| News |
|---|
|
Alek Manoah Alek Manoah Still favorite for rotation job
Mon, Feb 12, 2024, 10:09 AM
Manoah (shoulder) is expected to head into spring training as the favorite for the Blue Jays' No. 5 starter job, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi are locked into rotation jobs, but the Jays did little this offseason to add competition for the final spot. Yariel Rodriguez could eventually be a factor, but the Cuban hasn't been a regular starter in a few years after pitching out of the bullpen in Japan, and his workload will be monitored in his first North American season. That leaves Manoah fending off the likes of Bowden Francis and Mitch White for a starting spot. Despite a disastrous 2023, Manoah is just two years removed from a third-place finish in the AL Cy Young Award voting, and Toronto's counting on the 26-year-old righty to regain something close to that form. If he looks healthy and effective this spring, his draft stock could begin to creep up again. |
|
Otto Lopez Otto Lopez Exits 40-man roster
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 9:12 AM
Lopez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for Yariel Rodriguez, whose signing finally became official. Lopez saw spot action with the Blue Jays in 2021 and 2022 but spent all of 2023 at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a .656 OPS in 84 contests. The 25-year-old's bat is a little light, but he's young and can play all over the field, so there might be interest on waivers. |
|
Yariel Rodriguez Yariel Rodriguez Deal finally official
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 9:09 AM
Rodriguez signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's been more than three weeks since it was reported that the two sides had a deal in place, but it didn't become official until now while Rodriguez ironed out some visa issues. The contract includes a $6 million player option for 2028 which, if declined, becomes a $10 million club option. Rodriguez is expected to be used as a starter by the Blue Jays over the long haul, but he could get stretched out in the minors or in long relief first after not pitching anywhere in 2023. |
|
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Wins arbitration case
Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 6:22 PM
Guerrero will make $19.9 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration case against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Guerrero's numbers dropped in nearly every statistical category last season compared to the marks he set in 2022, but the slugging first baseman will receive a $5.4 million raise nonetheless. Guerrero remains a high-value fantasy asset, but his stellar 2021 campaign is beginning to look more like an anomaly than a season to base expectations off of. |
|
Yariel Rodriguez Yariel Rodriguez Yet to take physical
Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 1:12 PM
Rodriguez has yet to take a physical for the Blue Jays as he awaits a visa, Francys Romero of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez's four-year, $32 million agreement with Toronto was reported two weeks ago, but he still hasn't taken a physical before the deal becomes official. The 26-year-old remains in the Dominican Republic and will need visas from both the United States and Canada but plans to take a physical in whichever country issues his visa first. There's no apparent worry that the contract could fall through, but it's certainly taking longer than expected. Rodriguez is expected to be used as a starter by the Blue Jays, although he could get stretched out in the minors or in long relief first. |
|
Justin Turner Justin Turner Gets one-year deal from Blue Jays
Tue, Jan 30, 2024, 8:04 AM
Turner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Analysis: He can earn an additional $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses. Turner is expected to be Toronto's primary designated hitter in 2024 while also providing the Jays with an option at third base and first base. Most importantly, he will give the team some more thump in the middle of its lineup. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs and 96 RBI last season with Boston. |
|
Brian Serven Brian Serven Sent outright to Triple-A
Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 10:27 PM
Serven was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.
