2025 Blue Jays Offseason Thread

[Randle McMurphy]

Professional athletes almost never do anything like this when this much money is at stake, so yeah it’s crazy to me.

Which makes me
1) hope that this is not due to an significant injury concern that we only find out about at a later date, or
2) or the Jays and Beiber have made good headway on an extension, the generals have been agreed on with some room for negotiation, and the opt in is just a step to get there. From an accounting perspective Rogers could defer $4m of expenses by having him not opt out which creates an immediate expense, and taking care of that $4M as part an extension.

The latter would make some sense. You’d think him opting in wouldn’t have gotten leaked though if they were close on something like that.

[Madvillainy2004]

So as of now

Yesavage
Gausman
Bieber
Berrios
Lauer

Obviously we need to push Berrios/Lauer down one slot each, but if we get one more top starter in FA, 1we have a good 1-4, and a nice 5/6 as well.

Getting a top end SP may be difficult but worth a shot. It is those guys who make a difference in the playoffs as we just saw.

I also still think they should bring Bassitt back.

Brewers dont want to re-sign Peralta I think he would be a good trade target. Skubal/Ryan obviously would be dreams but ill try to stay realistic. In FA I do like Valdez/Cease/Suarez/King/Woodruff as well. Valdez is a total headcase tho lmao

[dagger]

Bieber’s wife posting how much they like it here, how they were received, how much he liked his teammates and how she liked the other wives, made new friends, etc like Scherzer’s wife, she found it all very special for the whole experience. This kind of thing won’t hurt FA recruitment either. Word gets around.

[Mehar]

Professional athletes almost never do anything like this when this much money is at stake, so yeah it’s crazy to me.

Which makes me
1) hope that this is not due to an significant injury concern that we only find out about at a later date, or
2) or the Jays and Beiber have made good headway on an extension, the generals have been agreed on with some room for negotiation, and the opt in is just a step to get there. From an accounting perspective Rogers saves $4m on their books in 2025 by having him not opt out, and then taking care of that $4M instead as part of an extension.

Bieber is not so stupid to leave tens of millions of dollars he could have gotten, just because he and his wife liked Toronto for two months. I believe there is some sort of understanding on an extension, and that 4 million will be paid out in the future. However, glad to get him back on an one year deal for now at a very reasonable cost.

[JN]

So as of now

Yesavage
Gausman
Bieber
Berrios
Lauer

Obviously we need to push Berrios/Lauer down one slot each, but if we get one more top starter in FA, we have a good 1-4, and a nice 5/6 as well.

Getting a top end SP may be difficult but worth a shot. It is those guys who make a difference in the playoffs as we just saw.

I also still think they should bring Bassitt back.

If they can get Bassitt back on a reasonable deal then you have to do it. He is a big part of the team chemistry in my view, plus a solid innings eater at bottom of rotation.

It's a good fall back in case you can't find a starter down the road. And if you do find a top end starter it still works. Our staff has generally been lucky with injuries in the past 3 years, at some point it will bite us so an extra arm never hurts.

[Mehar]

Great news re: Beiber!

Rotation taking shape with Yesavage, Gauman, Berrios and Beiber. Need one more SP. can’t rely on Lauer.

Lauer should be your Number 6 guy. Cannot absolutely trust him. When teams figured him out, he was pretty terrible for like 6 straight Starts in the last month or so. Need another Quality Starter to complete this rotation.

[LoveMyRaps]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

[JN]

Great news re: Beiber!

Rotation taking shape with Yesavage, Gauman, Berrios and Beiber. Need one more SP. can’t rely on Lauer.

Lauer should be your Number 6 guy. Cannot absolutely trust him. When teams figured him out, he was pretty terrible for like 6 straight Starts in the last month or so. Need another Quality Starter to complete this rotation.

I'd be more comfortable with Lauer over Berrios as a #5 starter to be honest, but let them fight for the role. I'm still not confident Berrios wants to be here, given I never saw him once in the dugout in the playoffs - I would like someone though to say I am mistaken and he was hanging around, or there is no issue with Berrios.

