569 replies to this topic

[grantpalin]

Well, that was unexpected:

 

OFFICIAL: We've acquired Minor League INF Jesus Lopez and international signing bonus pool space from the @Athletics in exchange for DH/1B Kendrys Morales and cash considerations.

[source]

 

There was speculation as to whether the Blue Jays would manage to move Morales by the trade deadline, but they've managed to move Tulowitzki, Martin, AND Morales all in one offseason. Granted they will be in hock to Tulo for a couple of years after this, but they've still really revitalized the team. They now have much more flexibility in filling the DH role game by game.

[Victoria Watcher]

season opens tomorrow at 12:30pm!  i think.  afternoon anyway.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 March 2019 - 06:22 PM.

[grantpalin]

In the middle of a workday. *grumble*

 

Another interesting tidbit about the Blue Jays and offloaded contracts:

Players The Jays Are Paying NOT To Play For Them:

 

Troy Tulowitzki - $19.45 Million

Kendrys Morales - $10.00 Million

Russel Martin - $16.40 Million

Jamie Garcia - $2.00 Million

Yangervis Solarte - $0.750 Million

 

Total Dead Money: $48.6 Million

 

Note: All dead money will be done after the 2019 season outside of Tulo who will be given another $14 Million in 2020 and another $4 Million in 2021.

 

 

[source]

[grantpalin]

The Blue Jays abruptly traded Kevin Pillar to the San Francisco Giants early today, getting back two RHPs - Juan de Paula and Derek Law - and infielder Alen Hanson. They are also bringing Anthony Alford up from AAA to take Pillar's place.

 

Later today the Blue Jays swapped outfielders with the San Diego Padres, sending Rodrigo Orozco and receiving Socrates Brito (who will be joining the 25-man roster). Good depth now for outfield and infield.

 

I expect Justin Smoak will likely be traded this year as he has value as a 1B/DH (his current contract is up this year). Both Stroman and Sanchez have one more year to go, and if they build value this season may be on the table as well.

[grantpalin]

https://twitter.com/...188134535028738

 

The Blue Jays have called up their latest and hottest prospect, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He will be playing in the bigs beginning tomorrow as the Blue Jays host Oakland for a weekend series.

 

A congratulatory tweet from Vladimir Guerrero Sr., and a near iconic photo:

 

https://twitter.com/...210485934821377

[jonny]

Cavan Biggio (son of HOFer Craig Biggio) has been absolutely mashing at AAA Buffalo as well. He's slashing .418/.522/.636 with an OPS of 1.158 in 55 at bats. Wow! It wouldn't be a shock to see him called up sometime in 2019 as well. 

 

Unfortunately Bo Bichette, who has struggled a bit in Buffalo, has a broken hand and is out for 6 weeks. 

[Wayne]

It was a very good debut by Vlad Guerrero.

 

It did overshadow an outstanding night by Stroman.

[Victoria Watcher]

It was a very good debut by Vlad Guerrero.

 

It did overshadow an outstanding night by Stroman.

 

guerrero got lots of camera time!     28,000+ at the park which is pretty good.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 April 2019 - 04:41 AM.

[jonny]

The end of the rebuild is upon us.

Jr, Bo, Biggio, Rowdy, Pearson, Grichuk, Teoscar, Jansen. The future is sooooo bright. Now, where are my sunglasses?

[jonny]

Now, if only Sanchez's fingers would stop falling apart...

[Wayne]

jonny, on 27 Apr 2019 - 09:37 AM, said:

Now, if only Sanchez's fingers would stop falling apart...

Third year in a row? Not sure how common this is among pitchers.

[grantpalin]

Stroman was excellent last night, he deserved that win. Unfortunately Biagini bungled it. Then again, it set up for the walkoff win.

 

The team has been performing better in the last half month vs the first half, which is encouraging. There's a lot of fresh energy, even more so with Vlad Jr. One can only wonder at the performance output once Biggio, Bichette etc are on board.

