The 2020 Toronto Blue Jays - Page 5

ryan008 · 04-29-2016, 03:23 PM

Another ALDS Another Early Playoff Exit for the Jays

October 18th, 2024

For Blue Jays fans the story is the same. They tear the cover off the baseball during the regular season and then once the playoffs come they fall apart. It happened again in 2024. The Jays set a franchise record for wins in a season with 120 and then would go on to lose the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees in 5 games. Blue Jays GM Ryan Stewart was not pleased with his teams effort "We just didn't execute. There are going to be some serious evaluations for this organization from top to bottom this off season as we need to figure out how to achieve some success in the playoffs. This losing in the first round year after year is just not acceptable".

ALDS Game #1 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays
SP Mike Scott (13-6 3.61 ERA) vs
SP Jamie Cox (27-4 1.67 ERA)

W: SP Jamie Cox (1-0) 9.0 IP 6 H 0 R 0 BB 6 K
L: SP Mike Scott (0-1) 6.0 IP 5 H 3 R 2 BB 5 K

Recap: SP Jamie Cox who was fresh off a triple crown win in the American League in 2024 took the hill in game #1 for the Jays and he was fantastic tossing a complete game shut out as the Jays took game #1 4-0. He would allow just 6 hits without a walk and struck out 6. Offensively SS Carlos Correa had a pair of homeruns and 3 RBI and CF Albert Almora added an RBI triple to account for all of the Jays offence.

ALDS Game #2 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays
SP Tyler Mondile (12-12 2.89 ERA) vs
SP SP Erik Black (20-7 3.86 ERA)

W: SP Tyler Mondile (1-0) 6.0 IP 6 H 1 R 1 BB 7 K
L: Erik Black (0-1) 6.0 IP 7 H 2 R 1 BB 2 K
S: CL Trevor Rosenthal (2)

Recap: The Blue Jays were hopeful of a sweep of the first two games at home sending 20 game winner SP Erik Black to the mound and he was pretty good allowing just a pair of runs in 6 innings of work. Unfortunately for the Jays SP Tyler Mondile was very good tossing 6 innings and allowing just a single run on 6 hits. 1B Will Benson and C Reese McGuire had RBI singles off of Black and CF Jose Avila and DH Rob Duncan added on insurance runs for the Yankees in the 9th inning as the Jays fell 4-1 to the Yankees in game #2. 2B Chris Goodwin contributed the Jays lone run on offence with an RBI double in the 7th inning.

ALDS Game #3 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
SP Tim Libby (17-5 3.68 ERA) vs
SP Jorge Rodriguez (14-9 3.68 ERA)

W: SP Tim Libby (1-0) 7.1 IP 5 H 0 R 4 BB 5 K
L: SP Jorge Rodriguez (0-1) 4.0 IP 7 H 7 R 3 BB 2 K

Recap: The Blue Jays came out swinging the bats in Game #3 and managed to put up a 7 spot against the Yankees. SS Carlos Correa and 1B A.J. Reed got the scoring opened early with RBI doubles in the 1st inning. They would both factor in the scoring later in the game as well, Correa would add a 2 RBI double in the 2nd and Reed belted his first homerun of the post season a 3 run shot to deep left center field in the 4th making it 7-0 Toronto. SP Tim Libby did the rest for the Jays slamming the door on a very potent offence and pitching into the 8th inning. With the victory the Jays move to within 1 win of advancing to the American League Championship Series.

ALDS Game #4 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
SP Jamie Cox (1-0 0.00 ERA) vs
SP Mike Scott (0-1 4.50 ERA)

W: MR Wes Summers (1-0)
SP Mike Scott - 5.0 IP 3 H 1 R 2 BB 3 K
L: MR Sam Turner (0-1)
SP Jame Cox - 5.0 IP 4 H 1 R 0 BB 5 K
S: CL Trevor Rosenthal (3)

Recap: The Blue Jays were looking for the series win and were sending perhaps the best pitcher in baseball to the mound in SP Jamie Cox. It was a rematch of game #1 with SP Mike Scott on the mound for the Yankees. Both pitchers were mowing batters down and with the game tied at 1 after 5 innings the skies opened up and the game was delayed for 69 min. When the skies cleared it would be a battle of the bullpens and the Yankees would prevail. 3B Jonathan Schoop had a go ahead RBI groundout in the 7th inning and 2B Luis Ramos had an RBI single in the 8th to put the game out of reach. With the loss the series is now tied and headed back to Toronto for a decisive game #5.

ALDS Game #5 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays

SP Tyler Mondile (1-0 1.50 ERA) vs
SP Erik Black (0-1 3.00 ERA)

W: SP Tyler Mondile (2-0) 5.1 IP 6 h 1 R 2 BB 2 K
L: SP Erik Black (0-2) 4.1 IP 9 H 8 R 2 BB 3 K

Recap: Well game #5 was ugly for the Jays. Their second best starter SP Erik Black was shelled and gave up 8 runs in just 4.1 innings of work. The Yankees hitters were all over Black as 2B Luis Ramos and SS Francisco Lindor got the Yanks on the board in the first inning. 1B Will Benson, LF Oscar Tavares, RF Dylan Cozens and 3B Jonathan Schoop would add RBI's in the 4th and the Yankees were well on their way to the American League Championship Series.

Up Next: 2024 World Series Winner

ryan008 · 04-29-2016, 03:34 PM

The Pittsburgh Pirates are World Champs in 2024

November 6th, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates captured the 2024 World Series with a 4 games to 2 victory over the American League Champion Seattle Mariners. Pittsburgh took down the San Diego Padres 3 games to 2 in the NLCS and then advanced to the World Series with a 4-3 series win over the San Francisco Giants. Their opponent the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in the ALDS before dispatching with the Yankees 4-1 in the ALCS. The Pirates made a big trade at the deadline acquiring SP Matt Harvey from the Boston Red Sox and he was a big reason the Pirates had so much success in the post season. Harvey won the world series last year as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He fit into a very good starting rotation that already included the likes of SP Shelby Miller, SP Chris Lee and SP Brady Aiken. Offensively 3B Bo Bichette (5th overall pick in 2016) was a force paired with veteran LF Carlos Gonzalez in the middle of the lineup. This is the first World Series title for the Pirates since 1979 and the 6th in franchise history.

Up Next: The 2024 Off Season Begins

ryan008 · 05-03-2016, 02:33 PM

2024 Awards & Blue Jays Minor League POTY's

Major League Baseball announced its winners for the Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award and the MVP today and there were a couple of Jays that took home some hardware. The Jays also announced their R. Howard Webster Award Winners for the Best Player at each level of the Jays minor leagues.

2024 AL Gold Gloves

P Max Kranick (Minnesota Twins)
C Jorge Alfaro (Oakland Athletics)
1B Will Benson (New York Yankees)
2B Brendan Rodgers (Texas Rangers)
3B Logan Tolbert (Cleveland Indians)
SS Francisco Lindor (New York Yankees)
LF Ron Mitchell (Chicago White Sox)
CF Mike Trout (Seattle Mariners)
RF Bryce Harper (Boston Red Sox)

2024 NL Gold Gloves

P Micah Miniard (San Diego Padres)
C Evan Skova (Washington Nationals)
1B Juston Bellanger (Chicago Cubs)
2B Alonzo Jones (Miami Marlins)
3B Tim Goodwin (Atlanta Braves)
SS John Devine (Milwaukee Brewers)
LF Rex Wall (Arizona Diamondbacks)
CF Cesar Alonzo (Philadelphia Phillies)
RF Marcus Wilson (Cincinnati Reds)

2024 American League Reliever of the Year
CL Dave Davis (24 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
4th Round Pick 127th overall by Toronto in 2019 out of Atlanta High School in the USHSBA.
7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA

2024 National League Reliever of the Year
CL Aroldis Chapman (36 Years Old) (St. Louis Cardinals)
Signed as an International Free Agent by Cincinnati in 2010 out of Cuba.
0-3 42 SV 0.84 ERA

2024 American League Rookie of the Year
CL Dave Davis (24 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
4th Round Pick 127th overall by Toronto in 2019 out of Atlanta High School in the USHSBA.
7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA

2024 National League Rookie of the Year
RF Carmen Banks (23 Years Old) (Washington Nationals)
1st Round Pick 7th overall in 2022 by Washington out of the University of Alabama in the NCAA.
.342 17 HR 69 RBI

2024 American League Cy Young Award
SP Jamie Cox (32 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
1st Round Pick 9th Overall in 2014 by Toronto out of Michigan State University in the NCAA.
27-4 1.67 ERA 307 K

2024 National League Cy Young Award
SP Austin Bergner (25 Years Old) (San Diego Padres)
1st Round Pick 3rd Overall in 2016 by San Diego out of Lakeland Highschool in the USHSBA.
16-4 1.91 ERA 262 K

2024 American League MVP Award
SS Carlos Correa (30 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
1st Round Pick 1st Overall pick by Houston in 2012 out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in the USHSBA.
.420 38 HR 121 RBI

2024 National League MVP Award
SP Austin Bergner (25 Years Old) (San Diego Padres)
1st Round Pick 3rd Overall in 2016 by San Diego out of Lakeland Highschool in the USHSBA.
16-4 1.91 ERA 262 K

2024 Blue Jays Minor League Players of the Year

AAA Buffalo Bisons - 78-66 1st in North Division
SP Bernie Cantrell
24, RHP, V:97-99 MPH
Acquired: Supplemental 1st Round Pick 27th overall in 2021 by Toronto out of the University of Minnesota in the NCAA.
2024 Stats: 15-13 3.09 ERA 44 BB 186 K
GM's Comments: Cantrell was a 2024 International League All Star and took home the Gold Glove Award this season. He made some big strides on the mound setting career highs for wins and strikeouts. He looks like he is MLB ready but may be blocked at the MLB level as the Jays have a very solid starting rotation already. He scouts as a middle to back end of the rotation arm and he will be in the mix for a spot in the rotation at Spring Training this year.

AA New Hampshire Fishercats - 93-49 1st in Northern Division & 2024 Eastern League Champions!
SP Sam Burns
24, RHP, V: 93-95 MPH
Acquired: 2nd round pick 63rd overall in 2020 by Toronto out of Lakewood High School in the USHSBA.
2024 Stats: 13-4 3.03 ERA 33 BB 165 K
GM's Comments: A second round pick back in 2020 Burns really came into his own in AA this season leading the Fishercats in most pitching categories including wins, ERA and strikeouts. He was an Eastern League All Star and finished 3rd in the pitcher of the year voting. Burns is a big boy on the bump standing 6'5" and weighing in at 215 lbs and he uses that frame to generate a downward plane on his fastball. He scouts as a middle/back end of the rotation starter and is likely headed to AAA Buffalo to start the 2025 season. The Jays plan to get a better look at him in Spring Training to see what he can do against some MLB quality batters.

High A Dunedin Blue Jays - 86-54 1st in North Division
1B Cesar Garza
24, RHB
Acquired:3rd round pick 95th overall by Toronto in 2021 out of the University of New Mexico in the NCAA.
2024 Stats: .311 26 HR 85 RBI
GM's Comments: Garza has battled some injuries since he was drafted in the 3rd round back in 2021 but looked healthy and was very productive in Dunedin this year. At 24 the 2024 Florida State League All Star is pretty old for the level and will need to develop quickly or he risks losing his prospect status. He is a sub par defender and is likely ticketed as a DH at the MLB level and with his homerun power its a position that he could excel at.

Low A Lansing Lugnuts - 79-61 2nd in Eastern Division
SP Jose De Jesus
23, RHP, V: 89-91 MPH
Acquired: 3rd round pick 94th overall in 2020 by Toronto out of Oakland High School in the USHSBA.
2024 Stats: 15-6 3.00 ERA 53 BB 147 K
GM's Comments: De Jesus is another 3rd round pick that has spent the better part of 4 years in the Jays low minors and was pretty unremarkable up until this season. He finished 2nd in the 2024 Mid Western League Pitcher of the Year voting and was an All Star. He doesn't have tremendous stuff with a fastball that tops out at 91 MPH but he relies on pin point command and very good off speed stuff to keep hitters off balance. He is a little old for the level and may skip the Florida State League as the Jays could challenge him in AA to start the 2025 season.

Short Season A Vancouver Canadians - 31-45 Last in West Division
2B Jonathan Esparza
22, RHB
Acquired: 2nd Round Pick 66th overall in 2023 by Toronto out of Ohio State University in the NCAA.
2024 Stats: .361 9 HR 32 RBI
GM's Comments: Esparza was a player that the Jays had high hopes for when they took him in the 2nd round last year. He didn't disappoint in his first taste of A level ball leading the Canadiens in HR, Batting average, OBP and RBI. He was a 2024 Northern League All Star and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. He will get his first exposure to full season baseball in 2025 and as it stands right now the Jays are planning on having him start in the Florida State League with A Dunedin.

Bluefield Blue Jays - 34-26 2nd in East Division
SP Dan Shannon
22, RHP, V:93-95 MPH
Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 2024 draft 127th overall out of Mississippi State University in the NCAA.
2024 Stats: 5-3 2.09 ERA 9 BB 75 K
GM's Comments: Shannon hit the ground running in his first taste of professional baseball after being taken 127th overall in this years draft. He emerged as the #1 starter for Bluefield and would go on to win 5 games in his first pro season. A NCAA alum, he might have been a little old for the level but the Jays didn't want to rush him up the ladder too fast. He scouts as a middle to back end of the rotation arm and is likely headed to Lansing for the start of the 2025 season where he will get to experience the grinds of full season baseball for the first time.

GCL Blue Jays - 35-33 3rd in North West Division
SP Jonathan Maddox
22, RHP, V:92-94 MPH
Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round 97th overall in 2022 out of Sterling Heights High School in the USHSBA.
2024 Stats: 7-4 3.01 ERA 17 BB 42 K
GM's Comments: It was a banner year for the Jays and their former 3rd round picks as Maddox becomes the 3rd to win a minor league award. Maddox is a 6'4" 195 lb prototypical power pitcher, except this season his strikeout numbers were lower then you would expect from a guy with his stuff. He did induce a ton of ground balls and only allowed 3 homeruns the entire season. Another starter that projects to be a good middle to back end rotation arm that should reliably toss 200 innings in a season. He will likely head to Lansing to start the 2025 season.

Dominican Summer League Blue Jays - 42-23 1st in San Pedro De Marcois Division
SP Hector Bermudez
21, RHP, V: 90-92 MPH
Acquired: Signed by the Blue Jays as an International Free Agent out of the Dominican Republic ($250,000).
2024 Stats:7-1 1.63 ERA 13 BB 69 K
GM's Comments: Bermudez was lights out in his second go around in the Dominican Summer League. He lead the team in wins, era, strikeouts and k/9. He is still a very unpolished product having played just 2 seasons of pro baseball at 21. He will get his first chance to move over to North America where he will start in extended spring training before heading to either Bluefield or the GCL once the short seasons get underway.

Up Next: Salary Arbitration

ryan008 · 05-06-2016, 02:45 PM

2024 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents

The Blue Jays had 9 players eligible for salary arbitration this off season along with a player option. The Jays elected not to pick up their option on 37 year old closer CL Jordan Walden. The veteran has declined steadily over his last 2 seasons with the Jays and has been surpassed on the depth chart by some of the younger arms in the Jays system. The Jays also elected to not offer 2B Gosuke Katoh arbitration but the 30 year old left handed hitter elected to sign a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training with the Jays. he other arbitration eligible players for the Jays included:

1B Chris Daniels - $800,000
SP Jose Cerventes - $5,250,000
MR Phil Jones - $900,000
RF Isaac Green - $4,588,500
MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,000,000
3B Stu Daniels - $7,500,000
SP Erik Black - $5,250,000
2B Chris Goodwin - $4,800,000
MR Nick Kennedy - $800,000

2028 Operating Budget

The Blue Jays operating budget for the 2025 season has actually decreased from $208,000,000 in 2024 to an even $200,000,000 this season. This includes an allotment of $7,500,000 for draft expenses as well as $12,000,000 in Development and $12,000,000 in scouting expenses. Including coaching costs the Blue Jays will have about $165,000,000 in budget room to spend on player contracts. Of this total $142,500,000 is accounted for heading into the off season. This does give GM Ryan Stewart a little bit of wiggle room as its a pretty deep free agent class with some big names headed for big paydays in free agency. The rumour is that GM Ryan Stewart is looking to shake things up after yet another playoff disappointment in 2024.

GM Ryan Stewart's Off Season Wish List

The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes:

1. Hire a new coach
At the conclusion of the 2024 series against the New York Yankees the Jays elected to let go Manager Cesar Nicholas. The 43 year old has been with the Jays since 2019 when he was the teams hitting coach. He was the hitting coach from 2019 to 2022 when he was promoted to Manager. In the regular season Nicholas was dynamite leading the Jays to a 228-96 record his downfall came in the playoffs as he lost both times to division rivals in the ALDS, losing in 2023 to the Boston Red Sox and then losing the New York Yankees this year.

2. Improve Defence
The Blue Jays committed 112 errors last season which was the 3rd most in the American league with only the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers committing more. GM Ryan Stewart "We committed a lot of errors last season and although it didn't hurt us much in the regular season a few untimely errors cost us in the ALDS. The old addage is that pitching and defense wins championships and we can certainly pitch, maybe a boost on defense will help us get over the hump in the post season".

Up Next: 2024 Off Season Transactions Report

ryan008 · 05-06-2016, 03:35 PM

Blue Jays 2024 Off Season Report

Baseball is on the horizon and the minds of many people in Toronto. GM Ryan Stewart and the rest of the Toronto Blue Jays organization is just about ready to head down to Dunedin for the start of Spring Training 2025. Toronto is eager to avenge their second straight ALDS loss to a division rival and many Blue Jays players are in camp early getting ready for the season.

GM Ryan Stewart was pretty busy this off season as well. The biggest job was to find a replacement for fired Manager Cesar Nicholas who was let go at the end of the 2024 season. The search did take quite a while as the Jays interviewed a number of candidates before making a decision. GM Ryan Stewart was also active on the trade front making a pair of off season deals. In terms of free agency the Jays were pretty quiet as prices seemed to get out of control and they found themselves priced out of what they would have liked to spend. All in all it was a productive off season and were looking forward to baseball starting up again.

Blue Jays Off Season:

1. New Head Coach

GM Ryan Stewart and the Jays ownership group would interview 10 different candidates for the vacant Manager position here in Toronto and they would eventually settle on 55 year old former Cleveland Indians GM Chris Antonetti. Antonetti was the GM for the Indians from 2014-2023 and the team made 5 playoff appearances during that time. He has always wanted to be an on field Manager and GM Ryan Stewart is taking the risk to see if he can make the transition from a front office role to that of a Manager. The players seem to love him and he has an old school philosophy when it comes to the game.

2. Improve Defense

With the goal of becoming more defensively responsible GM Ryan Stewart went out and made a pair of deals to help shore up the teams defense.

Trade #1 - Toronto & Texas

The Jays first deal involved some of their prospect depth at starting pitcher as they agreed to send former supplemental 1st round pick SP Josh Britton and MR Jim McCrocken to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 1B Cesar Melendez.

Players to Texas

SP Josh Britton is a 23 year old righty who was selected by the Blue Jays in the Supplemental 1st round 25th overall back in 2021 out of Colorado Springs High School in the USHSBA. The 4'4" 195 lb righty spent the entire 2024 season in AA New Hampshire where he was 12-6 with a 2.90 ERA with 48 BB and 164 K. He has been an All Star 3 times in his minor league career and scouts as a #2 or 3 starter at the big league level.

MR Jim McCrocken is a 26 year old journeyman who has not lived up to his draft position. He was originally selected in the Supplemental 1st round 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2018 out of Pasadena High School in the USHSBA. He has been traded twice and was finally claimed by the Jays off waivers from the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He was 6-7 with a 2.62 ERA with 31 BB and 79 K for AAA Buffalo last season. He was a starter when he was first drafted but will probably be best served in a relief role moving forward.

Players to Toronto

1B Cesar Melendez is a 26 year old right handed hitter who was signed by the Rangers as an International Free Agent back in 2016 out of the Dominican Republic. He is unique as a firstbaseman as he has great speed but very little power. Defensively he has the potential to win gold gloves year after year and thats a huge part of why the Jays were interested in him. He hit .299 with 8 HR and drove in 66 runs for the Rangers last season. He is in the last year of his contract and is owed $7,300,000. If the Jays don't resign him he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025 season.

Trade #2 - Toronto & St. Louis Deal

In the Jays only other deal of the off season the Jays killed two birds with 1 stone so to speak. With the addition of 1B Cesar Melendez from the Rangers the Jays found themselves with four first baseman and only two spots (first base & DH). The Jays managed to add a versatile back up infielder that can hit and play multiple defensive positions as well as save some of the $11,500,000 salary that he was owed for this season.

The Jays agreed to a deal that will send 1B A.J. Reed to the Cardinals in exchange for SS Shane Benes.

Players to St. Louis

1B A.J. Reed is a 31 year old left handed bat who was originally drafted in the first round 5th overall by the Twins back in 2014 and was traded to the Jays in 2017. He hit .225 with 25 HR and 85 RBI in 2025 and was an American League All Star back in 2019. Reed is known more for his bat then his glove and it showed in 2024 as he committed 14 errors at first base. When you couple his defense with his $11,900,000 contract he was the logical piece for the Jays to move out.

Players to Toronto

SS Shane Benes is a 29 year old right handed bat who was first drafted int he 2nd round 49th overall by the Nationals back in 2014 but elected not to sign. He went on to spend 3 seasons in St. Johns University in the NCAA and was then selected in the 1st round 15th overall in 2017 by the Chicago White Sox. Benes hit .235 with 4 HR and had 38 RBI with the Cardinals in 2024. He is a versatile player who can play all 4 infield positions very well and is a threat on the base paths. He took home the 2020 Gold Glove Award at second base while playing for the Chicago White Sox.

Rule V Draft

The Blue Jays did not take anyone in this years Rule V Draft but the did lose MR Sam Goodwin who was claimed by the Miami Marlins with the 2nd overall Pick. Goodwin was a 14th round pick of the Jays in 2019 out of Honolulu High School in the USHSBA and the 25 year old spent the entire 2024 season in the Florida State League with the Dunedin Blue Jays. He was 6-3 with 2 Saves a 3.64 ERA walking 28 and striking out 112. He has great stuff with a fastball that tops out in the 90-92 MPH range as well as a curveball and changeup. He is a good gamble to take as he hasn't pitched above single A but has good stuff and very good control.

Minor League Free Agents

GM Ryan Stewart did add a pair of International Free Agents on minor league deals. CL Azumaro Chouda, a 22 year old 6'3" 210 lb right who features a 94-96 MPH fastball was signed out of Japan and 27 year old C Antonio Esquilino was inked to a minor league contract out of Cuba. Esquilino is a gold glove caliber defender and will start the season as the back up in AAA Buffalo, Chouda is a little bit more raw and is ticketed for AA New Hampshire. Both players will get an invitation to Spring Training.

2024 Major Free Agent Signings

A ton of money was tossed around this off season and the Jays were outbid on both of the players we went after. The Red Sox and Angels went a little crazy this off season in an attempt to revamp their rosters.

SS Cam Sheppard - 7 years $109,200,000 (Los Angeles Angels)
LF Cesar Alfonzo - 4 years $59,600,000 (Atlanta Braves)
C Travis D'Arnaud - 2 years $26,600,000 (Los Angeles Angels)
3B Kris Bryant - 5 years $101,800,000 (New York Yankees)
C Reese McGuire - 4 years $25,900,000 (Detroit Tigers)
C Bob Garner - 4 years $97,600,000 (New York Yankees)
LF Brad Zimmer - 4 years $77,600,000 (Boston Red Sox)
SP Danny Elmore - 4 years $45,000,000 (Atlanta Braves)
SP Riley Thompson - 4 years $50,000,000 (Boston Red Sox)
RF Giancarlo Stanton - 3 years $64,800,000 (New York Yankees)
SP Shelby Miller - 2 years $40,000,000 (Los Angeles Angels)
2B Jon Nash - 4 years $25,500,000 (Oakland Athletics)
C Jorge Alfaro - 4 years $38,400,000 (Cleveland Indians)
SP Justin Hooper - 7 years $193,400,000 (Oakland Athletics)
CL Aroldis Chapman - 2 years $26,000,000 (San Francisco Giants)
LF Derek Fisher - 1 year $3,520,000 (Boston Red Sox)
SP Nathan Kirby - 3 years $21,900,000 (Oakland Athletics)
MR Dave Dingwall - 3 years $20,400,000 (St. Louis Cardinals)
C Mike Zunino - 2 years $8,960,000 (Boston Red Sox)
3B Tim Goodwin - 4 years $66,400,000 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2B Jud Oliver - 6 years $93,700,000 (Detroit Tigers)
1B Dominic Smith - 3 years $27,000,000 (Baltimore Orioles)
1B Braxton Davidson - 3 eyars $29,200,000 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
SP Josh Murphy - 6 years $150,000,000 (New York Yankees)
C Mauro Gutierrez - 4 years $78,000,000 (St. Louis Cardinals)
LF Sandy Phelps - 7 years $79,000,000 (Cincinnati Reds)
C Austin Meadows - 4 years $43,100,000 (Boston Red Sox)
SP Matthew McGarry - 3 years $68,400,000 (Boston Red Sox)

Note: I went hard after SP Justin Hooper and 2B Jud Oliver but both wound up signing for much more then I was willing to pay.

