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First up in the 2014/2015 offseason is the much-anticipated and expected response from Paul Beeston.

http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/594784

edit - Here's a slightly better recap - http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/be ... e-in-2015/

Two choice quotes...

1) From the author of the article

The Blue Jays stretched their playoff drought to 21 seasons in 2014 - the longest active streak in the majors - following an injury-filled campaign that saw them stumble in the later months of the season and finish third in what was a down season for the American League East.

Looks like that's the first of many injury excuses for the team's failures after May.

2) From Beeston on the issue of payroll

“You know it’s going higher next year,” Beeston said.

Apparently, the first number talked about is between $135-$137 million. We'll see about that Paul.

Of course payroll is going to be higher. We have some backloaded deals.

Payroll increased from 2013 to 2014 almost entirely because of backloaded contracts (Reyes, Dickey, and Buehrle's salaries from 2013 to 2014 jumped a combined $21M) but it shouldn't be the same in 2015 due to opt-outs. The Jays can and probably will decline options on McGowan, Morrow, Santos, and possibly Thole. Lind and Happ's 2015 salaries would only increase slightly if/when their options are picked up. Reyes jumps up $6M but Buehrle jumps up $1M. Even if the payroll remained at $137M, it should give the Jays a decent amount of wiggle room to spend. If it goes beyond $137M like Beeston flat out says it will, then that's even more money to play with.

I'm not holding my breath. After that they did last off-season and the trade deadline, their words are meaningless without action.

Pirates DFA'D Tabata again.

If we're not bringing Melky back, I wouldn't be terribly opposed to taking a flier on Tabata.

The contract is a bit ugly based on his current production, but there's at least some upside he gets things figured out.

And it's only two years.

Worth noting that Melky finally came around in his age 27 season.

I could see AA acquiring Tabata. He hasn't been particularly good in his career so far, but he is young enough to have some upside left and has three team options after 2016 which AA loves more than anything. Plus, if he has any power potential at all, then this is one of the few organizations that could get the most out of it. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jays picked him up.

$8.5M over two years before the team options kick in. It's either that or pay Melky big money. I know what this organization would rather do.

1) gotta must need to for sure get some legit arms in that bullpen on the right side, need legit closer and set up at the very least, heck we can use 5 new righties in the pen this winter
2) try as hard as u can to get melky back
3) find a solid 2b, or SS/3b and move reyes or lawrie around...just add a legit infielder
4) this should be 1) every year but ive given up on this team ever adding a ace or near ace quality starter...but look to add depth here...dickey sanchez buehrle stroman hutchinson has potential though but depth never hurts here
5) after that then we can worry about finding another outfielder maybe

Michael Bradley wrote:I could see AA acquiring Tabata. He hasn't been particularly good in his career so far, but he is young enough to have some upside left and has three team options after 2016 which AA loves more than anything. Plus, if he has any power potential at all, then this is one of the few organizations that could get the most out of it. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jays picked him up.

$8.5M over two years before the team options kick in. It's either that or pay Melky big money. I know what this organization would rather do.

I'm sure the Pirates would be more than helpful in moving him as well, given their interest in retaining Martin, Walker's impending raise and if they have any desire to retain Volquez as well. Not too mention the cost-controlled Polanco ready to step in next year.

Graham's Cracker wrote:

Michael Bradley wrote:I could see AA acquiring Tabata. He hasn't been particularly good in his career so far, but he is young enough to have some upside left and has three team options after 2016 which AA loves more than anything. Plus, if he has any power potential at all, then this is one of the few organizations that could get the most out of it. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Jays picked him up.

$8.5M over two years before the team options kick in. It's either that or pay Melky big money. I know what this organization would rather do.

I'm sure the Pirates would be more than helpful in moving him as well, given their interest in retaining Martin, Walker's impending raise and if they have any desire to retain Volquez as well. Not too mention the cost-controlled Polanco ready to step in next year.

