The Toronto Blue Jays have built off of their impressive showing last week by agreeing to terms with free-agent infielder Marcus Semien on a one-year, $18 million contract Tuesday night.
The @BlueJays add another bat.
— MLB (@MLB) January 26, 2021
INF Marcus Semien is reportedly heading to Toronto, per @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/e6xz4z4Dk6
Semien is expected to receive the bulk of his playing time at second base, likely pushing incumbent Cavan Biggio into a super-utility role.
J.T. Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to “run it back” to the tune of a five-year, $115.5 million signing.
He’s back!
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 26, 2021
The Phillies have re-signed JT Realmuto to a 5-year, $115.5 million deal, as confirmed by our @JSalisburyNBCS. pic.twitter.com/rAMqW91Cdh
The New York Yankees have also been busy, adding new blood to what could be a fearsome pitching staff, signing Corey Kluber, and trading for Jameson Taillon. The Boston Red Sox have also made a few moves over the last week or so, looking to improve a roster that finished in the AL East basement last season. There were some other notable signings and the annual Hall of Fame announcement (or in this case non-announcement). This is MLB Hot Stove Roundup.
Gerrit Cole explains why Yankees fans should be excited about the arrival of Jameson Taillon. pic.twitter.com/dI9gALfou9
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 26, 2021
What does Springer mean to the Blue Jays?
It was just last Tuesday night when news started to circulate of the Blue Jays acquiring All-Star free-agent outfielder George Springer. A team-record six-year, $150 million deal would later become official and the silence of the team’s long free agency drought was finally broken.
While some may criticize Toronto for the length of this contract, it could be argued that the Jays needed Springer more than any other team. Of course, by the time the deal was consummated, it was being widely reported that the Springer sweepstakes had come down to two teams, the Jays and the Mets. Once the Mets traded for Francisco Lindor and took on his contract, it made getting Springer practically a pipe dream.
Springer provides the Jays with a defensive upgrade in center field, a veteran presence in the clubhouse, and a proven ability to get on-base at a high percentage. While it’s unknown where he’ll slot into the lineup, he has a career .277 average when batting leadoff.
It would seem that a corresponding move of trading an existing outfielder on the roster could be imminent but that’s not their biggest problem. Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernández, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are all starting-caliber players but a trade involving one of those players could wait until the trade deadline.
Not Done Yet
The real issue with the club, at present, is its lack of proven starting pitching options. Beyond Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award, there just isn’t a lot of quality choices. They brought back Robbie Ray, who was decent as a mid-season pickup last year. They’re on the hook for one more season of Tanner Roark ?.
Beyond that, they have Ross Stripling and a bunch of young, unproven arms. Anthony Kay, Julian Merryweather, Thomas Hatch, Ryan Borucki, and Sean Reid-Foley.
They do have the number-one ranked right-handed pitching prospect, Nate Pearson, who made an uneven debut last season. Trent Thornton, who went 6-9 with a 4.84 ERA in 2019 before injuries limited his 2020 campaign to 5.2 innings, will also be in the mix.
Getting Kirby Yates, considered one of the top relief pitchers available, helps. So too should Tyler Chatwood, expected to pitch out of the bullpen but experienced as a starter.
#BlueJays have committed more to free agents than any team in baseball this winter. A total of $184.5 million and counting:
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 26, 2021
• George Springer – $150/6
• Marcus Semien – $18/1
• Robbie Ray – $8/1
• Kirby Yates – $5.5/1
• Tyler Chatwood – $3/1
The Jays continue to be linked to several pitchers on the secondary market, including James Paxton. How cool would it be for the Blue Jays to have a really good Canadian pitcher?! If they’re unable to sign the “Big Maple”, expect them to pursue Matt Shoemaker, Taijuan Walker, and possibly Masahiro Tanaka.
So in other words don’t hold your breath for the team to sign Trevor Bauer.
Mark Shapiro just said “the bulk of our heavy lifting is done.” So feel free to climb off the Trevor Bauer bandwagon (if you were ever on it).
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) January 27, 2021
I still see #Bluejays landing a guy or two from the Odorizzi/Walker/Paxton group.
