General Blue Jays Thread

[Schad]

With a big commitment to Springer already, I never thought it made sense to add another big long-term contract to a soon-to-be 30-something.

I still think it makes sense to try and trade a young catcher for a young outfielder. I suppose we can rent some more outfielders this year if we need to, but I'd prefer getting a long-term piece out there to go along with our younger core.

STL spending big on Wilson Contreras cuts off one route there, but we also have the option of going indirect: trade Jansen for prospects, and then trade prospects for an outfielder. There are a number of good teams that are likely in the market at catcher -- Houston and the Mets come to mind -- that probably aren't trading MLB-ready OFs, but would still make good trading partners.

That said, the Cubs suddenly make a lot of sense for Jansen, given that they lost Contreras. They have a glut of outfielders, and Jansen for Ian Happ (plus a prospect, as he's in his final year) looks like a really obvious move.

[polo007]

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[rarefind]

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Hoping this is a super 4th OF type of deal. Gets Springer off his feet as needed.

[Hottie McShotty]

Start the parade.

[Hottie McShotty]

We still need to replace Teoscar's bat. Maybe there's a trade coming.

[s e n s i]

OK depending on the cost as a zimmer/tapia replacement

[Hottie McShotty]

I'm looking at his stats and he has done nothing in the last 5 years. He better be our 4th OF. He's 32 with hip problems.

[polo007]

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[Parataxis]

This is one of those signings that I'm going to have to wait to see the term and AAV before deciding if I like it.

12/2? Yeah, that's a great pickup.

40/4? Yikes.

[Raptors Realtor]

This better be a depth pickup (4-6th OF) as opposed to an expected starter... Keirmaier has missed a lot of time to injury over recent years and his bat is below average.

[WuTang_CMB]

Good defense and will help culture in clubhouse. Let's see what else they add in next month.

[Brinbe]

snoozer of a move. glove first sorts in their 30s, meh. hope we didn't pay too much and don't expect too much from him. will be a plus if he isn't a complete bust with his bat.

still think we should go in for reynolds but don't think atkins would make that move.

go get brantley, at least he'll hit

[Randle McMurphy]

Will wait on the terms to see just how much we paid (and almost certainly overpaid given the market), but Kiermaier is the exact profile of the kind of player this team needed. They’ve been a complete disaster in the outfield for years now defensively and it has cost them games (including very clearly the last game of the season last year). He may not be the best defender in the league any longer but he’s still an enormous upgrade on what they had out there (Springer can barely move anymore).

I’d expect he will play every day against RHPs in CF this year.

[Randle McMurphy]

This is one of those signings that I'm going to have to wait to see the term and AAV before deciding if I like it.

12/2? Yeah, that's a great pickup.

40/4? Yikes.

Will be something in the middle of those two estimates.

[bluerap23]

If this is the Teo replacement lord help us.

I am extremely underwhelmed

[polo007]

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[polo007]

Kevin Kiermaier, Blue Jays agree to deal: Source - The Athletic

Why did the Blue Jays sign Kiermaier?

The Blue Jays had multiple openings in their outfield after trading Teoscar Hernández to the Seattle Mariners and non-tendering outfielders Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer. Adding Kiermaier is the first major step this offseason to re-stock their outfield ahead of the 2023 season. Kiermaier is a left-handed bat, which is a need, but while his offense has declined in recent years, he remains an elite defensive center fielder, posting above-average defensive metrics since he became an MLB regular in 2014.

He’s spent his career in the AL East, after 10 seasons with the Rays, so he’ll be familiar with playing at the Rogers Centre. Although it’s worth mentioning Toronto’s outfield will look a little different next year after stadium renovations are completed, Kiermaier gives the Blue Jays options in the outfield and the club likes to have flexibility at as many positions as possible.

With Hernández gone, right field is open and it’s possible Springer will play the corner position more regularly now. Right field is less physically demanding than center field, which can only help the 33-year-old Springer, who has dealt with several injuries during his two seasons with Toronto. Kiermaier, meanwhile, gives the Blue Jays an elite defender to play center field, and as a complementary piece, he fits in well. His bat alone can’t replace the offense lost by moving on from Hernandez, though, so in all likelihood, the Blue Jays aren’t done re-building their outfield just yet. – McGrath

What’s next for the Blue Jays?

Even with Kiermaier in the mix, the Blue Jays could still target another left-handed outfielder. Free agents Andrew Benintendi, Michael Conforto and Michael Brantley are all reasonable fits and would bring more offense than Kiermaier. If the Blue Jays can’t find an outfielder via free agency, they still have the option of moving one of their three catchers in a trade that could send back a lefty outfielder. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres are among the teams that could still be in the market for a catcher.

On the pitching front, the Blue Jays still have a hole to fill at the backend of their rotation. More starting depth would be an asset, too, as would another high-end reliever. Or, said another way, the Blue Jays still have much work to do this offseason. – McGrath

[WuTang_CMB]

3 yr deal, id guess theres a buyout for third year at cheap money

id be ok with 2 yrs 23-24m considering the market

[polo007]

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