I'm sure if the Jays wanted him, they could get him for practically nothing. As you said, the Pirates need to save money, and more than that, they have way too many OF's as it is (Marte, McCutchen, Polanco, Snider). Paying your 5th OF a salary of $4M next season seems too much even for a rich team, much less a team like the Pirates.

I'd hope the Jays could do better than Tabata for their LF hole, but if they feel he has any upside at all, then that's about as team friendly a contract as they will find this off-season. Even 2 WAR players like Aoki will probably get $7-8M per year.

Would Tabata be any better than Pompey or even Pompey/Pillar or Gose/Pillar.

The guy is pretty much a 0 WAR player for 4M?

If the reports of his availability are true, then I really hope the Jays go all out for Josh Donaldson. Adding another star player will make the post-Bautista years (if he gets traded, leaves, declines, etc) a little less stressful and gives the team the ability to prolong their window period a little bit all while drastically improving their chances in 2015-16. He has four years of control left at age 28 which fits the Jays needs perfectly. It would probably cost Sanchez and Norris, among others, but lottery tickets for a star are the type of trades teams in Toronto's position need to pull off. Unfortunately, a team like the Red Sox seem like a perfect fit for him (prospects to trade + smart front office).

look at baltimore and KCs offense, starters and pen...and one will be playing in world series

man this team aint far, we knew that last year, and AA and management literally did nothing all winter last yr...what we got navarro? thats it.....if AA just does his job we should be looking good

Bautista doesnt think Melky is coming back. Wouldnt put to much stock into it, though.

During a discussion of the 2015 outfield situation, Bautista at first did not mention Cabrera. Asked if he assumed Cabrera would not return, he replied:

“I have to assume that. When you have the chance to re-sign one of the top free agents and you don’t take advantage of that opportunity, the chances of him coming back to you are pretty slim.”

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/09/ ... t-arrived/

I would put more stock in anything Bautista says about that situation than anybody involved in management (who aren't likely to be honest).

Randle McMurphy wrote:I would put more stock in anything Bautista says about that situation than anybody involved in management (who aren't likely to be honest).

I would be surprised if Melky comes back. I would not be surprised if Gose and Pillar formed 2/3 of the outfield and Goins started at 2B.

Mediocrity for the win!

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Randle McMurphy wrote:I would put more stock in anything Bautista says about that situation than anybody involved in management (who aren't likely to be honest).

His reason for why he thinks Melky would leave isnt a good one. But I also assume Bautista has probably talked to Melky about it and knows something we dont.

Nored wrote:

Randle McMurphy wrote:I would put more stock in anything Bautista says about that situation than anybody involved in management (who aren't likely to be honest).

His reason for why he thinks Melky would leave isnt a good one. But I also assume Bautista has probably talked to Melky about it and knows something we dont.

Yep.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/BertDbacks/status/519603775774793728[/tweet]

According to Wilner Rasmus and Janssen will not receive qualifying offers

Geddy wrote:According to Wilner Rasmus and Janssen will not receive qualifying offers

Interesting. Do the Blue Jays fear that both Rasmus and Janssen wouldn't be able to secure a multi-year deal elsewhere so they'll take the qualifying offer of 15+ million? Seems like a nice gamble to get compensation since qualifying offers since the last change to the rules have been rejected 22 out of 22 times. Mlbtradrumors points out that BJ Upton got a 5 year 75 million dollar deal after posting a slash line of .246/.298/.454. (Rasmus' 2014: .225/.287/.448)

They could just really stick it to Colby and get him that free agent price tag of compensation on him. Then he'll have to wait like Morales and Drew to play in 2015.

At least we get a pick for Melky.

Janssen would be lucky to get $15M total in his next contract, much less $15M in one season. He would accept the QO without even thinking about it. Rasmus likely wants no part of this organization anymore but I can't imagine he'd turn down $15M for one year either coming off the season he had. Melky will decline it but even if by some chance he accepts it, I don't think the Jays would mind a 1/15 deal for him, so offering the QO to him is a no brainer.