Feast in the East
The Blue Jays weren’t the only team to make some noise since the last edition of Hot Stove Roundup. The Yankees, after signing Corey Kluber to a one-year $11 million contract last week, traded for Jameson Taillon. He’ll be reunited with former Pittsburgh Pirates teammate Gerrit Cole, who was the big fish in the 2020 signing season.
The Boston Red Sox have also gotten in on the action, making some under-the-radar type moves that should improve their team. They signed super-utility player Kiké Hernández to a two-year, $14 million contract. Boston also inked veteran pitcher Garrett Richards, who will likely be near the top of what was a brutal rotation last year.
Boston is making moves. @RedSox agree to deals with INF/OF Kiké Hernández and RHP Garrett Richards, per @Feinsand and @IanMBrowne. pic.twitter.com/FEu0yC7ul9
— MLB (@MLB) January 23, 2021
The Red Sox also pulled off a rare trade by acquiring Adam Ottavino from the Yankees.
For just the 2nd time since 1998, a Yankees-Red Sox trade. ?
— MLB (@MLB) January 25, 2021
RHP Adam Ottavino is shipping up to Boston, per Mark Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/4OO2g5ms8P
And the 2021 Hall of Fame Class is…Nobody?!
I truly thought that this would be the year that Barry Bonds and/or Roger Clemens would finally get in the Hall of Fame. Boy was I wrong about that! Not only did two of the most controversial figures in recent baseball history not get in, but no one did.
Long have I believed that Curt Schilling belongs in the Hall. Six-Time All-Star, three-time World Series Champ and World Series MVP. He led the league in wins twice, complete games four times and strikeouts and innings pitched two times each. He never won a Cy Young but finished second three times and was in the top 5 on four occasions.
Apparently Schilling agrees with me and has requested to be removed from the 2022 ballot.
Former players will be the ultimate judge, as it should be. I won’t allow a group of morally bankrupt frauds another year to lie about my life. https://t.co/UfggsxYclt
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) January 26, 2021
Where’s the D (H)?
It was also announced that the MLBPA has rejected a deal from MLB to adopt the universal designated hitter and expanded playoffs.
MLB offered a universal DH if the union agreed to expanded playoffs. Union rebuffed the deal, which included extra money for players, so at least for now there will be no universal DH.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 25, 2021
This got me to thinking who this rule would affect the most and here’s a quick list.
- Marcell Ozuna
- Nelson Cruz
- Kyle Schwarber
- Matt Adams
- Will Myers
Mostly arbitrary but had to put Ozuna and Cruz at the top since they are still unsigned. Although Cruz will likely sign with an American League club anyways.
Quick Hitters
Here are some other signings that have been notable recently:
- The Los Angeles Angels added Jose Quintana to their pitching staff on a one-year $8 million pact.
- The Minnesota Twins addressed the mass exodus from their team at least somewhat by signing veteran left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ.
- The San Diego Padres continued to make all the right moves by inking the versatile Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $21 million contract.
- The Washington Nationals upgraded their bullpen with the signing of Brad Hand.
We’ve agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Brad Hand.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) January 26, 2021
? // https://t.co/qkA7UBXwJe pic.twitter.com/GvnjwcA6tS
Although he has yet to update his own twitter account.
Takeaways
As a Jays fan, I’m beyond thrilled about how this offseason has unfolded. Sure, the team should probably sign another starting pitcher or two and I think they will, but I love their aggressiveness. I also like the fact that all of the players they have signed are 30 or older. There has been a lack of veterans on the team and all of the players they added are still productive.
With the Yankees recent additions I would say that they are probably the favourites in the AL East although the Jays lineup should keep them in most games.
The Phillies, with their new President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, were in a tough spot with Realmuto. There was a lot of pressure on them to retain the All-Star. However, with the hundreds of millions of dollars they have committed to him and Bryce Harper there’s scant remains left for the many holes in this roster.
Now all eyes are on Trevor Bauer, the last really impactful free agent remaining on the market. Expect him to make a decision in the next week or so.
The Mets have not made an offer to Trevor Bauer that would eclipse Gerrit Cole’s record AAV to this point, per source. That said, the Mets are believed to be in the mix for the reigning NL Cy Young winner.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 26, 2021
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