Analysis: The Blue Jays quietly designated Serven for assignment and will send him to Triple-A now that he's passed through waivers. He was claimed by Toronto in mid-January and figures to serve as organizational depth at catcher. |
|
Brian Serven Brian Serven Claimed by Blue Jays
Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 2:56 PM
The Blue Jays claimed Serven off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Serven has gone from the Rockies to the Cubs and now to the Blue Jays via waivers this month. The 28-year-old has slashed just .195/.248/.314 over 228 plate appearances at the major-league level, even as his home games have been played at Coors Field. Serven does have options remaining and, if he's still with the Blue Jays come Opening Day, he seems likely to be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. |
|
Erik Swanson Erik Swanson Gets $2.75 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:28 PM
Swanson agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Swanson was an excellent setup man for closer Jordan Romano in his first year with the Blue Jays after getting traded from Seattle. He had a 2.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, four wins and four saves in 66.2 innings. |
|
Trevor Richards Trevor Richards Gets $2.15 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:25 PM
Richards agreed to a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old swing man has made three or more starts in five of his six MLB seasons but he has not logged more than 75 innings since he threw 135.1 innings in 2019. Richards had a 4.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 72.2 innings last year. |
|
Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Avoids arbitration
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:22 PM
Pearson agreed to a one-year, $800K deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: He won't be getting a significant raise after logging a 4.85 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 42.2 innings with the big club last season. Pearson still throws pretty hard, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact (47.5 percent last year). He should work in the middle innings this season. |
|
Alejandro Kirk Alejandro Kirk Gets $2.8 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:16 PM
Kirk agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The Jays came to terms with both of their catchers Thursday, with the more senior Danny Jansen getting $5.2 million. Kirk will look to rebound after hitting .250 with eight home runs in 123 games last season, albeit with strong defense behind the plate. |
|
Santiago Espinal Santiago Espinal Agrees to terms
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:13 PM
Espinal agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old utility player saw 20-plus games at second base and third base last season while playing 16 games at shortstop. His defensive versatility makes him more valuable in real life than in fantasy. |
|
Cavan Biggio Cavan Biggio Gets $4.21 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 9:10 PM
Biggio agreed to a one-year, $4.21 million deal with the Blue Jays on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old utility man has been a pretty steady producer for Toronto, save for a down 2021 season where he was worth -0.2 fWAR. Biggio is eligible at second base, outfield and first base, which is the most appealing aspect of his fantasy profile. He slashed .235/.340/.370 with nine homers and five steals in 338 plate appearances last season. |
|
Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Gets $5.7 million for 2024
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 8:29 PM
Varsho signed a one-year, $5.7 million contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Varsho had a disappointing first season in Toronto, as he managed only a .674 OPS across 580 plate appearances. He still managed 20 home runs and 16 RBI and was excellent with the glove, the latter of which should keep him safely in the lineup on most days. |
|
Tim Mayza Tim Mayza Settles with Toronto
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 1:17 PM
The Blue Jays and Mayza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.59 million contract Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: Mayza had been arbitration-eligible for the second time. The southpaw reliever has been super reliable for Toronto over the last three seasons, posting a 2.67 ERA and 154:39 K:BB over 155 innings out of its bullpen. |
|
Genesis Cabrera Genesis Cabrera Agrees to terms
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 1:00 PM
Cabrera and the Blue Jays agreed to a one-year, $1,512,500 deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Analysis: The 27-year-old southpaw had a career-best 10 percent walk rate while splitting time between St. Louis and Toronto, but he still lacks the control necessary to pitch regularly in high-leverage situations. Cabrera has a career 1.31 WHIP and has three saves in 203 appearances. |
|
Jordan Romano Jordan Romano Settles at $7.75 million
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 12:33 PM
The Blue Jays and Romano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million contract Thursday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The closer was eligible for arbitration for the second time. Romano has recorded 36 saves each of the last two seasons in Toronto and will operate as the Blue Jays' ninth-inning man again in 2024. |
|
Danny Jansen Danny Jansen Avoids arbitration with Toronto
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 8:44 AM
The Blue Jays and Jansen avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million contract Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: It's a nice raise for Jansen, who was in his third year of arbitration eligibility. The 28-year-old has had trouble staying healthy, most recently missing the final month of the 2023 season to repair a fractured finger. He'll enter spring training with a clean bill of health, though, and will again share catching duties with Alejandro Kirk in 2024. |
|
Isiah Kiner-Falefa Isiah Kiner-Falefa Lands $15 million deal from Toronto
Wed, Dec 27, 2023, 10:37 AM
Kiner-Falefa signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: He can earn an additional $1 million in incentives. Kiner-Falefa has never even posted a .700 OPS in any of his six major league seasons, but he nonetheless seemed to have a strong market this winter. The utility player would currently appear to be in line to see ample time at second and third base for Toronto but, of course, offers the ability to bounce around to a variety of positions. |
Connect With Us:
