Happy Monday. I will admit, I’m ok with no longer having GameThreads and Game Recaps hanging over my head every day. Getting into the off-season routine will take a few days; there is enough to discuss
about the season just passed to carry us through to the new year.
The Jays have four days where they are the only ones allowed to negotiate with Bo Bichette. I doubt they can get anything done that quickly, but I’d like them to get the structure of what they would offer Bo to him. I’d imagine Bo is feeling pretty good about the team at the moment.
They have to make decisions about Chris Bassitt and Seranthony Dominguez. Max Scherzer? I can’t see them being interested in IKF or Ty France.
And, Shane Bieber hasn’t formally turned down his player option yet, but will.
The Jays have $165 million in committed money spent on salaries for next season.
That’s not counting Arbitration Eligible players like Varsho, Lauer, Clement. I’m thinking they non-tender Dillon Tate, Ryan Burr. The question marks, to me, are Nick Sandlin (who should get around $2 million) and Tyler Heineman (who should get around $1 million). I’m sure they would like to keep Heineman, but I think they would also like to open up a roster spot.
Only one of the bunch of Blue Jays Gold Glove Nominees was a winner, Ty France. I didn’t see enough of him to make a judgement. FanGraphs has him at +10 Outs Above Average. He only made three errors at first base. Considering he was a -12 in 2024, I’m not sure I trust the rating. However, I tend not to trust advanced statistics on first base fielding.
I thought Ernie Clement would have been a good choice at Utility Player, but perhaps being nominated at third base as well hurt his vote.
The other AL winners:
Catcher: Dillon Dingler, Tigers. He beat out Kirk. Likely a fair choice. I would have voted Kirk, but then I watch him all the time.
Second base: Marcus Semien, Rangers. He won when he was a Blue Jay in 2021.
Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals.
Third base: Maikel Garcia, Royals. He beat out Ernie Clement
Steven Kwan, Guardians
Center field: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox. Beat out Daulton Varsho.
Right field: Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox.
Pitcher: Max Fried, Yankees
Utility: Mauricio Dubón, Astros.
An old friend is in the running for the manager job with the Braves. Since Alex Anthopoulos is the one making the decisions, maybe they would like to work together again.
The former Veterans Committee, the Contemporary Baseball Era, have released their ballot for this year. I’d love to see Carlos Delgado get in. I’d hate to see Roger Clemens make it. Mattingly? I don’t think he’s deserving, he had a start of a Hall of Fame career, but didn’t get the career numbers you’d like to see from a first baseman. The same goes for Fernando Valenzuela. Gary Sheffield is a good candidate, and Dale Murphy is on the edge of deserving as well. Bonds? He’s not going to get voted in, but should be.
Let’s have a poll:
