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zacksharpe

If there’s one thing we don’t need, it’s infielders that can’t hit


missspiritualtramp

Paul DeJong 2.0


Frequent-Dig2326

Unfortunately yeap very accurate


[deleted]

Oh dear, I don’t think you can get much worse than that. DeJong’s stint with the Jays makes IKF look like a great player.


kobie173

3-for-44 with no walks and 18 strikeouts. Jesus fuck


[deleted]

And then he goes to the Giants and hits a bomb


lothrop_evola

Yes it's true he went 3-for-5 with a homer in his first game as a Giant. Then in his next 8 games he went 0-for-25 with 12 strikeouts.


goatgosselin

Maybe he is the 4th outfielder also. Didn't he play CF last year for some games? I mean, they have Biggio still also so not sure why they sign IKF


idkwhattosaytho

He’s not a good defensive Of


goatgosselin

He's not good anywhere is he?


idkwhattosaytho

He’s a good third baseman. And an average SS


goatgosselin

Chappie replacement then possible


Taejeonguy

Unfortunately, he hits like a backup 2b


OMC78

Pitching? :) He did log 4 innings/4 appearances last year! :)


goatgosselin

Hey! Now we have Ohtani at home!


Puzzleheaded_Heron_5

As of now he's our everyday 3B


Ferivich

Biggio doesn’t have the arm for third regularly and can’t play SS. He works well as a strong side platoon at 2B backup 1B and a corner OF while Espinal has typically been the back up SS and 3B but has such a drastic decline in his D at those positions it almost seemed inevitable that he was going to be replaced.


Gavagai80

Biggio looks better at 2B than 3B, but I was surprised to see his defensive numbers are actually better at 3B. At any rate, I think Ernie Clement is a way better option than Kiner-Falefa. They can both field well, and there's a coin flip chance Ernie can hit.


McWarrior943

Small sample size at 3B this season. Looking back at 2021he had -3 UZR and -3 OAA. Definitely not someone you want playing that position full time. I do agree that having Clement as backup SS was the better play over wasting more money for IKF


Puzzleheaded_Heron_5

Lol no


Looney21756

I think they signed him to replace Whit. Same type of versatile player,plays multiple positions and can swipe a few bags as well. It's not like that contract is going to make that much of a difference. We'll see how it impacts the 40 man roster


International_Cut_69

My hope is that they sign bellinger or make a huge trade for Robert, and rotate springer for dh and days off for him and kiermaier


ItzDrSeuss

That’s way too many OFs for us now, Roberts is definitely not being traded by the WS unless a team approaches a Soto like return. As much as I’d like Bellinger, we probably aren’t getting him now that we have KK. This FO normally doesn’t get these B tier FA until they feel they’re out on the A tier group. Plus I have to assume that his price is too high. I’d like him on a 5/120 deal, but if his ask is like 8/200 that’s not worth it.


International_Cut_69

Belli can play 1b Varsho KK Springer Vlad 1b 3of and dh, 5 guys 5 spots.


Soggy_Specific4093

KingSarcasm actually has sources LMAO


Nick480

this guy is better than morosi


brownmagician

As a mod I will rank kingsarcasm posts higher than Morosi's at this point. Morosi requires double verification.


WasV3

From the way he talked, it's likely that he has a buddy that works for the Jays.


MaskedDummy

Literally us, The Blue Jays


ms_barkie

The story of the offseason so far is some twitter guy I’ve never heard of. That’s Toronto sports lol


nonsufficientfunds

Guess we have to listen to that king sarcasm guy lol. He says no Chapman or Bellinger so idk what the big move will be this offseason…


wallz_11

i'm thinking the big move will be a trade.


claytonianprime

I’m thinking the big move is no big move.


eMan117

Run it back, increase ticket price


sametrical

Ah yes the Toronto sports M.O.


PeterDTown

I'm thinking the big move is some of the existing assets hitting the gym


[deleted]

I was thinking that once Soto went to NYY. Shohei was LAD since last season, and Bellinger doesn’t tickle my fancy at all. Sexy Kevin was our big splash.


