With us still waiting on the Soto decision, there isn’t much for Jays’ news. He could make his decision soon.
Ken Rosenthal, in the Athletic, wrote that the Jays ‘are baffling,’ which I will admit to, but his reasoning is weird.
For six months now, I’ve found the Toronto Blue Jays baffling. They sold at the trade deadline, but held the pieces that could have brought the most in return, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette (Bichette’s value admittedly was down). Club officials repeatedly have said they plan to compete in 2025, and sources briefed on the Juan Soto discussions say the team is making a strong push for the free-agent outfielder. The other bidders in the Soto sweepstakes, however, are better positioned to compete long-term, particularly with Guerrero and Bichette unsigned as they enter their final year under club control.
Really Ken? Do you find it baffling that the team would trade off players in the last year of their contract, which they have little interest in re-signing? I thought it was the most obvious thing they could do.
Kiermaier wasn’t going to be part of the team, or any team, in 2025. Kikuchi had more value as a trade piece than someone to hold on to and try to sign. Yimi Garcia was the type of player who had more trade value at the deadline than any other team.
Yeah, they could have traded Vlad and Bo, but they will have similar trade values at the deadline next year. And I think they hope to re-sign at least one.
As it stands, the Jays don’t have enough at-bats for all of their youngsters, increasing the possibility of the team making at least one trade. Wagner plays first and second, Loperfido first and outfield, Clase the outfield. Davis Schneider plays left and second, Spencer Horwitz first and second. Leo Jiménez eventually could replace Bichette at short. Orelvis Martinez, who was suspended for 80 games last season after testing positive for a banned substance, is another who plays second. Addison Berger plays third and right, Steward Berroa the outfield.
Is it a bad thing to have extra young players? Ken has to know, as we know, that not all the young players will turn into regulars. He mentions Steward Berroa as one of the ones who needs at-bats, but I don’t think many of us figure he’ll be a full-time major leaguer.
There was a bit of MLB news:
In likely the most surprising news of the winter, the A’s have signed Luis Severino to a three-year $67 million contract. This is the biggest contract handed out in A’s history. But then the A’s would have to pay extra to get someone to play in Sacramento.
The St. Petersburg city council has voted to approve the funding for the Rays’ new stadium. A number of things still have to happen before they put shovels in the ground, but I’m somewhat surprised that this hurdle has been cleared.