Regarding Lauer 4 of his last 6 starts were solid or good, a few may have been grindy- two were really bad though, including his last one after being messed around for 2 weeks.
8 innings / 1 run / 5 baserunners
5/2/6
6/1/8
3/3/10
5/1/7
4.2/8/10

[JN]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

There is 5-8 good options in FA. I'd rather make a solid play for one of them in free agency... yes it will cost more, bur but retain that prospect capital, perhaps for relievers at the deadline.

Relievers are so inconsistent from year to year, which makes them risky as FA signings. Perhaps its best to use you trade chips to get relievers at the deadline (where there performance for the rest of the year is less risky).

[Tripod]

Great news re: Beiber!

Rotation taking shape with Yesavage, Gauman, Berrios and Beiber. Need one more SP. can’t rely on Lauer.

Lauer should be your Number 6 guy. Cannot absolutely trust him. When teams figured him out, he was pretty terrible for like 6 straight Starts in the last month or so. Need another Quality Starter to complete this rotation.

I'd be more comfortable with Lauer over Berrios as a #5 starter to be honest, but let them fight for the role. I'm still not confident Berrios wants to be here, given I never saw him once in the dugout in the playoffs - I would like someone though to say I am mistaken and he was hanging around, or there is no issue with Berrios.

Regarding Lauer 4 of his last 6 starts were solid or good, a few may have been grindy- two were really bad though, including his last one after being messed around for 2 weeks.
8 innings / 1 run / 5 baserunners
5/2/6
6/1/8
3/3/10
5/1/7
4.2/8/10

Me and wife said the same thing....Berrios was never shown by the cameras on the bench. Could be fluke. Could be something.

[LoveMyRaps]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

There is 5-8 good options in FA. I'd rather make a solid play for one of them in free agency... yes it will cost more, bur but retain that prospect capital, perhaps for relievers at the deadline.

Relievers are so inconsistent from year to year, which makes them risky as FA signings. Perhaps its best to use you trade chips to get relievers at the deadline (where there performance for the rest of the year is less risky).

Gausman
King
Yesavage
Bieber
Berrios

That is really good. Better than last year!

[Mehar]

Lauer should be your Number 6 guy. Cannot absolutely trust him. When teams figured him out, he was pretty terrible for like 6 straight Starts in the last month or so. Need another Quality Starter to complete this rotation.

I'd be more comfortable with Lauer over Berrios as a #5 starter to be honest, but let them fight for the role. I'm still not confident Berrios wants to be here, given I never saw him once in the dugout in the playoffs - I would like someone though to say I am mistaken and he was hanging around, or there is no issue with Berrios.

Regarding Lauer 4 of his last 6 starts were solid or good, a few may have been grindy- two were really bad though, including his last one after being messed around for 2 weeks.
8 innings / 1 run / 5 baserunners
5/2/6
6/1/8
3/3/10
5/1/7
4.2/8/10

Me and wife said the same thing....Berrios was never shown by the cameras on the bench. Could be fluke. Could be something.

Reason I said Berrios will be the number 5 Starter is because of his contract. He is owed 18 million next year, and 24 million in 2027 and 2028. No other team is touching that contract based on the year he had.

[tecumseh18]

Is Tiedemann not a thing anymore? He's still only 23, same age as Yesavage. I really don't see substantial FA money going to bringing in another SP. Relievers, sure, but they're too unpredictable to over-invest in. Re-sign Bo, play him at 2B, and double down on generating enough runs to cover a Berrios start.

[dagger]

Is Tiedemann not a thing anymore? He's still only 23, same age as Yesavage. I really don't see substantial FA money going to bringing in another SP. Relievers, sure, but they're too unpredictable to over-invest in. Re-sign Bo, play him at 2B, and double down on generating enough runs to cover a Berrios start.

Tiedemann will be a thing if he's healthy. Until he is ready for a normal workload, we won't know. If he's slow to recover his form, I'm thinking Gage Stanifer will supersede him in the rookie picture by mid-season.

[Mr Swagtastic]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

I don't buy that we can't problem is Toronto is going to have to overpay like Jojo Parker plus Barger and a couple prospects like Bloss and Mako or Estrada or Bucknam to start with. I know giving up Barger would suck but if you could put out a rotation of

Skubal
Gausman
Yesavage
Bieber
Berrios

Your looking at a top 3 rotation in the league IMHO Dodgers still have their guys but your right there as well. Lauer goes to the pen as your long reliver and strengthens your bullpen that much more. Only massive downside is can you afford to give Skubal the $350-$400 million extension he's probably looking for and another $160-$180+ million to Bichette as well plus extended Bieber and Gausman to new deals as well?

