2025 Blue Jays Offseason Thread

[dagger]

I think the key should be, how do we improve the team, not just can we run it back. The Yankees get Gerrit Cole back, the Red Sox get a full season of Roman Anthony, their stud rookie who seemed to energize that team. Running it back won't be enough. I read how guys like Scherzer and Bassitt - and their families - loved it here and want to return, but if there is interest from a top of the line FA starter, wouldn't that be better than just bringing back the same pitching staff?

The same with the offence. Springer had a miracle season, what are the odds that he can replicate when he's a year older? Okay, Santander ought be able to contribute a lot more, so it comes down to internal improvement plus Bo vs an FA bat. If letting Bo go, giving the SS to Gimenez, 2B to Clement, and going aggressively after a power outfield bat a better mix? If you add a big OF bat, how do you handle DH? Would you put both an FA and Santander in the outfield? Defensively, that's probably a downgrade. Of do you use Santander more selectively, some OF, some DG, and just sitting some days as a possible PH?

[Parataxis]

Am I crazy, or did Eric Lauer not prove to be a really good starter? Bring back Bieber and have a #6 guy ready to go if Berrios's arm drops off.

I think that Lauer absolutely earned himself a presumptive spot in the rotation until somebody beats him for it, or he plays himself out.

Gaus
Bieber
Lauer
Berrios

Are our penciled in four (I'm hoping that Berrios just had an abberant year, but if he sucks to start, then you absolutely take him out).

Yesavage is an easy pencil as well, although they may want to start him in Buffalo to help control his innings count, maybe?

And then you've got the players who are going to be trying to make a case for themselves.

Varland
Tiedeman
Rodriguez
Francis
Stanifer

These guys are all very maybes, but with five shots at the can, there's a possibility that one of them will force their way into the rotation.

I'd love to get a bottom of the order arm to keep everything else safe. Wouldn't mind bringing back Scherzer or Bassitt depending on the price, or looking for an arm on the market.

[Mr Swagtastic]

I think the key should be, how do we improve the team, not just can we run it back. The Yankees get Gerrit Cole back, the Red Sox get a full season of Roman Anthony, their stud rookie who seemed to energize that team. Running it back won't be enough. I read how guys like Scherzer and Bassitt - and their families - loved it here and want to return, but if there is interest from a top of the line FA starter, wouldn't that be better than just bringing back the same pitching staff?

The same with the offence. Springer had a miracle season, what are the odds that he can replicate when he's a year older? Okay, Santander ought be able to contribute a lot more, so it comes down to internal improvement plus Bo vs an FA bat. If letting Bo go, giving the SS to Gimenez, 2B to Clement, and going aggressively after a power outfield bat a better mix? If you add a big OF bat, how do you handle DH? Would you put both an FA and Santander in the outfield? Defensively, that's probably a downgrade. Of do you use Santander more selectively, some OF, some DG, and just sitting some days as a possible PH?

If you let Bo walk do you go after Gleyber Torres to be your SS or 2B. Still has some pop in the bat and hits for an good enough average the remaining realistic guys aren't great. Pie in the sky dream is Bregman to be your 3B but I think he's back in Boston and I think Sureaz is back in Seattle or goes to Philly and they move on from Bohm.

As for the pitchers you mentioned Bassitt might come back and Scherzer I think if he comes back he's probably coming in for a reduced role more for a playoff run or in a leadership role.

Does anyone think any of Budzinski, Fables, Walker or any other coaches other than Mattingly and Schinder are not brought back?

[Fairview4Life]

I think the key should be, how do we improve the team, not just can we run it back. The Yankees get Gerrit Cole back, the Red Sox get a full season of Roman Anthony, their stud rookie who seemed to energize that team. Running it back won't be enough. I read how guys like Scherzer and Bassitt - and their families - loved it here and want to return, but if there is interest from a top of the line FA starter, wouldn't that be better than just bringing back the same pitching staff?

The same with the offence. Springer had a miracle season, what are the odds that he can replicate when he's a year older? Okay, Santander ought be able to contribute a lot more, so it comes down to internal improvement plus Bo vs an FA bat. If letting Bo go, giving the SS to Gimenez, 2B to Clement, and going aggressively after a power outfield bat a better mix? If you add a big OF bat, how do you handle DH? Would you put both an FA and Santander in the outfield? Defensively, that's probably a downgrade. Of do you use Santander more selectively, some OF, some DG, and just sitting some days as a possible PH?