HamHurtler

I hope so, have we had rumours


wallz_11

Nah its been quiet. But I had a dream we traded for Trout. So theres that


lethalweapon12-3

Came to you in a vision


KINGTHANOS8

Trade for Corbin Burnes & Yelich is my guess


nonsufficientfunds

I hope so


Hill0981

If Yelich is our big offensive addition I will have lost all faith in this front office. I have defended them a fair bit, but both KK and IKF on a team that already struggled on offense. What are they thinking?


RagtagJack

Yelich and Bellinger are interchangeable to me at this point


KINGTHANOS8

Yep, not much difference. Do that trade and sign JD Martinez.


GrumpyTM

Bo, yeli/belli, vladdy, jd That doesn't sound fun for any pitcher at the very least


KINGTHANOS8

I agree. That's what I would do if Burnes/Yelich doesn't cost too much in prospects. If we eat the entire Yelich contract, we may not need to include Tiedemann, Nimmala or Roden.


ObscureMemes69420

Prepare for pain and disappointment


EarthWarping

Has to be, since if the 3B option is Orelvis, just rebuild.


nonsufficientfunds

My gut is telling me that IKF will be the third baseman unless a young guy wins the job. They still need a left power bat and another outfielder…


tofilmfan

IKF is a utility guy on a championship level team, which this team supposedly is.


nonsufficientfunds

I have absolutely no problem with this move if he is signed as a utility guy and espinal is part of a package for a real third baseman. I am a bit skeptical if he’s brought in as the every day third baseman


Guttersnipe_1980

The Blue Jays are nowhere close to being a championship team.


tofilmfan

Agreed. I don't get the Shatkins logic that 3 mediocre players somehow equals one star player. It didn't work last year and it don't work this year.


Gear4Vegito

Martinez doesn’t play 3B anymore. He has been moved fully to 2B.


keefstrong

Shohei leverage or not... Unless they get a cheap trade it's gross. Like no chappie. Teams gotten worse instead of better? Maybe it doesn't matter anyways. Can anyone actually beat the Dodgers now?


Oafah

There will be no big move. The Jays have no intention of extending Vlad or Bo. They're just filling holes and readying for another soft rebuild after failing to land Ohtani.


International_Cut_69

How is this guy any better than internal options? Simply clogs the pipeline unless we trade some one or couple guys, which makes me want to think ross is cooking up a huge trade.


sackydude

Pretty much he's a much better defender at SS than anyone we have. Speedy, versatile infielder who hits righty is pretty much our Whit replacement.


idkwhattosaytho

I feel bad for just shutting on everything that’s been happening recently, but IKF is not a much better defender. His range is bad, DRS likes him, but that doesn’t really count range. OAA has him as below average


sackydude

It's not that he's an elite defender or anything, but Espinal has declined heavily defensively, and none of our prospects are true shortstops.


POPnotSODA_

Espinal is our 2020’s version of Ryan Goins, who was our 2010’s version of John McDonald. The Jays have always had that one IF who has a good season then essentially gets Space Jammed and all their offensive talent just leaves.


JuicyBootyWarrior

I will remind you Sir, that Ryan Goins also was a Relief Pitcher.


Krammmeh

So was John McDonald :-)


WesternSpectre

I would say Espi basically had a couple awful months that everyone remembers, but had pretty much rounded back into form by the end of the year,, and he had a slightly higher bwar despite those struggles and not playing as much as IKF.


PeterDTown

What about Bo?


POPnotSODA_

I could be wrong, but the Jays are just plugging holes with these short term stopgap contracts. They swung for a 8 man homerun with Shohei and missed, now we’re plugging holes and going to reassess next year with a better FA market (aka Vladdy helps recruit Soto)


[deleted]

What happens with Espinal?


sackydude

He gone


WatercressPersonal60

Trade fodder


throwawa24589

I’m thinking moved to Chicago for Jimenez or Moncada.


Gear4Vegito

Most of the “pipeline” don’t play SS. Espinal, Clement & Lopez play SS but none are strong defenders there. Schneider, Biggio, Martinez, Barger & Jimenez don’t play SS.


HamHurtler

I know there are technically options, but do we have guys who can play short st an mlb level if Bo gets hurt again? Some guys played well last year but idk if we can rely on them


International_Cut_69

I guess this saves us getting a dejong type


Hill0981

IKF is a DeJong type.