Up Next Spring Training 2025

ryan008 · 05-12-2016, 08:37 PM

Spring Training 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays are just about ready to officially kick of Spring Training 2025. After what has been a familiar story line for Jays fans, them losing in the American League Division Series after being by far the best team in the majors for the regular season the Jays once again descend on Dunedin with renewed optimism for the new season to start. At the conclusion of the 2024 season GM Ryan Stewart vowed that there would be significant changes before the start of 2025 and there was some significant action during the off season. Manager Cesar Nicolas was fired and Manager Chris Antonetti was brought in. A couple of player personnel moves were also made to better the teams defense as well.

Off Season Players Out:

1B A.J. Reed - Traded to St. Louis
SP Josh Britton - Traded to Texas
MR Jim McCrocken - Traded to Texas
CL Jordan Walden - Became a Free Agent after option was declined
MR Sam Goodwin - Lost in Rule V Draft to Miami (2nd overall pick)
Manager Cesar Nicolas - Fired

Off Season Players in:

SS Shane Benes - Acquired in a trade from St. Louis
1B Cesar Melendez - Acquired in a trade from Texas
CL Azumaro Chouda - Signed as International Free Agent
C Antonio Esquilino - Signed as International Free Agent
Manager Chris Antonetti - Signed as free agent

2024 Spring Training Invitees

Starting Pitchers

SP Erik Black - (29, LHP) - 20-7 3.86 ERA (Toronto)
SP Sam Burns - (24, RHP) - 13-4 3.03 ERA (AA New Hampshire)
SP Bernie Cantrell - (24, RHP) - 15-13 3.09 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
SP Jose Cerventes - (26, RHP) - 14-5 3.17 ERA (Toronto)
SP Jamie Cox - (32, LHP) - 27-4 1.67 ERA (Toronto)
SP Jesus Gutierrez - (24, RHP) - 10-2 2.67 ERA (AA New Hampshire)
SP Tyler Ivey - (27, RHP) - 8-3 5.24 ERA (Toronto)
SP Tim Libby - (25, RHP) - 17-5 3.68 ERA (Toronto)
SP Gus Price - (24, RHP) - 4-2 5.44 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
SP Dave Winters - (24, LHP) - 9-8 3.31 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
SP Norberto Perez - (24, LHP) - 11-9 4.57 ERA (A Dunedin)

GM's Comments

The Jays are spoiled with one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball led by perhaps the best pitcher in baseball SP Jamie Cox. Heading into the Spring there really isn't going to be much competition for major league spots but the competition for a starting spot in AAA could be hard to get. The Jays brass will be taking a good long look at a couple of their top young arms in Winters and Cantrell who look to headline the rotation in AAA. SP Sam Burns is a former 2nd round pick who has had success at every level he has pitched and will also be watched closely for a spot in Buffalo. The wild card at spring training this year is 24 year old SP Norberto Perez. The 24 year old sports a 91-93 MPH fastball and has been in the Jays system since signing as an International Free Agent for $122,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in 2017. He had a good season in Dunedin and is looking to skip a few levels and debut with AAA Buffalo this year.

Middle Relievers and Closers

MR Phil Jones - (27, RHP) - 1-1 1 SV 4.76 ERA (Toronto)
MR Nic Kennedy - (27, LHP) - 4-2 4.44 ERA (Toronto)
MR Mike McNeal - (26, LHP) - 6-4 1 SV 2.26 ERA (Toronto)
MR Jorge Miranda - (28, RHP) - 4-2 2 SV 2.14 ERA (Toronto)
MR Steve O'Quinn - (26, RHP) - 7-4 1 SV 2.77 ERA (A Dunedin)
MR Rodrigo Rivera - (26, RHP) - 1-0 3 SV 3.70 ERA (Toronto)
MR Sam Turner - (27, RHP) - 0-0 4 SV 3.51 ERA (Toronto)
MR Carson Fulmer - (31, RHP) - 6-5 2 SV 3.25 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
MR Luis Vargas - (26, LHP) - 2-0 2 SV 3.02 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
MR Greg Nichols - (25, LHP) - 2-2 3.16 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
CL Jorge Amoras - (24, RHP) - 4-3 36 SV 2.34 ERA (A Dunedin)
CL Azumaro Chouda - (22, RHP) - DNP
CL Jonathan Tillman - (24, RHP) - 10-4 6 SV 3.94 ERA (AA New Hampshire)
CL Dave Davis - (24, RHP) - 7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA (Toronto)

GM's Comments

The Jays bullpen was very good in 2024 leading the league in most categories. They were lead by rookie of the year winner CL Dave Davis who came out of nowhere to save 46 games for the Jays last season. This years bullpen really only has 1 spot up for grabs as CL Jordan Walden left as a free agent. There are a number of arms who will be competing in camp for that coveted spot on the 25 man roster. The early front runners include CL Jorge Aromas who has a big arm and closer experience, although only at A Dunedin, MR Steve O'Quinn who was picked up from the Yankees back in 2022 and MR Carson Fulmer, the veteran arm who has bounced back and fourth between AAA and the Majors for the last few seasons with the Jays.

Position Players

Catchers

C Jesus Lopez - (26, RHB) - .274 18 HR 48 RBI (Toronto)
C Arturo Lugo - (23, S) - .257 7 HR 31 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
C Max Pentecost - (31, RHP) - .328 13 HR 72 RBI (Toronto)
C Antonio Esquilino - (27, RHB) - DNP

GM's Comments

Another position that is pretty firmly occupied by C Max Pentecost. The veteran had a great season last year but did suffer from a few injuries that limited his playing time. His backup C Jesus Lopez did a phenomenal job in replacement and was a valuable bat off the bench as well. He will have some competition for the back up catchers position as C Arturo Lugo who is a switch hitter is looking to make the jump to the Majors.

First Base Base

1B Chris Daniel - (26, LHP) - .219 17 HR 72 RBI (Toronto)
1B Cesar Melendez - (26, RHB) - .299 8 HR 66 RBI (Texas)
1B Pat Olson - (25, RHB) - .255 11 HR 73 RBI (AAA Buffalo)

GM's Comments

The Jays brought in 1B Cesar Melendez from the Texas Rangers in a deal this off season that saw 1B A.J. Reed dealt. Toronto was looking to improve their infield defense and Melendez is a premier defender. Daniels is scheduled to be the everyday designated hitter but could see some pressure from 2019 first round pick 1B Pat Olson who is attempting to make the team this spring.

Second Base

2B Luis Hernandez - (23, RHB) - .256 12 HR 38 RBI (AA New Hampshire)
2B Gosuke Katoh - (30, RHB) - .316 5 HR 36 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
2B Trea Turner - (31, RHB) - .269 8 HR 61 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
2B Chris Goodwin - (29, RHB) - .260 20 HR 62 RBI (Toronto)
2B Tim Miller - (26, RHB) - .311 0 HR 34 RBI (Toronto)

GM's Comments

The competition at second base will revolve around the back up infielder spot. Former Jays 1st round pick 2B Tim Miller did a very good job in the role last season and will be tough to unseat. The player to watch in camp this year will be 2B Luis Hernandez who signed a huge $7,000,000 deal as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic back in 2017. He looks like he could be the Jays second baseman of the future but has yet to make it beyond AA.

Third Base

3B Stu Daniels - (28, RHB) - .341 10 HR 73 RBI (Toronto)
3B Josh Crews - (29, RHB) - .282 6 HR 29 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
3B Al Buck - (26, RHB) - .259 8 HR 26 RBI (AA New Hampshire)

GM's Comments

Daniels has been a great fit since being selected by the Jays in the Rule V draft back in 2019 from Arizona. He hit .340 last year and even managed to club 10 homeruns. He doesn't have the power that former 3B Brett Lawrie has but he has made up for that with his ability to put the ball in play and his defense at 3rd. The feelgood story is 26 year old former 23rd round pick back in 2018, 3B Al Buck will make his Spring Debut with the Jays and is likely to start the season in AAA Buffalo. He is not currently on the 40 man roster but he could see some time with the big club if he has a good season with the Bisons.

Short Stop

SS Carlos Correa - (30, RHB) - .420 38 HR 121 RBI (Toronto)
SS Shane Benes - (29 RHB) - .235 4 HR 38 RBI (St. Louis Cardinals)
SS Tyler Halas - (27, RHB) - .246 6 HR 34 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
SS Yeltsin Gudino (28, RHB) - .236 3 HR 37 RBI (AAA Buffalo)

GM's Comments

Correa had a historic season last year becoming the first player to hit over .400 since Ted Williams. The Jays will also get their first look at SS Shane Benes who was acquired in the off season from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was brought in because he can play multiple positions and is decent with the bat.

Outfielders

LF Don Bergeron - (27, LHB) - .316 4 HR 43 RBI (Toronto)
LF Abel Black - (27, LHB) - .288 33 HR 99 RBI (Toronto)
LF Freddy Rodriguez - (28, LHB) - .280 7 HR 58 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
CF Albert Almora - (30, RHB) - .282 11 HR 55 RBI (Toronto)
CF Cesar Gutierrez - (24, RHB) - .284 4 HR 34 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
CF Jerry Irwin - (27, RHB) - .262 4 HR 20 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
CF Dan Mitchell - (28, RHB) - .324 3 HR 28 RBI (AAA Buffalo)
RF Isaac Green - (26, LHB) - .268 21 HR 80 RBI (Toronto)

GM's Comments

The Jays starting outfield is pretty much set with Abel Black in left, Albert Almora in center and Isaac Green in right. LF Don Bergeron did a very nice job as the 4th outfielder last year and will most likely reprise the role this season. We had a lot of injuries to the outfield last year and Rodriguez, Irwin and Mitchell all made their debuts with the Jays.

Up Next: Spring Training Recap and Opening Day Rosters

ryan008 · 05-13-2016, 12:01 PM

2025 Opening Day is Here!

The Blue Jays wrapped up their Spring schedule with a league leading record of 21-5 and the best news was that there were no major injuries and the team will break camp healthy to start the 2025 season.

2025 Spring Training Standings

Spring Training Statistics

Starting Pitchers

Surprises

SP Tyler Ivey and his sparkling 0.69 ERA and 10 strikeouts against just two walks in 13 innings of work was impressive and he was probably the Jays best starter. SP Sam Burns was a pleasant surprise as well. The former 2nd round pick had a great Spring with a 1.72 ERA allowing just 3 earned runs in 15 innings of work. The 24 year old will start the season in AAA as the #3 in the Bison's rotation.

Disappointments

SP Dave Winters the Jays 1st round pick 24th overall back in 2021 had a tough spring allowing 11 earned runs and pitching to an 8.05 ERA. The Jays have high hopes for the 24 year old right hander and are hoping that he can bounce back and pitch well for AAA Buffalo.

Spring Training Statistics

Relievers

Surprises

MR Jorge Miranda (0.60), MR Greg Nichols (1.35 ERA) and MR Phil Jones (0.77 ERA) had great springs. Of the 3 Nichols has bounced around quite a bit since being selected in the first round 21st overall back in 2017 by the Minnesota Twins out of Michigan State University in the NCAA. He was released by the Twins in 2023 and signed a minor league contract with the Jays. He pitched himself onto a spot on the Major league roster to start the season.

Disappointments

2024 AL rookie of the year winner CL Dave Davis struggled to a 5.00 ERA after allowing 5 earned runs in 9 innings of work. The Jays are hoping that the spring is an anomaly as they are counting on him to close out games this season. MR Steve O'Quinn also had a brutal spring allowing 3 runs in only 0.1 innings of work. O'Quinn's 54.00 ERA is messy and he looks like he will need some more time in the minors before he is MLB ready.

Spring Training Statistics

Catchers

Surprises

All three of the Jays catchers had awesome springs. Pentecost hit .266 and had 21 RBI and looks like he is in mid season form. In the battle of the backups C Jesus Lopez (.364 2 HR 9 RBI) and C Arturo Lugo (.464 1 HR 2 RBI) made the decision very tough but in the end the veteran Lopez won out. Lugo will start the season as the #1 catcher in AAA Buffalo.

Disappointments

None

Spring Training Statistics

Infielders

Surprises

Newly acquired 1B Cesar Melendez made a great first impression on Jays fans hitting .357 with a HR and 6 RBI. SS Carlos Correa had a sold spring as well hitting .379 with 2 HR and 14 RBI. No one else really stood out as most of the guys had springs that suggest that they will be ready come the start of the season.

Disappointments

1B Chris Daniels had an awful spring hitting .194 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. He is a notorious slow starter but his performance this spring has the Jays concerned. 1B Pat Olson suffered a knee injury that limited him to just 4 games and he was without a hit. If he can hit well in Buffalo and Daniels continues to struggle he could find himself back with the major league club quickly.

Spring Training Statistics

Outfielders

Suprises

LF Freddy Rodriguez and CF Dan Mitchell were the Jays best hitting outfielders this spring hitting .381 and .331 respectively. Mitchel beat out Rodriguez and CF Jerry Irwin for the back up outfielders job.

Disappointments

CF Albert Almora hit just .210 this spring and that was a little alarming because he has been the teams leadoff hitter for the last 5 seasons. He was moved into the #6 spot in the lineup later in the spring as 1B Cesar Melendez would move into the lead off spot.

OPENING DAY ROSTERS

SP Jamie Cox
SP Jose Cerventes
SP Tim Libby
SP Erik Black
SP Tyler Ivey

MR Phil Jones
MR Nick Kennedy
MR Sam Turner
MR Mike McNeal
MR Rodrigo Rivera
MR Jorge Miranda
CL Dave Davis

C Max Pentecost
1B Cesar Melendez
2B Chris Goodwin
3B Stu Daniels
SS Carlos Correa
LF Abel Black
CF Albert Almora
RF Isaac Green

C Jesus Lopez
INF Shane Benes
INF Tim Miller
OF Don Bergeron
DH Chris Daniels

Pre Season Predictions

Financial Information

At the start of the 2025 season the Blue Jays have the #12th ranked payroll in all of major league baseball sitting at $142,049,500. The New York Yankees ($243,778,000), Boston Red Sox ($217,502,000) and Los Angeles Dodgers ($190,440, 000) have the three top payrolls in baseball. The Colorado Rockies have by far the lowest payroll in the Major leagues sitting at just over $62,632,000.

Top Prospects and Farm Systems

Baseball America released their first prospect rankings today and the 10 best prospects in the majors were:

1. 1B Alberto Beltran (Minnesota Twins)
2. SP Stu Clark (Miami Marlins)
3. SP Albert Duka (Milwaukee Brewers)
4. 2B Luis Hernandez (Toronto Blue Jays)
5. RF Tim Montgomery (Oakland Athletics)
6. 3B Wes Knight (Washington Nationals)
7. 2B Bob Gibson (New York Mets)
8. SP Dan Parker (Miami Marlins)
9. SP Clint Curl (Cleveland Indians)
10. SP Gilberto Romero (Baltimore Orioles)

The Miami Marlins have the best rated minor league system in the majors and with two top 10 rated prospects it is easy to see why. They have a total of 13 players ranked in the top 200 and have done a very good job identifying talent through the draft and the International Free Agent market. The Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the Washington Nationals round out the top 5. The lowly Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies both do not have a prospect ranked in the top 100.

Up Next: April Review as Opening Day is here!

ryan008 · 05-18-2016, 02:29 PM

Jays off to 19-4 Start with New Manager

May 1st, 2025

April was a good month for the Jays and new manager Mike Antonetti as the team got off to a 6-0 start sweeping their opening series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays and then taken a 3 game set on the road against the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays first loss of the season came against the Detroit Tigers and the Jays would actually end up losing 2 of three in their series with the Tigers. The Jays would finish off the month of April with a 19-4 record which is not only the best in the American League East but also in the Majors. They hold a 6 game lead over the second place New York Yankees.

AL East Standings - May 1st

AL Wild Card Standings

April Pitching Statistics

April Batting Statistics

April's Hot Players

The Jays two hottest pitchers were SP Jamie Cox (4-0 0.78 ERA) and SP Jose Cerventes (4-0 1.01 ERA) both pitchers were perfect in the month of April and have picked up right where they left off. Perhaps the most dominant pitcher for the Jays has been CL Dave Davis, the sophomore closer notched 10 saves and didn't allow a run in 10.2 innings of work. Offensively C Max Pentecost (.341 7 HR 18 RBI) and 3B Stu Daniels (.353 3 HR 13 RBI) were the Jays hottest hitters and carried the offense.

April's Cold Players

On the pitching side of things the Jays have all been pretty hot. The only player that has run into any trouble is MR Nick Kennedy (1-1 4.97 ERA) he had one bad outing that inflated his ERA to 4.57. Offensively RF Isaac Green (.183 1 HR 11 RBI), LF Don Bergeron (.161 4 HR 7 RBI) and SS Shane Benes (.148 0 HR 0 RBI) have been cold to start the season.

April News & Notes

Injuries

The Jays weren't able to get through the month of April without losing a player to injury. LF Abel Black (.361 2 HR 6 RBI) suffered a bruised knee and is going to be out for the next 5 weeks. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and the Jays recalled CF Cesar Gutierrez (.214 0 HR 5 RBI) from AAA Buffalo.

Free Agent Signings

There were a number of players left without contracts as the regular season drew closer, a few would end up signing 1 year deals:

CL Jarred Cosart - 2 year $11,200,000 (Atlanta Braves)
CL Trevor Rosental - 1 year $4,160,000 (New York Yankees)
CF Andrew McCutchen - 1 year $5,100,000 (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B Rougned Odor - 1 year $5,800,000 (Cleveland Indians)

Awards

SP Jamie Cox was named the American League Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA.

SP Norberto Cruz (Signed as an International Free Agent in 2017 out of Cuba for $122,000) was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA.

Around the Majors

RF Carlos Gonzalez of the Pittsburgh Pirates notched his 2000th career hit in an 8-6 loss against the Detroit Tigers. The 39 year old veteran is hitting .191 with 2 HR and 5 RBI this season. Gonzalez is a career .282 hitter with 328 HR and 1113 RBI in 1947 games over 17 seasons int he Majors.

SP Mason Studstill of the Oakland Athletics pitched a perfect game in a 5-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The 26 year old righty struck out 8 batters and set down all 27 hitters he faced in order. Studstill was a former 3rd round pick 77th overall back in 2016 by the Milwaukee Brewers. He is 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA for the A's this season.

Up Next: May 2025 Update

ryan008 · 05-20-2016, 02:37 PM

Blue Jays Cruising Along as First Year Player Draft Approaches

June 1st, 2025

Another great month for the Jays saw them improve to 42-9 overall by going 23-5 during the month of May. The Jays really have been firing on all cylinders and they are playing some great baseball right now. GM Ryan Stewart "What can we say everything is going very well for us this season. We have stayed relatively healthy and our best players have been our leaders. Right now we are going to keep doing what were doing and hope that our success continues". GM Ryan Stewart and the Jays Scouting and Development Staff will also be busy this month as they prepare for the 2025 First Year Player Draft. The Jays won't draft until the last pick in the first round but the same amount of time and effort goes into their preparation. GM Ryan Stewart "The draft is my favorite time of year, we pride ourselves on finding talent in the later rounds of the draft and that's the best way to sustain a winning team. We have guys all over our top prospects list that weren't drafted in the first round. Identifying these talents and then developing them is the key to a sustainable winning environment".

AL East Standings - June 1st

AL Wild Card Standings - June 1st

May Pitching Statistics

May Batting Statistics

May's Hot Players

The Blue Jays success is due in large part to their 3 best players. SP Jamie Cox was 5-0 with a 1.10 ERA and was named the AL Pitcher of the Month, SS Carlos Correa hit at a video game like clip in May hitting .490 with 11 HR and 28 RBI and was named the American League Batter of the Month in May and C Max Pentecost hit .397 with 6 HR and 23 RBI. They are the core of the team and they showed it in May. LF Don Bergeron should also get some mention as he bounced back from a cold start hitting .337 with a HR and 14 RBI in May. On the pitching side of things SP Erik Black (4-0 2.56 ERA) and SP Jose Cerventes (3-0 3.13 ERA) were dominant and combined with Cox to go a perfect 12-0 in the month.

May's Cold Players

When the team is winning as much as the Jays are its hard to think of anyone as being cold but there are a couple of Jays players that have struggled this month. Most notably LF Abel Black who is hitting just .167 with 0 HR and 0 RBI since returning from the disabled list. SS Shane Benes whom the Jays acquired in an off season trade still hasn't found his stride with the bat and hit just .138 with 0 HR and 2 RBI in May.

May News & Notes

Contract Rumors

The Jays and GM Ryan Stewart have a tough decision on their hands as 29 year old veteran 2B Chris Goodwin will be eligible for free agency after the end of the 2025 season. The former Supplemental 1st round pick 30th overall in 2017 out of the University of Washington by the New York Mets was acquired by the Jays in exchange for SP Nathan Kirby back in 2022. He is hitting .242 with 7 HR and 26 RBI this season and is a career .258 hitter with 93 HR and 411 RBI in 7 seasons with the Jays, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the New York Mets. The Jays have 2B Tim Miller, a former first round pick already on the 25 man roster and one of their top prospects in AAA 2B Luis Hernandez, a former International Amateur Signing out of the Dominican Republic back in 2018 is having a great season hitting .299 with 7 HR and 32 RBI. Goodwin is rumored to be after an 8 year deal in the $84,000,000 range and that may just be a little too rich for the Jays.

International Scouting Discovery

Scouting Director Brian Parker was hard at work scouring the independent and amateur leagues and was able to unearth 16 year old SP Julian Gonzalez, a 6'2" 175 lb right handed starter out of the Dominican Republic. The slender righty features a 90-92 MPH fastball as well as a slider and is developing a changeup, but at this point it is well below average. He is very raw and should add some velocity as he grows. He scouts as a bullpen arm right now but with some work on his changeup he could be a viable option in the back end of a big league rotation.

Awards

SP Jamie Cox was named the American League Pitcher of the Month after going 5-0 1.10 ERA.

SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .490 with 11 HR and 28 RBI.

1B Tim O'Neill a former 23rd round pick 694th overall in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina was named the Florida State League Batter of the Month after hitting .385 with 3 HR and driving in 14 for the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Around the Majors

SP Justin Hooper who signed a massive 7 year $193,400,000 contract with the Oakland Athletics this off season is paying dividens as he no hit the Detroit Tigers beating them 4-0. The 29 year old struck out 9 and issued a single walk in the victory. Hooper is a former 1st round pick 12th overall by the Cleveland Indians in 2015 and signed with the A's this past off season. In 2025 he is 5-4 with a 2.10 ERA and he owns a career 90-62 record with a 3.29 ERA and 1170 strikeouts.

Up Next: 2025 First Year Player Draft Preview

ryan008 · 06-02-2016, 02:49 PM

2025 MLB First Year Player Draft Preview

June 5th, 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays scouting, and development staffs along with GM Ryan Stewart have been very busy as the 2025 first year player draft quickly approaches. The Jays will have to wait until the very end of the 1st round to make their first selection at #25 overall. Toronto has had some success in identifying prospects in the 20-25 range that have gone on to produce for the major league club or who are very close to being MLB ready right now. 2B Tim Miller was the 20th overall pick in 2020 and has been a regular for the Jays for the last two seasons, SP Dave Winters (24th overall in 2021) and SP Bernie Cantrell (27th overall in 2021) are in AAA and knocking at the door. The last time the Jays made the 25th overall pick in the draft they selected LF Dan Mueller back in 2022. He is currently in A Lansing hitting .293 with 1 HR and 11 RBI but is on the 7 day disabled list with an oblique strain.

The Baltimore Orioles will make the #1 selection in this years draft and they will have a number of very good arms to chose from. The top end of this draft is very pitcher heavy and the Orioles will have the pick of the litter. The Miami Marlins who failed to sign their 1st overall pick last CF Phil Ellis, will select 2nd and then again at #3 giving them 2 of the top 3 picks and a great chance to add to an already impressive farm system. The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies will round out the top 5 picks.

Baseball America's Pre Draft Top 10

According to Baseball America the top rated players for the 2025 First Year Player Draft are as follows:

SP Bud Beauregard - 19, RHP (Jersey City High School, USHSBA)
0-0 0.00 ERA (1.0 IP) Missed rest of season with shoulder injury.
Beauregard had 3 stellar seasons with Jersey City being named to the USHSBA All Star Team 3 times. He was the consensus #1 choice before suffering an arm injury in his first start of the 2025 season. He is a big 6'3" righty with a fastball in the 94-96 MPH range as well as a slider, changeup and splitter. He has great command and should be a #1 in a MLB rotation. He could still go #1 overall despite the injury.

