2025 Blue Jays Offseason Thread

[Hottie McShotty]

If we don't sign Bo how do we replace his bat? Don't say Kyle Tucker because it's not realistic.

Bregman?

Bregman-Clement-Gimenez-Vlad

Bregman would be a nice replacement for Bo if it happens. I would do it. That's a nice infield.

[Hottie McShotty]

If we don't sign Bo how do we replace his bat? Don't say Kyle Tucker because it's not realistic.

Bregman?

Bregman-Clement-Gimenez-Vlad

I prefer a Left Handed Solid middle of the order bat like Bellinger instead. Bellinger at CF to replace the impending departure of Noodle Arm Varsho also, who the Jays will look to move on from this off-season due to his atrocious bat and arm in CF. However, if they can sign both Bregman and Bellinger that would be great. However, I doubt that happens. Bellinger and another Closer like Edwin Diaz or Suarez would be an amazing outcome.

Suarez would be nice. We need another closer. Hoffman cost us a World Series. I still can't believe it happened.

[Hottie McShotty]

Bieber didn't opt-out today...

I think he might stick around.

Him and his wife absolutely loved their time in Toronto and spoke very highly about it.

Even if he wants to stick around, opting out is still probably the right move. This would be huge if he stays for the next year on the same contract.

Maybe he wants to stick around to prove he is better. Might fetch him a better contract at the end of 2026 when he's a FA. I would love to see him stick around as our 3rd or 4th starter.

[PushDaRock]

Surprise starting pitcher potentially available in Shota Imanaga after the Cubs declined to add a 5th year. Pretty strange decision unless they know something about his health or maybe not confident in his stuff going forward.

He would be an interesting addition. Not a hard thrower, but has great off speed stuff and immaculate command. Getting a lefty in the rotation should also be a good thing. The price probably would be reasonable too.

[PushDaRock]

Bieber didn't opt-out today...

I think he might stick around.

Him and his wife absolutely loved their time in Toronto and spoke very highly about it.

Even if he wants to stick around, opting out is still probably the right move. This would be huge if he stays for the next year on the same contract.

Maybe he wants to stick around to prove he is better. Might fetch him a better contract at the end of 2026 when he's a FA. I would love to see him stick around as our 3rd or 4th starter.

Even if he does want to stick around, he can get a longer deal with an opt out after year 1 by opting out. He gets 4m for declining the option as well, there's just zero chance he will pick up it up. It would be negligence on his part to not get more guaranteed money.

[JN]

Bieber didn't opt-out today...

I think he might stick around.

Him and his wife absolutely loved their time in Toronto and spoke very highly about it.

Even if he wants to stick around, opting out is still probably the right move. This would be huge if he stays for the next year on the same contract.

I think at minimum he would be looking for a 2 year deal, with a 2nd year player option for 2027, that protects him due to injury concerns. Perhaps we could get a decent annual average in this scenario if he likes it here

[Parataxis]

Even if he wants to stick around, opting out is still probably the right move. This would be huge if he stays for the next year on the same contract.

Maybe he wants to stick around to prove he is better. Might fetch him a better contract at the end of 2026 when he's a FA. I would love to see him stick around as our 3rd or 4th starter.

Even if he does want to stick around, he can get a longer deal with an opt out after year 1 by opting out. He gets 4m for declining the option as well, there's just zero chance he will pick up it up. It would be negligence on his part to not get more guaranteed money.

Yup. Additionally, if he opts in, then next year when he's looking for a long contract, he'll have a QO attached to him, wheras this year, he's free of that.

[dagger]

This will be interesting off season, will Jays continue to spend big or not? I say they will be bidders for top players as they have been in the last few years. To stay top of the American East must be able to spend. Also Guasman and Springer have short time left in their contracts, would love to maximize the window with them.

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

[dagger]

Maybe he wants to stick around to prove he is better. Might fetch him a better contract at the end of 2026 when he's a FA. I would love to see him stick around as our 3rd or 4th starter.

Even if he does want to stick around, he can get a longer deal with an opt out after year 1 by opting out. He gets 4m for declining the option as well, there's just zero chance he will pick up it up. It would be negligence on his part to not get more guaranteed money.

Yup. Additionally, if he opts in, then next year when he's looking for a long contract, he'll have a QO attached to him, wheras this year, he's free of that.

Given the mutual option in his contract, I'd think he wants to take a few days for his agent to explore possibilities with the Jays.

[JN]

Not sure if Berrios has been mentioned in this thread. The odd thing is I never saw him once around the team during the playoffs. I understand he had a procedure, but I would have thought he would have still been in the dugout at times.

Pure speculation. Was he upset by his demotion to the pen / "injury" treatment? Again speculation, but would he want to be traded? Of course if he is traded we have to eat a good part of his remaining 3/68 contract.

If he stuck around I see Berrios/Lauer as a competent #5/#6 combo to start the season anyway, in whatever order you put them. Of course Berrios is massively overpaid for that role, but it is what it is.

