Blue Jays Discussion: Spending money on FA's?! Yes you read that correctly (Russell Martin signs $82M/5)

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

So is Lester asking for Burhele type money?

More. Mark will cost $20m this year (19+1) while Lester will be looking for $22m to $25m aav.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Its interesting to use the 'pitching is a young man's game line' when the same people using it here seem to think that 40 year RA Dickey is somehow going to put up a 3.50 ERA this year.

However, I do 100% believe in the 'sign hitting, develop pitching' method of building a team so I'd much rather have Sandoval than Lester.

Who thinks Dickey will have a 3.50 era?

 

[theaub]

The '200 innings of 3.50 ERA' has floated around in this topic a couple times, might go back and look later

Nonetheless its not really the point. Pitching is a game of having...good pitchers. Jon Lester is currently a better pitcher than anyone the Jays have on their roster, so signing him would certainly be a good thing if the Jays have the budget to do so and still have some left over to fill a couple positional holes.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

The '200 innings of 3.50 ERA' has floated around in this topic a couple times, might go back and look later

Nonetheless its not really the point. Pitching is a game of having...good pitchers. Jon Lester is currently a better pitcher than anyone the Jays have on their roster, so signing him would certainly be a good thing if the Jays have the budget to do so and still have some left over to fill a couple positional holes.

We agree. I don't see an issue with paying Lester until he's 37, and don't think the Blue Jays front office would either considering that they currently are scheduled to pay a 36 year old Buehrle as things presently stand.

 

[topched]

We agree. I don't see an issue with paying Lester until he's 37, and don't think the Blue Jays front office would either considering that they currently are scheduled to pay a 36 year old Buehrle as things presently stand.

In fairness Buehrle is a different breed and it's probably more of a miracle he's managed to be this effective at his age. Even though he's still well overpaid.

But I get it with Lester, of all the top tier giys on the market, Scherzer, Shields etc. Lester would be the guy I'd bet on to be effective over time.

Still not getting my hopes up though, I think ultimately he's going to get 6-7 years which will be a tough sell for Beeston

 

[Suntouchable13]

In fairness Buehrle is a different breed and it's probably more of a miracle he's managed to be this effective at his age. Even though he's still well overpaid.

But I get it with Lester, of all the top tier giys on the market, Scherzer, Shields etc. Lester would be the guy I'd bet on to be effective over time.

Still not getting my hopes up though, I think ultimately he's going to get 6-7 years which will be a tough sell for Beeston

That's such garbage. Does he want this team to win or not?

 

[BlueForever]

There needs to be more moves coming down the pipeline after this Martin signing. I believe AA is giving Martin his due today. Let him be announced as a Canadian kid coming home to play. Don't take away anything from him.

But I am 110% percent sure that AA is working the lines. Putting offers out there to FA and for trades to piggy back the Martin signing.

Dont be the least bit surprised if another signing happens tomorrow. My money is on Sandoval even though I would prefer Lester. But then again did any of us believe we had any chance at all on Martin???

We will see but I am starting to believe that Bob McCown knows what hes talking about. I believe Rogers is trying to win back fans of the entire Rogers product instead of taking a heavy licking for robbing us on our Rogers utility bills and giving nothing back. First the Martin signing on the sports side, today it was announced that Rogers is funding 130 million into a new research facility with Sick Kids for heart desease.

McCown is right, current CEO wants to give back. This is a good sign.

 

[theaub]

Woah lets just clear up something - Bob McCown has no idea what the hell he's talking about

However, I agree with the rest of what you said.

 

[Swervin81]

Red Sox claimed Juan Francisco off waivers from us. Thank god. Now a divisional rival will have to bear witness to his epic suckiness

 

[dredeye]

Woah lets just clear up something - Bob McCown has no idea what the hell he's talking about

However, I agree with the rest of what you said.

It took you this long to figure that out?