SP River Campos - 21, RHP (Air Force Academy, NCAA)
5-2 1.65 ERA 11 BB 75 K
Campos is the top ranked collage arm in this years draft class. He won't dazzle you with pure stuff featuring a 92-94 MPH sinking fastball as well as a slider, change up and splitter. He has very good command of the strike zone and can locate all of his pitches. He probably isn't going to be a #1 at the MLB level but he is very consistent and should be a good #2/3 at the MLB level.

3. SP SP Rob Norton - 19, RHP (Seattle High School, USHSBA)
3-1 0.36 ERA 6 BB 59 K
Norton has the build of a prototypical power pitcher standing 6'5", his fastball isn't quite at the level of a power arm yet topping out in the 90-91 MPH. He weighs just 185 lbs and he should gain some significant velocity as he fills out. He has pretty good control for a young arm that is that big walking just 5 batters in 50.1 innings of work. He compliments his fastball with a curveball and changeup. Both pitches grade out as potential plus pitches but are well below average right now.

4. CF Jim Sanchez - 21, LHB (University of Portland, NCAA)
.297 1 HR 20 RBI
The first batter to show up on the BA Top 10. Sanchez could easily go #1 overall if Baltimore decides to go with a bat over a pitcher. He is basically a 4 tool player (not a lot of power). He sprays the ball all over the field and has some pop in his bat to get the ball into the gaps. He has a great eye at the plate and doesn't chase many bad pitches. He is a threat to steal on the bases swiping 21/24 bases this year. Defensively he has the range and arm to stick in center field and can play both right and left.

5. SP Rory Gilbert - 19, RHP (Medford High School, USHSBA)
3-3 0.96 ERA 9 BB 59 K
Gilbert might have the highest potential of any of the prep arms available in this years draft class. He throws 6 pitches a fastball that sits 92-94 MPH as well as a curve ball, change up, splitter, forkball and a knuckle curve. 5 of the six pitches grade out as plus potential but are very raw. He could be the ace of a staff some day but is a long way from being MLB ready and the team that drafts him will have to wait a while before he makes an impact at the MLB but he could be well worth the wait.

6.SP Tye Main - 19, LHP (Little Rock High School, USHSBA)
4-2 1.00 ERA 11 BB 65 K
Main is probably not in the conversation for the top tier of prep arms available in this years draft class but would slot in in the next tier. He features a 91-93 MPH fastball as well as a curve, slider, change up and splitter. His fastball is by far his best pitch and his secondary stuff will need some work to become a good middle of the rotation starter. His stamina is a little low for a starter as well and there are some questions as to his ability to go deep into ball games and if he may end up in the bullpen down the road.

7. CF Phil Ellis - 22, RHB (University of Texas, NCAA)
.398 3 HR 49 RBI
The first overall pick in last years draft by the Miami Marlins failed to sign and would go back to the University of Texas for his senior season and he put up big numbers. The two time All Star is a 4 tool player (he doesn't have much power) and could be a perennial All Star at the MLB level. He is a little further behind in his development as he delayed his professional debut by not signing with the Marlins last season. He is in the conversation for the #1 overall pick this year as well, however its more likely that one of the pitchers is chosen over him. The big question will Miami take him with the 2nd or 3rd overall picks if he slips past Baltimore at #1.

8. SP Jim Wooddisse - 19, RHP (Mesa High School, USHSBA)
2-1 0.49 ERA 9 BB 85 K
Wooddisse has the tools and makeup to be a top of the rotation arm. He stands 6'4" and weighs in at 210 lbs and can bring his fastball in the 91-93 MPH range. He was the 2024 USHSBA Pitcher of the Year and MVP and is a 2 time USHSBA All Star. He features a plus-plus sinker, slider and changeup and combines his pure stuff with pin point control. Based on his ratings I'm surprised that he is not rated higher and I think he will get top consideration as the #1 overall pick.

9. SP Kip Williams - 19, RHB (Jacksonville High School, USHSBA)
0-0 2.16 ERA 1 BB 13 K (2 Games)
Williams threw just 8.1 innings in his Senior season with Jacksonville High and then missed the remainder of the year with a strained hamstring muscle. He put up an impressive 13 strikeouts in those 8 innings and would have most likely been ranked much higher had he not been injured. He features a fastball in the 91-93 MPH range as well as a slider, curve and changeup. He does struggle with command at times and does tend to over throw and rely on his fastball too much. He scouts as a good #2 or 3 but with some work on his secondary stuff he could be a #1.

10. SP Dave O'Brien - 21, RHP (San Diego State University, NCAA)
5-2 2.53 ERA 10 BB 65 K
O'Brien has the best fastball in the top 10 as he can bring it in th e96-98 MPH range. He also throws a devastating splitter and changeup and is developing a curveball. He has great stamina and is a durable workhorse that should feature at the top of a rotation. He doesn't have the ceiling of some of the wild card prep arms but his floor is much higher. After spending 3 seasons in the NCAA he is very well polished and could move up through the minors quickly and could be one of the first from the 2025 draft class to make the Majors.

Previous Blue Jays Picks

2020 - 20th Overall
2B Tim Miller
.348 0 HR 12 RBI in 23 games (Toronto)
Once again Miller has been the back up infielder in Toronto but his recent offensive surge has given him a lot more playing time. At 26 years old he could make pending free agent 2B Chris Goodwin expendable as he could take over the starting role full time in 2026.

2021 - 24th Overall
SP Dave Winters
5-2 4.12 ERA (AAA Buffalo)
The 25 year old was in the mix for a rotation spot in the Spring this year but ended up in AAA as the Bisons #1 starter. He has put up good numbers and will be a September Callup for sure this year and the Jays are going to have to decide on his future as early as next year as he is running out of MLB options.

2022- 25th Overall
LF Dan Mueller
.293 1 HR 11 RBI (Low A Lansing)
Muller is repeating with Lansing and has hit the ball very well in his second go around. He is currently on the 7 day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. The plan is to promote him to High A Dunedin when he is eligible to return and then if he performs well get him up to AA New Hampshire by the end of this season. He should compete for a spot in the outfield as early as 2026.

2023- 20th Overall
SP Claude Meyer
5-5 3.47 ERA (2024 with S.A. Vancouver)
Meyer got hammered in his first taste of pro ball back in 2023 and bounced back in 2024 with a good season in Vancouver. The Jays brass want to move him along slowly and have had him in extended spring training with him starting the season in Vancouver again. He should see a promotion to full season A ball before the season is over providing he pitches well.

2024- 27th Overall
SP Kevin Perkins
4-5 5.54 ERA (GCL Blue Jays in 2024)
Perkins had a respectable pro debut with the GLC Blue Jays and the 21 year old was sent to extended Spring Training as he awaits the start of the short season leagues shortly after the draft. He is ticketed for S.A. Vancouver as the Jays are going to be a little aggressive with the hard throwing righty.

Up Next: 2025 First Year Player Draft

ryan008 · 06-03-2016, 02:44 PM

2025 First Year Player Draft

June 6th, 2025

The Baltimore Orioles were on the clock and they would make 19 year old SP Jim Wooddisse out of Mesa High School in the USHSBA the #1 overall pick in the 2025 First Year Player Draft. Wooddisse was ranked as the #8th prospect heading into the draft by Baseball America but he probably has the highest ceiling of any of the prep arms available in this draft class. He features a 91-93 MPH sinking fastball and a slider and changeup. His changeup is his best pitch and he gets a lot of swing and misses with it. At 6'4" and 185 lbs he has some room to fill out and should add velocity as he fills out an matures. He was 2-1 with a 0.49 ERA with 9 walks and 85 strikeouts in 2025. He is not going to come cheep as he is looking for a $9,500,000 signing bonus and has a number of NCAA options should he decide to not sign with Baltimore and return to school next year.

Blue Jays Draft

First Round - 25th Overall

With the 25th overall pick the Jays were ecstatic to select 19 year old SP Rob Norton out of Seattle High School in the USHSBA. Norton was ranked as the #3 prospect heading into the draft by Baseball American and slid all the way down to the Jays at #25. The 6'5" 185 lb righty features a 90-92 MPH fastball a curveball and a changeup. He has very good command of all of his pitches and should add some velocity to his fastball in the minors. He was 3-1 with a 0.36 ERA with 6 BB and 54 strikeouts in 2025. A 3 time USHSBA All Star with Seattle he was named 2025 USHSBA Pitcher of the Year this season. He scouts as a top of the rotation arm and the Jays are very happy to have landed him at #25. He is not going to come cheep and is looking for a $6,000,000 signing bonus, with a slot recommendation of $1,200,000 the Jays are going to have to go significantly over slot to get him signed.

Second Round 69th Overall

In the second round the Jays selected another high upside prep arm this time in 19 year old righty SP Dan English out if Scottsdale High School in the USHSBA. English is an imposing figure on the mound standing 6'7" and tipping the scales ate 210 lbs. He doesn't really back up his imposing size with overpowering stuff sitting 89-91 MPH with his fastball and complimenting that with a cutter and changeup. There is a good chance that he will add some velocity as he matures and makes mechanical adjustments in the minors. In 2025 he was 0-3 with a 2.56 ERA with 16 BB and 55 K. He struggled at times with wildness but we believe he can make some adjustments with his frame with our development staff. He scouts as a middle of the rotation arm or possibly a good back end of the bullpen reliever. He is looking for a slot signing bonus of $380,000.

Third Round 96th Overall

The Jays nabbed their first position player with the 96th overall selection in the draft taking 19 year old switch hitting SS Dan Brooks out of Hayward High School in the USHSBA. Brooks hit .250 with 0 HR and 15 RBI in 2025. He makes a ton of contact and doesn't strikeout much and he can spray the ball to all fields. He isn't going to hit for a ton of power. likely 10 HR at the MLB level at the most. On the basepaths he has great speed and instincts and should be able to swipe 30+ bases. Defensively he is slightly below average and a move to second or 3rd might not be out of the question. He is looking for a $250,000 signing bonus which is the slot amount for the 69th overall pick.

Fourth Round 125th Overall

In the 4th round the Jays went back to the prep ranks to grab yet another 19 year old pitcher taking SP Sean Funk out of Los Angeles High School in the USHSBA. Funk is a 6'2" 190 lb right hander who features a 91-93 MPH fastball a slider and is developing a changeup. He was 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA with 4 walks and 37 strikeouts in 2025. A 2 time USHSBA All Star he has the potential to be a middle to back end of the rotation arm. He will really need to work on his changeup to give him 3 above average pitches or he could end up being moved into the bullpen. The Jays plan on having him start as he begins his pro career in the Jays system. He is looking for a $180,000 signing bonus (slot is $180,000) and should be an easy sign for the Jays.

Fifth Round 155th Overall

In the 5th round the Jays took their first NCAA Collage player selecting 21 year old RF Art Frazier out of the University of Vermount. Frazier hit .365 with 6 HR and 35 RBI in 2025 and took home a NCAA Golden Glove Award for his defensive play in 2024. He is a good all around player who doesn't do anything that particularly jumps out at you but he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses in his game either. He projects at a minimum to bee a serviceable 4th outfield and a good left handed bat off of the bench. He is looking for $150,000 (slot) to sign and should be an easy sign for the Jays.

Blue Jays Picks rounds 6 through 30:

6. SP Geoff Edwards (19, RHP) Talahassee High School, USHSBA
7. C Don Johnston (22, RHB) University of Texas, NCAA
8. SS Leo Ryan (22, RHB) Wake Forest University, NCAA
9. CF Joe Cooper (22, S) TCU, NCAA
10. CL David Martinez (19, LHP) Little Rock High School, USHSBA
11. SP Jose Bradley (19, LHP) Nashville High School, USHSBA *$1,900,000 signing demmand
12. SP Joe Johnson (19, LHP) Memphis High School, USHSBA
13. 2B Liam Harris (19, RHB) Sacremento High School, USHSBA
14. LF Jamie Cook (21, RHB) Clemson University, NCAA
15. SS Ivan Alarcon (19, RHB) Oceanside High School, USHSBA
16. C Christian Benetiz (21, LHB) South Florida University, NCAA
17. SP Dave Turney (21, RHP) Virginia Tech, NCAA
18. C Shawn McMullon (19, RHB) Austin High School, USHSBA
19. C Wilson Beltre (19, RHB) Jacksonville High School, USHSBA
20. SP Chris King (19, RHB) Newark High School, USHSBA
21. 3B Ken Taylor (21, RHB) University of Vermount, NCAA
22. SP Tony Wilson (19, RHP) Tampa High School, USHSBA
23. SS Ken Summers (22, LHB) University of San Diego, NCAA
24. CL Maczysz Rachaslzj (19, RHP) Cleveland High School, USHSBA
25. CL Paul Brandt (22, RHP) Baylor UNiversity, NCAA
26. SP Don Fisher (19, LHP) Medford High School, USHSBA *2,400,000 bonus demmand
27. SS Tommy Hunter (19, RHB) Seattle High School, USHSBA
28. SP Ron Elliott (19, RHP) Honolulu High School, USHSBA
29. MR Steve Caldwell (21, RHP) San Jose State, NCAA
30. SP Noel MacDonald (21, RHP) UCLA, NCAA

Up Next: June 2025 Update

ryan008 · 06-29-2016, 06:46 PM

Jays Open Up 10.5 Game Lead in AL East as Summer Approaches

July 1st, 2025

The Blue Jays had another good month in June posting a win-loss record of 17-11 and opening up a 10.5 game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Jays did have a bit of a slump in the middle of the month as they would be swept by the lowly Tampa Bay Rays in a 4 game set at Tropicana Field. That might have been a good wake up call as they would go 8-2 in the 10 games after. GM Ryan Stewart "The series against the Rays we played really bad. We didn't hit or catch well committing 7 errors in the 4 games and scoring just 8 runs total. Hopefully that series is a reminder that a big lead in the division is not safe and that there is still a lot of season left before the playoffs start and a lot can happen between now and September"

AL East Standings - July 1st

AL Wild Card Standings - July 1st

June Pitching Statistics

June Batting Statistics

June's Hot Players

Toronto's success in June was a well balanced approach between the hitting and pitching. SP Jose Cerventes was nearly un-hitttable going 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA and SP Jamie Cox was almost as good going 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA, he was the recipient of some bad luck as the bullpen would blow 2 of his leads late in ballgames. Offensively SS Carlos Correa (.369 11 HR 23 RBI) continues his MVP like pace and C Max Pentecost (.340 3 HR 17 RB), 1B Cesar Melendez (.360 2 HR 12 RBI) and LF Don Bergeron (.397 2 HR 16 RBI) all had really good months to carry the offence in June.

June's Cold Players

You will be really hard pressed to find anyone in the Jays lineup who is really cold either offensively or defensively. On the pitching side of things SP Tim Libby didn't have a great month going 0-2 with a 6.38 ERA in 4 starts and MR Sam Turner was 0-3 with a 9.61 ERA. Offensively 1B Chris Daniels continues to struggle hitting just .158 with 2 HR and 5 RBI and is increasingly losing at-bats as the DH to LF Don Bergeron who has been raking.

June News & Notes

Injuries

SS Shane Benes whom the Jays acquired in the off season will spend the next 4 weeks on the disabled list with a sore throwing shoulder. The veteran utility man has had a rough debut to his season with the Jays hitting just .171 with 1 HR and 4 RBI and now is going to be out until after the July 31st trade deadline. The Jays called up one of their top prospects in 2B Jesus Valades who is having a huge season in AAA Buffalo hitting .319 with 9 HR and 39 RBI.

First Year Player Draft Update

GM Ryan Stewart was very busy getting the Jays 2025 Draft Class under contract and into the minor league system to start their development. With just 2 weeks left before the signing deadline the Jays have signed all but a pair of their draftees. 11th round pick SP Joe Bradley and 26th round pick SP Don Fisher have yet to decide on the offers that they received from the Jays. Both are longshots as they have very strong commitments to play baseball in the NCAA in 2026. The Jays other draft picks all signed and to date the Jays spent $6,300,000 on their picks in the first 5 rounds. Their bonuses broke down as follows:

1st Round (25th Overall) - SP Rob Norton - $5,000,000
2nd Round (69th Overall) - SP Dan English - $650,000
3rd Round (96th Overall) - SS Dan Brooks - $190,000
4th Round (125th Overall) - SP Sean Funk - $250,000
5th Round (155th Overall) - CF Rob Meyers - $210,000

International Scouting Discovery

Scouting Director Brian Parker didn't let the draft stop him from scouring the international ranks and he came up with another prospect that the Jays inked to a minor league contract. 16 year old SP Tony Meza is a 6'0: 165 lb lefty who hails from the Dominican Republic. He features a fastball, curveball and slider and tops out in the 87-89 MPH range. He doesn't have the best stamina right now and might be better suited for a role in the bullpen down the road.

Awards

SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .369 with 11 HR and 23 RBI.

July 1st International Signing Period

The 2025 International Free Agent class is a deep one with a number of impact players available. GM Ryan Stewart didn't want to tip his hand but did say that they are heavily in on a number of the top ranked players. The top 10 ranked players available are:

1. SP Jose Vazquez (16, LHB) Venezuela
2. SP Jose Magana (16, RHP) Dominican Republic
3. SS Alfredo Repenicaro (16, RHB) Venezuela
4. C Ihazul Paradinum (17, LHB) Venezuela
5. SP Pepe Hinojosa (16, RHP) Venezuela
6. CF Jose Gonzalez (16, RHB) Dominican Republic
7. SP Dani Ordonez (16, LHP) Dominican Republic
8. SP Anastasio Anaya (16, LHP) Venezuela
9. C Hector Barbadillo (16, S) Dominican Republic
10. CF Meodemo Pieare (16, S) Venezuela

Up Next: July 2025 Update

ryan008 · 07-08-2016, 12:46 PM

Blue Jays Go Nuts on the International Prospect Market

August 1st, 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays were the most aggressive team on the International Amateur Free Agent market this July 1st landing a number of the top players available and spending a total of $31,800,000 on 10 players including shelling out a pair of $10 million dollar contracts. GM Ryan Stewart "Our ownership group was very supportive of this strategy to spend heavily during the current July 1 period and then deal with the penalties for the next two seasons. We really liked the level of talent in this years class and thought it was a very good opportunity to add a bunch of talent to our low minors"

On the field the Jays continue to roll posting an 18-6 record during July and improving to 77-25 on the season. They hold a commanding 12.5 game lead on the second pace New York Yankees in the American League East and barring a complete collapse are looking to defend their AL East title. The news wasn't all good for the Jays however as they will be without RF Isaac Green and All Star SS Carlos Correa. Green is going to miss the next 5 months and is done for the season and Correa will miss the next 3 weeks.

AL East Standings - August 1st

AL Wild Card Standings - August 1st

http://s255.photobucket.com/user/rya...g.html?filters[user]=59138963&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=3

July Pitching Statistics

July Batting Statistics

July's Hot Players

The Jays bullpen was a big part of their success this month as the rotation (with the exception of SP Jamie Cox who was 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA) struggled a bit. CL Dave Davis was lights out going 1-0 with 8 saves and didn't allow an earned run, MR Mike McNeal was also great in a middle relief role going 4-0 with a sparkling 0.97 ERA. Offensively SS Carlos Correa was tearing the cover off the ball hitting .402 with 10 HR and 26 RBI before he was injured and C Max Pentecost (.366 4 HR 16 RBI) and 3B Stu Daniels (.319 2 HR 15 RBI) both had tremendous months at the plate.

July's Cold Players

Much like June there really isn't anyone in the starting lineup or one of the pitchers who I would be considered to be "cold". CF Cesar Gutierrez who had his contract purchased from AAA Buffalo and made his major league debut is off to a slow start hitting just .190 with 1 HR and 5 RBI and C Jesus Lopez who doesn't get a lot of playing time backing up Pentecost is hitting just .133 in the month of July. On the pitching side of things really only MR Sam Turner (0-1 6.07 ERA) had a bad month and that can really be attributed to 1 bad outing.

July News & Notes

Injuries

The Jays were dealt a pair of serious injuries this month with RF Isaac Green suffering a ruptured finger tendon. He was hitting .263 with 9 HR and 52 RBI at the time. He is expected to miss the next 5 months and is done for the rest of this season. The Jays purchased the contract of CF Cesar Gutierrez who was hitting .253 with 1 HR and 23 RBI for AAA Buffalo this season.

All star SS Carlos Correa also suffered an injury that will require a stay on the disabled list. He will miss the next 3 weeks with a strained back muscle. The reigning AL MVP was hitting .390 with 36 HR and 86 RBI at the time of his injury. The Jays recalled 2B Jesus Valdes (.313 9 HR 49 RBI) who will get his second chance with the Jays this season.

First Year Player Draft Update

The deadline to sign 2025 first year player draft picks has passed and the Jays were able to come to agreements with all but two of their picks. 11th round pick SP Joe Bradley elected to attend Gonzaga and 26th round pick SP Don Fisher chose to attend the University of Texas.

International Amateur Signing Period

GM Ryan Stewart would be very busy during the signing period shelling out a total of $31,800,000 on 10 prospects out of this years prospect class including 7 of the top 10 ranked heading into the signing period. The pre-draft top 10 was:

1. 1B Jose Vazquez (16, LHB) Venezuela - Toronto - $10,500,000
2. SP Jose Magana (16, RHP) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $8,000,000
3. SS Alfredo Repenicaro (16, RHB) Venezuela - Toronto - $1,250,000
4. C Ihazul Paradinum (17, LHB) Venezuela - Boston - $1,700,000
5. SP Pepe Hinojosa (16, RHP) Venezuela - Toronto - $950,000
6. CF Jose Gonzalez (16, RHB) Dominican Republic - New York Yankees - $1,200,000
7. SP Dani Ordonez (16, LHP) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $950,000
8. SP Anastasio Anaya (16, LHP) Venezuela - Toronto - $250,000
9. C Hector Barbadillo (16, S) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $10,000,000
10. CF Meodemo Pieare (16, S) Venezuela - Boston - $700,000

Awards

SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .402 with 10 HR and 26 RBI

GCL - CL Clarence Jones (6th round 189th overall in 2023) was named the GCL pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with 11 saves and a 0.47 ERA.

FSL - LF Jim Kelley (9th round 279th overall in 2023) hit .333 with 5 HR and 24 RBI and was named the Florida State League Batter of the Month.

A Vancouver - LF Ron Ortega (5th Round 158th overall in 2022) was named the Northwestern League Batter of the Month after hitting .385 with 1 HR and 20 RBI.

R Blue - CL Charlie Clements (4th Round 127th overall in 2023) went 3-1 with 9 Saves and a 3.08 ERA and was named the Pitcher of the Month.

Up Next: August 2025 Update

ryan008 · 07-26-2016, 12:52 PM

Blue Jays Lead the AL East by 13.5 Games but Injuries Mounting

August 1st, 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays had another great month posting a 20-8 record and adding to their lead in the American League East. They have extended their lead over the second place New York Yankees to 13.5 games and with just over a month left in the season they have a magic number of just 20 to wrap up another division title. The news has not been all good for the Jays however as the injury bug has hit them hard over the last few weeks. They leaned that they will be without CF Albert Almora for 7 weeks and both SP Jamie Cox and MR Jorge Miranda are done for the season. Cox is suffering from shoulder inflammation and is expected to miss at least the next 5 months and Miranda is out for 13 months after suffering a torn flexor tendon. The biggest loss by far is SP Jamie Cox, the 6 time Cy Young Award winner and 7 time All Star has been the Jays best pitcher for the better part of a decade and will leave a huge hole in the starting rotation come playoff time.

AL East Standings - August 1st

AL Wild Card Standings - August 1st

August Pitching Statistics

August Batting Statistics

August's Hot Players

SP Jose Cerventes had his contract purchased from AAA Buffalo after SP Jamie Cox was placed on the 60 day disabled list and he was very good in August going 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA the rookie had a little bit of an issue with his control walking 10 batters and striking out 12 but he was able to minimize the damage with a lot of ground balls. Offensively C Max Pentecost (.398 9 HR 20 RBI) and SS Carlos Correa (.371 8 HR 18 RBI) both have returned to form after suffering injuries earlier in the season and have been the most formidable middle of the order in baseball this season.

August's Cold Players

August saw a couple of the Jays players have tough months. SP Erik Black pitched to a 1-2 record with a 5.43 ERA in 5 starts and had a lot of trouble with control walking 16 batters in 30 innings of work. Offensively 1B Cesar Melendez struggled mightily hitting just .163 with 0 HR and 9 RBI and rumors are beginning to swirl that he might be hurt. If he is that would be a huge blow to the Jays line up as he has been one of their best and most consistent hitters this season.

