Blue Jays: Predicting how the remaining budget is used

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ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 17: Reliever Fernando Abad /

After signing Curtis Granderson, the Blue Jays have approximately $15 million available to spend this offseason. Here’s a prediction of the signings the Blue Jays could potentially make while taking into consideration the budget remaining.

So far the Blue Jays have made three ‘major’ moves this offseason. The acquisition of Aledmys Diaz was the first one, and then in the last ten days they’ve acquired Yangervis Solarte from the Padres and signed veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson to a one year deal worth $5 million. After these three moves, the Jays have about $15 million left to cover several needs.

The needs are:

Starting pitcher
Outfielder
Relief pitching
Backup catcher

Of course, it isn’t certain the Blue Jays have in mind signing an outfielder, a starting pitcher, relievers and a backup catcher as they do have internal options to cover the needs. Teoscar Hernández could be in the outfield mix along Granderson, Steve Pearce, and Kevin Pillar. Joe Biagini could be the 5th starter. The bullpen could have youngsters like Carlos Ramirez, Tim Mayza on opening day, and the backup for Russell Martin could very well be Luke Maile as the Jays haven’t seemed very involved in the catching market so far and it is a thin market. However, these scenarios aren’t the ideal ones and the Blue Jays will certainly make some moves in order to make this team more competitive for the 2018 season.

Starting pitcher- Brett Anderson

2017 Stats: WAR -0.4 W4-4L 6.34 ERA 55.1 IP 13 GS

There are quite a few cheap options left on the starting pitching market. Last year around this time of the year Brett Anderson got a $3.5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. I’d expect him to get a similar deal to this, perhaps a bit more. For the Jays it makes quite some sense to bring him back. They do have $15 million to spend, but they shouldn’t be spent all on the rotation, and a deal around $3.5 million is fine for a guy who pitched reasonably well at the end of the season for the Jays. If there is a signing for the rotation, don’t expect a big one, but don’t rule it out, however, the Jays have shown interest in pitchers, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, earlier this offseason.

Relief pitching- Fernando Abad

2017 Stats: WAR 0.5 W2-1L 3.30 ERA 43.2 IP 48 G

Although relievers have been very expensive this offseason Fernando Abad is one of the cheapest options in the relief market. The Blue Jays have depth in the bullpen, but having Tim Mayza and Aaron Loup as the main lefties isn’t an ideal situation, and even though Mayza has good potential, Abad has shown solidness over his last 4 seasons and would bring some certainty to the bullpen. He also has experience in the AL East after being in the Red Sox this past season and part of 2016. Although it is hard to predict a salary for Abad, he might get a contract like ex-Blue Jay Joe Smith did last year, which was worth $3 million.

As for a righty, with the expensive market this offseason for bullpen arms, it’s unlikely the Blue Jays make a signing. They also seem comfortable with Ryan Tepera, Dominic Leone and of course Roberto Osuna leading the bullpen. Minor league deals or waivers pickups will certainly happen and don’t rule out a signing.

Outfield- Carlos Gómez

2017 Stats: WAR 1.8 17 HR 51 RBI 13 SB .255/.340/.462/.802

After signing Granderson the Blue Jays continue to look for an outfielder according to Shi Davidi. The name that’s been related the most with the Jays has been Lorenzo Cain but considering the contract he’s looking for according to reports, even though he would the best upgrade for the outfield, the prediction is he ends up signing with another team and the Blue Jays end up signing a similar player in Carlos Gómez.

The 32-year-old had a good 2017 and MLB Trade Rumors predicts a 2-year deal worth $22 million. Considering how the market has been going so far, expect Gómez to sign for less money. Perhaps a deal around the $18-20 million mark. To have more budget flexibility this offseason the Blue Jays could give him $8 million in 2018 and $12 in 2019 for example. This would cover one of the outfield corners with a player that has adequate defense, with good speed and some power plus the ability to play center field at a fine level. He can be considered the cheaper version of Cain and fits some of the Blue Jays needs for sure.

Backup Catcher- Hank Conger (Minor League Deal)

2017 Stats (Triple-A): 6 HR 40 RBI .239/.316/.394/.710

Russell Martin is 34 and will have to get more and more days off and that is why the Blue Jays need a good backup catcher who can contribute to some extent. Although Luke Maile is a great defensive catcher, offensively he’s very quiet, to say the least. However, do not be surprised if Maile is the opening day backup catcher as the Jays seem to like a lot his defensive abilities. In any event, what’s expected is they sign at least one catcher on a minors deal. Hank Conger is 29, and even though he isn’t a major threat with the bat by any means, he can do something with it and can contribute. Baseball reference projects him to hit 8 homers along 25 RBI’s with a .715 OPS. It would certainly be a very significant upgrade over the last backup catchers the Jays have had.

Summary:

Starter addition: Brett Anderson

Outfield addition: Carlos Gómez

Bullpen addition: Fernando Abad

Backup catcher: Hank Conger

Keep in mind these are just predictions based on the budget the Blue Jays have left and their needs, not the best player possible for each need and position.

Next: Blue Jays sign three minor leaguers

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