 

[Jozay]

I dotn care for McCowans opinions, but theres no doubt in my mind he has sources.

I'd go 6/150 for Lester. Hopefully move Dickey + Thole for a cheap, young reliever. Doesnt have a to be a good one, maybe one with potential to be a decent BP arm.

 

[BlueForever]

It took you this long to figure that out?

Actually I believe Bob McCown although an arse at times, he is a very in the know individual when it comes to the sports scene. Hes got his contacts and I truly believe that if he states something he normally has the facts to back it up. We are not talking Eklund here.

Bob has been around the Jays and Rogers for some time. Has great relationships within Rogers and if he says he believes something is the works. Then something is in the works. All I had to hear was "I cant give names, but I heard rumblings in the hallways". This means something is up.

He broke the Collangelo firing days before it happened. He broke Masai signing. Burke firing. Shannahan hiring.

Man has his contacts

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

In fairness Buehrle is a different breed and it's probably more of a miracle he's managed to be this effective at his age. Even though he's still well overpaid.

But I get it with Lester, of all the top tier giys on the market, Scherzer, Shields etc. Lester would be the guy I'd bet on to be effective over time.

Still not getting my hopes up though, I think ultimately he's going to get 6-7 years which will be a tough sell for Beeston

I think Cliff Lee is a good comparable for Lester. Probably even better than Buehrle. He just completed his age 36 season.

A nice way around the 5 year limit is to add a vesting option. 5 + 1 @ 23m aav is what I'd offer. If he rejects it, you look elsewhere.

 

[Woodman19]

Navarro requests a trade.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24823146/dioner-navarro-seeks-

There are said to be about three teams showing interest in Navarro.

 

[Drew311]

Navarro requests a trade.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24823146/dioner-navarro-seeks-

I hope they can get a young stud RP for him.

 

[p.l.f.]

Damn i was hoping he would like DH
Oh well now we need a DH, pref. LH

 

[weems]

Woah lets just clear up something - Bob McCown has no idea what the hell he's talking about

However, I agree with the rest of what you said.

Bob is actually very knowledgable when it comes to the business and the behind the scenes stuff. He has terrific sources and usually doesnt just make something up when it comes to the management side of things. Sure when he talks about the actual sport, trades or signings he can be a dummy sometimes but he knows his stuff when it comes to the other side.

 

[TootooTrain]

Navarro requests a trade.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24823146/dioner-navarro-seeks-

Not incredibly surprising.

Btw I had heard Martin was to have a press conference today or tomorrow. Any update on that?

Edit:

Barry Davis @SNBarryDavis
A reminder, we will have the @russellmartin55 media conference live on @Sportsnet 1 at 2ET. Also live steaming in sportsnet.ca. #bluejays

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

Can we get Scherzer?

 

[Woodman19]

I hope they can get a young stud RP for him.

With 3 teams interested, we might actually be able to get ourselves a major league piece back who will contribute something of value.

 

[Woodman19]

Not incredibly surprising.

Btw I had heard Martin was to have a press conference today or tomorrow. Any update on that?

2 PM EST.

Hopefully some people can summarize it for those of us stuck at work.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Not incredibly surprising.

Btw I had heard Martin was to have a press conference today or tomorrow. Any update on that?

Scheduled for 2 p.m. today.

 

[Drew311]

With 3 teams interested, we might actually be able to get ourselves a major league piece back who will contribute something of value.

That's what I meant. A young 25ish bullpen arm that the Jays can control for a few years...possibly move into the closer role in the near future.

 

[Habsfan18]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Add #BlueJays to long list of clubs pursuing Torii Hunter. Team pursued him two years ago, not especially confident of retaining Melky.

 

[weems]

That's what I meant. A young 25ish bullpen arm that the Jays can control for a few years...possibly move into the closer role in the near future.

I wouldnt get your hopes up in getting back anything that great.

I'd be fine in trading him for a prospect, shedding his 5 million and redirecting it somewhere else.