August News & Notes

Injuries

The injury bug hit the Jays very hard this month with three players requiring extended stays on the disabled list. The biggest loss by far was that of SP Jamie Cox. Cox was having yet another Cy Young caliber season with a 16-1 record and a sparkling 1.92 ERA is suffering from shoulder inflammation and is expected to be out for the next 5 months. He was placed on the 60 day disabled list and the Jays recalled SP Jesus Gutierrez who was 8-7 with a 4.15 ERA in AAA Buffalo this season.

The next to go down with a season ending injury was MR Jorge Miranda who was 1-5 with 5 saves and a had posted a 4.35 ERA this season. He suffered a torn flexor tendon and is expected to miss the next 13 months. He was also placed on the 60 day disabled list and the Jays recalled MR Jorge Aromas who is off to a great start in AAA Buffalo going 8-8 with 29 saves and a 3.26 ERA.

The injury train kept rolling along and CF Albert Almora was the next to hop on. The injury prone outfielder is hitting .291 with 27 HR and 77 RBI this season and is expected to be out for 7 weeks after suffering a fractured rib. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and is expected to return in time for the post season. The Jays purchased the contract of CF Dan Mitchell from AAA Buffalo where he was hitting .298 with 9 HR and 39 RBI.

Finally the Jays would lose yet another starting pitcher as SP Tim Libby who was 6-4 with a 3.93 ERA is suffering from elbow inflammation and is expected to miss at least the next 3 weeks. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and the Jays purchased the contract of SP Dave Winters. Winters who was the 24th overall pick in the 2021 first year player draft by the Jays was 10-2 with a 2.89 ERA this season and will make his major league debut with Toronto in August,

First Year Player Draft Update

The Jays most recent crop of draftees has had a couple of months at the professional level to get adjusted to the pro game and a couple of the Jays picks were off to great starts.

1st Round - SP Rob Norton - 5-3 1.92 ERA (GCL). Currently out for 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
2nd Round - SP Dan English - 3-7 3.71 ERA 35 BB 35 K (GCL)
3rd Round - SS Dan Brooks - .177 0 HR 9 RBI (96 AB's) (GCL)
4th Round - SP Sean Funk - 2-1 1 SV 1.82 ERA (GCL)
5th Round - RF Art Frazier - .257 0 HR 14 RBI (GCL)

Waiver Claim

GM Ryan Stewart announced that they club had claimed 27 year old MR Danny Simpson off waivers from the San Diego Padres. The 6'3" 210 lb right hander was originally drafted in the Supplemental 1st round 33rd overall by the Texas Rangers in 2018 out of Colorado Springs High School in the USHSBA. So far in 2025 he is 2-7 with a 3.41 ERA with 33 walks against 87 strikeouts for AAA El Paso. He features a 91-93 MPH fastball as well as a curveball, slider, changeup, cutter and kunckle curve. He projects as a decent middle reliever and with the rosters expanding to 40 man the Jays have time to give him an audition at the big league level.

Awards

C Max Pentecost (.398 9 HR 20 RBI) was named the American League Batter of the Month.

A Lansing - LF Dan Mueller (1st round pick 25th overall in 2022) was named the Midwestern League Batter of the Month after hitting .372 with 3 HR and 23 RBI for the Lugnuts.

A Lansing - SP Danny Esquiver (10th round pick 311th overall in 2019) was named the Midwestern League Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA with 33 K's and just 3 BB for the Lugnuts.

September Callups

The Jays have added a number of reinforcements to the roster due to the injuries that they have suffered already this month but with rosters expanding to 40 man they have added a few more. With a large lead in the AL East the plan is to try and rest a lot of the regulars so that they can be fresh for playoff time. The Jays recalled the following players from AAA Buffalo:

SP Bernie Cantrell - 9-14 5.33 ERA
SP Sam Burns - 8-10 4.83 ERA
SP Dave Winters - 10-2 2.89 ERA
CL Steve O'Quinn - 3-8 2 SV 5.71 ERA
C Arturo Lugo - .296 10 HR 55 RBI
2B Jesus Valdes - .309 11 HR 64 RBI

Up Next: End of the 2025 Regular Season

ryan008 · 08-10-2016, 01:18 PM

Blue Jays are Best in Baseball, ALDS Vs Yankees in up Next

October 5th, 2025

The Blue Jays just completed their best season in franchise history tying the 2024 team with 120 victories and took home their 3rd consecutive AL East Title. The Jays ill make their 8th consecutive playoff appearance and have not missed playing baseball since they finished in 2nd place in the East back in 2017. The Jays will play their division rival the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series after the Yankees took down the Chicago White Sox in the American League Wild Card Game.

The Jays will be without LF Abel Black when the American League Division Series gets underway against the Yankees as the veteran right fielder is suffering from a sports hernia and is expected to miss the next 8 weeks effectively ending his season. Black is hitting .294 with 16 HR and 69 RBI on the year. The Jays recalled CF Cesar Gutierrez from AAA Buffalo where he was hitting .253 with 1 HR and 23 RBI.

Around the Majors

3B Pablo Sandoval the veteran infielder for the Cleveland Indians notched his 2500th career hit in a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. The 39 year old had a resurgent year for the Indians in 2025 hitting .291 with 13 HR and 52 RBI and for his career is a .285 hitter with 2500 hits 299 HR 1181 RBI between Dan Francisco, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore, Atlanta and Cleveland. He is a 4 time All Star and is under contract for 1 more season with the Indians.

Up Next: ALDS New York vs Toronto

ryan008 · 08-10-2016, 02:29 PM

And the Broken Record Continues - Jays Downed by Yankees in 5 Games Again

October 20th, 2024

For Blue Jays fans the feeling of deja vu is understandable as the team cruised to 120 victories and the best record in baseball only to be bounced in 5 games in the American League Division Series by their division rival the New York Yankees. The Jays were short handed this year without star players SP Jamie Cox, LF Abel Black and CF Albert Almora. Perhaps the biggest blow was the loss of SP Jamie Cox who would have been the starter for the team in game #1. With the Jays out of the post season they will be looking to the off season and the team has a number of pending free agents and he roster next year could look vastly different.

ALDS Game #1 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays
SP Jake Odorizzi (14-9 3.64 ERA) vs
SP Jose Cerventes (20-2 2.70 ERA)

W: SP Jake Odorizzi (1-0)
L SP Jose Cerventes (0-1)

Recap: The Blue Jays would send 20 game winner SP Jose Cerventes to the hill in game #1 against the Yankees against veteran SP Jake Odorizzi and the Yankees and he was cruising until the 7th inning. With the game tied at 2 RF Butch Townsend ripped an RBI double and would then score 2 batters later on a DH Giancarlo Stanton homerun. The Yankees bullpen then shut down the Jays offence the rest of the way on the way to a 10-2 whipping of the Jays in game #1.

ALDS Game #2 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays
SP Jorge Rodriguez (14-8 3.48 ERA)
SP Tyler Ivey (15-5 4.13 ERA)

W: SP Tyler Ivey (1-0) 6.0 IP 6 H 4 R 3 BB 6 K
L: MR Tyler Mondile (0-1)
S: CL Dave Davis (1)

Recap: Toronto would turn to SP Tyer Ivey to try and even up their series with the Yankees and he did just enough to keep the Jays in the game and let the offence take over. Ivey tossed 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 3 walks and 6 k's to earn his first career playoff victory. Ivey had a rough start as RF Giancarlo Stanton had an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st and then SS Francisco Lindor drove him in on an RBI triple. Lindor would score on a 2 run blast off the bat of C Bob Garner and the Yankees held a 4-0 lead before the Jays even had a chance to hit. SS Carlos Correa would respond with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 1st making it a 4-1 Yankees lead. RF Cesar Gutierrez belted a 2 run RBI double off the wall in right field in the in the 6th to cut the lead to 1. After a walk to C Max Pentecost DH Chris Daniels belted his first homerun of the post season giving the Jays a 5-4 lead. Toronto's bullpen would shut down the Yankees for the rest of the game and the Jays would tie the series at 1's with a 5-4 victory.

ALDS Game #3 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
SP Josh Murphy (22-6 3.26 ERA)
SP Erik Black (14-5 4.22 ERA)

W: CL Mike Scott (1-0)
L: CL Dave Davis (0-1)

Recap: The Yankees would turn to SP Josh Murphy to the hill in Game #3, Murphy is the leader in the American League East in wins with 22 and is fresh off a wild card victory over the Chicago White Sox. The Jays countered with SP Erik Black who was 14-5 with a 4.22 ERA this season. Black was very good going 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with a pair of walks and 3 K's. SP Josh Murphy would last 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits. Neither pitcher would factor in the decision however as it would go to extras and DH Arturo Rivera would hit a walk off double in the bottom of the 10th off CL Dave Davis to give the Yankees a 4-3 victory in game #4 and putting the Jays on the brink of elimination.

ALDS Game #4 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
SP Jose Cerventes (0-1 2.36 ERA)
SP Stephen Strasburg (3-8 4.88 ERA)

W: Mr Phil Jones (1-0)
L: CL Mike Scott (1-1)
S: CL Dave Davis (2)

Recap: The Jays turned to game #1 starter SP Jose Cerventes to try and stave off elimination and the Yankees countered with veteran SP Stephen Strasburg who had missed most of the season with an arm injury. The Yankees jumped out to an early lead in this one as SS Francisco Lindor got them on the board int he 2nd with an RBI single making in 1-0. The Yankees would add 5 more runs in the bottom of the 4th capped off by a RF Arturo Rivera 3 run homerun. The Jays would however chip away at the lead with SS Carlos Correa getting them on the board with a solo homerun in the bottom of the 7th. They would not score again until they rallied for 8 runs in the top of the 9th inning capped off by a 3B Stu Daniels RBI sac fly that tied the game at 7 and then a DH Chris Danies 2 run double that gave the Jays the victory and forced a game #5.

ALDS Game #5 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays

SP Jorge Rivera (0-0 1.35 ERA0
SP Tyler Ivey (1-0 6.00 ERA)

W: MR Ben Warner (1-0)
L: MR Sam Turner (0-1)

Recap: The Blue Jays got off to a great start in game #5 with CF Albert Almora belting a 3 run homerun in the bottom of the 1st. The Yankees didn't let the lead stand for long as 3B Rob Duncan hit a 2 run triple in the top of the 2nd cutting the Jays lead to 1. In the top of the 4th CF Jim Chavez had an RBI single in the 4th and that knotted the game at 3. The Jays retook the lead in the the with a sacrifice fly off the bat of LF Don Bergeron making it a 4-3 lead for the Jays. Once again that would not last long as 3B Rob Duncan belted a 2 run homerun in the 7th inning giving the Yankees a 5-4 lead. Once again Toronto would tie the game up in the 8th with C Max Pentecost had an RBI double in the 8th inning. In the top of the 9th veteran DH Giancarlo Stanton hit his 3rd homerun of the series a 2 run shot to give the Yankees a 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the 9th 2B Chris Goodwin would score on a wild pitch cutting the lead to 7-6 but thats as close as they would come as the Yankees would move on to the ALCS.

Up Next: 2025 World Series Winner

ryan008 · 08-10-2016, 02:54 PM

Chicago Cubs are the Best in Baseball in 2025, Defeat the Yankees in 7

November 9th, 2025

The Chicago Cubs took home the 2025 World Series with a thrilling 7 game series victory over the American League Champion New York Yankees. The Cubs road to the World Series went through the Colorado Rockies whom thy defeated in 4 games in the NLDS and then a 4-2 series win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. This is the first time the Cubs have won the World Series since 2018.

Up Next: The 2025 Off Season Begins

ryan008 · 08-11-2016, 03:47 PM

2025 Awards & Blue Jays Minor League POTY's

Major League Baseball announced its winners for the Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award and the MVP today and there were a couple of Jays that took home some hardware. The Jays also announced their R. Howard Webster Award Winners for the Best Player at each level of the Jays minor leagues.

2025 AL Gold Gloves

P SP Ken Quick (Houston Astros)
C Johnny Mann (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
1B Will Benson (New York Yankees)
2B Reid Humphreys (Oakland Athletics)
3B Stu Daniels (Toronto Blue Jays)
SS Francisco Lindor (New York Yankees)
LF Oscar Tavares (New York Yankees)
CF Cisco Rodriguez (Boston Red Sox)
RF Bryce Harper (Boston Red Sox)

2025 NL Gold Gloves

P Erik Brown (Philadelphia Phillies)
C Tim Susnama (Colorado Rocikes)
1B Justin Belanger (Chicago Cubs)
2B Ricky Aracena (Philadelphia Phillies)
3B Mason Templet (Los Angeles Dodgers)
SS Cole Stobbe (Atlanta Braves)
LF Gareth Morgan (Los Angeles Dodgers)
CF Elijah James (Arizona Diamondbacks)
RF Kyle Parker (Arizona Diamondbacks)

2025 American League Rookie of the Year
1B Jarred Patterson (27 Years Old) (Chicago White Sox)
5th Round Pick 149th overall in 2017by Texas out of Miami High School in the USHSBA.
.271 25 HR 70 RBI

2025 National League Rookie of the Year
1B Daniel Thompson (24 Years Old) (Atlanta Braves)
Supplemental 1st round pick 26th overall by Atlanta out of Purdue University in the NCAA.
.270 22 HR 73 RBI

2025 American League Cy Young Award
SP Jamie Cox (33 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
1st Round Pick 9th Overall in 2014 by Toronto out of Michigan State University in the NCAA.
16-1 1.92 136 K

2025 National League Cy Young Award
SP Bryan Hoeing (28 Years Old) (Atlanta Braves)
1st Round Pick 4th Overall in 2015 by Atlanta out of Georgia High School in the USHSBA.
16-6 1.63 ERA 174 K

2025 American League MVP Award
SS Carlos Correa (31 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays)
1st Round Pick 1st Overall pick by Houston in 2012 out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in the USHSBA.
.374 47 HR 127 RBI

2025 National League MVP Award
LF Mike Brown (23 Years Old) (Colorado Rockies)
1st Round Pick 2nd Overall in 2023 by Colorado out of Florida State University in the NCAA.
.363 20 HR 84 RBI

2025 Blue Jays Minor League Players of the Year

AAA Buffalo Bisons - 71-73 5th in North Division
2B Jesus Valdes
24, RHB
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent out of Venezuela for $1,250,000 in 2018.
2025 Stats: .309 11 HR 64 RBI
GM's Comments: Valdes was easily the best hitter on the Bisons this year and he would have had even better numbers if he didn't spent significant time with the big club due to injuries. He hit .380 in 34 games with the Jays this year and has pretty much assured himself a job as the everyday second baseman with 2B Chris Goodwin expected to leave as a free agent. He was an International League All Star in 2025 and finished 3rd in the gold glove voting for second base.

AA New Hampshire Fishercats - 88-54 1st in Northern Division & 2025 Eastern League Champions!
1B Cesar Garza
25, RHB
Acquired: 3rd round pick 95th overall in 2021 by Toronto out of the University of New Mexico in the NCAA.
2025 Stats: .322 23 HR 114 RBI
GM's Comments: The Fishercats were able to repeat as Eastern League Champs in 2025 and a big reason for that was the hitting of Garza. He was a 2025 Eastern League All Star and would take home the Eastern League MVP Award. Garza is never going to win a gold glove as his fielding skills are almost non existent so he will likely be a designated hitter at the next level. He is headed to Spring training with the Jays next season and could even compete for the DH spot with DH Chris Daniels who has been a disappointment for the Jays over the last few seasons.

High A Dunedin Blue Jays - 77-63 1st in North Division
SP Norberto Perez
25, LHP, V:94-96 MPH
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent for $122,000 by Toronto out of Cuba in 2017.
2025 Stats: 12-7 3.15 ERA 54 BB 117 K
GM's Comments: Perez was not a highly rated prospect on the International Market back in 2017 but is quietly making a name for himself in the Jays organization. He is a little old at 25 to still be pitching in A ball but he has shown good fastball command and has steadily increased his stock. He will never be a top of the rotation arm but should be a good 4th/5th starter option. He will be challenged this season heading to AAA and will probably get a few spring innings with the Jays as well.

Low A Lansing Lugnuts - 88-52 2nd in Eastern Division
LF Dan Mueller
22, LHB
Acquired: 1st round pick 25th overall in 2022 by Toronto out of Hialeah High School in the USHSBA.
2025 Stats: .341 10 HR 61 RBI
GM's Comments: Mueller was a guy that we were very excited about in his draft year and he has burst onto the full season scene by hitting .341 and winning a Gold Glove in his rookie season in Lansing. The 22 year old is very close to being MLB ready and will get a shot at cracking the opening day roster in Spring Training. Our Scouting and development staff all think very highly of him and see him as an impact player and possible lead off hitter at the MLB level.

Short Season A Vancouver Canadians - 53-23 1st in West Division & 2025 Champs!
SP Gilberto Cruz
20, RHP, V: 92-94 MPH
Acquired: Signes as an International Free Agent by Toronto for $350,000 out of Venezuela in 2021.
2025 Stats: 10-2 2.57 ERA 24 BB 83 K
GM's Comments: Cruz has developed nicely since moving to North America and was the Ace of the Canadians Staff this year leading the team in just about every pitching category. He is still very young at just 20 years old and his future is likely that of a #3 starter at the big league level. the plan is to have him spend all of 2026 in Lansing to get his feet wet in full season baseball and then see how he develops from there.

Bluefield Blue Jays - 43-25 1st in East Division
SP Bob Dickey
21, LHP, V: 93-95 MPH
Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the Supplemental 1st Round 33rd overall in 2023 out of Madison High School in the USHSBA.
2025 Stats: 5-1 1.34 ERA 27 BB 46 K
GM's Comments: Dickey has shown that he has nothing left to learn in rookie ball and the Jays plan on challenging the former 1st round pick with full season ball next season. He will join SP Gilberto Cruz in Lansing and should headline a fairly impressive Lugnuts rotation. He has top of the rotation potential and is the Jays top pitching prospect. We have high hopes for him down the road.

GCL Blue Jays - 40-20 2nd in North West Division
SP Kevin Perkins
20, RHP, V:92-94 MPH
Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round 27th overall in 2024 out of Pasadena High School in the USHSBA.
2025 Stats: 6-2 1.95 ERA 25 BB 57 K
GM's Comments: Last years 1st round pick had a huge season in his second go around with Bluefield and he showed why the Jays took him in the first round. He is another guy that the Jays scouts are very high on but is still very raw. He will likely be moved up to Short Season A Vancouver to start the season next year and depending on performance could see some time in full season A ball before the end of 2026.

Dominican Summer League Blue Jays - 32-36 4th in San Pedro De Marcois Division
3B Alfredo Lopez
22, RHB
Acquired: Signed by the Blue Jays as an International Free Agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2020 for $75,000.
2025 Stats: .329 5 HR 19 RBI
GM's Comments: Lopez was an under the radar signing back in 2020 and has spent almost 4 seasons in the Jays International Complex and had a breakout season in his second go around in the DSL. He projects to be a good back up infielder at the MLB level and probably is never going to be a starter. He will get his chance to make his debut in North America as the plan is to have him start the season in Vancouver.

Up Next: Salary Arbitration

ryan008 · 08-15-2016, 02:02 PM

2025 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents

The Blue Jays are going to see some significant turn over this off season as they have three compensation eligible free agents who will not be back with the Jays next year after declining Arbitration and electing to become free agents. Those include 3B Stu Daniels who has been with the Jays since being taken in the Rule V Draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2020. He will join the likes of 1B Cesar Melendez and 2B Chris Goodwin on the free agent market leaving the Jays with just C Max Pentecost and SS Carlos Correa returning from their opening day infield from 2025. In addition to the three comp eligible free agents the Jays had 10 players who were arbitration eligible. They would all resign with the club earning 1 year deals worth the following amounts:

1B Chris Daniels - $1,250,000
LF Don Bergeron - $5,250,000
SP Jose Cerventes - $7,500,000
MR Phil Jones - $1,500,000
RF Isaac Green - $5,953,750
MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,600,000
C Jesus Lopez - $2,500,000
SP Erik Black - $7,500,000
MR Nick Kennedy - $1,600,000
MR Jorge Miranda - $2,035,750

2026 Operating Budget

The Blue Jays operating budget will remain the same for the 2026 season holding steady at $200,000,000. With the Jays current payroll sitting at $135,800,000 and the draft budget ($7,500,000) and international amateur budget ($3,000,000) the Jays have approximately $35,000,000 that they can use to spend on free agents. With a number of holes to fill, particularly on the infield a significant portion of that money could be eaten up finding replacements at first, second and third. The Jays do have a number of internal candidates that will be pushing to make the opening day roster next year and the team has been linked to a number of free agents. This could be a very eventful off season for GM Ryan Stewart and the Toronto Blue Jays.

GM Ryan Stewart's Off Season Wish List

The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes:

1. Hire a New Assistant GM
At the conclusion of the 2025 season Assistant GM Jim Duquette decided that it was time to retire from professional baseball, He was hired by the Jays back in 2020 when GM Ryan Stewart took over the team and has been the GM's right hand man ever since. He was particularly good at working wit scouting director Brian Parker at identifying amateur talent and working with our player development department to get it up to the major leagues.

2. Fill the hole at first base
1B Cesar Melendez had a huge season for the Jays last year slashing .283/.384/.395 with 7 HR and 77 RBI all while providing 4.8 WAR and gold glove caliber defense at first. He elected to become a free agent this off season after rejecting the Jays qualifying offer. The Jays are going to have to find a replacement for his bat and glove and with very few options available in free agency we will likely have to address the need through trade.

3. Fill the hole at 2B
We lost 2B Chris Goodwin to free agency after the veteran second baseman rejected a qualifying offer and became a free agent. The Jays are going to have to find a way to replace his .286/.316/.485 slash line with 25 HR and 94 RBI and 4.8 WAR.

4. Fill the hole at 3B
The third of the infield trio that elected free agency was 3B Stu Daniels. He slashed .317/.342/.452 with 10 HR and 71 RBI providing the Jays with 2.6 WAR. He was also a gold glove caliber defender at the hot corner.

Up Next: 2025 Off Season Transactions Report

ryan008 · 01-09-2017, 03:13 PM

2025 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents

The 2025 off season is going to be a very busy one for GM Ryan Stewart and the Blue Jays front office. In addition to having 10 players eligible for salary arbitration the Jays will have three compensation eligible free agents as 3B Stu Daniels, 1B Cesar Melendez and 2B Chris Goodwin will all be free agents after failing to sign extensions with the Jays this of season. The Jays 10 salary arbitration cases and the results of the hearings were:

1B Chris Daniels - $1,250,000
LF Don Bergeron - $5,250,000
SP Jose Cerventes - $7,500,000
MR Phil Jones - $1,500,000
MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,600,000
C Jesus Lopez - $2,500,000
SP Erik Black - $7,500,000
MR Nick Kennedy - $1,600,000
MR Jose Miranda - $2,035,750

2026 Operating Budget

The Blue Jays 2026 Operating Budget has been set at $204,000,000 this season which represents a meager increase of just $4,000,000 over the 2025 season. Toronto's $204 million dollar budget is the 7th largest in the majors trailing the New York Yankees ($296 million) and the Boston Red Sox ($276 million) by significant amounts. When you factor in coaching expenses, draft estimates ($10 million), player payroll ($135,800,000), Scouting ($18 million) and development ($18 million) the Jays have approximately $35 million in payroll space to be utilized this off season. There are a lot of holes to fill so that $35 million needs to go a long way this off season.

The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes:

1. First Base

The loss of 1B Cesar Melendez to free agency has created a huge hole at first base. We have a couple of options in house in 1B Chris Daniels (.219/.300/.351 with 10 HR and 28 RBI in 2025 with the Jays) and 1B Pat Olson (.276/.351/.378 5 HR 60 RBI in AAA Buffalo) but neither has the offensive abilities that we lost in Melendez. There are a couple of options out there in free agency but no one who really blows my socks off. This is a hole that will most likely be filled via trade.

2. Third Base
3B Stu Daniels rejected extension talks that went right down to the wire and elected to see what his options were in free agency. The 29 year old was a Rule V pick up by the Jays back in 2019 from Arizona and has turned into an All Star. He hit .317/.342/.452 with 10 HR and 78 RBI for the Jays last season. I'm hoping that 2B Jesus Valdez who is a 24 year old former International Free Agent signing out of Venezuela back in 2018 can make the transition over to third. He hit .380/.420/.560 with 3 HR and 16 RBI for the Jays in 2025 but in just 35 games. I would like to find someone who has a little more experience to provide some depth and backup in case Valdez struggles.

3. Second Base
2B Chris Goodwin who has spent 4 seasons with the Jays after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals for SP Nathan Kirby elected to test free agency as well. This is a position that will be filled in house. We have tremendous depth at second base with former first round pick 2B Tim Miller (..321/.364/.384 0 HR 71 RBI with Toronto), 2B Luis Hernandez (.259/.357/.397 12 HR 67 RBI with AAA Buffalo) and 2B Chad Flannery (.313/.340/.400 2 HR 52 RBI with A Dunedin). Of the three its most likely that Miller and Hernandez will battle for the starting job while Flannery will head to AAA Buffalo to start the season.

