Official Blue Jays 2025 Spring Training Thread

[GameChannel]

For the delusional statheads here comparing him to Alonso, remind me again, did Alonso want to come here even after we offered him more? Nope! The Jays are not a star destination and never will be. We have to pay a premium to retain our own star. WAR, FWAR etc is pure BS.

Lets cut out the personal remarks

[ItsDanger]

This picture needs age and year when contract was signed. What it shows is that the market for very big $ contracts is VERY limited. 8 teams at most, maybe less. The Witt, Seager, Riley, Devers (Lindor isn't shown) contracts are the range he should be paid. Devers is the closest comparable.

Jays should have signed him earlier but it was risky given his mediocre performance.

In limited playoff appearances: 3 for 22 1 rbi. Thats bad and no way somone like that should be asking for $500M. Freddie Freeman is a much better player and he signed for less than $30M 3 years ago.

Players come and go.

[COY0607]

I blame Atkins/Shapiro for a lot of stuff, but I think they did the right thing here, especially considering it would’ve been the easy thing to do for their career’s to give Vladdy whatever he wanted.

The thing is, their failure wasn't a binary did they sign him/didn't they sign him thing.

Their failure on Vlad extends back years. This is just the culmination of it.

Definitely, he should’ve been signed after 22 or 23. But where we are now, not giving him $450m right now is the right decision imo.

In fact, I think Atkins is making the same mistake now with Bo, he will probably cost $50m-$100m more next offseason (assuming he’s healthy in 25) than he will now.

[polo007]

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[Mehar]

I personally have no issue with FO's decision not to overpay and extend him just for the sake of extending him. If he is asking for big money similar or close to Soto, and he's only had 1 superstar season, then it's the right call. I personally think Vladdy is over-rated and some of it is from the fans who love him that think is that type of player.

The issue I have now is that this FO should be pivoting in the right direction and not letting him go for nothing. It doesn't seem like they will trade him but that 100% should be the route they take.

It would be a colossal mistake to lose Vlad for nothing. I would be actively shopping him right now. If this team is out of it and waiting until the trade deadline to deal Vlad, the return will be a lot less significant. You can get a great package for him now consisting of everyday players and elite controllable prospects.

[polo007]

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[Raptors Realtor]

If I'm Atkins... It's time to tell teams as of today they're open for business regarding Vladdy and Bo. They can't let this drag on to the deadline. Imagine we're in the wild card race so they decide to hold onto these guys for the potential postseason run, and then they both walk for nothing next winter. It's now about the longterm, not just the '25 season. If Ed was smart he'd replace the front office now, it's long overdue because these guys can only continue to dismantle the future of this organization.

[maternal85]

I blame Atkins/Shapiro for a lot of stuff, but I think they did the right thing here, especially considering it would’ve been the easy thing to do for their career’s to give Vladdy whatever he wanted.

Vladdy simply isn’t worth $450M+ right now, he’s had 2 elite seasons in 6 years.

Soto has been a elite hitter year after year
Alonso has been a comparable bat to Vladdy (more power, less contact) and he signed a 54M contract. Not saying that’s what Vladdy should get, but I don’t think he gets 8-9x that either. Not unless he can back up 2024 with another elite season

The owners signs off on any contract. Atkins and the crew would give Vlady whatever he wants. Rogers is the one saying no. It's not the other way round. Letting Vlady walk or getting peanuts for him goes with Rogers business model. I'm surprised people are surprised by what's happening.

[LoveMyRaps]

Doomed franchise.

cant' even fire Shatkins anymore, cuz they've already destroyed everything.

We're gonna lose Vladdy and I sincerely hope the worst for both Mark and Ross in their professional careers.

[Kingsway_fan]

Vladdy also rolling the dice... he could revert to average and lose big time... greed... pure greed.

[bartron_44]

I just dont get it. They wanted Soto and Ohtani, but not Vladdy for a couple hundred million less? And didn’t even come close at the final hour… once again they are failing to adapt to the market.ffs

[Ranger One]

Good riddance! The guy is an embarrassment to the game. Huge ego and nothing to back it up other than lazy, low IQ base running, mediocre defense at the easiest fielding position in the game and utterly mediocre hitting stats (for a supposed generational talent) save for one great season in 2021! And this guy is asking for Soto / Ohtani money??? He's a full two tiers below those players. He's been nothing more than a ball and chain to this franchise. Also, he's born in Canada but refuses to learn our language?? He's 26 year old, spending his entire life in an English speaking country, yet STILL needs to have a translator present during interviews?? Either he's incredibly lazy or has low IQ problems. Either way I will not be mourning his departure. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Imagine turning down $400 million dollars and having people still cry for you like you've just been wronged lmao! This fanbase is unhinged.

[bartron_44]

A sub 500 team with one of the largest payrolls..lmao they better hope they have a great 2025, or they may be done in baseball

[Duffman100]

Good riddance! The guy is an embarrassment to the game. Huge ego and nothing to back it up other than lazy, low IQ base running, mediocre defense at the easiest fielding position in the game and utterly mediocre hitting stats (for a supposed generational talent) save for one great season in 2021! And this guy is asking for Soto / Ohtani money??? He's a full two tiers below those players. He's been nothing more than a ball and chain to this franchise. Also, he's born in Canada but refuses to learn our language?? He's 26 year old, spending his entire life in an English speaking country, yet STILL needs to have a translator present during interviews?? Either he's incredibly lazy or has low IQ problems. Either way I will not be mourning his departure. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Imagine turning down $400 million dollars and having people still cry for you like you've just been wronged lmao! This fanbase is unhinged.

