Moderator: JaysRule25
polo007 wrote:
According to ESPN Senior MLB Insider Jeff Passan:
• Targeting Kyle Schwarber: The Blue Jays "want a left-handed complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr." and are among the suitors for free agent designated hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber.
• Favorite for Kyle Tucker: Other executives consider the Blue Jays the favorite to land free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is projected to command a contract of at least $300 million. This follows the team's first World Series berth in over three decades, indicating "no plans to slow down."
• Bo Bichette's Free Agency: Bo Bichette is the youngest domestic free agent available at 27. The Blue Jays are mentioned as a possible destination for him, even though they already have Andrés Giménez to play shortstop, suggesting they "still could conceivably sign Tucker and Bichette."
• Cody Bellinger as an Alternative: The Blue Jays view Cody Bellinger as a "perfectly good alternative to Tucker" if they are unable to sign the top free agent outfielder.
• Pursuing Top Starting Pitchers: Toronto is mentioned as one of the teams "playing in the top-of-the-market sandbox" when it comes to prioritizing top free-agent starting pitchers like Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Tatsuya Imai.
• Chris Bassitt's Role: Right-handed starter Chris Bassitt, a former Blue Jay, is hitting free agency. He is praised for his professionalism after being moved to the bullpen for the postseason, where he excelled (1 run allowed in 832 innings). He is described as the "ideal candidate to play veteran leader" wherever he signs next.
• Potential for Max Scherzer Return: Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer (41) is still planning to pitch, and one of his potential landing spots is a return to Toronto to "finish the job" (presumably referring to winning a championship).
• Reliever Market: The Blue Jays are listed among the "reliever-hungry market" teams seeking to upgrade their bullpen, focusing on closers like Edwin Díaz and Devin Williams.
Morris_Shatford wrote:Duffman100 wrote:Getting Tucker, keeping Bo and finding a way to get Suarez/Cease would just be insane but likely unrealistic.
Theoretically;
If you had to pick between Tucker and Bo who are you taking?
polo007 wrote:According to ESPN Senior MLB Insider Jeff Passan:
Jeff Passan's 2025-26 MLB offseason preview, intel, updates - ESPN• Targeting Kyle Schwarber: The Blue Jays "want a left-handed complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr." and are among the suitors for free agent designated hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber.
• Favorite for Kyle Tucker: Other executives consider the Blue Jays the favorite to land free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is projected to command a contract of at least $300 million. This follows the team's first World Series berth in over three decades, indicating "no plans to slow down."
• Bo Bichette's Free Agency: Bo Bichette is the youngest domestic free agent available at 27. The Blue Jays are mentioned as a possible destination for him, even though they already have Andrés Giménez to play shortstop, suggesting they "still could conceivably sign Tucker and Bichette."
• Cody Bellinger as an Alternative: The Blue Jays view Cody Bellinger as a "perfectly good alternative to Tucker" if they are unable to sign the top free agent outfielder.
• Pursuing Top Starting Pitchers: Toronto is mentioned as one of the teams "playing in the top-of-the-market sandbox" when it comes to prioritizing top free-agent starting pitchers like Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Tatsuya Imai.
• Chris Bassitt's Role: Right-handed starter Chris Bassitt, a former Blue Jay, is hitting free agency. He is praised for his professionalism after being moved to the bullpen for the postseason, where he excelled (1 run allowed in 832 innings). He is described as the "ideal candidate to play veteran leader" wherever he signs next.
• Potential for Max Scherzer Return: Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer (41) is still planning to pitch, and one of his potential landing spots is a return to Toronto to "finish the job" (presumably referring to winning a championship).
• Reliever Market: The Blue Jays are listed among the "reliever-hungry market" teams seeking to upgrade their bullpen, focusing on closers like Edwin Díaz and Devin Williams.
polo007 wrote:
Star Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai posted, has until Jan. 2, 2026 to sign - MLB.comParataxis wrote:How does posting work currently? Can he decide earlier than the deadline, or do we have to wait for then to find out?
Another Japanese star is making his way to the Major Leagues.
Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball announced on Nov. 10 that they will allow right-handed starter Tatsuya Imai to be posted this offseason for MLB teams, and MLB informed teams on Tuesday that the 27-year-old was officially posted, with a negotiating window that begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. ET and ends Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.
"Every season, I have played with the goal of winning the league championship and the Japan Series, and that ambition will not change with a new team," Imai said. "I will continue to compete with a strong desire to win and do my best to contribute to my team’s success."
Imai, who is Mark Feinsand’s No. 11 free agent this year, recorded a 1.92 ERA over 163 2/3 innings this season for the Lions. He struck out 178 batters, walked 45 and allowed only six home runs. Some of his 2025 highlights include throwing the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter and striking out 17 batters in a two-hit, complete-game shutout.
Imai has pitched eight seasons for Seibu, and over the past three years and 470 innings, his ERA is a scant 2.18. He possesses a wide pitch mix, but generally relies on a fastball that can reach 99 mph and his slider. Imai also has a changeup, a splitter and started incorporating a sinker late in the season.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, Imai’s profile is similar to or perhaps slightly better than Mets right-hander Kodai Senga. He adds that the Giants are among the possible suitors for Imai, while Feinsand lists the Mets and Red Sox as two other potential fits for the 5-foot-11, 154-pound hurler.
Since he is at least 25 years old and has played a minimum of six seasons in a professional foreign league that is recognized by Major League Baseball, Imai won’t be subject to international bonus pool restrictions.
Double Helix wrote:No way we’d be able to sign both, right?
Morris_Shatford wrote:Double Helix wrote:No way we’d be able to sign both, right?
I would take back 80% of the things I have said about this management group if they did.
GoRapstheoriginal wrote:https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/qualifying-offer-roundup-bichette-among-nine-to-decline/
Posted it here & in the Bo thread so idk >><<
Parataxis wrote:GoRapstheoriginal wrote:https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/qualifying-offer-roundup-bichette-among-nine-to-decline/
Posted it here & in the Bo thread so idk >><<
Four players accepting the QO is crazy high, wow.
JN wrote:Parataxis wrote:GoRapstheoriginal wrote:https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/qualifying-offer-roundup-bichette-among-nine-to-decline/
Posted it here & in the Bo thread so idk >><<
Four players accepting the QO is crazy high, wow.
It's high. But I think lots of these more middle of the road free agents like Grisham, know they are going to face resistance in the open market vs other similar players, since they have compensation attached to signing them. It hurts their leverage and market value. You don't care about paying comp for a Tucker or Bichette... but for a Grisham?
Sounds like the Yanks were not expecting, and probably did not want to retain Grisham at 1/22.
If he plays like last year its a good deal for the Yanks. But that is not expected.
But it's a tough spot for a player like Grisham as noted above. He's betting on himself. Is 1/22 better than say 3/48, and rolling the dice on being a free agent next year with no comp.