If you let Bo walk do you go after Gleyber Torres to be your SS or 2B. Still has some pop in the bat and hits for an good enough average the remaining realistic guys aren't great. Pie in the sky dream is Bregman to be your 3B but I think he's back in Boston and I think Sureaz is back in Seattle or goes to Philly and they move on from Bohm.

As for the pitchers you mentioned Bassitt might come back and Scherzer I think if he comes back he's probably coming in for a reduced role more for a playoff run or in a leadership role.

Does anyone think any of Budzinski, Fables, Walker or any other coaches other than Mattingly and Schinder are not brought back?

No more Yankee stink.

[duppyy]

I think the key should be, how do we improve the team, not just can we run it back. The Yankees get Gerrit Cole back, the Red Sox get a full season of Roman Anthony, their stud rookie who seemed to energize that team. Running it back won't be enough. I read how guys like Scherzer and Bassitt - and their families - loved it here and want to return, but if there is interest from a top of the line FA starter, wouldn't that be better than just bringing back the same pitching staff?

The same with the offence. Springer had a miracle season, what are the odds that he can replicate when he's a year older? Okay, Santander ought be able to contribute a lot more, so it comes down to internal improvement plus Bo vs an FA bat. If letting Bo go, giving the SS to Gimenez, 2B to Clement, and going aggressively after a power outfield bat a better mix? If you add a big OF bat, how do you handle DH? Would you put both an FA and Santander in the outfield? Defensively, that's probably a downgrade. Of do you use Santander more selectively, some OF, some DG, and just sitting some days as a possible PH?

If you let Bo walk do you go after Gleyber Torres to be your SS or 2B. Still has some pop in the bat and hits for an good enough average the remaining realistic guys aren't great. Pie in the sky dream is Bregman to be your 3B but I think he's back in Boston and I think Sureaz is back in Seattle or goes to Philly and they move on from Bohm.

As for the pitchers you mentioned Bassitt might come back and Scherzer I think if he comes back he's probably coming in for a reduced role more for a playoff run or in a leadership role.

Does anyone think any of Budzinski, Fables, Walker or any other coaches other than Mattingly and Schinder are not brought back?

We need a pitching coach, we saw what getting a new hitting coach did for us, its time for a new pitching coach.

[Parataxis]

Looks like there's a lot of talented players being potentially posted from Japan/Korea. Any chance the Jays are going to be in on any of them?

https://www.mlb.com/news/top-npb-kbo-players-to-look-for-in-majors-2026

[GameChannel]

I just came in here to say we need to move on from Varsho. Can’t carry him and Jimenez in the lineup at the same time. Given Jimenez’ extemely expensive contract, I doubt we’d find suitors for him. So I’d like us to tender Varsho and then ship him off somewhere else so he can whiff away all he wants.

Rest of the team I’m cool with.

[Harry Palmer]

Jays have made runs at the biggest FA names fairly often lately. Any (realistic) chance they take a legit shot at Tucker? Or do you think cheaper options might be better in the aggregate?

[Mr Swagtastic]

Looks like there's a lot of talented players being potentially posted from Japan/Korea. Any chance the Jays are going to be in on any of them?

https://www.mlb.com/news/top-npb-kbo-players-to-look-for-in-majors-2026

The two big Japanese sluggers are probably not going to sign here obviously you have Vladdy at first then at DH you have to pencil in Springer and Santander for the lions share of ABs. Murakami I don't think has the defensive ability to play 3B at the majot league level more so with his foot speed is below average. Kazuma Okamoto looks like the Santander clone a classic corner infielder or corner outfielder. I think he's the better defender but I have The Cubs, Mets, Cleveland, Boston and Seattle all are the front runners.

I wonder why a lot of sites have Toronto linked to Framber Valdez and Cease heavily I think the starters are fine especially if Bassitt is back. I wouldn't be shocked if Toronto made a argessive play for Acuna Jr or brought in Ozuna as a free agent. Also seen a stupid article of Kirk for Rutchsman.

[Asianiac_24]

Would we say no to Kirk for Rustchman? He had a down year but his upside far exceeds Kirk.

[Randle McMurphy]

Would we say no to Kirk for Rustchman? He had a down year but his upside far exceeds Kirk.

Yes and no it doesn't. Adley is on a steep decline for two years running now.

