Moderator: JaysRule15
Given our track record with reclamation projects, ill assume the pitching staff have some level of confidence here.vaff87 wrote:Anybody know why we signed a guy with 6.2 career innings to a major league deal?
Of note, he had 13 HBP last year in 50 innings.
polo007 wrote:
polo007 wrote:
All of that is borne out of motivation from “the momentum that we finished last season with,” manager Charlie Montoyo said after a relatively light day of work centred around the position players. “We're ready. We were one of the best teams in baseball (in 2021) and of course, we ran out of schedule, but that's how they feel right now. They feel good about themselves and what they did last year.”
The Blue Jays aren’t resting on those laurels.
They are said to be aggressively working the market and Kikuchi’s front-loaded guarantee – $16 million this year, $10 million in each of the next two years, per an industry source – doesn’t seem to be impeding them.
A leverage bullpen arm (they’ve looked as far up-market as Kenley Jansen) and an infielder (they’re indeed interested in a reunion with Jonathan Villar, as Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital in the Dominican Republic reported) remain the top priorities, with a left-handed hitting outfielder a nice-to-have.
Villar, who posted a .481 OPS over 22 games with the Blue Jays as a deadline addition in 2020, isn’t their only option right now. They spent a lot of time exploring trade opportunities before the lockout and with the Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds just beginning their selloffs, that market is just beginning to mature.
Jose Ramirez is the dream fit but the Cleveland Guardians’ price is thought to be prohibitively high. With one agent suggesting a run on free-agent position players is imminent, the Blue Jays could find themselves at a decision point soon.
As those market forces play out, the abbreviated buildup to opening day on April 8 is due to pick up with the first full-squad workout Monday. A focal point will be getting pitchers ready.
Parataxis wrote:2016 was the last time he played more than 10 games in the field.
This'll be interesting.
galacticos2 wrote:MLB needs to introduce an Amnesty clause. Bautista would be my first victim.
s e n s i wrote:Parataxis wrote:2016 was the last time he played more than 10 games in the field.
This'll be interesting.
universal DH is in effect this year