4. Assistant GM
the Jays Assistant GM Jim Duquette retired after spending just one season as the Jays Assistant GM. We wish Jim all the best and will start interviewing for his replacement immediately.

Up Next: 2025 Off Season Transactions Report

04-29-2016, 03:23 PM	#81
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Another ALDS Another Early Playoff Exit for the Jays October 18th, 2024 For Blue Jays fans the story is the same. They tear the cover off the baseball during the regular season and then once the playoffs come they fall apart. It happened again in 2024. The Jays set a franchise record for wins in a season with 120 and then would go on to lose the American League Division Series to the New York Yankees in 5 games. Blue Jays GM Ryan Stewart was not pleased with his teams effort "We just didn't execute. There are going to be some serious evaluations for this organization from top to bottom this off season as we need to figure out how to achieve some success in the playoffs. This losing in the first round year after year is just not acceptable". ALDS Game #1 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Mike Scott (13-6 3.61 ERA) vs SP Jamie Cox (27-4 1.67 ERA) W: SP Jamie Cox (1-0) 9.0 IP 6 H 0 R 0 BB 6 K L: SP Mike Scott (0-1) 6.0 IP 5 H 3 R 2 BB 5 K Recap: SP Jamie Cox who was fresh off a triple crown win in the American League in 2024 took the hill in game #1 for the Jays and he was fantastic tossing a complete game shut out as the Jays took game #1 4-0. He would allow just 6 hits without a walk and struck out 6. Offensively SS Carlos Correa had a pair of homeruns and 3 RBI and CF Albert Almora added an RBI triple to account for all of the Jays offence. ALDS Game #2 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Tyler Mondile (12-12 2.89 ERA) vs SP SP Erik Black (20-7 3.86 ERA) W: SP Tyler Mondile (1-0) 6.0 IP 6 H 1 R 1 BB 7 K L: Erik Black (0-1) 6.0 IP 7 H 2 R 1 BB 2 K S: CL Trevor Rosenthal (2) Recap: The Blue Jays were hopeful of a sweep of the first two games at home sending 20 game winner SP Erik Black to the mound and he was pretty good allowing just a pair of runs in 6 innings of work. Unfortunately for the Jays SP Tyler Mondile was very good tossing 6 innings and allowing just a single run on 6 hits. 1B Will Benson and C Reese McGuire had RBI singles off of Black and CF Jose Avila and DH Rob Duncan added on insurance runs for the Yankees in the 9th inning as the Jays fell 4-1 to the Yankees in game #2. 2B Chris Goodwin contributed the Jays lone run on offence with an RBI double in the 7th inning. ALDS Game #3 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees SP Tim Libby (17-5 3.68 ERA) vs SP Jorge Rodriguez (14-9 3.68 ERA) W: SP Tim Libby (1-0) 7.1 IP 5 H 0 R 4 BB 5 K L: SP Jorge Rodriguez (0-1) 4.0 IP 7 H 7 R 3 BB 2 K Recap: The Blue Jays came out swinging the bats in Game #3 and managed to put up a 7 spot against the Yankees. SS Carlos Correa and 1B A.J. Reed got the scoring opened early with RBI doubles in the 1st inning. They would both factor in the scoring later in the game as well, Correa would add a 2 RBI double in the 2nd and Reed belted his first homerun of the post season a 3 run shot to deep left center field in the 4th making it 7-0 Toronto. SP Tim Libby did the rest for the Jays slamming the door on a very potent offence and pitching into the 8th inning. With the victory the Jays move to within 1 win of advancing to the American League Championship Series. ALDS Game #4 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees SP Jamie Cox (1-0 0.00 ERA) vs SP Mike Scott (0-1 4.50 ERA) W: MR Wes Summers (1-0) SP Mike Scott - 5.0 IP 3 H 1 R 2 BB 3 K L: MR Sam Turner (0-1) SP Jame Cox - 5.0 IP 4 H 1 R 0 BB 5 K S: CL Trevor Rosenthal (3) Recap: The Blue Jays were looking for the series win and were sending perhaps the best pitcher in baseball to the mound in SP Jamie Cox. It was a rematch of game #1 with SP Mike Scott on the mound for the Yankees. Both pitchers were mowing batters down and with the game tied at 1 after 5 innings the skies opened up and the game was delayed for 69 min. When the skies cleared it would be a battle of the bullpens and the Yankees would prevail. 3B Jonathan Schoop had a go ahead RBI groundout in the 7th inning and 2B Luis Ramos had an RBI single in the 8th to put the game out of reach. With the loss the series is now tied and headed back to Toronto for a decisive game #5. ALDS Game #5 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Tyler Mondile (1-0 1.50 ERA) vs SP Erik Black (0-1 3.00 ERA) W: SP Tyler Mondile (2-0) 5.1 IP 6 h 1 R 2 BB 2 K L: SP Erik Black (0-2) 4.1 IP 9 H 8 R 2 BB 3 K Recap: Well game #5 was ugly for the Jays. Their second best starter SP Erik Black was shelled and gave up 8 runs in just 4.1 innings of work. The Yankees hitters were all over Black as 2B Luis Ramos and SS Francisco Lindor got the Yanks on the board in the first inning. 1B Will Benson, LF Oscar Tavares, RF Dylan Cozens and 3B Jonathan Schoop would add RBI's in the 4th and the Yankees were well on their way to the American League Championship Series. Up Next: 2024 World Series Winner

04-29-2016, 03:34 PM	#82
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	The Pittsburgh Pirates are World Champs in 2024 November 6th, 2024 The Pittsburgh Pirates captured the 2024 World Series with a 4 games to 2 victory over the American League Champion Seattle Mariners. Pittsburgh took down the San Diego Padres 3 games to 2 in the NLCS and then advanced to the World Series with a 4-3 series win over the San Francisco Giants. Their opponent the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in the ALDS before dispatching with the Yankees 4-1 in the ALCS. The Pirates made a big trade at the deadline acquiring SP Matt Harvey from the Boston Red Sox and he was a big reason the Pirates had so much success in the post season. Harvey won the world series last year as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He fit into a very good starting rotation that already included the likes of SP Shelby Miller, SP Chris Lee and SP Brady Aiken. Offensively 3B Bo Bichette (5th overall pick in 2016) was a force paired with veteran LF Carlos Gonzalez in the middle of the lineup. This is the first World Series title for the Pirates since 1979 and the 6th in franchise history. Up Next: The 2024 Off Season Begins

05-03-2016, 02:33 PM	#83
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2024 Awards & Blue Jays Minor League POTY's Major League Baseball announced its winners for the Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award and the MVP today and there were a couple of Jays that took home some hardware. The Jays also announced their R. Howard Webster Award Winners for the Best Player at each level of the Jays minor leagues. 2024 AL Gold Gloves P Max Kranick (Minnesota Twins) C Jorge Alfaro (Oakland Athletics) 1B Will Benson (New York Yankees) 2B Brendan Rodgers (Texas Rangers) 3B Logan Tolbert (Cleveland Indians) SS Francisco Lindor (New York Yankees) LF Ron Mitchell (Chicago White Sox) CF Mike Trout (Seattle Mariners) RF Bryce Harper (Boston Red Sox) 2024 NL Gold Gloves P Micah Miniard (San Diego Padres) C Evan Skova (Washington Nationals) 1B Juston Bellanger (Chicago Cubs) 2B Alonzo Jones (Miami Marlins) 3B Tim Goodwin (Atlanta Braves) SS John Devine (Milwaukee Brewers) LF Rex Wall (Arizona Diamondbacks) CF Cesar Alonzo (Philadelphia Phillies) RF Marcus Wilson (Cincinnati Reds) 2024 American League Reliever of the Year CL Dave Davis (24 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 4th Round Pick 127th overall by Toronto in 2019 out of Atlanta High School in the USHSBA. 7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA 2024 National League Reliever of the Year CL Aroldis Chapman (36 Years Old) (St. Louis Cardinals) Signed as an International Free Agent by Cincinnati in 2010 out of Cuba. 0-3 42 SV 0.84 ERA 2024 American League Rookie of the Year CL Dave Davis (24 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 4th Round Pick 127th overall by Toronto in 2019 out of Atlanta High School in the USHSBA. 7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA 2024 National League Rookie of the Year RF Carmen Banks (23 Years Old) (Washington Nationals) 1st Round Pick 7th overall in 2022 by Washington out of the University of Alabama in the NCAA. .342 17 HR 69 RBI 2024 American League Cy Young Award SP Jamie Cox (32 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 1st Round Pick 9th Overall in 2014 by Toronto out of Michigan State University in the NCAA. 27-4 1.67 ERA 307 K 2024 National League Cy Young Award SP Austin Bergner (25 Years Old) (San Diego Padres) 1st Round Pick 3rd Overall in 2016 by San Diego out of Lakeland Highschool in the USHSBA. 16-4 1.91 ERA 262 K 2024 American League MVP Award SS Carlos Correa (30 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 1st Round Pick 1st Overall pick by Houston in 2012 out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in the USHSBA. .420 38 HR 121 RBI 2024 National League MVP Award SP Austin Bergner (25 Years Old) (San Diego Padres) 1st Round Pick 3rd Overall in 2016 by San Diego out of Lakeland Highschool in the USHSBA. 16-4 1.91 ERA 262 K 2024 Blue Jays Minor League Players of the Year AAA Buffalo Bisons - 78-66 1st in North Division SP Bernie Cantrell 24, RHP, V:97-99 MPH Acquired: Supplemental 1st Round Pick 27th overall in 2021 by Toronto out of the University of Minnesota in the NCAA. 2024 Stats: 15-13 3.09 ERA 44 BB 186 K GM's Comments: Cantrell was a 2024 International League All Star and took home the Gold Glove Award this season. He made some big strides on the mound setting career highs for wins and strikeouts. He looks like he is MLB ready but may be blocked at the MLB level as the Jays have a very solid starting rotation already. He scouts as a middle to back end of the rotation arm and he will be in the mix for a spot in the rotation at Spring Training this year. AA New Hampshire Fishercats - 93-49 1st in Northern Division & 2024 Eastern League Champions! SP Sam Burns 24, RHP, V: 93-95 MPH Acquired: 2nd round pick 63rd overall in 2020 by Toronto out of Lakewood High School in the USHSBA. 2024 Stats: 13-4 3.03 ERA 33 BB 165 K GM's Comments: A second round pick back in 2020 Burns really came into his own in AA this season leading the Fishercats in most pitching categories including wins, ERA and strikeouts. He was an Eastern League All Star and finished 3rd in the pitcher of the year voting. Burns is a big boy on the bump standing 6'5" and weighing in at 215 lbs and he uses that frame to generate a downward plane on his fastball. He scouts as a middle/back end of the rotation starter and is likely headed to AAA Buffalo to start the 2025 season. The Jays plan to get a better look at him in Spring Training to see what he can do against some MLB quality batters. High A Dunedin Blue Jays - 86-54 1st in North Division 1B Cesar Garza 24, RHB Acquired:3rd round pick 95th overall by Toronto in 2021 out of the University of New Mexico in the NCAA. 2024 Stats: .311 26 HR 85 RBI GM's Comments: Garza has battled some injuries since he was drafted in the 3rd round back in 2021 but looked healthy and was very productive in Dunedin this year. At 24 the 2024 Florida State League All Star is pretty old for the level and will need to develop quickly or he risks losing his prospect status. He is a sub par defender and is likely ticketed as a DH at the MLB level and with his homerun power its a position that he could excel at. Low A Lansing Lugnuts - 79-61 2nd in Eastern Division SP Jose De Jesus 23, RHP, V: 89-91 MPH Acquired: 3rd round pick 94th overall in 2020 by Toronto out of Oakland High School in the USHSBA. 2024 Stats: 15-6 3.00 ERA 53 BB 147 K GM's Comments: De Jesus is another 3rd round pick that has spent the better part of 4 years in the Jays low minors and was pretty unremarkable up until this season. He finished 2nd in the 2024 Mid Western League Pitcher of the Year voting and was an All Star. He doesn't have tremendous stuff with a fastball that tops out at 91 MPH but he relies on pin point command and very good off speed stuff to keep hitters off balance. He is a little old for the level and may skip the Florida State League as the Jays could challenge him in AA to start the 2025 season. Short Season A Vancouver Canadians - 31-45 Last in West Division 2B Jonathan Esparza 22, RHB Acquired: 2nd Round Pick 66th overall in 2023 by Toronto out of Ohio State University in the NCAA. 2024 Stats: .361 9 HR 32 RBI GM's Comments: Esparza was a player that the Jays had high hopes for when they took him in the 2nd round last year. He didn't disappoint in his first taste of A level ball leading the Canadiens in HR, Batting average, OBP and RBI. He was a 2024 Northern League All Star and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. He will get his first exposure to full season baseball in 2025 and as it stands right now the Jays are planning on having him start in the Florida State League with A Dunedin. Bluefield Blue Jays - 34-26 2nd in East Division SP Dan Shannon 22, RHP, V:93-95 MPH Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 4th round of the 2024 draft 127th overall out of Mississippi State University in the NCAA. 2024 Stats: 5-3 2.09 ERA 9 BB 75 K GM's Comments: Shannon hit the ground running in his first taste of professional baseball after being taken 127th overall in this years draft. He emerged as the #1 starter for Bluefield and would go on to win 5 games in his first pro season. A NCAA alum, he might have been a little old for the level but the Jays didn't want to rush him up the ladder too fast. He scouts as a middle to back end of the rotation arm and is likely headed to Lansing for the start of the 2025 season where he will get to experience the grinds of full season baseball for the first time. GCL Blue Jays - 35-33 3rd in North West Division SP Jonathan Maddox 22, RHP, V:92-94 MPH Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round 97th overall in 2022 out of Sterling Heights High School in the USHSBA. 2024 Stats: 7-4 3.01 ERA 17 BB 42 K GM's Comments: It was a banner year for the Jays and their former 3rd round picks as Maddox becomes the 3rd to win a minor league award. Maddox is a 6'4" 195 lb prototypical power pitcher, except this season his strikeout numbers were lower then you would expect from a guy with his stuff. He did induce a ton of ground balls and only allowed 3 homeruns the entire season. Another starter that projects to be a good middle to back end rotation arm that should reliably toss 200 innings in a season. He will likely head to Lansing to start the 2025 season. Dominican Summer League Blue Jays - 42-23 1st in San Pedro De Marcois Division SP Hector Bermudez 21, RHP, V: 90-92 MPH Acquired: Signed by the Blue Jays as an International Free Agent out of the Dominican Republic ($250,000). 2024 Stats:7-1 1.63 ERA 13 BB 69 K GM's Comments: Bermudez was lights out in his second go around in the Dominican Summer League. He lead the team in wins, era, strikeouts and k/9. He is still a very unpolished product having played just 2 seasons of pro baseball at 21. He will get his first chance to move over to North America where he will start in extended spring training before heading to either Bluefield or the GCL once the short seasons get underway. Up Next: Salary Arbitration

05-06-2016, 02:45 PM	#84
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2024 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents The Blue Jays had 9 players eligible for salary arbitration this off season along with a player option. The Jays elected not to pick up their option on 37 year old closer CL Jordan Walden. The veteran has declined steadily over his last 2 seasons with the Jays and has been surpassed on the depth chart by some of the younger arms in the Jays system. The Jays also elected to not offer 2B Gosuke Katoh arbitration but the 30 year old left handed hitter elected to sign a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training with the Jays. he other arbitration eligible players for the Jays included: 1B Chris Daniels - $800,000 SP Jose Cerventes - $5,250,000 MR Phil Jones - $900,000 RF Isaac Green - $4,588,500 MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,000,000 3B Stu Daniels - $7,500,000 SP Erik Black - $5,250,000 2B Chris Goodwin - $4,800,000 MR Nick Kennedy - $800,000 2028 Operating Budget The Blue Jays operating budget for the 2025 season has actually decreased from $208,000,000 in 2024 to an even $200,000,000 this season. This includes an allotment of $7,500,000 for draft expenses as well as $12,000,000 in Development and $12,000,000 in scouting expenses. Including coaching costs the Blue Jays will have about $165,000,000 in budget room to spend on player contracts. Of this total $142,500,000 is accounted for heading into the off season. This does give GM Ryan Stewart a little bit of wiggle room as its a pretty deep free agent class with some big names headed for big paydays in free agency. The rumour is that GM Ryan Stewart is looking to shake things up after yet another playoff disappointment in 2024. GM Ryan Stewart's Off Season Wish List The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes: 1. Hire a new coach At the conclusion of the 2024 series against the New York Yankees the Jays elected to let go Manager Cesar Nicholas. The 43 year old has been with the Jays since 2019 when he was the teams hitting coach. He was the hitting coach from 2019 to 2022 when he was promoted to Manager. In the regular season Nicholas was dynamite leading the Jays to a 228-96 record his downfall came in the playoffs as he lost both times to division rivals in the ALDS, losing in 2023 to the Boston Red Sox and then losing the New York Yankees this year. 2. Improve Defence The Blue Jays committed 112 errors last season which was the 3rd most in the American league with only the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers committing more. GM Ryan Stewart "We committed a lot of errors last season and although it didn't hurt us much in the regular season a few untimely errors cost us in the ALDS. The old addage is that pitching and defense wins championships and we can certainly pitch, maybe a boost on defense will help us get over the hump in the post season". Up Next: 2024 Off Season Transactions Report

05-06-2016, 03:35 PM	#85
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Blue Jays 2024 Off Season Report Baseball is on the horizon and the minds of many people in Toronto. GM Ryan Stewart and the rest of the Toronto Blue Jays organization is just about ready to head down to Dunedin for the start of Spring Training 2025. Toronto is eager to avenge their second straight ALDS loss to a division rival and many Blue Jays players are in camp early getting ready for the season. GM Ryan Stewart was pretty busy this off season as well. The biggest job was to find a replacement for fired Manager Cesar Nicholas who was let go at the end of the 2024 season. The search did take quite a while as the Jays interviewed a number of candidates before making a decision. GM Ryan Stewart was also active on the trade front making a pair of off season deals. In terms of free agency the Jays were pretty quiet as prices seemed to get out of control and they found themselves priced out of what they would have liked to spend. All in all it was a productive off season and were looking forward to baseball starting up again. Blue Jays Off Season: 1. New Head Coach GM Ryan Stewart and the Jays ownership group would interview 10 different candidates for the vacant Manager position here in Toronto and they would eventually settle on 55 year old former Cleveland Indians GM Chris Antonetti. Antonetti was the GM for the Indians from 2014-2023 and the team made 5 playoff appearances during that time. He has always wanted to be an on field Manager and GM Ryan Stewart is taking the risk to see if he can make the transition from a front office role to that of a Manager. The players seem to love him and he has an old school philosophy when it comes to the game. 2. Improve Defense With the goal of becoming more defensively responsible GM Ryan Stewart went out and made a pair of deals to help shore up the teams defense. Trade #1 - Toronto & Texas The Jays first deal involved some of their prospect depth at starting pitcher as they agreed to send former supplemental 1st round pick SP Josh Britton and MR Jim McCrocken to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 1B Cesar Melendez. Players to Texas SP Josh Britton is a 23 year old righty who was selected by the Blue Jays in the Supplemental 1st round 25th overall back in 2021 out of Colorado Springs High School in the USHSBA. The 4'4" 195 lb righty spent the entire 2024 season in AA New Hampshire where he was 12-6 with a 2.90 ERA with 48 BB and 164 K. He has been an All Star 3 times in his minor league career and scouts as a #2 or 3 starter at the big league level. MR Jim McCrocken is a 26 year old journeyman who has not lived up to his draft position. He was originally selected in the Supplemental 1st round 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2018 out of Pasadena High School in the USHSBA. He has been traded twice and was finally claimed by the Jays off waivers from the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He was 6-7 with a 2.62 ERA with 31 BB and 79 K for AAA Buffalo last season. He was a starter when he was first drafted but will probably be best served in a relief role moving forward. Players to Toronto 1B Cesar Melendez is a 26 year old right handed hitter who was signed by the Rangers as an International Free Agent back in 2016 out of the Dominican Republic. He is unique as a firstbaseman as he has great speed but very little power. Defensively he has the potential to win gold gloves year after year and thats a huge part of why the Jays were interested in him. He hit .299 with 8 HR and drove in 66 runs for the Rangers last season. He is in the last year of his contract and is owed $7,300,000. If the Jays don't resign him he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025 season. Trade #2 - Toronto & St. Louis Deal In the Jays only other deal of the off season the Jays killed two birds with 1 stone so to speak. With the addition of 1B Cesar Melendez from the Rangers the Jays found themselves with four first baseman and only two spots (first base & DH). The Jays managed to add a versatile back up infielder that can hit and play multiple defensive positions as well as save some of the $11,500,000 salary that he was owed for this season. The Jays agreed to a deal that will send 1B A.J. Reed to the Cardinals in exchange for SS Shane Benes. Players to St. Louis 1B A.J. Reed is a 31 year old left handed bat who was originally drafted in the first round 5th overall by the Twins back in 2014 and was traded to the Jays in 2017. He hit .225 with 25 HR and 85 RBI in 2025 and was an American League All Star back in 2019. Reed is known more for his bat then his glove and it showed in 2024 as he committed 14 errors at first base. When you couple his defense with his $11,900,000 contract he was the logical piece for the Jays to move out. Players to Toronto SS Shane Benes is a 29 year old right handed bat who was first drafted int he 2nd round 49th overall by the Nationals back in 2014 but elected not to sign. He went on to spend 3 seasons in St. Johns University in the NCAA and was then selected in the 1st round 15th overall in 2017 by the Chicago White Sox. Benes hit .235 with 4 HR and had 38 RBI with the Cardinals in 2024. He is a versatile player who can play all 4 infield positions very well and is a threat on the base paths. He took home the 2020 Gold Glove Award at second base while playing for the Chicago White Sox. Rule V Draft The Blue Jays did not take anyone in this years Rule V Draft but the did lose MR Sam Goodwin who was claimed by the Miami Marlins with the 2nd overall Pick. Goodwin was a 14th round pick of the Jays in 2019 out of Honolulu High School in the USHSBA and the 25 year old spent the entire 2024 season in the Florida State League with the Dunedin Blue Jays. He was 6-3 with 2 Saves a 3.64 ERA walking 28 and striking out 112. He has great stuff with a fastball that tops out in the 90-92 MPH range as well as a curveball and changeup. He is a good gamble to take as he hasn't pitched above single A but has good stuff and very good control. Minor League Free Agents GM Ryan Stewart did add a pair of International Free Agents on minor league deals. CL Azumaro Chouda, a 22 year old 6'3" 210 lb right who features a 94-96 MPH fastball was signed out of Japan and 27 year old C Antonio Esquilino was inked to a minor league contract out of Cuba. Esquilino is a gold glove caliber defender and will start the season as the back up in AAA Buffalo, Chouda is a little bit more raw and is ticketed for AA New Hampshire. Both players will get an invitation to Spring Training. 2024 Major Free Agent Signings A ton of money was tossed around this off season and the Jays were outbid on both of the players we went after. The Red Sox and Angels went a little crazy this off season in an attempt to revamp their rosters. SS Cam Sheppard - 7 years $109,200,000 (Los Angeles Angels) LF Cesar Alfonzo - 4 years $59,600,000 (Atlanta Braves) C Travis D'Arnaud - 2 years $26,600,000 (Los Angeles Angels) 3B Kris Bryant - 5 years $101,800,000 (New York Yankees) C Reese McGuire - 4 years $25,900,000 (Detroit Tigers) C Bob Garner - 4 years $97,600,000 (New York Yankees) LF Brad Zimmer - 4 years $77,600,000 (Boston Red Sox) SP Danny Elmore - 4 years $45,000,000 (Atlanta Braves) SP Riley Thompson - 4 years $50,000,000 (Boston Red Sox) RF Giancarlo Stanton - 3 years $64,800,000 (New York Yankees) SP Shelby Miller - 2 years $40,000,000 (Los Angeles Angels) 2B Jon Nash - 4 years $25,500,000 (Oakland Athletics) C Jorge Alfaro - 4 years $38,400,000 (Cleveland Indians) SP Justin Hooper - 7 years $193,400,000 (Oakland Athletics) CL Aroldis Chapman - 2 years $26,000,000 (San Francisco Giants) LF Derek Fisher - 1 year $3,520,000 (Boston Red Sox) SP Nathan Kirby - 3 years $21,900,000 (Oakland Athletics) MR Dave Dingwall - 3 years $20,400,000 (St. Louis Cardinals) C Mike Zunino - 2 years $8,960,000 (Boston Red Sox) 3B Tim Goodwin - 4 years $66,400,000 (Los Angeles Dodgers) 2B Jud Oliver - 6 years $93,700,000 (Detroit Tigers) 1B Dominic Smith - 3 years $27,000,000 (Baltimore Orioles) 1B Braxton Davidson - 3 eyars $29,200,000 (Los Angeles Dodgers) SP Josh Murphy - 6 years $150,000,000 (New York Yankees) C Mauro Gutierrez - 4 years $78,000,000 (St. Louis Cardinals) LF Sandy Phelps - 7 years $79,000,000 (Cincinnati Reds) C Austin Meadows - 4 years $43,100,000 (Boston Red Sox) SP Matthew McGarry - 3 years $68,400,000 (Boston Red Sox) Note: I went hard after SP Justin Hooper and 2B Jud Oliver but both wound up signing for much more then I was willing to pay. Up Next Spring Training 2025

