2025 Blue Jays Offseason Thread

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

[LoveMyRaps]

Gotta feeling we're about to sign Fairbanks and I'm not a fan of it one bit.

Last summer was a disaster (Santander, Hoffman), really hope this summer is different.

[Duffman100]

Gotta feeling we're about to sign Fairbanks and I'm not a fan of it one bit.

Last summer was a disaster (Santander, Hoffman), really hope this summer is different.

Whats up with Fairbanks?

[Harry Palmer]

Gotta feeling we're about to sign Fairbanks and I'm not a fan of it one bit.

Last summer was a disaster (Santander, Hoffman), really hope this summer is different.

The pitcher himself, or paying for leverage relievers?

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

[polo007]

https://www.threads.com/@jeffpassan/post/DRkmpNpkRS0

lawsonbb4444 • 4d

Are the Jays done after the Cease signing? Do we think Bo comes back?

jeffpassan • 4d

They are not done. They're going to get a big bat, too. Maybe it's Bichette. Maybe it's Bellinger. Maybe it's Tucker.

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

[vaff87]

Was looking at Fairbanks’ numbers last night, he hasn’t been the same pitcher the last two years. Strikeouts are way down from what they used to be.

[COY0607]

Was looking at Fairbanks’ numbers last night, he hasn’t been the same pitcher the last two years. Strikeouts are way down from what they used to be.

The Rays declining the option says a lot on where he is now

[redraptor77]

Depending on deferrals a bit
Tucker and Bo seems very difficult
But is Bellinger and Bo some what realistic ?
Springer Bell Vlad Bo Barger Kirk Santander Varsho clement/gimenez lineup

[JN]

Was looking at Fairbanks’ numbers last night, he hasn’t been the same pitcher the last two years. Strikeouts are way down from what they used to be.

The Rays declining the option says a lot on where he is now

It is odd that the Rays didn't pick up his $7m option and then trade him after that. Given the FA talk around him for sure he would have been able to fetch something.

Unless there is an MLB rule in place that doesn't allow trading players immediately after picking up the option in the final year of a deal... i.e the Rays would have needed to wait to July 1 or something. I wonder if that was the case.

Can anybody clarify if Tampa could have picked up his option and then immediately traded him. Or if they were not allowed to do so

[JN]

Depending on deferrals a bit
Tucker and Bo seems very difficult
But is Bellinger and Bo some what realistic ?
Springer Bell Vlad Bo Barger Kirk Santander Varsho clement/gimenez lineup

IMO, I think they only go after Bellinger if they are worried they are going to miss out on both Bo and Tucker.

If they get Bo or Tucker done, the remaining resources go to pitching and not Bellinger.

[polo007]

Can anybody clarify if Tampa could have picked up his option and then immediately traded him. Or if they were not allowed to do so

No, there is no general MLB rule that prohibits a team from trading a player immediately after picking up a club option on their contract.

However, there is a specific rule that could create a temporary restriction in a similar free-agent scenario, which might be the source of confusion:

• Free Agent Signing Restriction (Article XX-B): A MLB player who was an Article XX-B free agent (a player who received a Qualifying Offer or was eligible but didn't receive one, and signed a Major League contract) cannot be traded until after the following June 15th without their written consent. Even with consent, the trade is generally restricted to only cash or player contracts with an aggregate value of $50,000 or less.

Regarding Peter Fairbanks and the Rays:

The Peter Fairbanks situation was different because the Rays were deciding on a club option as part of an existing contract, not signing a new free agent contract.

• The Tampa Bay Rays could have picked up Fairbanks's option and then immediately traded him if they found a willing trade partner. They were not prohibited by a rule from doing so.

• The Rays ultimately declined the option, making him a free agent, because they were reportedly unable to find a trade partner who would take on his $11 million salary for the one-year option year in exchange for a desirable return. They paid him the $1 million buyout instead.

The key takeaway is that the Rays were free to exercise the option and trade him, but the lack of a strong trade market for a high-priced reliever for just one year of control is what prevented the transaction, not a strict league rule.

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[JN]

Can anybody clarify if Tampa could have picked up his option and then immediately traded him. Or if they were not allowed to do so

No, there is no general MLB rule that prohibits a team from trading a player immediately after picking up a club option on their contract.

However, there is a specific rule that could create a temporary restriction in a similar free-agent scenario, which might be the source of confusion:

• Free Agent Signing Restriction (Article XX-B): A MLB player who was an Article XX-B free agent (a player who received a Qualifying Offer or was eligible but didn't receive one, and signed a Major League contract) cannot be traded until after the following June 15th without their written consent. Even with consent, the trade is generally restricted to only cash or player contracts with an aggregate value of $50,000 or less.

Regarding Peter Fairbanks and the Rays:

The Peter Fairbanks situation was different because the Rays were deciding on a club option as part of an existing contract, not signing a new free agent contract.

• The Tampa Bay Rays could have picked up Fairbanks's option and then immediately traded him if they found a willing trade partner. They were not prohibited by a rule from doing so.

• The Rays ultimately declined the option, making him a free agent, because they were reportedly unable to find a trade partner who would take on his $11 million salary for the one-year option year in exchange for a desirable return. They paid him the $1 million buyout instead.

The key takeaway is that the Rays were free to exercise the option and trade him, but the lack of a strong trade market for a high-priced reliever for just one year of control is what prevented the transaction, not a strict league rule.

Thanks for the post and clarification.
Baseball reference had his option at $7 million for 2026 (if I was reading it correctly), but I'm going to trust the source that you have above that is at $11 million.

$7 vs $11 is not insignificant, and I could see it making it harder to move him.

Although i do find it odd that they talk about "desirable return". Wouldn't any return, even a nothing prospect, be better than paying him $1m to walk away. Although perhaps that was the desirable return -- just taking on his contract.

[Cyrus]

Why Bellinger, he didn't look great against us in playoffs, maybe Im missing remember, and Yankee fans were acting like this guy hits like Varsho / they were furious with him in the playoffs.

[COY0607]

Depending on deferrals a bit
Tucker and Bo seems very difficult
But is Bellinger and Bo some what realistic ?
Springer Bell Vlad Bo Barger Kirk Santander Varsho clement/gimenez lineup

I don’t think so. Jays already have considerable money tied up long term (Vlad, Santander, Cease, Giminez, Kirk), adding two $25m players long term probably isn’t feasible. Especially because they’ll need to keep some dry powder for another SP in the next 1-2 years, plus a RP this offseason. That why the Bo + Tucker thing never made sense

Then there’s the on field scenario. Barger needs to play everyday, as does Clement and Giminez. And Santander will be an everyday OF. You can’t fit all those boys if Bo is in the infield and Bellinger is in the OF.

Then there’s the case for Bellinger, I don’t think he’s worth $150m+ if you have Vlad/Bo/Kirk/Santander/Barger/Kirk locked up. The returns are marginal at that point. Also I think Bellinger’s price is inflated after one decent season. Most people here wanted nothing to do with him last off season

[WuTang_CMB]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[polo007]

Read on Twitter

[polo007]

Read on Twitter