Blue Jays Hot Stove Thread

[Nik]

Just a thread I thought I'd post for some discussions about what we might like to see the Jays do next year. Personally, I'm pretty high on where they finished the year and think they really have an opportunity to improve the team with some smart free agent signings. They've only got 41 million committed for next year(55 if you count Tulo) so there's money to spend but they'll have at least one big arbitration case(Giles) and big question marks elsewhere

Anyways, here's how I think the lineup looks right now for next year:

C: Jansen/McGuire
1B:
2B: Biggio
SS: Bichette
3B: Guerrero
LF: Gurriel
CF:
RF: Grichuk
DH:

Some thoughts: I think this is where the Jays look strongest and have some real interesting options. I think the hope has to be that Grichuk's year was an aberration and he returns to the positive value player he's been for most of his career(interestingly, he may be more valuable to the Jays in CF but the important thing is his bat rebounds). The power positions are the real question marks.

FA Ideas: I don't know if Guerrero might be open to a move to 1B but if so I think Mike Moustakas would be a terrific signing. Heck, even if Guerrero isn't maybe sign Moustakas and ask him to switch? Jose Abreu will be the big name power bat at 1B but I think he'll be over valued.

Pitching Staff:

Chase Anderson
?

Some Notes: Obviously this is the biggest question mark. There are some interesting young options with guys like Reid-Foley, Pearson, Zeuch, Kay and so on but I don't know if any of them look like sure bets to make big impacts next year. It may have to be another year of a patchwork rotation.

FA Ideas: Obviously all of the big sexy headlines will be about Strasburg and Cole but personally I don't want to see the Jays anywhere near those conversations. Both guys will be looking for 7 years and 200+ million and no thanks. I kind of like Tanner Roark as a reliable MLB capable starter who could maybe be signed to a reasonable deal.

[Dappleganger]

Odorizzi and Miley would be good targets for the staff. I would bring back Shoemaker. Hopefully Kay can land a spot in the rotation. I'd like Puig in the outfield.

Jays have a lot of options this off-season and I think it's time to improve the roster, they have some good pieces to build around. It'll be interesting what Shapiro and Atkins can get done.

[Nik]

Odorizzi and Miley would be good targets for the staff. I would bring back Shoemaker. I'd like Puig in the outfield.

I agree about Odorizzi being a good signing. I just worry that he may have inflated his value a little with his very good W-L record.

Puig is an interesting idea but would that mean moving Grichuk to Center permanently?

[Dappleganger]

Odorizzi and Miley would be good targets for the staff. I would bring back Shoemaker. I'd like Puig in the outfield.

I agree about Odorizzi being a good signing. I just worry that he may have inflated his value a little with his very good W-L record.

Puig is an interesting idea but would that mean moving Grichuk to Center permanently?

I suppose, he plays the position well enough but personally I'd move on from him but that isn't going to happen.

[Dappleganger]

Odorizzi accepted his qualifying offer, which is kind of a surprise. So there goes that.

[Nik]

It had been rumoured but the Pirates hired the Jays' VP of Baseball Ops Ben Cherington as their new GM.

[L K]

It had been rumoured but the Pirates hired the Jays' VP of Baseball Ops Ben Cherington as their new GM.

You never want to hold people back from advancing their careers but this is a blow to the organization.

[Nik]

It had been rumoured but the Pirates hired the Jays' VP of Baseball Ops Ben Cherington as their new GM.

You never want to hold people back from advancing their careers but this is a blow to the organization.

Sure but I think that given Cherington's resume it would have been safe to assume he was going to be a GM hire at some point so I have to assume he was seen as a temporary employee regardless.

[L K]

It had been rumoured but the Pirates hired the Jays' VP of Baseball Ops Ben Cherington as their new GM.

You never want to hold people back from advancing their careers but this is a blow to the organization.

Sure but I think that given Cherington's resume it would have been safe to assume he was going to be a GM hire at some point so I have to assume he was seen as a temporary employee regardless.

Oh no doubt but it's a big loss to the scouting/drafting for the team. 

[The Empire]

The starting rotation will most likely be some combination of :

Roark/Tehran/Shoemaker
Chase Andersen
Thornton
Kay
Zeuch
Waguespack

This is not promising. 

Atkins won't have a chance at any of the big arms Stras, Cole, Wheeler so he'll have to settle for the 2nd or 3rd tier pitchers.  A better way to shore up the rotation is via trade.

I'd like them to take a shot at Calhoun.  He can play all 3 outfield positions and he can be had for round $7MM.

[Deebo]

Rosenthal is saying the Jays are among the teams pursuing Zack Wheeler.

[Nik]

I think Wheeler's a pretty good pitcher but for 100+ million? Eep.

[The Empire]

Atkins bought Rosenthal lunch

not happening unless it's a massive overpay

[Nik]

Atkins bought Rosenthal lunch

not happening unless it's a massive overpay

To some extent or another that's always been true of the Jays and free agents. They can sign them but only if they're the last guys in the room and willing to be the highest bidder. Wheeler's not a guy I'd do that with.

Real success with this team is going to come through the farm system and building from within. I know the people who want the Jays to be competitive every year won't like that but it's unavoidable.

[Deebo]

I think Wheeler's a pretty good pitcher but for 100+ million? Eep.

Giving up the 5th pick in the 2nd round is tough too.