General Blue Jays Thread: 2024 Off-Season

[bartron_44]

Thought that last year of KK was a preposterous move by the front office. But I really appreciate his passion for the city. Glad for him.

So you thought bringing back one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball over the last 20 years, who hits left handed and was coming off a season slashing .265/.322/.419 with 14 SBs and a 3.9 WAR over 130 games (~400 PAs) was “preposterous”…..? The season where over the 90 games they let him hit 9th he slashed .274/.331/.432 and gave them WS contender type production from the 9 hole and GG caliber defense in CF? But not the year before when he was coming off a season where he only played 60 games and posted 1.1 WAR and 650ish OPS?

Seriously? In hindsight he turned out to be their best hitting outfielder in 2023.

I think he was a gamble in 2023 …..but that gamble really ended up cashing in for Atkins. Imo that 2023 season earned him that 2024 contract. And deservedly so.


Even if he didnt earn the starting CF spot again, he was always going to be an elite “4th OF” for the bench if they were trying to compete..There wasnt anything preposterous about it. Even the Dodgers wanted him at the deadline.

[polo007]

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[bartron_44]

I dont see the Tigers doing this with Jung, or the Red Sox doing it with Devers (and Arenado seemingly begging to go there at a fraction of the cost.) and the Cubs have their #1 prospect Shaw ready for a shot. None if them really make any sense to lock up a 3B. But if any of them do I see it being the Cubs.

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One pressing question for all 30 MLB teams heading into spring training - The Athletic

Toronto Blue Jays

Will Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract status loom over the entire season?

Even though the Blue Jays will be reporting to Dunedin, Fla., to prepare for the 2025 season, the future of the 2026 team is likely the biggest question out there for the Blue Jays. Guerrero, who will turn 26 in March, is entering the final season of team control with the only team he’s ever known. The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and a native Canadian (he was born in Montreal, but grew up in the Dominican Republic), the younger Guerrero avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $28.5 million in 2025, the third-largest contract ever paid to an arbitration-eligible player, behind just Juan Soto ($31 million in 2024) and Shohei Ohtani ($30 million in 2023).

Both Soto and Ohtani went to free agency and did OK for themselves ($1.465 billion between them), but not only did those two players choose new teams, but also both seemingly treated the Blue Jays as a viable but lesser option when making their choices. Both of those pursuits show Toronto has the money Guerrero is looking for, but the fact those funds haven’t been used for him could create an uneasy start to 2025. — C. Trent Rosecrans

Pitchers and catchers report: Feb. 13

First spring game: Feb. 22 vs. New York Yankees

Opening Day: March 27 vs. Baltimore Orioles

[bartron_44]

Bregman signed a 3 year deal to play 2B for the Red Sox. Ffs

[Duffman100]

Bregman signed a 3 year deal to play 2B for the Red Sox. Ffs

Trade for Arenado now!

[Cyrus]

Bregman signed a 3 year deal to play 2B for the Red Sox. Ffs

Trade for Arenado now!

We'll for sure be on Arenado no trade list. He rejected a deal to Astros already lol.

[Duffman100]

Bregman signed a 3 year deal to play 2B for the Red Sox. Ffs

Trade for Arenado now!

We'll for sure be on Arenado on trade list.

Curious what he'd cost given the drop off of his offensive numbers but stil elite glove (I'm assuming)

[bartron_44]

I doubt he’d waive his NTC to come to the Jays, and I only want him if he’s paired with Helsley.

between Clement Orelvis and Barger I think the amount of improvement they can make at that position is minimal. People keep forgetting Clement was a finalist for the GG @ 3B in the AL… and he didnt even play a full season there.


I have to wonder if maybe he is the next great low key addition for this franchise. Did you know before 2023 his career high in HRs was 4. Then he suddenly hit 11 in just 287 AAA ABs when he came to the Jays in 2023 (helping him post an OPS over .940!) , and 12 in 434 MLB ABs in 2024… His first full time season. And he did it while also playing GG level defence in the field. If he ever gets the patience to start drawing even a reasonable amount of walks, his power and BA will likely both increase as well.

If not for PEDs, Orelvis would have gotten a good look last season too. With the power he has shown at every level, if the Jays just want more thunder than Clement at 3B, he could be that guy. Or maybe a healthy Addison Barger has made some adjustments to hit MLB pitching better this time around? He”s got 25+ HR pop in his bat too.

So sure, Arenado may potentially be an upgrade, but I dont know if he switches leagues and then puts up a WAR over 4 this season. He hasnt been the same player the last 2 seasons in STL.


Before doing that, Id argue they need to do the following things more though:


1-extend Vladdy
2-find a decent C to pair with Kirk
3-add another reliever..preferably a lefty killer of some kind.

[Raptors Realtor]

I doubt he’d waive his NTC to come to the Jays, and I only want him if he’s paired with Helsley.

between Clement Orelvis and Barger I think the amount of improvement they can make at that position is minimal. People keep forgetting Clement was a finalist for the GG @ 3B in the AL… and he didnt even play a full season there.


I have to wonder if maybe he is the next great low key addition for this franchise. Did you know before 2023 his career high in HRs was 4. Then he suddenly hit 11 in just 287 AAA ABs when he came to the Jays in 2023 (helping him post an OPS over .940!) , and 12 in 434 MLB ABs in 2024… His first full time season. And he did it while also playing GG level defence in the field. If he ever gets the patience to start drawing even a reasonable amount of walks, his power and BA will likely both increase as well.

If not for PEDs, Orelvis would have gotten a good look last season too. With the power he has shown at every level, if the Jays just want more thunder than Clement at 3B, he could be that guy. Or maybe a healthy Addison Barger has made some adjustments to hit MLB pitching better this time around? He”s got 25+ HR pop in his bat too.

So sure, Arenado may potentially be an upgrade, but I dont know if he switches leagues and then puts up a WAR over 4 this season. He hasnt been the same player the last 2 seasons in STL.


Before doing that, Id argue they need to do the following things more though:


1-extend Vladdy
2-find a decent C to pair with Kirk
3-add another reliever..preferably a lefty killer of some kind.

Agreed, I think Clement is penciled in at 3B and like you said maybe if Orelvis has a good Spring he may get a chance, which I wouldn't mind. Not sure Barger has a reliable bat at the mlb level... In terms of Arenado, St Louis would obviously have to eat a lot of his contract in any deal.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Someone start the Spring Training thread plz/thx

[Boogie!]

So all we got this offseason was santander and a 40 year old scherzer… oh no.

[Randle McMurphy]

So all we got this offseason was santander and a 40 year old scherzer… oh no.

Added our highest projected WAR player in 2025 by trade for a guy with an injured wrist too.

[bartron_44]

3 solid relievers ( Sandlin, Garcia and Hoffman), a platinum glove winning 2B who can run, a future HOF SP, and a 40 HR potential switch hitter. The only things left this off season are locking up Vladdy and maybe a left handed reliever. A 3B would have been nice, but they can fill that position right now.

[COY0607]

Decent off season in the end that clearly addressed the biggest needs (power + bullpen), without giving out a bloated contract.

Not sure if this is enough though, AL is going to be much better. To get to 85++ wins, they’ll need some significant improvement from one of the younger position players