05-12-2016, 08:37 PM	#86
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Spring Training 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays are just about ready to officially kick of Spring Training 2025. After what has been a familiar story line for Jays fans, them losing in the American League Division Series after being by far the best team in the majors for the regular season the Jays once again descend on Dunedin with renewed optimism for the new season to start. At the conclusion of the 2024 season GM Ryan Stewart vowed that there would be significant changes before the start of 2025 and there was some significant action during the off season. Manager Cesar Nicolas was fired and Manager Chris Antonetti was brought in. A couple of player personnel moves were also made to better the teams defense as well. Off Season Players Out: 1B A.J. Reed - Traded to St. Louis SP Josh Britton - Traded to Texas MR Jim McCrocken - Traded to Texas CL Jordan Walden - Became a Free Agent after option was declined MR Sam Goodwin - Lost in Rule V Draft to Miami (2nd overall pick) Manager Cesar Nicolas - Fired Off Season Players in: SS Shane Benes - Acquired in a trade from St. Louis 1B Cesar Melendez - Acquired in a trade from Texas CL Azumaro Chouda - Signed as International Free Agent C Antonio Esquilino - Signed as International Free Agent Manager Chris Antonetti - Signed as free agent 2024 Spring Training Invitees Starting Pitchers SP Erik Black - (29, LHP) - 20-7 3.86 ERA (Toronto) SP Sam Burns - (24, RHP) - 13-4 3.03 ERA (AA New Hampshire) SP Bernie Cantrell - (24, RHP) - 15-13 3.09 ERA (AAA Buffalo) SP Jose Cerventes - (26, RHP) - 14-5 3.17 ERA (Toronto) SP Jamie Cox - (32, LHP) - 27-4 1.67 ERA (Toronto) SP Jesus Gutierrez - (24, RHP) - 10-2 2.67 ERA (AA New Hampshire) SP Tyler Ivey - (27, RHP) - 8-3 5.24 ERA (Toronto) SP Tim Libby - (25, RHP) - 17-5 3.68 ERA (Toronto) SP Gus Price - (24, RHP) - 4-2 5.44 ERA (AAA Buffalo) SP Dave Winters - (24, LHP) - 9-8 3.31 ERA (AAA Buffalo) SP Norberto Perez - (24, LHP) - 11-9 4.57 ERA (A Dunedin) GM's Comments The Jays are spoiled with one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball led by perhaps the best pitcher in baseball SP Jamie Cox. Heading into the Spring there really isn't going to be much competition for major league spots but the competition for a starting spot in AAA could be hard to get. The Jays brass will be taking a good long look at a couple of their top young arms in Winters and Cantrell who look to headline the rotation in AAA. SP Sam Burns is a former 2nd round pick who has had success at every level he has pitched and will also be watched closely for a spot in Buffalo. The wild card at spring training this year is 24 year old SP Norberto Perez. The 24 year old sports a 91-93 MPH fastball and has been in the Jays system since signing as an International Free Agent for $122,000 out of the Dominican Republic back in 2017. He had a good season in Dunedin and is looking to skip a few levels and debut with AAA Buffalo this year. Middle Relievers and Closers MR Phil Jones - (27, RHP) - 1-1 1 SV 4.76 ERA (Toronto) MR Nic Kennedy - (27, LHP) - 4-2 4.44 ERA (Toronto) MR Mike McNeal - (26, LHP) - 6-4 1 SV 2.26 ERA (Toronto) MR Jorge Miranda - (28, RHP) - 4-2 2 SV 2.14 ERA (Toronto) MR Steve O'Quinn - (26, RHP) - 7-4 1 SV 2.77 ERA (A Dunedin) MR Rodrigo Rivera - (26, RHP) - 1-0 3 SV 3.70 ERA (Toronto) MR Sam Turner - (27, RHP) - 0-0 4 SV 3.51 ERA (Toronto) MR Carson Fulmer - (31, RHP) - 6-5 2 SV 3.25 ERA (AAA Buffalo) MR Luis Vargas - (26, LHP) - 2-0 2 SV 3.02 ERA (AAA Buffalo) MR Greg Nichols - (25, LHP) - 2-2 3.16 ERA (AAA Buffalo) CL Jorge Amoras - (24, RHP) - 4-3 36 SV 2.34 ERA (A Dunedin) CL Azumaro Chouda - (22, RHP) - DNP CL Jonathan Tillman - (24, RHP) - 10-4 6 SV 3.94 ERA (AA New Hampshire) CL Dave Davis - (24, RHP) - 7-2 46 SV 2.06 ERA (Toronto) GM's Comments The Jays bullpen was very good in 2024 leading the league in most categories. They were lead by rookie of the year winner CL Dave Davis who came out of nowhere to save 46 games for the Jays last season. This years bullpen really only has 1 spot up for grabs as CL Jordan Walden left as a free agent. There are a number of arms who will be competing in camp for that coveted spot on the 25 man roster. The early front runners include CL Jorge Aromas who has a big arm and closer experience, although only at A Dunedin, MR Steve O'Quinn who was picked up from the Yankees back in 2022 and MR Carson Fulmer, the veteran arm who has bounced back and fourth between AAA and the Majors for the last few seasons with the Jays. Position Players Catchers C Jesus Lopez - (26, RHB) - .274 18 HR 48 RBI (Toronto) C Arturo Lugo - (23, S) - .257 7 HR 31 RBI (AAA Buffalo) C Max Pentecost - (31, RHP) - .328 13 HR 72 RBI (Toronto) C Antonio Esquilino - (27, RHB) - DNP GM's Comments Another position that is pretty firmly occupied by C Max Pentecost. The veteran had a great season last year but did suffer from a few injuries that limited his playing time. His backup C Jesus Lopez did a phenomenal job in replacement and was a valuable bat off the bench as well. He will have some competition for the back up catchers position as C Arturo Lugo who is a switch hitter is looking to make the jump to the Majors. First Base Base 1B Chris Daniel - (26, LHP) - .219 17 HR 72 RBI (Toronto) 1B Cesar Melendez - (26, RHB) - .299 8 HR 66 RBI (Texas) 1B Pat Olson - (25, RHB) - .255 11 HR 73 RBI (AAA Buffalo) GM's Comments The Jays brought in 1B Cesar Melendez from the Texas Rangers in a deal this off season that saw 1B A.J. Reed dealt. Toronto was looking to improve their infield defense and Melendez is a premier defender. Daniels is scheduled to be the everyday designated hitter but could see some pressure from 2019 first round pick 1B Pat Olson who is attempting to make the team this spring. Second Base 2B Luis Hernandez - (23, RHB) - .256 12 HR 38 RBI (AA New Hampshire) 2B Gosuke Katoh - (30, RHB) - .316 5 HR 36 RBI (AAA Buffalo) 2B Trea Turner - (31, RHB) - .269 8 HR 61 RBI (AAA Buffalo) 2B Chris Goodwin - (29, RHB) - .260 20 HR 62 RBI (Toronto) 2B Tim Miller - (26, RHB) - .311 0 HR 34 RBI (Toronto) GM's Comments The competition at second base will revolve around the back up infielder spot. Former Jays 1st round pick 2B Tim Miller did a very good job in the role last season and will be tough to unseat. The player to watch in camp this year will be 2B Luis Hernandez who signed a huge $7,000,000 deal as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic back in 2017. He looks like he could be the Jays second baseman of the future but has yet to make it beyond AA. Third Base 3B Stu Daniels - (28, RHB) - .341 10 HR 73 RBI (Toronto) 3B Josh Crews - (29, RHB) - .282 6 HR 29 RBI (AAA Buffalo) 3B Al Buck - (26, RHB) - .259 8 HR 26 RBI (AA New Hampshire) GM's Comments Daniels has been a great fit since being selected by the Jays in the Rule V draft back in 2019 from Arizona. He hit .340 last year and even managed to club 10 homeruns. He doesn't have the power that former 3B Brett Lawrie has but he has made up for that with his ability to put the ball in play and his defense at 3rd. The feelgood story is 26 year old former 23rd round pick back in 2018, 3B Al Buck will make his Spring Debut with the Jays and is likely to start the season in AAA Buffalo. He is not currently on the 40 man roster but he could see some time with the big club if he has a good season with the Bisons. Short Stop SS Carlos Correa - (30, RHB) - .420 38 HR 121 RBI (Toronto) SS Shane Benes - (29 RHB) - .235 4 HR 38 RBI (St. Louis Cardinals) SS Tyler Halas - (27, RHB) - .246 6 HR 34 RBI (AAA Buffalo) SS Yeltsin Gudino (28, RHB) - .236 3 HR 37 RBI (AAA Buffalo) GM's Comments Correa had a historic season last year becoming the first player to hit over .400 since Ted Williams. The Jays will also get their first look at SS Shane Benes who was acquired in the off season from the St. Louis Cardinals. He was brought in because he can play multiple positions and is decent with the bat. Outfielders LF Don Bergeron - (27, LHB) - .316 4 HR 43 RBI (Toronto) LF Abel Black - (27, LHB) - .288 33 HR 99 RBI (Toronto) LF Freddy Rodriguez - (28, LHB) - .280 7 HR 58 RBI (AAA Buffalo) CF Albert Almora - (30, RHB) - .282 11 HR 55 RBI (Toronto) CF Cesar Gutierrez - (24, RHB) - .284 4 HR 34 RBI (AAA Buffalo) CF Jerry Irwin - (27, RHB) - .262 4 HR 20 RBI (AAA Buffalo) CF Dan Mitchell - (28, RHB) - .324 3 HR 28 RBI (AAA Buffalo) RF Isaac Green - (26, LHB) - .268 21 HR 80 RBI (Toronto) GM's Comments The Jays starting outfield is pretty much set with Abel Black in left, Albert Almora in center and Isaac Green in right. LF Don Bergeron did a very nice job as the 4th outfielder last year and will most likely reprise the role this season. We had a lot of injuries to the outfield last year and Rodriguez, Irwin and Mitchell all made their debuts with the Jays. Up Next: Spring Training Recap and Opening Day Rosters

05-13-2016, 12:01 PM	#87
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 Opening Day is Here! The Blue Jays wrapped up their Spring schedule with a league leading record of 21-5 and the best news was that there were no major injuries and the team will break camp healthy to start the 2025 season. 2025 Spring Training Standings Spring Training Statistics Starting Pitchers Surprises SP Tyler Ivey and his sparkling 0.69 ERA and 10 strikeouts against just two walks in 13 innings of work was impressive and he was probably the Jays best starter. SP Sam Burns was a pleasant surprise as well. The former 2nd round pick had a great Spring with a 1.72 ERA allowing just 3 earned runs in 15 innings of work. The 24 year old will start the season in AAA as the #3 in the Bison's rotation. Disappointments SP Dave Winters the Jays 1st round pick 24th overall back in 2021 had a tough spring allowing 11 earned runs and pitching to an 8.05 ERA. The Jays have high hopes for the 24 year old right hander and are hoping that he can bounce back and pitch well for AAA Buffalo. Spring Training Statistics Relievers Surprises MR Jorge Miranda (0.60), MR Greg Nichols (1.35 ERA) and MR Phil Jones (0.77 ERA) had great springs. Of the 3 Nichols has bounced around quite a bit since being selected in the first round 21st overall back in 2017 by the Minnesota Twins out of Michigan State University in the NCAA. He was released by the Twins in 2023 and signed a minor league contract with the Jays. He pitched himself onto a spot on the Major league roster to start the season. Disappointments 2024 AL rookie of the year winner CL Dave Davis struggled to a 5.00 ERA after allowing 5 earned runs in 9 innings of work. The Jays are hoping that the spring is an anomaly as they are counting on him to close out games this season. MR Steve O'Quinn also had a brutal spring allowing 3 runs in only 0.1 innings of work. O'Quinn's 54.00 ERA is messy and he looks like he will need some more time in the minors before he is MLB ready. Spring Training Statistics Catchers Surprises All three of the Jays catchers had awesome springs. Pentecost hit .266 and had 21 RBI and looks like he is in mid season form. In the battle of the backups C Jesus Lopez (.364 2 HR 9 RBI) and C Arturo Lugo (.464 1 HR 2 RBI) made the decision very tough but in the end the veteran Lopez won out. Lugo will start the season as the #1 catcher in AAA Buffalo. Disappointments None Spring Training Statistics Infielders Surprises Newly acquired 1B Cesar Melendez made a great first impression on Jays fans hitting .357 with a HR and 6 RBI. SS Carlos Correa had a sold spring as well hitting .379 with 2 HR and 14 RBI. No one else really stood out as most of the guys had springs that suggest that they will be ready come the start of the season. Disappointments 1B Chris Daniels had an awful spring hitting .194 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. He is a notorious slow starter but his performance this spring has the Jays concerned. 1B Pat Olson suffered a knee injury that limited him to just 4 games and he was without a hit. If he can hit well in Buffalo and Daniels continues to struggle he could find himself back with the major league club quickly. Spring Training Statistics Outfielders Suprises LF Freddy Rodriguez and CF Dan Mitchell were the Jays best hitting outfielders this spring hitting .381 and .331 respectively. Mitchel beat out Rodriguez and CF Jerry Irwin for the back up outfielders job. Disappointments CF Albert Almora hit just .210 this spring and that was a little alarming because he has been the teams leadoff hitter for the last 5 seasons. He was moved into the #6 spot in the lineup later in the spring as 1B Cesar Melendez would move into the lead off spot. OPENING DAY ROSTERS SP Jamie Cox SP Jose Cerventes SP Tim Libby SP Erik Black SP Tyler Ivey MR Phil Jones MR Nick Kennedy MR Sam Turner MR Mike McNeal MR Rodrigo Rivera MR Jorge Miranda CL Dave Davis C Max Pentecost 1B Cesar Melendez 2B Chris Goodwin 3B Stu Daniels SS Carlos Correa LF Abel Black CF Albert Almora RF Isaac Green C Jesus Lopez INF Shane Benes INF Tim Miller OF Don Bergeron DH Chris Daniels Pre Season Predictions Financial Information At the start of the 2025 season the Blue Jays have the #12th ranked payroll in all of major league baseball sitting at $142,049,500. The New York Yankees ($243,778,000), Boston Red Sox ($217,502,000) and Los Angeles Dodgers ($190,440, 000) have the three top payrolls in baseball. The Colorado Rockies have by far the lowest payroll in the Major leagues sitting at just over $62,632,000. Top Prospects and Farm Systems Baseball America released their first prospect rankings today and the 10 best prospects in the majors were: 1. 1B Alberto Beltran (Minnesota Twins) 2. SP Stu Clark (Miami Marlins) 3. SP Albert Duka (Milwaukee Brewers) 4. 2B Luis Hernandez (Toronto Blue Jays) 5. RF Tim Montgomery (Oakland Athletics) 6. 3B Wes Knight (Washington Nationals) 7. 2B Bob Gibson (New York Mets) 8. SP Dan Parker (Miami Marlins) 9. SP Clint Curl (Cleveland Indians) 10. SP Gilberto Romero (Baltimore Orioles) The Miami Marlins have the best rated minor league system in the majors and with two top 10 rated prospects it is easy to see why. They have a total of 13 players ranked in the top 200 and have done a very good job identifying talent through the draft and the International Free Agent market. The Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the Washington Nationals round out the top 5. The lowly Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies both do not have a prospect ranked in the top 100. Up Next: April Review as Opening Day is here!

05-18-2016, 02:29 PM	#88
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Jays off to 19-4 Start with New Manager May 1st, 2025 April was a good month for the Jays and new manager Mike Antonetti as the team got off to a 6-0 start sweeping their opening series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays and then taken a 3 game set on the road against the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays first loss of the season came against the Detroit Tigers and the Jays would actually end up losing 2 of three in their series with the Tigers. The Jays would finish off the month of April with a 19-4 record which is not only the best in the American League East but also in the Majors. They hold a 6 game lead over the second place New York Yankees. AL East Standings - May 1st AL Wild Card Standings April Pitching Statistics April Batting Statistics April's Hot Players The Jays two hottest pitchers were SP Jamie Cox (4-0 0.78 ERA) and SP Jose Cerventes (4-0 1.01 ERA) both pitchers were perfect in the month of April and have picked up right where they left off. Perhaps the most dominant pitcher for the Jays has been CL Dave Davis, the sophomore closer notched 10 saves and didn't allow a run in 10.2 innings of work. Offensively C Max Pentecost (.341 7 HR 18 RBI) and 3B Stu Daniels (.353 3 HR 13 RBI) were the Jays hottest hitters and carried the offense. April's Cold Players On the pitching side of things the Jays have all been pretty hot. The only player that has run into any trouble is MR Nick Kennedy (1-1 4.97 ERA) he had one bad outing that inflated his ERA to 4.57. Offensively RF Isaac Green (.183 1 HR 11 RBI), LF Don Bergeron (.161 4 HR 7 RBI) and SS Shane Benes (.148 0 HR 0 RBI) have been cold to start the season. April News & Notes Injuries The Jays weren't able to get through the month of April without losing a player to injury. LF Abel Black (.361 2 HR 6 RBI) suffered a bruised knee and is going to be out for the next 5 weeks. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and the Jays recalled CF Cesar Gutierrez (.214 0 HR 5 RBI) from AAA Buffalo. Free Agent Signings There were a number of players left without contracts as the regular season drew closer, a few would end up signing 1 year deals: CL Jarred Cosart - 2 year $11,200,000 (Atlanta Braves) CL Trevor Rosental - 1 year $4,160,000 (New York Yankees) CF Andrew McCutchen - 1 year $5,100,000 (Philadelphia Phillies) 2B Rougned Odor - 1 year $5,800,000 (Cleveland Indians) Awards SP Jamie Cox was named the American League Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 0.78 ERA. SP Norberto Cruz (Signed as an International Free Agent in 2017 out of Cuba for $122,000) was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA. Around the Majors RF Carlos Gonzalez of the Pittsburgh Pirates notched his 2000th career hit in an 8-6 loss against the Detroit Tigers. The 39 year old veteran is hitting .191 with 2 HR and 5 RBI this season. Gonzalez is a career .282 hitter with 328 HR and 1113 RBI in 1947 games over 17 seasons int he Majors. SP Mason Studstill of the Oakland Athletics pitched a perfect game in a 5-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers. The 26 year old righty struck out 8 batters and set down all 27 hitters he faced in order. Studstill was a former 3rd round pick 77th overall back in 2016 by the Milwaukee Brewers. He is 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA for the A's this season. Up Next: May 2025 Update

05-20-2016, 02:37 PM	#89
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Blue Jays Cruising Along as First Year Player Draft Approaches June 1st, 2025 Another great month for the Jays saw them improve to 42-9 overall by going 23-5 during the month of May. The Jays really have been firing on all cylinders and they are playing some great baseball right now. GM Ryan Stewart "What can we say everything is going very well for us this season. We have stayed relatively healthy and our best players have been our leaders. Right now we are going to keep doing what were doing and hope that our success continues". GM Ryan Stewart and the Jays Scouting and Development Staff will also be busy this month as they prepare for the 2025 First Year Player Draft. The Jays won't draft until the last pick in the first round but the same amount of time and effort goes into their preparation. GM Ryan Stewart "The draft is my favorite time of year, we pride ourselves on finding talent in the later rounds of the draft and that's the best way to sustain a winning team. We have guys all over our top prospects list that weren't drafted in the first round. Identifying these talents and then developing them is the key to a sustainable winning environment". AL East Standings - June 1st AL Wild Card Standings - June 1st May Pitching Statistics May Batting Statistics May's Hot Players The Blue Jays success is due in large part to their 3 best players. SP Jamie Cox was 5-0 with a 1.10 ERA and was named the AL Pitcher of the Month, SS Carlos Correa hit at a video game like clip in May hitting .490 with 11 HR and 28 RBI and was named the American League Batter of the Month in May and C Max Pentecost hit .397 with 6 HR and 23 RBI. They are the core of the team and they showed it in May. LF Don Bergeron should also get some mention as he bounced back from a cold start hitting .337 with a HR and 14 RBI in May. On the pitching side of things SP Erik Black (4-0 2.56 ERA) and SP Jose Cerventes (3-0 3.13 ERA) were dominant and combined with Cox to go a perfect 12-0 in the month. May's Cold Players When the team is winning as much as the Jays are its hard to think of anyone as being cold but there are a couple of Jays players that have struggled this month. Most notably LF Abel Black who is hitting just .167 with 0 HR and 0 RBI since returning from the disabled list. SS Shane Benes whom the Jays acquired in an off season trade still hasn't found his stride with the bat and hit just .138 with 0 HR and 2 RBI in May. May News & Notes Contract Rumors The Jays and GM Ryan Stewart have a tough decision on their hands as 29 year old veteran 2B Chris Goodwin will be eligible for free agency after the end of the 2025 season. The former Supplemental 1st round pick 30th overall in 2017 out of the University of Washington by the New York Mets was acquired by the Jays in exchange for SP Nathan Kirby back in 2022. He is hitting .242 with 7 HR and 26 RBI this season and is a career .258 hitter with 93 HR and 411 RBI in 7 seasons with the Jays, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the New York Mets. The Jays have 2B Tim Miller, a former first round pick already on the 25 man roster and one of their top prospects in AAA 2B Luis Hernandez, a former International Amateur Signing out of the Dominican Republic back in 2018 is having a great season hitting .299 with 7 HR and 32 RBI. Goodwin is rumored to be after an 8 year deal in the $84,000,000 range and that may just be a little too rich for the Jays. International Scouting Discovery Scouting Director Brian Parker was hard at work scouring the independent and amateur leagues and was able to unearth 16 year old SP Julian Gonzalez, a 6'2" 175 lb right handed starter out of the Dominican Republic. The slender righty features a 90-92 MPH fastball as well as a slider and is developing a changeup, but at this point it is well below average. He is very raw and should add some velocity as he grows. He scouts as a bullpen arm right now but with some work on his changeup he could be a viable option in the back end of a big league rotation. Awards SP Jamie Cox was named the American League Pitcher of the Month after going 5-0 1.10 ERA. SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .490 with 11 HR and 28 RBI. 1B Tim O'Neill a former 23rd round pick 694th overall in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina was named the Florida State League Batter of the Month after hitting .385 with 3 HR and driving in 14 for the Dunedin Blue Jays. Around the Majors SP Justin Hooper who signed a massive 7 year $193,400,000 contract with the Oakland Athletics this off season is paying dividens as he no hit the Detroit Tigers beating them 4-0. The 29 year old struck out 9 and issued a single walk in the victory. Hooper is a former 1st round pick 12th overall by the Cleveland Indians in 2015 and signed with the A's this past off season. In 2025 he is 5-4 with a 2.10 ERA and he owns a career 90-62 record with a 3.29 ERA and 1170 strikeouts. Up Next: 2025 First Year Player Draft Preview