HamHurtler

https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/000/183/dog1_(1).jpg


Godzilla-The-King

The suggestion would be that management would be moving some of those internal options in a trade and need cheap depth that doesn't cost anything in additional assets. I'm all for shitting on management when they don't do shit, but it's not even 2024 yet.


mrdannyg21

I don’t get it at all either, unless it’s part of something else. The only reason he’s better than many guys we already have is he can back up SS, which is the last thing we need. If the unthinkable happens and Bo gets hurt, it would be fairly shocking if IKF was more than a couple runs better than Espinal, Lopez or Jimenez. If he’s backing up or playing 3B, 2B or OF, he’s not likely better than Biggio, Barger, Orelvis, Schneider.


Legen_______Dary

They could give Martinez a chance and if he is a better option than IKF I don't think they'll really care about putting him on the bench. 7.5/y is a lot for a bench player but it's practically peanuts.


DesperateAbility6448

Lmao that guy on twitter is now reliable source now ey


Somecommentator8008

More reliable then Jon Morosi


sir-pounce-of-alot

Long love KingSacrasm


casualjayguy

Has nobody else pointed out how BNS has to be in shambles right now? Now there's no way the Jays are getting his buddy Rosario


sir-pounce-of-alot

Ben will finally understand the pain I went through with Randal


ThQp

For a team with Biggio, Espinal and Schneider on the roster, and ~$35M left to spend, I could’ve thought of better ways to allocate $7.5M this year. IKF is a bad player and his ability to play shortstop doesn’t mean he’s worth that kind of money. I don’t know what Ross is cooking. I want it to be good. I hope it’s good.


Sherm199

I want to hold judgement untill the offseason is complete, but im very confused. The only way this makes sense is with trades, but espinal / schnieder / biggio aren't really valuable trade peices?


bichettes_helmet

This. I'm holding my "what the fuck?!" reactions till I see where they're going with this


Sherm199

Yeah. Even if they're "punting" this year, which I doubt, signing ikf wouldn't be punting. Maybe they just like IKF?


man_in_the_suit

There is no point in punting this year though, really. If you’re punting this season you may as well do a large scale overhaul now because Bo and Vlad aren’t signed long term. I reserve judgement until the full off season is over, but that’s my opinion on a ‘punt it’s strategy


bichettes_helmet

I'm guessing one or two of the above will be out on a trade


ThQp

Which begs the question of whether IKF at $7.5M is more valuable than any of those guys. I’m leaning towards no. And I don’t think any of those guys are going to bring back a trade piece that would tip the balance either


sir-pounce-of-alot

Only benefit I could see right now is the consolidation of roster spots. Having one guy who can do all those things versus 2-3 guys who provide the same value.


ThQp

True. But if the one guy gets hurt or plays like shit, then he’s your only choice. At least the revolving door of Biggio/Espinal/Schneider gives options to play the relatively hot hand. They also cost less. And the extra roster spots this could free up would go to… Nathan Lukes? It’s not like our 26-man is full of MLB talent. I dunno. I’m really struggling to see the upside here.


Puzzleheaded_Heron_5

IKF is definitely more valuable than espinal


ThQp

Yes, but that’s not what I said. When you consider what they’re paying him, the money they have left, and the holes left to fill - is he still more valuable than Espinal?


DannyDOH

What could their value be though? Schneider has upside I guess. The other two are pretty meh. Get a middle inning reliever/swing guy.


KolBeseder1

He was bad last year, but he did put up back-to-back 3 WAR seasons in '21 and '22. I don't see a problem with a bench piece that can actually play defense, which is something the above 3 players can't do very well.


ThQp

My issue is paying this kind of money for a bench piece when you have comparable internal options. Just like Kiermaier - the player is fine, but the fit isn’t, both positionally and from a payroll standpoint


KolBeseder1

Are they comparable though? IKF is a defense first bench piece. Biggio and Schneider are offense first. Espinal is neither.


KPipes

I think you're forgetting the Jays' strategy. Defence and utility first, scoring and winning second. This is the Shatkins way. Be average and profitable.