I like how after that rant, you accuse others of being unhinged.

[Ranger One]

Good riddance! The guy is an embarrassment to the game. Huge ego and nothing to back it up other than lazy, low IQ base running, mediocre defense at the easiest fielding position in the game and utterly mediocre hitting stats (for a supposed generational talent) save for one great season in 2021! And this guy is asking for Soto / Ohtani money??? He's a full two tiers below those players. He's been nothing more than a ball and chain to this franchise. Also, he's born in Canada but refuses to learn our language?? He's 26 year old, spending his entire life in an English speaking country, yet STILL needs to have a translator present during interviews?? Either he's incredibly lazy or has low IQ problems. Either way I will not be mourning his departure. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Imagine turning down $400 million dollars and having people still cry for you like you've just been wronged lmao! This fanbase is unhinged.

I like how after that rant, you accuse others of being unhinged.

Sorry, the Twittards really got to me. Reading those posts made my blood boil lol. This fanbase is actually screaming to give him a blank check. It's mind boggling. I'm 100% behind management here despite how much I hate Shapiro and Atkins. Vlad has proven absolutely nothing to warrant more than $400 million. One great season in 6 years does not put you even in the same Stratosphere as guys like Soto or Ohtani. He's a top 30 player who wants to be paid like a top 3 player. Good riddance.

Also, I've never been a fan of his. His constant lazy base running, mental mistakes, not running to 1st base on a ground ball reek of entitlement. How many times last year did Buck deride him for not running out grounders. I know is a minor thing but it shows how competitive or not he is and guaranteed has a negative impact in the club house when everyone sees his behavior on the field as your so called best player and face of the franchise.

[Randle McMurphy]

I just dont get it. They wanted Soto and Ohtani, but not Vladdy for a couple hundred million less? And didn’t even come close at the final hour… once again they are failing to adapt to the market.ffs

Soto and Ohtani are two of the best players in baseball history.

Vlad has been only the 40th most valuable player in MLB since he entered the league.

Bit of a difference there and it explains everything about why this contract didn't happen. Vlad is the one who could be in for a very rude awakening in free agency next fall, particularly if he doesn't repeat a good season (something that again he's never done in MLB).

[Duffman100]

Good riddance! The guy is an embarrassment to the game. Huge ego and nothing to back it up other than lazy, low IQ base running, mediocre defense at the easiest fielding position in the game and utterly mediocre hitting stats (for a supposed generational talent) save for one great season in 2021! And this guy is asking for Soto / Ohtani money??? He's a full two tiers below those players. He's been nothing more than a ball and chain to this franchise. Also, he's born in Canada but refuses to learn our language?? He's 26 year old, spending his entire life in an English speaking country, yet STILL needs to have a translator present during interviews?? Either he's incredibly lazy or has low IQ problems. Either way I will not be mourning his departure. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Imagine turning down $400 million dollars and having people still cry for you like you've just been wronged lmao! This fanbase is unhinged.

I like how after that rant, you accuse others of being unhinged.

Sorry, the Twittards really got to me. Reading those posts made my blood boil lol. This fanbase is actually screaming to give him a blank check. It's mind boggling. I'm 100% behind management here despite how much I hate Shapiro and Atkins. Vlad has proven absolutely nothing to warrant more than $400 million. One great season in 6 years does not put you even in the same Stratosphere as guys like Soto or Ohtani. He's a top 30 player who wants to be paid like a top 3 player. Good riddance.

I can understand that when you have an anemic lineup, the only guy who can consistently put up 280/30/100 is now going to hit the open market and we're losing him for nothing. Just sign a cheque and keep him here.

[Ranger One]

I just dont get it. They wanted Soto and Ohtani, but not Vladdy for a couple hundred million less? And didn’t even come close at the final hour… once again they are failing to adapt to the market.ffs

Soto and Ohtani are two of the best players in baseball history.

Vlad has been only the 40th most valuable player in MLB since he entered the league.

Bit of a difference there and it explains everything about why this contract didn't happen. Vlad is the one who could be in for a very rude awakening in free agency next fall, particularly if he doesn't repeat a good season (something that again he's never done in MLB).

Exactly! And it's not several hundred million less. From everything I'm reading his ask was in the 500-600 million range. Absolutely ridiculous. The initial offer from years ago was $340 million, which I assume Shapiro increased to 400-420 million during these negotiations, and today Vlad said himself that management's offer wasn't even close. Which stands to reason he was asking for at least 500+

[Quattro]

I agree with those arguing this is a good move! Without a salary cap, it would be HIGHLY irresponsible to spend money belonging to a company as small as Rogers on a guy like Guerrero. There are different ways to build a winner. First off, as Atkins has said before, power hitters are low hanging fruit. He will be easily replaceable. If not through our farm system which Atkins has meticulously rebuilt since the days of that fool Anthopolous who squandered assets to try and win world series, then through Atkins proven ability to lure top free agents to Toronto.

With the culture of champions that Atkins has instituted in Toronto, finding a replacement bat through free agency will not only be no issue, but the top tier free agent will likely take a discount to come here and play for a shot at a championship.

Rest assured all you naysayers...the keys to our beloved blue jays are in the steady, knowledgeable hands of a true baseball savant!