Jays maintaining `momentum' as winter meetings wrap up
The shopping list is as extensive as it is ambitious for Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins this December.
And so far, nothing has been crossed off his list.
Though this year's muted version of baseball's winter meetings wrapped up on Thursday without the Jays making a deal or signing a free agent, Atkins was clear in saying he believes the team can still improve significantly and is in the mix to do just that.
When we asked the GM if he felt the team was still “in” on their prime off-season targets, Atkins didn't hesitate in responding with the affirmative.
“We have prioritized targets and we'll start with those,”
Atkins said. “We haven't eliminated anyone.”
So a list that perhaps is headed by Houston Astros free agent George Springer — who sources tell us the team has aggressively pursued — and includes any of the other big names the Jays have been linked to, suggests the off-season aggression that's been well noted around the league remains in place.
“I do think there is momentum for the Toronto Blue Jays,” Atkins said on a Zoom call with reporters that served as his wrap up to the winter meetings that were held virtually this year. “We feel very good about opportunities getting close and to decisions being made.
“But we only control part of it.” The good news — assuming Atkins isn't being patronized by agents and rival GMS — is that the Jays can continue focusing on adding at least one impact player as the next notable complement to a solid core of young players that improved significantly in 2020.
So what does being among the league leaders in the off-season rumour mill mean? Unfortunately, not much. Yet.
If the noise around the readyto-be-free-spending New York Mets under new owner Steven Cohen is to be believed, good luck getting anybody. The Mets certainly have been declared the front-runners to sign Springer, but nothing appears imminent for the hottest position player available. If there's an urgency from Atkins' perspective, it's that the Jays have plenty of business to address. Their needs are extensive, from adding an outfielder to another infielder to pitching needs both in the rotation and bullpen.
The Jays being active in the high end of the market has the potential of delaying progress in other areas, however, a point acknowledged by the GM.
“We would certainly like to have clarity as soon as possible because that impacts the next moves you make,” Atkins said.
That work includes going far deeper than browsing the top tier of targets, either via free agency or trade. So if the Jays don't land a Springer, DJ Lemahieu or Trevor Bauer, Atkins believes there is still plenty of opportunity.
“If (an elite signing) doesn't happen, there will be plenty of avenues to make our team significantly better,” Atkins said.
No matter how it unfolds, the Jays certainly qualify as one of the most interesting franchises this off-season. On the plus side, the fact that the young team is seen as a significant player in free agency is intriguing.
On the less optimistic side are natural concerns about where the team will play in 2021 and how much of a burden that uncertainty plays into the process.
“Not as often as one would think, but it does come up,” Atkins said when asked how seriously he's grilled about the options for home games in 2021. “Talking to free agents, they want to know they're going to have what they need to compete, what they need to win.”
Meanwhile, the Jays GM made some other observations at the conclusion of a week of baseball business.
On Korean infielder Ha- Seong Kim: “If there is an opportunity and there is mutual interest, we feel prepared.
On Vlad Guerrero Jr. and his ongoing campaign to play third base, Atkins talked about the “elite” arm of the 21-year-old.
“Many infield experts think it starts with the arm and Vladdy has one of the strongest arms in the game. His arm strength is elite.”