06-02-2016, 02:49 PM	#90
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 MLB First Year Player Draft Preview June 5th, 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays scouting, and development staffs along with GM Ryan Stewart have been very busy as the 2025 first year player draft quickly approaches. The Jays will have to wait until the very end of the 1st round to make their first selection at #25 overall. Toronto has had some success in identifying prospects in the 20-25 range that have gone on to produce for the major league club or who are very close to being MLB ready right now. 2B Tim Miller was the 20th overall pick in 2020 and has been a regular for the Jays for the last two seasons, SP Dave Winters (24th overall in 2021) and SP Bernie Cantrell (27th overall in 2021) are in AAA and knocking at the door. The last time the Jays made the 25th overall pick in the draft they selected LF Dan Mueller back in 2022. He is currently in A Lansing hitting .293 with 1 HR and 11 RBI but is on the 7 day disabled list with an oblique strain. The Baltimore Orioles will make the #1 selection in this years draft and they will have a number of very good arms to chose from. The top end of this draft is very pitcher heavy and the Orioles will have the pick of the litter. The Miami Marlins who failed to sign their 1st overall pick last CF Phil Ellis, will select 2nd and then again at #3 giving them 2 of the top 3 picks and a great chance to add to an already impressive farm system. The Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies will round out the top 5 picks. Baseball America's Pre Draft Top 10 According to Baseball America the top rated players for the 2025 First Year Player Draft are as follows: SP Bud Beauregard - 19, RHP (Jersey City High School, USHSBA) 0-0 0.00 ERA (1.0 IP) Missed rest of season with shoulder injury. Beauregard had 3 stellar seasons with Jersey City being named to the USHSBA All Star Team 3 times. He was the consensus #1 choice before suffering an arm injury in his first start of the 2025 season. He is a big 6'3" righty with a fastball in the 94-96 MPH range as well as a slider, changeup and splitter. He has great command and should be a #1 in a MLB rotation. He could still go #1 overall despite the injury. SP River Campos - 21, RHP (Air Force Academy, NCAA) 5-2 1.65 ERA 11 BB 75 K Campos is the top ranked collage arm in this years draft class. He won't dazzle you with pure stuff featuring a 92-94 MPH sinking fastball as well as a slider, change up and splitter. He has very good command of the strike zone and can locate all of his pitches. He probably isn't going to be a #1 at the MLB level but he is very consistent and should be a good #2/3 at the MLB level. 3. SP SP Rob Norton - 19, RHP (Seattle High School, USHSBA) 3-1 0.36 ERA 6 BB 59 K Norton has the build of a prototypical power pitcher standing 6'5", his fastball isn't quite at the level of a power arm yet topping out in the 90-91 MPH. He weighs just 185 lbs and he should gain some significant velocity as he fills out. He has pretty good control for a young arm that is that big walking just 5 batters in 50.1 innings of work. He compliments his fastball with a curveball and changeup. Both pitches grade out as potential plus pitches but are well below average right now. 4. CF Jim Sanchez - 21, LHB (University of Portland, NCAA) .297 1 HR 20 RBI The first batter to show up on the BA Top 10. Sanchez could easily go #1 overall if Baltimore decides to go with a bat over a pitcher. He is basically a 4 tool player (not a lot of power). He sprays the ball all over the field and has some pop in his bat to get the ball into the gaps. He has a great eye at the plate and doesn't chase many bad pitches. He is a threat to steal on the bases swiping 21/24 bases this year. Defensively he has the range and arm to stick in center field and can play both right and left. 5. SP Rory Gilbert - 19, RHP (Medford High School, USHSBA) 3-3 0.96 ERA 9 BB 59 K Gilbert might have the highest potential of any of the prep arms available in this years draft class. He throws 6 pitches a fastball that sits 92-94 MPH as well as a curve ball, change up, splitter, forkball and a knuckle curve. 5 of the six pitches grade out as plus potential but are very raw. He could be the ace of a staff some day but is a long way from being MLB ready and the team that drafts him will have to wait a while before he makes an impact at the MLB but he could be well worth the wait. 6.SP Tye Main - 19, LHP (Little Rock High School, USHSBA) 4-2 1.00 ERA 11 BB 65 K Main is probably not in the conversation for the top tier of prep arms available in this years draft class but would slot in in the next tier. He features a 91-93 MPH fastball as well as a curve, slider, change up and splitter. His fastball is by far his best pitch and his secondary stuff will need some work to become a good middle of the rotation starter. His stamina is a little low for a starter as well and there are some questions as to his ability to go deep into ball games and if he may end up in the bullpen down the road. 7. CF Phil Ellis - 22, RHB (University of Texas, NCAA) .398 3 HR 49 RBI The first overall pick in last years draft by the Miami Marlins failed to sign and would go back to the University of Texas for his senior season and he put up big numbers. The two time All Star is a 4 tool player (he doesn't have much power) and could be a perennial All Star at the MLB level. He is a little further behind in his development as he delayed his professional debut by not signing with the Marlins last season. He is in the conversation for the #1 overall pick this year as well, however its more likely that one of the pitchers is chosen over him. The big question will Miami take him with the 2nd or 3rd overall picks if he slips past Baltimore at #1. 8. SP Jim Wooddisse - 19, RHP (Mesa High School, USHSBA) 2-1 0.49 ERA 9 BB 85 K Wooddisse has the tools and makeup to be a top of the rotation arm. He stands 6'4" and weighs in at 210 lbs and can bring his fastball in the 91-93 MPH range. He was the 2024 USHSBA Pitcher of the Year and MVP and is a 2 time USHSBA All Star. He features a plus-plus sinker, slider and changeup and combines his pure stuff with pin point control. Based on his ratings I'm surprised that he is not rated higher and I think he will get top consideration as the #1 overall pick. 9. SP Kip Williams - 19, RHB (Jacksonville High School, USHSBA) 0-0 2.16 ERA 1 BB 13 K (2 Games) Williams threw just 8.1 innings in his Senior season with Jacksonville High and then missed the remainder of the year with a strained hamstring muscle. He put up an impressive 13 strikeouts in those 8 innings and would have most likely been ranked much higher had he not been injured. He features a fastball in the 91-93 MPH range as well as a slider, curve and changeup. He does struggle with command at times and does tend to over throw and rely on his fastball too much. He scouts as a good #2 or 3 but with some work on his secondary stuff he could be a #1. 10. SP Dave O'Brien - 21, RHP (San Diego State University, NCAA) 5-2 2.53 ERA 10 BB 65 K O'Brien has the best fastball in the top 10 as he can bring it in th e96-98 MPH range. He also throws a devastating splitter and changeup and is developing a curveball. He has great stamina and is a durable workhorse that should feature at the top of a rotation. He doesn't have the ceiling of some of the wild card prep arms but his floor is much higher. After spending 3 seasons in the NCAA he is very well polished and could move up through the minors quickly and could be one of the first from the 2025 draft class to make the Majors. Previous Blue Jays Picks 2020 - 20th Overall 2B Tim Miller .348 0 HR 12 RBI in 23 games (Toronto) Once again Miller has been the back up infielder in Toronto but his recent offensive surge has given him a lot more playing time. At 26 years old he could make pending free agent 2B Chris Goodwin expendable as he could take over the starting role full time in 2026. 2021 - 24th Overall SP Dave Winters 5-2 4.12 ERA (AAA Buffalo) The 25 year old was in the mix for a rotation spot in the Spring this year but ended up in AAA as the Bisons #1 starter. He has put up good numbers and will be a September Callup for sure this year and the Jays are going to have to decide on his future as early as next year as he is running out of MLB options. 2022- 25th Overall LF Dan Mueller .293 1 HR 11 RBI (Low A Lansing) Muller is repeating with Lansing and has hit the ball very well in his second go around. He is currently on the 7 day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. The plan is to promote him to High A Dunedin when he is eligible to return and then if he performs well get him up to AA New Hampshire by the end of this season. He should compete for a spot in the outfield as early as 2026. 2023- 20th Overall SP Claude Meyer 5-5 3.47 ERA (2024 with S.A. Vancouver) Meyer got hammered in his first taste of pro ball back in 2023 and bounced back in 2024 with a good season in Vancouver. The Jays brass want to move him along slowly and have had him in extended spring training with him starting the season in Vancouver again. He should see a promotion to full season A ball before the season is over providing he pitches well. 2024- 27th Overall SP Kevin Perkins 4-5 5.54 ERA (GCL Blue Jays in 2024) Perkins had a respectable pro debut with the GLC Blue Jays and the 21 year old was sent to extended Spring Training as he awaits the start of the short season leagues shortly after the draft. He is ticketed for S.A. Vancouver as the Jays are going to be a little aggressive with the hard throwing righty. Up Next: 2025 First Year Player Draft

06-03-2016, 02:44 PM	#91
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 First Year Player Draft June 6th, 2025 The Baltimore Orioles were on the clock and they would make 19 year old SP Jim Wooddisse out of Mesa High School in the USHSBA the #1 overall pick in the 2025 First Year Player Draft. Wooddisse was ranked as the #8th prospect heading into the draft by Baseball America but he probably has the highest ceiling of any of the prep arms available in this draft class. He features a 91-93 MPH sinking fastball and a slider and changeup. His changeup is his best pitch and he gets a lot of swing and misses with it. At 6'4" and 185 lbs he has some room to fill out and should add velocity as he fills out an matures. He was 2-1 with a 0.49 ERA with 9 walks and 85 strikeouts in 2025. He is not going to come cheep as he is looking for a $9,500,000 signing bonus and has a number of NCAA options should he decide to not sign with Baltimore and return to school next year. Blue Jays Draft First Round - 25th Overall With the 25th overall pick the Jays were ecstatic to select 19 year old SP Rob Norton out of Seattle High School in the USHSBA. Norton was ranked as the #3 prospect heading into the draft by Baseball American and slid all the way down to the Jays at #25. The 6'5" 185 lb righty features a 90-92 MPH fastball a curveball and a changeup. He has very good command of all of his pitches and should add some velocity to his fastball in the minors. He was 3-1 with a 0.36 ERA with 6 BB and 54 strikeouts in 2025. A 3 time USHSBA All Star with Seattle he was named 2025 USHSBA Pitcher of the Year this season. He scouts as a top of the rotation arm and the Jays are very happy to have landed him at #25. He is not going to come cheep and is looking for a $6,000,000 signing bonus, with a slot recommendation of $1,200,000 the Jays are going to have to go significantly over slot to get him signed. Second Round 69th Overall In the second round the Jays selected another high upside prep arm this time in 19 year old righty SP Dan English out if Scottsdale High School in the USHSBA. English is an imposing figure on the mound standing 6'7" and tipping the scales ate 210 lbs. He doesn't really back up his imposing size with overpowering stuff sitting 89-91 MPH with his fastball and complimenting that with a cutter and changeup. There is a good chance that he will add some velocity as he matures and makes mechanical adjustments in the minors. In 2025 he was 0-3 with a 2.56 ERA with 16 BB and 55 K. He struggled at times with wildness but we believe he can make some adjustments with his frame with our development staff. He scouts as a middle of the rotation arm or possibly a good back end of the bullpen reliever. He is looking for a slot signing bonus of $380,000. Third Round 96th Overall The Jays nabbed their first position player with the 96th overall selection in the draft taking 19 year old switch hitting SS Dan Brooks out of Hayward High School in the USHSBA. Brooks hit .250 with 0 HR and 15 RBI in 2025. He makes a ton of contact and doesn't strikeout much and he can spray the ball to all fields. He isn't going to hit for a ton of power. likely 10 HR at the MLB level at the most. On the basepaths he has great speed and instincts and should be able to swipe 30+ bases. Defensively he is slightly below average and a move to second or 3rd might not be out of the question. He is looking for a $250,000 signing bonus which is the slot amount for the 69th overall pick. Fourth Round 125th Overall In the 4th round the Jays went back to the prep ranks to grab yet another 19 year old pitcher taking SP Sean Funk out of Los Angeles High School in the USHSBA. Funk is a 6'2" 190 lb right hander who features a 91-93 MPH fastball a slider and is developing a changeup. He was 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA with 4 walks and 37 strikeouts in 2025. A 2 time USHSBA All Star he has the potential to be a middle to back end of the rotation arm. He will really need to work on his changeup to give him 3 above average pitches or he could end up being moved into the bullpen. The Jays plan on having him start as he begins his pro career in the Jays system. He is looking for a $180,000 signing bonus (slot is $180,000) and should be an easy sign for the Jays. Fifth Round 155th Overall In the 5th round the Jays took their first NCAA Collage player selecting 21 year old RF Art Frazier out of the University of Vermount. Frazier hit .365 with 6 HR and 35 RBI in 2025 and took home a NCAA Golden Glove Award for his defensive play in 2024. He is a good all around player who doesn't do anything that particularly jumps out at you but he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses in his game either. He projects at a minimum to bee a serviceable 4th outfield and a good left handed bat off of the bench. He is looking for $150,000 (slot) to sign and should be an easy sign for the Jays. Blue Jays Picks rounds 6 through 30: 6. SP Geoff Edwards (19, RHP) Talahassee High School, USHSBA 7. C Don Johnston (22, RHB) University of Texas, NCAA 8. SS Leo Ryan (22, RHB) Wake Forest University, NCAA 9. CF Joe Cooper (22, S) TCU, NCAA 10. CL David Martinez (19, LHP) Little Rock High School, USHSBA 11. SP Jose Bradley (19, LHP) Nashville High School, USHSBA $1,900,000 signing demmand 12. SP Joe Johnson (19, LHP) Memphis High School, USHSBA 13. 2B Liam Harris (19, RHB) Sacremento High School, USHSBA 14. LF Jamie Cook (21, RHB) Clemson University, NCAA 15. SS Ivan Alarcon (19, RHB) Oceanside High School, USHSBA 16. C Christian Benetiz (21, LHB) South Florida University, NCAA 17. SP Dave Turney (21, RHP) Virginia Tech, NCAA 18. C Shawn McMullon (19, RHB) Austin High School, USHSBA 19. C Wilson Beltre (19, RHB) Jacksonville High School, USHSBA 20. SP Chris King (19, RHB) Newark High School, USHSBA 21. 3B Ken Taylor (21, RHB) University of Vermount, NCAA 22. SP Tony Wilson (19, RHP) Tampa High School, USHSBA 23. SS Ken Summers (22, LHB) University of San Diego, NCAA 24. CL Maczysz Rachaslzj (19, RHP) Cleveland High School, USHSBA 25. CL Paul Brandt (22, RHP) Baylor UNiversity, NCAA 26. SP Don Fisher (19, LHP) Medford High School, USHSBA 2,400,000 bonus demmand 27. SS Tommy Hunter (19, RHB) Seattle High School, USHSBA 28. SP Ron Elliott (19, RHP) Honolulu High School, USHSBA 29. MR Steve Caldwell (21, RHP) San Jose State, NCAA 30. SP Noel MacDonald (21, RHP) UCLA, NCAA Up Next: June 2025 Update

06-29-2016, 06:46 PM	#92
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Jays Open Up 10.5 Game Lead in AL East as Summer Approaches July 1st, 2025 The Blue Jays had another good month in June posting a win-loss record of 17-11 and opening up a 10.5 game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Jays did have a bit of a slump in the middle of the month as they would be swept by the lowly Tampa Bay Rays in a 4 game set at Tropicana Field. That might have been a good wake up call as they would go 8-2 in the 10 games after. GM Ryan Stewart "The series against the Rays we played really bad. We didn't hit or catch well committing 7 errors in the 4 games and scoring just 8 runs total. Hopefully that series is a reminder that a big lead in the division is not safe and that there is still a lot of season left before the playoffs start and a lot can happen between now and September" AL East Standings - July 1st AL Wild Card Standings - July 1st June Pitching Statistics June Batting Statistics June's Hot Players Toronto's success in June was a well balanced approach between the hitting and pitching. SP Jose Cerventes was nearly un-hitttable going 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA and SP Jamie Cox was almost as good going 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA, he was the recipient of some bad luck as the bullpen would blow 2 of his leads late in ballgames. Offensively SS Carlos Correa (.369 11 HR 23 RBI) continues his MVP like pace and C Max Pentecost (.340 3 HR 17 RB), 1B Cesar Melendez (.360 2 HR 12 RBI) and LF Don Bergeron (.397 2 HR 16 RBI) all had really good months to carry the offence in June. June's Cold Players You will be really hard pressed to find anyone in the Jays lineup who is really cold either offensively or defensively. On the pitching side of things SP Tim Libby didn't have a great month going 0-2 with a 6.38 ERA in 4 starts and MR Sam Turner was 0-3 with a 9.61 ERA. Offensively 1B Chris Daniels continues to struggle hitting just .158 with 2 HR and 5 RBI and is increasingly losing at-bats as the DH to LF Don Bergeron who has been raking. June News & Notes Injuries SS Shane Benes whom the Jays acquired in the off season will spend the next 4 weeks on the disabled list with a sore throwing shoulder. The veteran utility man has had a rough debut to his season with the Jays hitting just .171 with 1 HR and 4 RBI and now is going to be out until after the July 31st trade deadline. The Jays called up one of their top prospects in 2B Jesus Valades who is having a huge season in AAA Buffalo hitting .319 with 9 HR and 39 RBI. First Year Player Draft Update GM Ryan Stewart was very busy getting the Jays 2025 Draft Class under contract and into the minor league system to start their development. With just 2 weeks left before the signing deadline the Jays have signed all but a pair of their draftees. 11th round pick SP Joe Bradley and 26th round pick SP Don Fisher have yet to decide on the offers that they received from the Jays. Both are longshots as they have very strong commitments to play baseball in the NCAA in 2026. The Jays other draft picks all signed and to date the Jays spent $6,300,000 on their picks in the first 5 rounds. Their bonuses broke down as follows: 1st Round (25th Overall) - SP Rob Norton - $5,000,000 2nd Round (69th Overall) - SP Dan English - $650,000 3rd Round (96th Overall) - SS Dan Brooks - $190,000 4th Round (125th Overall) - SP Sean Funk - $250,000 5th Round (155th Overall) - CF Rob Meyers - $210,000 International Scouting Discovery Scouting Director Brian Parker didn't let the draft stop him from scouring the international ranks and he came up with another prospect that the Jays inked to a minor league contract. 16 year old SP Tony Meza is a 6'0: 165 lb lefty who hails from the Dominican Republic. He features a fastball, curveball and slider and tops out in the 87-89 MPH range. He doesn't have the best stamina right now and might be better suited for a role in the bullpen down the road. Awards SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .369 with 11 HR and 23 RBI. July 1st International Signing Period The 2025 International Free Agent class is a deep one with a number of impact players available. GM Ryan Stewart didn't want to tip his hand but did say that they are heavily in on a number of the top ranked players. The top 10 ranked players available are: 1. SP Jose Vazquez (16, LHB) Venezuela 2. SP Jose Magana (16, RHP) Dominican Republic 3. SS Alfredo Repenicaro (16, RHB) Venezuela 4. C Ihazul Paradinum (17, LHB) Venezuela 5. SP Pepe Hinojosa (16, RHP) Venezuela 6. CF Jose Gonzalez (16, RHB) Dominican Republic 7. SP Dani Ordonez (16, LHP) Dominican Republic 8. SP Anastasio Anaya (16, LHP) Venezuela 9. C Hector Barbadillo (16, S) Dominican Republic 10. CF Meodemo Pieare (16, S) Venezuela Up Next: July 2025 Update

07-08-2016, 12:46 PM	#93
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Blue Jays Go Nuts on the International Prospect Market August 1st, 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays were the most aggressive team on the International Amateur Free Agent market this July 1st landing a number of the top players available and spending a total of $31,800,000 on 10 players including shelling out a pair of $10 million dollar contracts. GM Ryan Stewart "Our ownership group was very supportive of this strategy to spend heavily during the current July 1 period and then deal with the penalties for the next two seasons. We really liked the level of talent in this years class and thought it was a very good opportunity to add a bunch of talent to our low minors" On the field the Jays continue to roll posting an 18-6 record during July and improving to 77-25 on the season. They hold a commanding 12.5 game lead on the second pace New York Yankees in the American League East and barring a complete collapse are looking to defend their AL East title. The news wasn't all good for the Jays however as they will be without RF Isaac Green and All Star SS Carlos Correa. Green is going to miss the next 5 months and is done for the season and Correa will miss the next 3 weeks. AL East Standings - August 1st AL Wild Card Standings - August 1st http://s255.photobucket.com/user/rya...g.html?filters[user]=59138963&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=3 July Pitching Statistics July Batting Statistics July's Hot Players The Jays bullpen was a big part of their success this month as the rotation (with the exception of SP Jamie Cox who was 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA) struggled a bit. CL Dave Davis was lights out going 1-0 with 8 saves and didn't allow an earned run, MR Mike McNeal was also great in a middle relief role going 4-0 with a sparkling 0.97 ERA. Offensively SS Carlos Correa was tearing the cover off the ball hitting .402 with 10 HR and 26 RBI before he was injured and C Max Pentecost (.366 4 HR 16 RBI) and 3B Stu Daniels (.319 2 HR 15 RBI) both had tremendous months at the plate. July's Cold Players Much like June there really isn't anyone in the starting lineup or one of the pitchers who I would be considered to be "cold". CF Cesar Gutierrez who had his contract purchased from AAA Buffalo and made his major league debut is off to a slow start hitting just .190 with 1 HR and 5 RBI and C Jesus Lopez who doesn't get a lot of playing time backing up Pentecost is hitting just .133 in the month of July. On the pitching side of things really only MR Sam Turner (0-1 6.07 ERA) had a bad month and that can really be attributed to 1 bad outing. July News & Notes Injuries The Jays were dealt a pair of serious injuries this month with RF Isaac Green suffering a ruptured finger tendon. He was hitting .263 with 9 HR and 52 RBI at the time. He is expected to miss the next 5 months and is done for the rest of this season. The Jays purchased the contract of CF Cesar Gutierrez who was hitting .253 with 1 HR and 23 RBI for AAA Buffalo this season. All star SS Carlos Correa also suffered an injury that will require a stay on the disabled list. He will miss the next 3 weeks with a strained back muscle. The reigning AL MVP was hitting .390 with 36 HR and 86 RBI at the time of his injury. The Jays recalled 2B Jesus Valdes (.313 9 HR 49 RBI) who will get his second chance with the Jays this season. First Year Player Draft Update The deadline to sign 2025 first year player draft picks has passed and the Jays were able to come to agreements with all but two of their picks. 11th round pick SP Joe Bradley elected to attend Gonzaga and 26th round pick SP Don Fisher chose to attend the University of Texas. International Amateur Signing Period GM Ryan Stewart would be very busy during the signing period shelling out a total of $31,800,000 on 10 prospects out of this years prospect class including 7 of the top 10 ranked heading into the signing period. The pre-draft top 10 was: 1. 1B Jose Vazquez (16, LHB) Venezuela - Toronto - $10,500,000 2. SP Jose Magana (16, RHP) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $8,000,000 3. SS Alfredo Repenicaro (16, RHB) Venezuela - Toronto - $1,250,000 4. C Ihazul Paradinum (17, LHB) Venezuela - Boston - $1,700,000 5. SP Pepe Hinojosa (16, RHP) Venezuela - Toronto - $950,000 6. CF Jose Gonzalez (16, RHB) Dominican Republic - New York Yankees - $1,200,000 7. SP Dani Ordonez (16, LHP) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $950,000 8. SP Anastasio Anaya (16, LHP) Venezuela - Toronto - $250,000 9. C Hector Barbadillo (16, S) Dominican Republic - Toronto - $10,000,000 10. CF Meodemo Pieare (16, S) Venezuela - Boston - $700,000 Awards SS Carlos Correa was named the American League Batter of the Month after hitting .402 with 10 HR and 26 RBI GCL - CL Clarence Jones (6th round 189th overall in 2023) was named the GCL pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with 11 saves and a 0.47 ERA. FSL - LF Jim Kelley (9th round 279th overall in 2023) hit .333 with 5 HR and 24 RBI and was named the Florida State League Batter of the Month. A Vancouver - LF Ron Ortega (5th Round 158th overall in 2022) was named the Northwestern League Batter of the Month after hitting .385 with 1 HR and 20 RBI. R Blue - CL Charlie Clements (4th Round 127th overall in 2023) went 3-1 with 9 Saves and a 3.08 ERA and was named the Pitcher of the Month. Up Next: August 2025 Update

