Friday Bantering: Bits of Jays Stuff

The Jays haven’t made much news of late. This is always the worst time for news after the season ends and before the playoffs end.

I did have my favourite phone call of the year just the other day. Every year for the past several, I talk to someone from Strat-O-Matic baseball, giving opinions on the Jays’ players’ defense and arms and all. Since I spent many many hours playing Strat-O-Matic (sitting cross-legged on the floor, if I tried sitting like that now, I’d never get up), I always think how thrilled 13-year-old me would be if he knew I helped rate the players. I still play the game every now and then. But not for hours on end like I used to and at a table, not on the floor.

We’ve heard that the Jays offer to Cleveland for Jose Ramirez centred around Alejandro Kirk with other prospects and maybe major league players in the deal. I’d hate to give up Kirk, but for Ramirez, I’d be good with it.

Of course, who the other players were would be good to know.

The Globe and Mail has a story about drama in the Rogers Boardroom. I have no idea what that might mean for the Blue Jays, likely nothing.

Ross Atkins said he ‘thinks’ the Jays payroll will be climbing. Beyond that, it was all vagueness: We want to continue to get better.

Gabriel Moreno has only 6 AB in the Mesa Solar Sox first five games. He’s had 4 walks and a single.

Arden Zwelling, at Sportsnet, has five ‘under the radar’ trade targets for the Jays:

• Elieser Hernandez, RHP for the Marlins. He’s had injury issues but gets a strikeout per inning. His FIP is worrying (5.26 career) and he gives up a lot of home runs, can’t think that 0would get better in the AL East, but young and controllable for a bit.
• Kyle Hendricks, RHP for the Cubs. He’s older, 32 next season and has a history of success, though last year his ERA was 4.77 in 32 starts. But career he’s got a 3.36 ERA. He’s to make $14 million the next two seasons with an option in 2024.
• Jake Odorizzi, RHP for the Astros. He’ll also be 32 next season. Missed a fair bit of time the last two seasons. Had a 4.21 ERA this year in 23 starts. Has two years left on his contract, the second year is a ‘player option’.
• Merrill Kelly, RHP for the Diamondbacks. He’ll be 33 next year. An ‘innings eater’, not my favourite phrase when looking at a trade. Thre 158 innings in 27 starts this year, with a 4.44 ERA.
• Chad Kuhl, RHP for the Pirates. He’s 29 next year. Had a 4.82 ERA last year, in 28 games, 14 starts. Missed time with Covid this year.

No one is overly exciting on his list. It is tough to try to outguess the front office.

The people at FOCO have a nice Vladimir Guerrero pin. Limited edition, of course, but I really like it. You can see more pictures of it here: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto Blue Jays Homer Jacket Single Pin FOCO

I think I want one.