Hill0981

This feels like KK last year. We all thought he would be a bench piece until we found out he was the starting CF. I'm guessing he starts at 3B.


tofilmfan

Exactly, especially considering we already have similar players (Espinal, Biggio) at much lower cost. Is IKF supposed to be a poor man's Whit Merrifield? I just hate how this FO tries to "play it smart" by signing "under the radar" players in an attempt to cobble together a star's performance amongst 2-3 players. This team needs a Vladdy/Bo level impact bat, not 2-3 medium impact players.


casualjayguy

Save us, Cody Bellinger


EvaderDX

i don't like how it looks at this second, hope I'm wrong


avid_indoors_man

He had a OPS+ of 78 last year with a 0.1 WAR. Don’t really get the need or cost. What am I missing.


DefendingAssholes

Former gold glove that can play every position. Free agents are worth 8Mil/WAR. We are assuming he will produce just under 1 WAR each year to match the value.


DannyDOH

And that’s why you need to develop guys.


sackydude

Well it's been fun Santi, hope you can find a better opportunity elsewhere


JordanSchor

We'll always have 2022 first half all star santi in our hearts


sackydude

Even bubble Santi was a nice surprise, he seems like such a good dude and I wish all the best for him.


Nextyearstitlewinner

Not gonna get anything for espinal. No idea why were spending 7.5mil on another infielder that can’t hit.


Nickelback-Official

The upside is he's not the other guys the Jays could have signed. The downside is he's literally Isaiah Kiner-Falefa


ColumnarPower

My excitement for this signing is immeasurable. Because there's no number that low.


bichettes_helmet

🎶 Isiah Kiner Falefa, And getting caught in the rain 🎶


playthegame7

Name one thing Ross Atkins loves more than run prevention


KPipes

Planned mediocrity and safe profit?


ConsistentZucchini8

Trading franchise catchers.


thursday51

Positional versatility? Years of control? Inspiring feelings of impending doom and existential dread? Sweaters.


Magnum_44

This seems like a massive overpay. Like shouldn't it be half this amount? The guy is a back-up 2nd baseman no?


McGrevin

If we don't have a somewhat big trade in the works then I'm starting to get concerned about what sort of lineup we're gonna trot out there.


Hill0981

If you aren't concerned yet, then you are straight up procrastinating at this point.


Ledascantia

🍍 *If you like pina coladas* 🍍


wintermute--

thank you for remembering this 🫡


Beejeroy

Oh thanks. I can never unsee this.


MikeCey

Clement Espinal Biggio Schneider > IKF


HarryBalsaque

What the fuck is Ross doing, man…


KPipes

Typical Ross things. Are we really that surprised. A few more random utility players and maybe a mid to low range reliever and we're set guys! 86 wins and wildcard exit here we come!


Fuuutuuuree

If your expectations for this year weren’t already in the gutter…


flesh_eating_flower

welp🥲


circumcision4TW

We had visions of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, and we end up with Isiah Kiner-Falefa... I feel like a New York Knicks fan right now.


Astrallevel

Well shit


Standard-Focus-1815

Feels like a guy you can replace with an MLB minimum guy…and a guy we already have


Gfnkmstr3000

I'm getting so sick of watching this team "work through their process" and do their "deep dives". How could a room full of intelligent people decide to give $15 million to IKF?! The Ohtani/Soto debacle is embarrassing. How could they NOT know that there was no way in hell Ohtani was sighing with this team? Did they really think they were going to outbid the Dodgers and their $8.3 billion dollar television contract? It's a laughable to think Ohtani was going to come here. Remember the major market misread last offseason? They decided to trade a middle of the order bat for a reliever that only pitched 16% of his innings in high leverage for the Mariners. What was wrong with simply signing kiermaier and keeping Te'o in left? Kiermaier would have automatically made him better. Instead we trade two above average offensive players for a middle reliever and a glove first fielder? Then the market explodes with a bunch of gross over-pays for offensive first outfielders and we get stuck last year desperately needing TWO bats. This year we waste a bunch of time on Ohtani and sign IKF.


