Atkins: Jays want to keep Jose and Edwin "long term"

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[tweet]https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/686226888772161540[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/686227024235630592[/tweet]

[JaysRule15]

Well, that's good to hear. But wanting and being able to are two different things. Both Bautista and EE will want salaries with an AAV close to or over $20 million. Will Rogers pony up the cash for that?

[The_Hater]

Keeping both of these aging DH types long term would be a terrible decision. Need to pick one or the other.

[Raptors Realtor]

As much as I love both players, I agree that the right move is to keep one and trade the other (or both), if you can get some good young pieces back.

[bluerap23]

I'm sure someone asked him if they want to keep them both. What is he going to say?

[Santoki]

I'm sure someone asked him if they want to keep them both. What is he going to say?

Exactly. If you actually read the full quotes he says he'd like to do it, but agreeing on something that makes sense is another matter.

They haven't even sat down and discussed anything. This is just an out of context headline.

[The_Hater]

I'm sure someone asked him if they want to keep them both. What is he going to say?

Agreed. I was making a more general comment. Of course if they don't resign both it will be viewed by many as a cheap move rather than a smart baseball decision.

[Raptors Realtor]

I'm sure someone asked him if they want to keep them both. What is he going to say?

Agreed. I was making a more general comment. Of course if they don't resign both it will be viewed by many as a cheap move rather than a smart baseball decision.

It doesn't have to be viewed as a cost cutting move if they don't resign one or both, as long as they can get assets back, and not just letting either walk for nothing... It's all about asset management, and I'm a big proponent of turning aging players into young assets.

[COY0607]

I dont see how this could possibly work, or why we would even want to do this.. hopefully just a smokescreen

[The_Hater]

I'm sure someone asked him if they want to keep them both. What is he going to say?

Agreed. I was making a more general comment. Of course if they don't resign both it will be viewed by many as a cheap move rather than a smart baseball decision.

It doesn't have to be viewed as a cost cutting move if they don't resign one or both, as long as they can get assets back, and not just letting either walk for nothing... It's all about asset management, and I'm a big proponent of turning aging players into young assets.

While true, if the Jays are contending again this coming season it's highly unlikely that either gets moved. Then you're into free agency for both and forced to make a decision. (That decision should be JB IMO but that's another debate)

[bluerap23]

This offseason has been pretty interesting. The big bats are not getting close to what was expected. It almost looks like there is no interest in Davis or Cespedes.

Too bad next years pitching free agent class is so much weaker.

[C Court]

It really depends on what it costs to re-sign them. If both are willing to accept reasonable dollars and term, then cut a deal. The lack of interest in big bats this off-season can work in the Jays favor.

[DreamTeam09]

why wouldn't you want to keep them both? After this year you don't think Joey bats will be an mlb rf for the next 3-4 years or a good hitter? EE can DH play 1st sparingly. With those 2 + Tulo and Josh and martin, that's the heart of your lineup locked up. That's good baseball. plenty of other options to get assets.

[The_Hater]

why wouldn't you want to keep them both? After this year you don't think Joey bats will be an mlb rf for the next 3-4 years or a good hitter? EE can DH play 1st sparingly. With those 2 + Tulo and Josh and martin, that's the heart of your lineup locked up. That's good baseball. plenty of other options to get assets.

Edwin is already pretty bad at 1B and its only going to get worse, plus the more he plays the field the more likely he's going to get hurt. Jose is fading fast as an OF, there's definitely not 3-4 more years in him at that position. I think he'll look below average in RF this year and be moved out of RF but 2017. If he can make the transition to 1B then it could work but what if he can't? Then you've locked yourself into $35-40 million worth of players who can't play a defensive position and that's before you account for injury and declining production. Half that money would be much better spent if allocated elsewhere.

[bluerap23]

why wouldn't you want to keep them both? After this year you don't think Joey bats will be an mlb rf for the next 3-4 years or a good hitter? EE can DH play 1st sparingly. With those 2 + Tulo and Josh and martin, that's the heart of your lineup locked up. That's good baseball. plenty of other options to get assets.

Edwin is already pretty bad at 1B and its only going to get worse, plus the more he plays the field the more likely he's going to get hurt. Jose is fading fast as an OF, there's definitely not 3-4 more years in him at that position. I think he'll look below average in RF this year and be moved out of RF but 2017. If he can make the transition to 1B then it could work but what if he can't? Then you've locked yourself into $35-40 million worth of players who can't play a defensive position and that's before you account for injury and declining production. Half that money would be much better spent if allocated elsewhere.

If they are serious about keeping both (which I doubt they are) they will likely play Jose at 1B in spring and a handful of games during the year to find out if he is capable. There is no reason to think he won't be able to play there since he used to play 3B and was above average. His mobility is declining, but that isn't an issue at 1b.

[Wo1verine]

Donaldson (arb),Tulowitzki, Martin, Encarnacion ($20M) Bautista ($20M) Happ + Estrada = Around $125M for 2017 with 18 more spots to pay on the roster

We'd be lucky to sign one of them

[King of Canada]

That's great, and is the right thing to say. It's true that they want to, but in saying it they are also implying that the players need to acknowledge the reduction in their value as time goes by.

[Santoki]

Donaldson (arb),Tulowitzki, Martin, Encarnacion ($20M) Bautista ($20M) Happ + Estrada = Around $125M for 2017 with 18 more spots to pay on the roster

We'd be lucky to sign one of them

I'd think after 2017 you take a good hard look at trading Tulo. Cross your fingers that Travis can come back productive and healthy because that's a huge $20 million to free up going forward.

I don't think Edwin commands $20 million AAV on the open market. If he does, it'll be on a very short-term deal. I don't really know where to peg Jose at this point either but I can see him getting 3/60 from someone since he still has more mobility than Edwin does. I'd guess the Jays value him more around the 3/45 mark and say their goodbyes to Edwin but I have no idea what Jose is going to command in FA.

[Lateral Quicks]

If you kept both, then realistically you'd want to move Bautista to 1B with EE continuing as the full-time DH. A permanent DH isn't the greatest idea when you have some older veterans that need regular rest and who you'd like to cycle through DH every now and again. The Hater is right, keeping both doesn't make a lot of sense.

[agk47]

I suspect Justin upton, Chris Davis and yoenis cespedes will have a lot to say about Joey and Edwin's future earning power.

I'm hoping given their advanced age and lack of a position moving forward that alex Gordon's 4 year 72 million pack with the royals will be a better comparable.

However, with those 3 other stars yet to sign and next seasons free agent crop looking sparse, Joey and edwin's potential earnings should keep moving up.