Will Rogers Spend When It's Time To?

[BramptonYute]

They'll probably complement some of the young players coming up with some free agents in 2020 or 2021. Probably pitchers.

[I_Like_Dirt]

They'll probably complement some of the young players coming up with some free agents in 2020 or 2021. Probably pitchers.

The thing about Rogers is they actually do spend. Frankly, that's kind of the problem. Signing free agents isn't actually a particularly good plan with the current collective agreement. I'm sure they will sign free agents, and they're likely going to have to with pitchers, but personally, I feel the best way to "spend" is actually to build up a bunch of prospect collateral now, then spend to keep the players the Jays do develop who might actually be worth it (Guerrero, for instance, will still be in his mid 20s when he hits free agency) while at the same time using that build-up of prospect collateral to make trades like the Jays did this year for guys like Grichuk and Diaz to fill in on the spending.

[dagger]

They'll probably complement some of the young players coming up with some free agents in 2020 or 2021. Probably pitchers.

The thing about Rogers is they actually do spend. Frankly, that's kind of the problem. Signing free agents isn't actually a particularly good plan with the current collective agreement. I'm sure they will sign free agents, and they're likely going to have to with pitchers, but personally, I feel the best way to "spend" is actually to build up a bunch of prospect collateral now, then spend to keep the players the Jays do develop who might actually be worth it (Guerrero, for instance, will still be in his mid 20s when he hits free agency) while at the same time using that build-up of prospect collateral to make trades like the Jays did this year for guys like Grichuk and Diaz to fill in on the spending.

I'm kind of optimistic that that is what is going to happen.

[I_Like_Dirt]

I'm kind of optimistic that that is what is going to happen.

Me too, to be honest. That seems to be the compromise Shapiro and Atkins have struck that allows them to sign free agents to shorter contracts while they wait (even Morales' contract wasn't/isn't exactly a problem even though he was in no way worth it) to pretend like they're trying to win - honestly that's about all they can do to try to win unless they're willing to burn the farm again. They know Rogers isn't going to sign off on the kind of rebuild they might prefer so they're working both sides. I like the farm they've built up, and while I'd have preferred some earlier trades, they've still come out with some sneaky moves that add up, and have drafted pretty well thus far.

[Schad]

It's not like we won't spend any money. Rather, it's that we should spend $170m in 2022, because that'd make it exceptionally difficult to be able to afford to keep the team together, and because spending that sort of money on veterans is increasingly dubious from the off. Nearly 40% of our opening day payroll this year went to three old dudes who contributed about 5% of our fWAR, and we're hardly the only team whose cheap parts are vastly outperforming the expensive bits.

In the modern game, the biggest advantage provided by a gigantic payroll is the ability to eat mistake contracts...the Dodgers have been carrying tens of millions in dead money each year for players who aren't with the team, and the Red Sox are paying close to $30m to the Giants' backup corner infielder and a guy who'll likely never play in the majors again.

[The_Hater]

So lets say the Jays great prospects all develop into very good players and some very elite and are thus on the cusp of contending and their contracts are about to expire then what does Rogers do? If the Jays want to win a World Series Rogers not only has to spend to keep home grown talent, but they must also spend to fill in holes via outside free agents. So unless our prospects can bring home a World Series title while still under their rookie contracts it doesn't look like one will ever arrive unless Rogers decides to go the early 90's route by re-signing talent and bringing in talent from other teams.

Rogers has had a top 10 payroll for several years now, worrying about if they’ll spend money or not shouldn’t be very high on the list but having a GM who doesn’t throw all their high salaries at aging, fading veterans should be. Just need to spend the money more intelligently post Anthopoulos.

[BigLeagueChew]

Chapman is also top 5 in UZR and #1 in DRS. I'm done.