If he wants out, and we are agreeable to that, how much of that contract do we have to eat to trade him? I would think it would need to be at least 60%, making Berrios a 3/27 contract for the acquirer.

It would also save us $9m to then use for another acquisition.

[JN]

This will be interesting off season, will Jays continue to spend big or not? I say they will be bidders for top players as they have been in the last few years. To stay top of the American East must be able to spend. Also Guasman and Springer have short time left in their contracts, would love to maximize the window with them.

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

I see your point that they should spend a fair bit more. That being said there still is a budget though -- say they increase their payroll by 15% that will us about $75m to spend.

Back in late September I did an analysis as follows:
- Jays are shedding about $75M of salaries this offsesason.
- That being said they are adding $40M in salaries to their current roster (raises in arb, jumps in contract such as Vlad, staggered salaries like Santander and Hoffman)
- So the net of the above is $35M

I also figured due to the success of the season they would increase payroll by at least $20 million, giving us $55M to spend on players this offseason.

That being said with the success of this season I can see them going up by $40 million (about 15%). That gives us $75M to spend, be it on Bo, Bieber, outside,

[Mehar]

This will be interesting off season, will Jays continue to spend big or not? I say they will be bidders for top players as they have been in the last few years. To stay top of the American East must be able to spend. Also Guasman and Springer have short time left in their contracts, would love to maximize the window with them.

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

I see your point that they should spend a fair bit more. That being said there still is a budget though -- say they increase their payroll by 15% that will us about $75m to spend.

Back in late September I did an analysis as follows:
- Jays are shedding about $75M of salaries this offsesason.
- That being said they are adding $40M in salaries to their current roster (raises in arb, jumps in contract such as Vlad, staggered salaries like Santander and Hoffman)
- So the net of the above is $35M

I also figured due to the success of the season they would increase payroll by at least $20 million, giving us $55M to spend on players this offseason.

That being said with the success of this season I can see them going up by $40 million (about 15%). That gives us $75M to spend, be it on Bo, Bieber, outside,

Add to that the additional 12 million or so by declining the arbitration on stiffs like Little and Varsho, and letting these two bums walk. Jays will have a good amount of money to spend this off-season to potentially be a very good team again for 2026.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Not sure if Berrios has been mentioned in this thread. The odd thing is I never saw him once around the team during the playoffs. I understand he had a procedure, but I would have thought he would have still been in the dugout at times.

Pure speculation. Was he upset by his demotion to the pen / "injury" treatment? Again speculation, but would he want to be traded? Of course if he is traded we have to eat a good part of his remaining 3/68 contract.

If he stuck around I see Berrios/Lauer as a competent #5/#6 combo to start the season anyway, in whatever order you put them. Of course Berrios is massively overpaid for that role, but it is what it is.

If he wants out, and we are agreeable to that, how much of that contract do we have to eat to trade him? I would think it would need to be at least 60%, making Berrios a 3/27 contract for the acquirer.

It would also save us $9m to then use for another acquisition.

I don't follow this stuff nearly as closely as you guys, but Bassitt seemed to be one of the key ingredients to the team vibes. Bringing him back as a 4/5 starter with Lauer. Berrios is probably not worth eating salary. So you have a fairly weak Gausman, Yesavage, Berrios, Bassitt, Lauer rotation, but go to the wall for Bo and eventually he'll slide to 2nd because he's already paid.

Bieber is a sacrifice, because it'll be too much risk.

I'm selling out for Bo this off-season, and then bargain hunting for pitching. You guys will all have better suggestions than I will on that front, but it seems like they have such a unique clubhouse story to use as a pitch for anyone that wants to participate in a real life Kevin Costner movie.

[PushDaRock]

This will be interesting off season, will Jays continue to spend big or not? I say they will be bidders for top players as they have been in the last few years. To stay top of the American East must be able to spend. Also Guasman and Springer have short time left in their contracts, would love to maximize the window with them.

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

I see your point that they should spend a fair bit more. That being said there still is a budget though -- say they increase their payroll by 15% that will us about $75m to spend.

Back in late September I did an analysis as follows:
- Jays are shedding about $75M of salaries this offsesason.
- That being said they are adding $40M in salaries to their current roster (raises in arb, jumps in contract such as Vlad, staggered salaries like Santander and Hoffman)
- So the net of the above is $35M

I also figured due to the success of the season they would increase payroll by at least $20 million, giving us $55M to spend on players this offseason.

That being said with the success of this season I can see them going up by $40 million (about 15%). That gives us $75M to spend, be it on Bo, Bieber, outside,

I think they will dump the money on Bo or his replacement (likely OF with really good/elite bat) and then one front end starter. I think Berrios will be the #4 starter, he makes too much money to just give up on him. The #5 slot likely gets filled internally from Varland, Lauer, Francis or possibly Bassitt if he comes back.

[JN]

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

I see your point that they should spend a fair bit more. That being said there still is a budget though -- say they increase their payroll by 15% that will us about $75m to spend.

