How this busy week could affect future
Trades, lineup and more are up in the air after franchise’s biggest deal
There is no question about it. The Blue Jays are a much better team now than they were at the beginning of the week.
Toronto’s wheeling and dealing began with inking Tyler Chatwood on Monday night, and grew from there. The Jays added reliever Kirby Yates by Tuesday evening. Hours later, a six-year deal worth $150 million (U.S.) for outfielder George Springer, the largest in franchise history, came to be. And Toronto was still working on additions Wednesday, linked at one point to outfielder Michael Brantley and to reliever Brad Hand.
So what still needs answering, midway through the biggest week of the Jays’ off-season?
Is Brantley next to sign? Multiple outlets reported a threeyear deal was in place to bring Brantley, a close friend of Springer’s, to Toronto around midday Wednesday, but that was later refuted by a Jays team official.
Brantley eventually went in another direction, reaching a two-year, $32-million deal to return to the Houston Astros.
Who are the odd men out? Even without Brantley, the Jays have surplus in the outfield. If the season were to start today, Springer is the lock for centre field, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. would be in left and Teoscar Hernandez would likely split time between right field and designated hitter, with Randal Grichuk taking his spot when Hernandez is not in the field.
Behind them in the pipeline are Josh Palacios and Forrest Wall, who could both crack the big leagues this year, while Cavan Biggio and prospect-on-therise Austin Martin could both spell in the outfield if need be.
There’s lots of time left on the hot stove. The addition of Springer, and the depth Toronto already had, gives the Jays more wiggle room to change things up, putting Gurriel and Grichuk, in particular, in the trade limelight.
And while first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez may be feeling a little more secure about his place on the Jays roster now that Brantley is not on his way to Toronto, that may change as the front office forges on.
Is there a chance of a trade? Gurriel has been floated as a possible trade chip for the Jays in recent off-seasons. That is partly because of his productivity — he hit a team-high .308 in 2020 — and partly because of his team-friendly contract. Gurriel will earn about $3.9 million in 2021, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.
The Jays are looking to acquire more starting pitching, one of their stated off-season goals. Gurriel would be the most likely candidate to draw a front- to middle-of-the-rotation option in a trade.
Moving Grichuk, who signed a five-year, $52-million dollar deal with Toronto in 2019, would likely require the Jays to eat some of that salary. But it could be something the front office is willing to do, especially if it means holding on to Gurriel.
Dipping into Toronto’s deep farm system, likely as part of a package deal, is also an option, though reports earlier this offseason suggested the Jays are holding on tightly to prospects nearing major-league readiness.
What about the rotation? It’s unquestionably the area the Jays now need to focus on, especially after missing out on Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano earlier in the off-season.
A number of so-called “second tier” free-agent starters are still available, like Jake Odorizzi, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker but, with reporting dates for spring training less than a month away, they could be snapped up quickly.
The Jays’ rotation ranked 17th in the majors last season with a 4.55 ERA, and may not have the luxury of minor-league pitchers providing length out of the bullpen in 2021.
Springer alone should earn the Jays more wins this year, but if the club wants to go all in this season it needs a high-end starter.
Could the Jays still be in on Trevor Bauer? It’s not out of the question.
The New York Mets were in on Springer until the end, despite many assuming their trade for shortstop Francisco Lindor earlier in the off-season would take them out of the market.
It could be a similar situation with the Jays, who have just $109.5 million wrapped up in their projected 26-man opening day roster.
That leaves room for a deal with Bauer, especially if it is only for a short term.
How else could they upgrade their lineup? Toronto has shown interest in adding to its infield, particularly up the middle, but Lindor landed with the Mets and DJ LeMahieu returned to the Yankees. This is another area where the Jays could use their major-league depth in a trade.
Who plays third base? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is actively campaigning for the role and getting in shape. He may get more games at the hot corner this year, but the likelihood of a full-time gig is slim. Biggio is an option in the short term, with Martin and Jordan Groshans waiting in the wings. Guerrero’s claim on the role will loosen further if Toronto adds another infielder.