayan Pena, Dioner Navarro and Kurt Suzuki, and prices for other free agent backstops suggest the Blue Jays won’t have to spend much.

Jerry Blevins, Boone Logan and Travis Wood are among the more experienced left-handed relief options available in free agency, though Blevins and Logan are expected to command multi-year deals. The Blue Jays have had interest in Blevins throughout the off-season, or could theoretically turn to trade targets such as Justin Wilson of the Tigers and Tony Watson of the Pirates as alternatives.

There are also plenty of unsigned right-handed relievers, but Atkins said last month that he considers it ‘important’ to have an established left-handed reliever. The GM noted that the Blue Jays could also add starting pitching options in an attempt to build depth behind the rotation that led the American League with a 3.64 ERA last year. That seems prudent given the team's current safety net: Gavin Floyd, Mike Bolsinger and Joe Biagini.

[polo007]

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[Raptors Realtor]

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Wow, that's far less then I thought he'd sign for heading into free agency... Then again, I thought EE would have more demand and a higher number attached to him, as well.

[Skin Blues]

It's a good time to point out that Jose is projected for about the same WAR in 2017 that Trumbo is for the entirety of his 3 year contract. I'm impressed with how the market is valuing these one-dimensional players. $37.5M is still a slight overpay for Trumbo, especially taking into account the lost draft pick. But not nearly as bad as most predicted.

[polo007]

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