[Jackerbie]

The Tampa Bay Rays have received approval to explore an opportunity to play half of their season in Montreal. Apparently part of the plan is to construct new ballparks in both cities. It's early days, though, with the earliest "home" game in Montreal not likely to occur until at least 2023.

 

CBC has the story: https://www.cbc.ca/s...split-1.5183234

[Wayne]

The Tampa Bay Rays have received approval to explore an opportunity to play half of their season in Montreal. 

 

 

 

Interesting Idea. Looking forward to seeing this.  Besides it tough to follow the Jays this year.

[Hotel Mike]

So what happens if the bi-national, bi-city team makes the playoffs? All played in Tampa Bay, being October? Is it fair to the opposing team in the World Series to have to travel more by going to two cities to play? An interesting idea. We'll see where it goes.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

it does seem a bit odd.  

 

the buffalo bills ended early their deal to play some games in toronto.  and that was an easy commute for fans.

 

as someone commented sarcastically:

 

From a player standpoint, nothing would attract me more to a team than to know that I'm going to have to get 2 different residences in separate countries and have to pack my family up and move mid-season.

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 June 2019 - 06:56 PM.

[SimonH]

The Tampa Bay Rays have received approval to explore an opportunity to play half of their season in Montreal. Apparently part of the plan is to construct new ballparks in both cities. It's early days, though, with the earliest "home" game in Montreal not likely to occur until at least 2023.

 

CBC has the story: https://www.cbc.ca/s...split-1.5183234

Maybe they will change the names of the teams :

 

In Tampa, the 'Real Rays.

 

In Montreal: the 'Real X Rays.

[Wayne]

Cool night for Jays Vlad Guerrero Jr!  BTW he is just 20 years old.

 

"Jays rookie Vlad Guerrero Jr sets one-round record at Home Run Derby"

 

https://nationalpost...d9-395a7d120ac0

[grantpalin]

Former Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is retiring from playing baseball. Source

I wanted to take this opportunity to announce my retirement as a Major League Baseball player.

 

For as long as I can remember, my dream was to compete at the highest level as a Major League Baseball Player … to wear a big league uniform and play hard for my teammates and the fans. I will forever be grateful for every day that I’ve had to live out my dream.  It has been an absolute honor.

 

I will always look back with tremendous gratitude for having the privilege of playing as long as I did. There is no way to truly express my gratitude to the fans of Colorado, Toronto and New York. They always made my family and I feel so welcome.

 

I want to thank the Yankees organization and Brian Cashman for giving me the opportunity to wear the Yankees uniform and live out another childhood dream. I wish that my health had allowed for a different ending to that chapter.

 

To the coaches, training staff and baseball executives who helped me in my career … I am incredibly grateful to all of you. To my teammates throughout the years, thank you for grinding with me. I truly value all the relationships that were built through this game.

 

None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my family and friends. To my wife, my son and my parents … you helped make my dreams come true. To my agent Paul Cohen and TWC Sports Management … thank you for taking care of everything. You all allowed me to play the game I love without distractions.

 

While this chapter is now over, I look forward to continuing my involvement in the game that I love … instructing and helping young players to achieve their goals and dreams.

 

I’m saying goodbye to Major League Baseball, but I will never say goodbye 2 the game I love. Thanks again 2 all of you!

 

 

Despite voluntarily retiring, my understanding is he is still owed the outstanding value of his contract with the Blue Jays since they released him. So another $18M through 2021.

 

Troy Tulowitzki walks away from #MLB having earned just shy of $168M across 13 seasons w/ the #Rockies, #BlueJays & #Yankees, including another $18M thru 2021 from Toronto to finish off his $157M contract signed back in 2010.

 

Source

 

He already has an assistant coaching job lined up with the Texas Longhorns at UTexas. Source

[jonny]

It sure was nice having a real shortstop for a while! I didn't expect his downfall to be so sudden...injuries, man.

 

I'll never forget the three run homer he hit in Game 3 of the ALCS in 2015.