[dagger]

I'd be more comfortable with Lauer over Berrios as a #5 starter to be honest, but let them fight for the role. I'm still not confident Berrios wants to be here, given I never saw him once in the dugout in the playoffs - I would like someone though to say I am mistaken and he was hanging around, or there is no issue with Berrios.

Regarding Lauer 4 of his last 6 starts were solid or good, a few may have been grindy- two were really bad though, including his last one after being messed around for 2 weeks.
8 innings / 1 run / 5 baserunners
5/2/6
6/1/8
3/3/10
5/1/7
4.2/8/10

Me and wife said the same thing....Berrios was never shown by the cameras on the bench. Could be fluke. Could be something.

Reason I said Berrios will be the number 5 Starter is because of his contract. He is owed 18 million next year, and 24 million in 2027 and 2028. No other team is touching that contract based on the year he had.

As I understand things from media reports, there is still some doubt about Berrios' recovery, and if he needs surgery, he's out of the picture for 2026.

[dagger]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

I don't buy that we can't problem is Toronto is going to have to overpay like Jojo Parker plus Barger and a couple prospects like Bloss and Mako or Estrada or Bucknam to start with. I know giving up Barger would suck but if you could put out a rotation of

Skubal
Gausman
Yesavage
Bieber
Berrios

Your looking at a top 3 rotation in the league IMHO Dodgers still have their guys but your right there as well. Lauer goes to the pen as your long reliver and strengthens your bullpen that much more. Only massive downside is can you afford to give Skubal the $350-$400 million extension he's probably looking for and another $160-$180+ million to Bichette as well plus extended Bieber and Gausman to new deals as well?

You can't trade Parker this winter. The one-year rule applies. You can trade Nimmala.

[Mr Swagtastic]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

I don't buy that we can't problem is Toronto is going to have to overpay like Jojo Parker plus Barger and a couple prospects like Bloss and Mako or Estrada or Bucknam to start with. I know giving up Barger would suck but if you could put out a rotation of

Skubal
Gausman
Yesavage
Bieber
Berrios

Your looking at a top 3 rotation in the league IMHO Dodgers still have their guys but your right there as well. Lauer goes to the pen as your long reliver and strengthens your bullpen that much more. Only massive downside is can you afford to give Skubal the $350-$400 million extension he's probably looking for and another $160-$180+ million to Bichette as well plus extended Bieber and Gausman to new deals as well?

You can't trade Parker this winter. The one-year rule applies. You can trade Nimmala.

Good catch on Jojo Parker forgot about that, Arjun plus the guys I mentioned should be enough to get into realistic conversations with The Tigers maybe The Dodgers or Mets just say screw it and say take our best tradable prospects plus the most money Skubal is going to get

[Ranger One]

Bo betting on himself as a SS this offseason will not work out as great as he thinks. With that injury history to his legs he's trending into career DH territory. No one is paying him top tier SS money with those rickety legs and awful defense. If he truly meant all those words about wanting to be a Jay for life he'll either sign a one year prove it deal or a long term deal at 2nd base, say 10 years 180 million. If he thinks he's getting more elsewhere he's delusional.

[WuTang_CMB]

We really can't put together a competitive offer for Skubal, but Joe Ryan is possible.

I don't buy that we can't problem is Toronto is going to have to overpay like Jojo Parker plus Barger and a couple prospects like Bloss and Mako or Estrada or Bucknam to start with. I know giving up Barger would suck but if you could put out a rotation of

Skubal
Gausman
Yesavage
Bieber
Berrios

Your looking at a top 3 rotation in the league IMHO Dodgers still have their guys but your right there as well. Lauer goes to the pen as your long reliver and strengthens your bullpen that much more. Only massive downside is can you afford to give Skubal the $350-$400 million extension he's probably looking for and another $160-$180+ million to Bichette as well plus extended Bieber and Gausman to new deals as well?

You can't trade Parker this winter. The one-year rule applies. You can trade Nimmala.

Barger going nowhere.