07-26-2016, 12:52 PM	#94
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Blue Jays Lead the AL East by 13.5 Games but Injuries Mounting August 1st, 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays had another great month posting a 20-8 record and adding to their lead in the American League East. They have extended their lead over the second place New York Yankees to 13.5 games and with just over a month left in the season they have a magic number of just 20 to wrap up another division title. The news has not been all good for the Jays however as the injury bug has hit them hard over the last few weeks. They leaned that they will be without CF Albert Almora for 7 weeks and both SP Jamie Cox and MR Jorge Miranda are done for the season. Cox is suffering from shoulder inflammation and is expected to miss at least the next 5 months and Miranda is out for 13 months after suffering a torn flexor tendon. The biggest loss by far is SP Jamie Cox, the 6 time Cy Young Award winner and 7 time All Star has been the Jays best pitcher for the better part of a decade and will leave a huge hole in the starting rotation come playoff time. AL East Standings - August 1st AL Wild Card Standings - August 1st August Pitching Statistics August Batting Statistics August's Hot Players SP Jose Cerventes had his contract purchased from AAA Buffalo after SP Jamie Cox was placed on the 60 day disabled list and he was very good in August going 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA the rookie had a little bit of an issue with his control walking 10 batters and striking out 12 but he was able to minimize the damage with a lot of ground balls. Offensively C Max Pentecost (.398 9 HR 20 RBI) and SS Carlos Correa (.371 8 HR 18 RBI) both have returned to form after suffering injuries earlier in the season and have been the most formidable middle of the order in baseball this season. August's Cold Players August saw a couple of the Jays players have tough months. SP Erik Black pitched to a 1-2 record with a 5.43 ERA in 5 starts and had a lot of trouble with control walking 16 batters in 30 innings of work. Offensively 1B Cesar Melendez struggled mightily hitting just .163 with 0 HR and 9 RBI and rumors are beginning to swirl that he might be hurt. If he is that would be a huge blow to the Jays line up as he has been one of their best and most consistent hitters this season. August News & Notes Injuries The injury bug hit the Jays very hard this month with three players requiring extended stays on the disabled list. The biggest loss by far was that of SP Jamie Cox. Cox was having yet another Cy Young caliber season with a 16-1 record and a sparkling 1.92 ERA is suffering from shoulder inflammation and is expected to be out for the next 5 months. He was placed on the 60 day disabled list and the Jays recalled SP Jesus Gutierrez who was 8-7 with a 4.15 ERA in AAA Buffalo this season. The next to go down with a season ending injury was MR Jorge Miranda who was 1-5 with 5 saves and a had posted a 4.35 ERA this season. He suffered a torn flexor tendon and is expected to miss the next 13 months. He was also placed on the 60 day disabled list and the Jays recalled MR Jorge Aromas who is off to a great start in AAA Buffalo going 8-8 with 29 saves and a 3.26 ERA. The injury train kept rolling along and CF Albert Almora was the next to hop on. The injury prone outfielder is hitting .291 with 27 HR and 77 RBI this season and is expected to be out for 7 weeks after suffering a fractured rib. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and is expected to return in time for the post season. The Jays purchased the contract of CF Dan Mitchell from AAA Buffalo where he was hitting .298 with 9 HR and 39 RBI. Finally the Jays would lose yet another starting pitcher as SP Tim Libby who was 6-4 with a 3.93 ERA is suffering from elbow inflammation and is expected to miss at least the next 3 weeks. He was placed on the 15 day disabled list and the Jays purchased the contract of SP Dave Winters. Winters who was the 24th overall pick in the 2021 first year player draft by the Jays was 10-2 with a 2.89 ERA this season and will make his major league debut with Toronto in August, First Year Player Draft Update The Jays most recent crop of draftees has had a couple of months at the professional level to get adjusted to the pro game and a couple of the Jays picks were off to great starts. 1st Round - SP Rob Norton - 5-3 1.92 ERA (GCL). Currently out for 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. 2nd Round - SP Dan English - 3-7 3.71 ERA 35 BB 35 K (GCL) 3rd Round - SS Dan Brooks - .177 0 HR 9 RBI (96 AB's) (GCL) 4th Round - SP Sean Funk - 2-1 1 SV 1.82 ERA (GCL) 5th Round - RF Art Frazier - .257 0 HR 14 RBI (GCL) Waiver Claim GM Ryan Stewart announced that they club had claimed 27 year old MR Danny Simpson off waivers from the San Diego Padres. The 6'3" 210 lb right hander was originally drafted in the Supplemental 1st round 33rd overall by the Texas Rangers in 2018 out of Colorado Springs High School in the USHSBA. So far in 2025 he is 2-7 with a 3.41 ERA with 33 walks against 87 strikeouts for AAA El Paso. He features a 91-93 MPH fastball as well as a curveball, slider, changeup, cutter and kunckle curve. He projects as a decent middle reliever and with the rosters expanding to 40 man the Jays have time to give him an audition at the big league level. Awards C Max Pentecost (.398 9 HR 20 RBI) was named the American League Batter of the Month. A Lansing - LF Dan Mueller (1st round pick 25th overall in 2022) was named the Midwestern League Batter of the Month after hitting .372 with 3 HR and 23 RBI for the Lugnuts. A Lansing - SP Danny Esquiver (10th round pick 311th overall in 2019) was named the Midwestern League Pitcher of the Month after going 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA with 33 K's and just 3 BB for the Lugnuts. September Callups The Jays have added a number of reinforcements to the roster due to the injuries that they have suffered already this month but with rosters expanding to 40 man they have added a few more. With a large lead in the AL East the plan is to try and rest a lot of the regulars so that they can be fresh for playoff time. The Jays recalled the following players from AAA Buffalo: SP Bernie Cantrell - 9-14 5.33 ERA SP Sam Burns - 8-10 4.83 ERA SP Dave Winters - 10-2 2.89 ERA CL Steve O'Quinn - 3-8 2 SV 5.71 ERA C Arturo Lugo - .296 10 HR 55 RBI 2B Jesus Valdes - .309 11 HR 64 RBI Up Next: End of the 2025 Regular Season

08-10-2016, 01:18 PM	#95
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Blue Jays are Best in Baseball, ALDS Vs Yankees in up Next October 5th, 2025 The Blue Jays just completed their best season in franchise history tying the 2024 team with 120 victories and took home their 3rd consecutive AL East Title. The Jays ill make their 8th consecutive playoff appearance and have not missed playing baseball since they finished in 2nd place in the East back in 2017. The Jays will play their division rival the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series after the Yankees took down the Chicago White Sox in the American League Wild Card Game. The Jays will be without LF Abel Black when the American League Division Series gets underway against the Yankees as the veteran right fielder is suffering from a sports hernia and is expected to miss the next 8 weeks effectively ending his season. Black is hitting .294 with 16 HR and 69 RBI on the year. The Jays recalled CF Cesar Gutierrez from AAA Buffalo where he was hitting .253 with 1 HR and 23 RBI. Around the Majors 3B Pablo Sandoval the veteran infielder for the Cleveland Indians notched his 2500th career hit in a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. The 39 year old had a resurgent year for the Indians in 2025 hitting .291 with 13 HR and 52 RBI and for his career is a .285 hitter with 2500 hits 299 HR 1181 RBI between Dan Francisco, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore, Atlanta and Cleveland. He is a 4 time All Star and is under contract for 1 more season with the Indians. Up Next: ALDS New York vs Toronto

08-10-2016, 02:29 PM	#96
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	And the Broken Record Continues - Jays Downed by Yankees in 5 Games Again October 20th, 2024 For Blue Jays fans the feeling of deja vu is understandable as the team cruised to 120 victories and the best record in baseball only to be bounced in 5 games in the American League Division Series by their division rival the New York Yankees. The Jays were short handed this year without star players SP Jamie Cox, LF Abel Black and CF Albert Almora. Perhaps the biggest blow was the loss of SP Jamie Cox who would have been the starter for the team in game #1. With the Jays out of the post season they will be looking to the off season and the team has a number of pending free agents and he roster next year could look vastly different. ALDS Game #1 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Jake Odorizzi (14-9 3.64 ERA) vs SP Jose Cerventes (20-2 2.70 ERA) W: SP Jake Odorizzi (1-0) L SP Jose Cerventes (0-1) Recap: The Blue Jays would send 20 game winner SP Jose Cerventes to the hill in game #1 against the Yankees against veteran SP Jake Odorizzi and the Yankees and he was cruising until the 7th inning. With the game tied at 2 RF Butch Townsend ripped an RBI double and would then score 2 batters later on a DH Giancarlo Stanton homerun. The Yankees bullpen then shut down the Jays offence the rest of the way on the way to a 10-2 whipping of the Jays in game #1. ALDS Game #2 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Jorge Rodriguez (14-8 3.48 ERA) SP Tyler Ivey (15-5 4.13 ERA) W: SP Tyler Ivey (1-0) 6.0 IP 6 H 4 R 3 BB 6 K L: MR Tyler Mondile (0-1) S: CL Dave Davis (1) Recap: Toronto would turn to SP Tyer Ivey to try and even up their series with the Yankees and he did just enough to keep the Jays in the game and let the offence take over. Ivey tossed 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 3 walks and 6 k's to earn his first career playoff victory. Ivey had a rough start as RF Giancarlo Stanton had an RBI single in the bottom of the 1st and then SS Francisco Lindor drove him in on an RBI triple. Lindor would score on a 2 run blast off the bat of C Bob Garner and the Yankees held a 4-0 lead before the Jays even had a chance to hit. SS Carlos Correa would respond with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 1st making it a 4-1 Yankees lead. RF Cesar Gutierrez belted a 2 run RBI double off the wall in right field in the in the 6th to cut the lead to 1. After a walk to C Max Pentecost DH Chris Daniels belted his first homerun of the post season giving the Jays a 5-4 lead. Toronto's bullpen would shut down the Yankees for the rest of the game and the Jays would tie the series at 1's with a 5-4 victory. ALDS Game #3 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees SP Josh Murphy (22-6 3.26 ERA) SP Erik Black (14-5 4.22 ERA) W: CL Mike Scott (1-0) L: CL Dave Davis (0-1) Recap: The Yankees would turn to SP Josh Murphy to the hill in Game #3, Murphy is the leader in the American League East in wins with 22 and is fresh off a wild card victory over the Chicago White Sox. The Jays countered with SP Erik Black who was 14-5 with a 4.22 ERA this season. Black was very good going 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with a pair of walks and 3 K's. SP Josh Murphy would last 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits. Neither pitcher would factor in the decision however as it would go to extras and DH Arturo Rivera would hit a walk off double in the bottom of the 10th off CL Dave Davis to give the Yankees a 4-3 victory in game #4 and putting the Jays on the brink of elimination. ALDS Game #4 - Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees SP Jose Cerventes (0-1 2.36 ERA) SP Stephen Strasburg (3-8 4.88 ERA) W: Mr Phil Jones (1-0) L: CL Mike Scott (1-1) S: CL Dave Davis (2) Recap: The Jays turned to game #1 starter SP Jose Cerventes to try and stave off elimination and the Yankees countered with veteran SP Stephen Strasburg who had missed most of the season with an arm injury. The Yankees jumped out to an early lead in this one as SS Francisco Lindor got them on the board int he 2nd with an RBI single making in 1-0. The Yankees would add 5 more runs in the bottom of the 4th capped off by a RF Arturo Rivera 3 run homerun. The Jays would however chip away at the lead with SS Carlos Correa getting them on the board with a solo homerun in the bottom of the 7th. They would not score again until they rallied for 8 runs in the top of the 9th inning capped off by a 3B Stu Daniels RBI sac fly that tied the game at 7 and then a DH Chris Danies 2 run double that gave the Jays the victory and forced a game #5. ALDS Game #5 - New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays SP Jorge Rivera (0-0 1.35 ERA0 SP Tyler Ivey (1-0 6.00 ERA) W: MR Ben Warner (1-0) L: MR Sam Turner (0-1) Recap: The Blue Jays got off to a great start in game #5 with CF Albert Almora belting a 3 run homerun in the bottom of the 1st. The Yankees didn't let the lead stand for long as 3B Rob Duncan hit a 2 run triple in the top of the 2nd cutting the Jays lead to 1. In the top of the 4th CF Jim Chavez had an RBI single in the 4th and that knotted the game at 3. The Jays retook the lead in the the with a sacrifice fly off the bat of LF Don Bergeron making it a 4-3 lead for the Jays. Once again that would not last long as 3B Rob Duncan belted a 2 run homerun in the 7th inning giving the Yankees a 5-4 lead. Once again Toronto would tie the game up in the 8th with C Max Pentecost had an RBI double in the 8th inning. In the top of the 9th veteran DH Giancarlo Stanton hit his 3rd homerun of the series a 2 run shot to give the Yankees a 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the 9th 2B Chris Goodwin would score on a wild pitch cutting the lead to 7-6 but thats as close as they would come as the Yankees would move on to the ALCS. Up Next: 2025 World Series Winner

08-10-2016, 02:54 PM	#97
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	Chicago Cubs are the Best in Baseball in 2025, Defeat the Yankees in 7 November 9th, 2025 The Chicago Cubs took home the 2025 World Series with a thrilling 7 game series victory over the American League Champion New York Yankees. The Cubs road to the World Series went through the Colorado Rockies whom thy defeated in 4 games in the NLDS and then a 4-2 series win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS. This is the first time the Cubs have won the World Series since 2018. Up Next: The 2025 Off Season Begins

08-11-2016, 03:47 PM	#98
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 Awards & Blue Jays Minor League POTY's Major League Baseball announced its winners for the Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award and the MVP today and there were a couple of Jays that took home some hardware. The Jays also announced their R. Howard Webster Award Winners for the Best Player at each level of the Jays minor leagues. 2025 AL Gold Gloves P SP Ken Quick (Houston Astros) C Johnny Mann (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) 1B Will Benson (New York Yankees) 2B Reid Humphreys (Oakland Athletics) 3B Stu Daniels (Toronto Blue Jays) SS Francisco Lindor (New York Yankees) LF Oscar Tavares (New York Yankees) CF Cisco Rodriguez (Boston Red Sox) RF Bryce Harper (Boston Red Sox) 2025 NL Gold Gloves P Erik Brown (Philadelphia Phillies) C Tim Susnama (Colorado Rocikes) 1B Justin Belanger (Chicago Cubs) 2B Ricky Aracena (Philadelphia Phillies) 3B Mason Templet (Los Angeles Dodgers) SS Cole Stobbe (Atlanta Braves) LF Gareth Morgan (Los Angeles Dodgers) CF Elijah James (Arizona Diamondbacks) RF Kyle Parker (Arizona Diamondbacks) 2025 American League Rookie of the Year 1B Jarred Patterson (27 Years Old) (Chicago White Sox) 5th Round Pick 149th overall in 2017by Texas out of Miami High School in the USHSBA. .271 25 HR 70 RBI 2025 National League Rookie of the Year 1B Daniel Thompson (24 Years Old) (Atlanta Braves) Supplemental 1st round pick 26th overall by Atlanta out of Purdue University in the NCAA. .270 22 HR 73 RBI 2025 American League Cy Young Award SP Jamie Cox (33 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 1st Round Pick 9th Overall in 2014 by Toronto out of Michigan State University in the NCAA. 16-1 1.92 136 K 2025 National League Cy Young Award SP Bryan Hoeing (28 Years Old) (Atlanta Braves) 1st Round Pick 4th Overall in 2015 by Atlanta out of Georgia High School in the USHSBA. 16-6 1.63 ERA 174 K 2025 American League MVP Award SS Carlos Correa (31 Years Old) (Toronto Blue Jays) 1st Round Pick 1st Overall pick by Houston in 2012 out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in the USHSBA. .374 47 HR 127 RBI 2025 National League MVP Award LF Mike Brown (23 Years Old) (Colorado Rockies) 1st Round Pick 2nd Overall in 2023 by Colorado out of Florida State University in the NCAA. .363 20 HR 84 RBI 2025 Blue Jays Minor League Players of the Year AAA Buffalo Bisons - 71-73 5th in North Division 2B Jesus Valdes 24, RHB Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent out of Venezuela for $1,250,000 in 2018. 2025 Stats: .309 11 HR 64 RBI GM's Comments: Valdes was easily the best hitter on the Bisons this year and he would have had even better numbers if he didn't spent significant time with the big club due to injuries. He hit .380 in 34 games with the Jays this year and has pretty much assured himself a job as the everyday second baseman with 2B Chris Goodwin expected to leave as a free agent. He was an International League All Star in 2025 and finished 3rd in the gold glove voting for second base. AA New Hampshire Fishercats - 88-54 1st in Northern Division & 2025 Eastern League Champions! 1B Cesar Garza 25, RHB Acquired: 3rd round pick 95th overall in 2021 by Toronto out of the University of New Mexico in the NCAA. 2025 Stats: .322 23 HR 114 RBI GM's Comments: The Fishercats were able to repeat as Eastern League Champs in 2025 and a big reason for that was the hitting of Garza. He was a 2025 Eastern League All Star and would take home the Eastern League MVP Award. Garza is never going to win a gold glove as his fielding skills are almost non existent so he will likely be a designated hitter at the next level. He is headed to Spring training with the Jays next season and could even compete for the DH spot with DH Chris Daniels who has been a disappointment for the Jays over the last few seasons. High A Dunedin Blue Jays - 77-63 1st in North Division SP Norberto Perez 25, LHP, V:94-96 MPH Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent for $122,000 by Toronto out of Cuba in 2017. 2025 Stats: 12-7 3.15 ERA 54 BB 117 K GM's Comments: Perez was not a highly rated prospect on the International Market back in 2017 but is quietly making a name for himself in the Jays organization. He is a little old at 25 to still be pitching in A ball but he has shown good fastball command and has steadily increased his stock. He will never be a top of the rotation arm but should be a good 4th/5th starter option. He will be challenged this season heading to AAA and will probably get a few spring innings with the Jays as well. Low A Lansing Lugnuts - 88-52 2nd in Eastern Division LF Dan Mueller 22, LHB Acquired: 1st round pick 25th overall in 2022 by Toronto out of Hialeah High School in the USHSBA. 2025 Stats: .341 10 HR 61 RBI GM's Comments: Mueller was a guy that we were very excited about in his draft year and he has burst onto the full season scene by hitting .341 and winning a Gold Glove in his rookie season in Lansing. The 22 year old is very close to being MLB ready and will get a shot at cracking the opening day roster in Spring Training. Our Scouting and development staff all think very highly of him and see him as an impact player and possible lead off hitter at the MLB level. Short Season A Vancouver Canadians - 53-23 1st in West Division & 2025 Champs! SP Gilberto Cruz 20, RHP, V: 92-94 MPH Acquired: Signes as an International Free Agent by Toronto for $350,000 out of Venezuela in 2021. 2025 Stats: 10-2 2.57 ERA 24 BB 83 K GM's Comments: Cruz has developed nicely since moving to North America and was the Ace of the Canadians Staff this year leading the team in just about every pitching category. He is still very young at just 20 years old and his future is likely that of a #3 starter at the big league level. the plan is to have him spend all of 2026 in Lansing to get his feet wet in full season baseball and then see how he develops from there. Bluefield Blue Jays - 43-25 1st in East Division SP Bob Dickey 21, LHP, V: 93-95 MPH Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the Supplemental 1st Round 33rd overall in 2023 out of Madison High School in the USHSBA. 2025 Stats: 5-1 1.34 ERA 27 BB 46 K GM's Comments: Dickey has shown that he has nothing left to learn in rookie ball and the Jays plan on challenging the former 1st round pick with full season ball next season. He will join SP Gilberto Cruz in Lansing and should headline a fairly impressive Lugnuts rotation. He has top of the rotation potential and is the Jays top pitching prospect. We have high hopes for him down the road. GCL Blue Jays - 40-20 2nd in North West Division SP Kevin Perkins 20, RHP, V:92-94 MPH Acquired: Drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round 27th overall in 2024 out of Pasadena High School in the USHSBA. 2025 Stats: 6-2 1.95 ERA 25 BB 57 K GM's Comments: Last years 1st round pick had a huge season in his second go around with Bluefield and he showed why the Jays took him in the first round. He is another guy that the Jays scouts are very high on but is still very raw. He will likely be moved up to Short Season A Vancouver to start the season next year and depending on performance could see some time in full season A ball before the end of 2026. Dominican Summer League Blue Jays - 32-36 4th in San Pedro De Marcois Division 3B Alfredo Lopez 22, RHB Acquired: Signed by the Blue Jays as an International Free Agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2020 for $75,000. 2025 Stats: .329 5 HR 19 RBI GM's Comments: Lopez was an under the radar signing back in 2020 and has spent almost 4 seasons in the Jays International Complex and had a breakout season in his second go around in the DSL. He projects to be a good back up infielder at the MLB level and probably is never going to be a starter. He will get his chance to make his debut in North America as the plan is to have him start the season in Vancouver. Up Next: Salary Arbitration

08-15-2016, 02:02 PM	#99
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents The Blue Jays are going to see some significant turn over this off season as they have three compensation eligible free agents who will not be back with the Jays next year after declining Arbitration and electing to become free agents. Those include 3B Stu Daniels who has been with the Jays since being taken in the Rule V Draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2020. He will join the likes of 1B Cesar Melendez and 2B Chris Goodwin on the free agent market leaving the Jays with just C Max Pentecost and SS Carlos Correa returning from their opening day infield from 2025. In addition to the three comp eligible free agents the Jays had 10 players who were arbitration eligible. They would all resign with the club earning 1 year deals worth the following amounts: 1B Chris Daniels - $1,250,000 LF Don Bergeron - $5,250,000 SP Jose Cerventes - $7,500,000 MR Phil Jones - $1,500,000 RF Isaac Green - $5,953,750 MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,600,000 C Jesus Lopez - $2,500,000 SP Erik Black - $7,500,000 MR Nick Kennedy - $1,600,000 MR Jorge Miranda - $2,035,750 2026 Operating Budget The Blue Jays operating budget will remain the same for the 2026 season holding steady at $200,000,000. With the Jays current payroll sitting at $135,800,000 and the draft budget ($7,500,000) and international amateur budget ($3,000,000) the Jays have approximately $35,000,000 that they can use to spend on free agents. With a number of holes to fill, particularly on the infield a significant portion of that money could be eaten up finding replacements at first, second and third. The Jays do have a number of internal candidates that will be pushing to make the opening day roster next year and the team has been linked to a number of free agents. This could be a very eventful off season for GM Ryan Stewart and the Toronto Blue Jays. GM Ryan Stewart's Off Season Wish List The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes: 1. Hire a New Assistant GM At the conclusion of the 2025 season Assistant GM Jim Duquette decided that it was time to retire from professional baseball, He was hired by the Jays back in 2020 when GM Ryan Stewart took over the team and has been the GM's right hand man ever since. He was particularly good at working wit scouting director Brian Parker at identifying amateur talent and working with our player development department to get it up to the major leagues. 2. Fill the hole at first base 1B Cesar Melendez had a huge season for the Jays last year slashing .283/.384/.395 with 7 HR and 77 RBI all while providing 4.8 WAR and gold glove caliber defense at first. He elected to become a free agent this off season after rejecting the Jays qualifying offer. The Jays are going to have to find a replacement for his bat and glove and with very few options available in free agency we will likely have to address the need through trade. 3. Fill the hole at 2B We lost 2B Chris Goodwin to free agency after the veteran second baseman rejected a qualifying offer and became a free agent. The Jays are going to have to find a way to replace his .286/.316/.485 slash line with 25 HR and 94 RBI and 4.8 WAR. 4. Fill the hole at 3B The third of the infield trio that elected free agency was 3B Stu Daniels. He slashed .317/.342/.452 with 10 HR and 71 RBI providing the Jays with 2.6 WAR. He was also a gold glove caliber defender at the hot corner. Up Next: 2025 Off Season Transactions Report

01-09-2017, 03:13 PM	#100
ryan008 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Posts: 2,334	2025 Salary Arbitration Cases & Possible Free Agents The 2025 off season is going to be a very busy one for GM Ryan Stewart and the Blue Jays front office. In addition to having 10 players eligible for salary arbitration the Jays will have three compensation eligible free agents as 3B Stu Daniels, 1B Cesar Melendez and 2B Chris Goodwin will all be free agents after failing to sign extensions with the Jays this of season. The Jays 10 salary arbitration cases and the results of the hearings were: 1B Chris Daniels - $1,250,000 LF Don Bergeron - $5,250,000 SP Jose Cerventes - $7,500,000 MR Phil Jones - $1,500,000 MR Rodrigo Rivera - $1,600,000 C Jesus Lopez - $2,500,000 SP Erik Black - $7,500,000 MR Nick Kennedy - $1,600,000 MR Jose Miranda - $2,035,750 2026 Operating Budget The Blue Jays 2026 Operating Budget has been set at $204,000,000 this season which represents a meager increase of just $4,000,000 over the 2025 season. Toronto's $204 million dollar budget is the 7th largest in the majors trailing the New York Yankees ($296 million) and the Boston Red Sox ($276 million) by significant amounts. When you factor in coaching expenses, draft estimates ($10 million), player payroll ($135,800,000), Scouting ($18 million) and development ($18 million) the Jays have approximately $35 million in payroll space to be utilized this off season. There are a lot of holes to fill so that $35 million needs to go a long way this off season. The off season is just about upon us and my wish list for the off season includes: 1. First Base The loss of 1B Cesar Melendez to free agency has created a huge hole at first base. We have a couple of options in house in 1B Chris Daniels (.219/.300/.351 with 10 HR and 28 RBI in 2025 with the Jays) and 1B Pat Olson (.276/.351/.378 5 HR 60 RBI in AAA Buffalo) but neither has the offensive abilities that we lost in Melendez. There are a couple of options out there in free agency but no one who really blows my socks off. This is a hole that will most likely be filled via trade. 2. Third Base 3B Stu Daniels rejected extension talks that went right down to the wire and elected to see what his options were in free agency. The 29 year old was a Rule V pick up by the Jays back in 2019 from Arizona and has turned into an All Star. He hit .317/.342/.452 with 10 HR and 78 RBI for the Jays last season. I'm hoping that 2B Jesus Valdez who is a 24 year old former International Free Agent signing out of Venezuela back in 2018 can make the transition over to third. He hit .380/.420/.560 with 3 HR and 16 RBI for the Jays in 2025 but in just 35 games. I would like to find someone who has a little more experience to provide some depth and backup in case Valdez struggles. 3. Second Base 2B Chris Goodwin who has spent 4 seasons with the Jays after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals for SP Nathan Kirby elected to test free agency as well. This is a position that will be filled in house. We have tremendous depth at second base with former first round pick 2B Tim Miller (..321/.364/.384 0 HR 71 RBI with Toronto), 2B Luis Hernandez (.259/.357/.397 12 HR 67 RBI with AAA Buffalo) and 2B Chad Flannery (.313/.340/.400 2 HR 52 RBI with A Dunedin). Of the three its most likely that Miller and Hernandez will battle for the starting job while Flannery will head to AAA Buffalo to start the season. 4. Assistant GM the Jays Assistant GM Jim Duquette retired after spending just one season as the Jays Assistant GM. We wish Jim all the best and will start interviewing for his replacement immediately. Up Next: 2025 Off Season Transactions Report