[Mr Swagtastic]

Adley has the higher upside in a vacuum IMHO if Adley can get back to the 20 HR, 30+ double, 80+ RBI season where he hit close to 280 and was elite behind the plate I think I do the swap. No shade to Kirk but Adley being a switch hitter and faster plus having 2 more years of team control is tipping the scales to living with tyre c swap.

It's honestly a deal I can't see both doing especially since they are divisional rivals

[DelAbbot]

There is no way we let Varsho and his final year of arbitration at ~10M off this team. That's still surplus value no matter how he slumped in the ALCS and WS.

Varsho will be back next season

[DelAbbot]

People underrate Kirk's defense like crazy

Watch on YouTube

[dh_45]

Will ikf be back ?

[Harry Palmer]

There is no way we let Varsho and his final year of arbitration at ~10M off this team. That's still surplus value no matter how he slumped in the ALCS and WS.

Varsho will be back next season

I certainly hope so. If not, imo, health would be the primary cause, but even then at 10 he’d be worth the risk. And we should not discount the possibility that his admittedly dismal post-season was at least in part recovery related.

Edit: if his arm never improves/recovers I would be more open to moving on. It was a serious issue post-injury and teams were increasingly taking advantage. For a guy whose value is predominantly D, that would be a real problem.

[Tripod]

Will ikf be back ?

Not a chance

[s e n s i]

such a shame that Varsho thread got locked and now have to resort to sharing this incredible (post-World Series) article — written by someone who actually knows what the hell they’re talking about — in the “most applicable” thread which seems to be this one.

Daulton Varsho Was Everywhere

Out of the 49 catches Varsho made in the outfield, 15 of them resulted in him putting one or both feet on the warning track. That’s 15 times the batter got all or most of the ball, leaving open the non-trivial possibility that when the broadcast changed camera angles, we were going to watch the ball fly into the seats. And instead of getting the most impactful play possible, what we got was Varsho trotting over to retire the batter.

This happened to the Dodgers a lot. Freddie Freeman hit 18 fly balls across three rounds of the playoffs. Two of them left the yard, two others went for doubles, and Varsho caught nine of the other 14. Five of those nine, Varsho caught on the warning track.

During the marathon Game 3, that legendary, definitive game, Varsho tracked down a warning track fly ball that came off the bat at 100 mph or more four innings in a row. Listen to the crowd in these videos. He got Freeman to end the 13th with a runner on second.

an absolute masterclass in center field all october long. probably the sole reason that we didn’t lose game 3 sooner and a huge reason why we even went on the run we did. stallion of a defender in the outfield and such a treat to watch out there.

[Randle McMurphy]

such a shame that Varsho thread got locked and now have to resort to sharing this incredible (post-World Series) article — written by someone who actually knows what the hell they’re talking about — in the “most applicable” thread which seems to be this one.

Daulton Varsho Was Everywhere

Out of the 49 catches Varsho made in the outfield, 15 of them resulted in him putting one or both feet on the warning track. That’s 15 times the batter got all or most of the ball, leaving open the non-trivial possibility that when the broadcast changed camera angles, we were going to watch the ball fly into the seats. And instead of getting the most impactful play possible, what we got was Varsho trotting over to retire the batter.

This happened to the Dodgers a lot. Freddie Freeman hit 18 fly balls across three rounds of the playoffs. Two of them left the yard, two others went for doubles, and Varsho caught nine of the other 14. Five of those nine, Varsho caught on the warning track.

During the marathon Game 3, that legendary, definitive game, Varsho tracked down a warning track fly ball that came off the bat at 100 mph or more four innings in a row. Listen to the crowd in these videos. He got Freeman to end the 13th with a runner on second.

an absolute masterclass in center field all october long. probably the sole reason that we didn’t lose game 3 sooner and a huge reason why we even went on the run we did. stallion of a defender in the outfield and such a treat to watch out there.

If Guerrero dominated the playoffs by force of will, to an extent that’s usually only possible in basketball, Varsho was the Draymond Green to Guerrero’s Steph Curry. With less nut-punching. He was there to collect every stray ball, to fight for every rebound, to make every high-leverage defensive play. Five years from now, we probably will have forgotten all about Varsho’s contributions to the Blue Jays’ excruciating near-miss. But we can remember them for now.

A clear priority this offseason should be extending our Draymond. He needs to be a part of the long-term core.

[polo007]

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