Toronto Blue Jays Morning Brew: Free Agents, Model Franchises and No Options

Outfielder Rajai Davis may not return to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays News and Rumours

FanGraphs continues with their Contract Crowdsourcing and in this edition look at upcoming free agent Josh Johnson. It should be interesting to see how GM’s approach Johnson this offseason after a preposterous 2013 campaign. An incentive-laden deal would certainly make sense, which is something that Blue Jays’ GM Alex Anthopoulos hasn’t done historically.

Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors has more on Johnson and expects him to sign a one-year deal in the $8 million range, similar to the contract given to Ben Sheets who received $10 million after missing all of 2009.

Not that I would even consider this Johnson-related anymore but the National Post reports that 2014 qualifying offers will be set at $14.1 million.

No surprise here but it doesn’t look like Rajai Davis will be back for Toronto next season. The team can’t comment but Gregor Chisholm at BlueJays.com writes “the general assumption… is that Davis and the Blue Jays will part ways this offseason.”

Dirk Hayhurst writes at Sportsnet that Blue Jays organization could stand to learn a thing or two from MLB’s current model franchise – the St. Louis Cardinals. The redbirds used 12 (!) under 25 pitchers this year led by Michael Wacha and Shelby Miller. The Tampa Bay Rays had five and all of them started at least one game. The Blue Jays on the other hand had only one (Sean Nolin). Next year should be better with 23-year-old Drew Hutchison expected to return to the rotation. A more seasoned Nolin is also a realistic possibility as is Marcus Stroman either as a starter or reliever. The Blue Jays still have a long ways to go and the news we have for you next isn’t going to help.

Tom Dakers at Bluebird Banter shares Keith Law’s disappointment in the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospect Aaron Sanchez. Law has been very high on Sanchez all season so his review comes as a bit of a surprise to me.

Another good one from Bluebird Banter, this time it’s a look at Blue Jays pitchers with and without options on the current 40-man roster.

Ian Hunter asks in his most recent Blue Jay Hunter post if fun is dead in baseball after Yasiel Puig‘s most recent bat-flip controversy. Here’s a full recap of the “incident” at ESPN but in case you missed it Puig pimped what he thought was a home run. He then realized it wasn’t going to clear the wall so hustled it out for a triple. It was an entertaining and spectacular play to watch. For lack of a better vocabulary, it was simply awesome. My personal opinion is that the baseball would be a lot more fun if guys didn’t have to worry about getting beaned their next at bat in retaliation for celebrating too much.

Jay Blue released his Buffalo Bisons 2013 Report Part 1 at Blue Jay From Away. It includes the player of the game champion, player of the year, pitcher of the year, reliever of the year and most improved player. Mr. Blue putting in work per usual.

Alex Hume at Blue Jays Plus asks if Colby Rasmus still needs a platoon partner? Alex’s findings strongly suggest it won’t be needed.

Apparently no one noticed (or cared) but MLB Trade Rumors picked up on MLB.com transacations page that Blue Jays OF/1B Ryan Langerhans has elected free agency. His comeback story this year was a good one and he could pick up a minor league contract with an MLB affiliated club.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats website takes a quick look at John Stilson‘s road to the Arizona Fall League.