Back in late September I did an analysis as follows:
- Jays are shedding about $75M of salaries this offsesason.
- That being said they are adding $40M in salaries to their current roster (raises in arb, jumps in contract such as Vlad, staggered salaries like Santander and Hoffman)
- So the net of the above is $35M

I also figured due to the success of the season they would increase payroll by at least $20 million, giving us $55M to spend on players this offseason.

That being said with the success of this season I can see them going up by $40 million (about 15%). That gives us $75M to spend, be it on Bo, Bieber, outside,

Add to that the additional 12 million or so by declining the arbitration on stiffs like Little and Varsho, and letting these two bums walk. Jays will have a good amount of money to spend this off-season to potentially be a very good team again for 2026.

Little is not arbitration eligible. He is a minimum player -- so whether its him or someone else in his spot that is a wash. But I think now that he has been "figured" out in terms of how he works currently., he is going to have a tough climb back.

As for Varsho, they are not declining his arbitration. At $10-$12M it is a perfectly fine deal.

There is a large middle ground between Randle's "He is our Team MVP". and Mehar's "He is a stiff, let's boot him out". And that middle ground is his next contract at around $12M or so. That's perfectly reasonable for what he brings. Or you offer him arbitration and trade him - you will get some value back.

[brwnman]

I don't want anything to do with any of the Houston trash-banging group. Never liked the Springer signing because of it; can never cheer for him. Would want to stay as far away from Bregman as possible.

Biggest question will be, how much is Rogers willing to spend? They had a dream season, lots of added revenue, will they continue to spend?

I think 1 SP, 2 relievers, SS and 1 OF would be the wish-list.

[LoveMyRaps]

Michael King should be a top target for this FO

[JN]

I think we only need to add one elite high leverage reliver, whether they are established closer or not. And maybe one situational lefty. Since relievers are so inconsistent from year to year, bullpen overhauls are often not the answer. Heck the Dodgers got the 2 best relievers on the market (in terms of 2024 performance), paid them handsomely and neither was good enough to make the World Series roster (Tanner Scott and Yates - Scott was hurt late in the year, and they didn't bother trying to rush him back)

Relievers are so inconsistent from year to year, and you really just want a number of options to start the year knowing that some will fail and some will rise. And if you are contending, you need to be willing to add one or two more at the deadline, which the non-contenders will shed.

We do have a decent number of pieces / options in our bullpen, so that it might be competent enough with the addition of an elite piece
Hoffman - Moved a tier down.
Varland
Fisher
Fluharty
Garcia
Sandlin

Then depth guys
Little (maybe bot)
Nance
Lauer (Long Guy / 5th man)

That gives us enough options to put something fairly good to start the year. Then be willing to add more top reliever(s) at the deadline if we are in contention.

[JN]

People will spend too much time worrying about the budget. Rogers made out like bandits - on top of keeping 40% of astronomically priced ticket revenues for 18 playoff games, Sportsnet was charging up to $200,000 for a 30-second slot in game 7 of the WS and significant amounts for 30 second spots throughout the playoffs.

And all of those big crowds at the stadium and on cable/streaming for September baseball! Remember, Sportnet fees were increased by something like 30% in September as well. They have every reason to keep spending. Every dollar is making back $2-3 when you have a genuine contender.

I see your point that they should spend a fair bit more. That being said there still is a budget though -- say they increase their payroll by 15% that will us about $75m to spend.

Back in late September I did an analysis as follows:
- Jays are shedding about $75M of salaries this offsesason.
- That being said they are adding $40M in salaries to their current roster (raises in arb, jumps in contract such as Vlad, staggered salaries like Santander and Hoffman)
- So the net of the above is $35M

I also figured due to the success of the season they would increase payroll by at least $20 million, giving us $55M to spend on players this offseason.

That being said with the success of this season I can see them going up by $40 million (about 15%). That gives us $75M to spend, be it on Bo, Bieber, outside,

I think they will dump the money on Bo or his replacement (likely OF with really good/elite bat) and then one front end starter. I think Berrios will be the #4 starter, he makes too much money to just give up on him. The #5 slot likely gets filled internally from Varland, Lauer, Francis or possibly Bassitt if he comes back.

I''d be fine with a Bassitt/Berrios/Lauer. #4-#6 combo, if we add an elite starter..
But if we are relying on Berrios comes back, you have to have 4 starters better than him and Lauer on the roster.
Berrios may also not want back (pure speculation on my part)

We are rich enough payroll wise, that we can't let salary dictate player's role. We can afford to look as players as "sunk costs" of sorts and do the best for our team.

Berrios for example - if we eat 60% of his salary while trading him, we could replace him with a $9m reliever and be the same $ wise. It costs us the same, but that $9m reliever may have more value to us moving forward than Berrios as a #5/#6.

[JN]

There is also a lot of luck when you play the relievers game in the offseason.

Looking back at last year.
Scott and Yates failed miserably. Hoffman didn't really work.
Estevez who was on a lower tier did fine.

And Chapman went from averaging 6 walks a game for his 3 prior years, which made him a somewhat terrifying leverage guy for a contender, to having the best control of his entire life and getting some down ballot votes for the MVP.