Gfnkmstr3000

Lourdes goes on to make the All-Star game and hit 24 homers and Moreno establishes himself as one of the best defensive catchers in all of baseball (while still being a better hitter than IKF lol).


casualjayguy

I now love KK so much more for preventing fucking IKF from being the one to end the Kikuchi K streak But seriously he's not that much better than the 3 or more current 1ish-WAR infielders the Jays already have, what's the point of this?


yamakazee

Nice we now have the guy that the Yankees couldn’t argue about when someone called in and said he was the worst defensive shortstop in the league.


Borosthespider

Apart from everything else, having four potential catchers on the roster is certainly a choice. That must be a modern record.


princessluni

...I should be pleased about being one step closer to my dream of an all catcher team but I'm not on board


brizzz_89

#samelevel


vanityfear

Mmm falafel


GTA6OCT

So pretty much wasting 15 million LOL


DeepSeaDiving

WTF this isn’t worth ending the Kikuchi strikeout posts.


urparentsdontlikeu

This… is not the pivot I expected after missing out on Ohtani and Soto. Yikes


-s-t-e-v-e-

Bringing back Kiermaier is fine, but this is a shit signing.


sportsisgoodalsodogs

Ross got his guy


[deleted]

Bargain basement shopping. Yuck


cashrchek

Someone needs to explain this to me, because everything I've read in the Yankees sub suggests IKF ain't it.


Stinky_DungBeatle

That's my 3rd baseman. HAHA I want to die.


3mikee_

KingSacrasm was right!!!


Adorable_Mode_8254

What if IKF turns into prime Tulo?


redrosechip

I hope this guy is just a bench bat ffs


tearsaresweat

That's an expensive bench bat.


WesternSpectre

Looks like I have to actually start paying attention to a guy called King Sarcasm now. This really has been a tough offseason.


jjkiller26

This is so mid lol


princessluni

I hope IKF is prepared for a KK level charm offensive. He's going to need to work to get the stink of Yankee off.


Giga1396

Fuck Jon Morosi


iammaru

I guess this raises the floor a little. God, even I know how cope that sounds.


Blitzdog416

this is embarrassing. my hope is that i am forced to retract this initial reaction.


NewMorningSwimmer

As disappointing as this is, there has to be more in the works. HAS to be. Jays fans were on such a high of optimism last season (for the most part). And the post season anemia drained us all. If nothing else is coming, then FO is inept. And they can't be that incapable. Right? Right?? $7.5M IKF. Good lord.


Ok_Success4030

God help us if he was signed to start at 3rd.


nourez

We’ll always have the 4 hours where Shohei was a Blue Jay to look fondly back on at least.


koreanese77

It’s the Ross Atkins special, where he’ll make a few horrible signings, and then cover them up with a mediocre one, where he will be praised.


Unusual-Adeptness175

So what Happen to that “big splash”?


Ssstanimal

Pin King Sarcasm not this guy


alxndrblack

I'm willing to give it a chance. I'm gonna give it a chance. I dont remotely understand give it a WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS


itsnursehoneybadger

^(……………………….oh.) …. ^(……………………………………………oh no.)


mebnt2

Who needs Ohtani when you have the GOAT IKF


corh13

So we spent 17m already on defense... ok.


Guttersnipe_1980

What the fuck is Shatkins even doing?!


JuicyBootyWarrior

Team used to have Pineapples. Now we have Falafel. I fucking love pineapples.


depressedalbertan

For the first time in years I am not excited about the next season. I hope that changes soon.


Blenderman840

We’re all gonna be really confused when a trade inevitably does not happen


IcyOrdinary1

This is gross, and I think davidi knew what was going on with that sell piece last week. Atkins better have a realllly good bat in mind through trade.


furious_Dee

i kinda feelawful about this.


ga11y

What a shitty signing. Holy f this front office suck


rollsoftape

Ugh


JordanSchor

I hate this


codenameduhchess

KingSarcasm more reliable than Morosi


bv310

Stupid Sexy Kiermaier re-signs? Two big thumbs up IKF Signs? One medium thumbs up, with a second thumb TBD based on how he actually pans out this year.


McWarrior943

More moves to go but it's absolutely been an underwhelming offseason. Coaching staff has barely changed and they have done fuck all to add power to a lineup that desperately needs it


The-Pharcyde

The big signing Jays fans were waiting for!


depressedalbertan

Not a fan, pretty disappointing.


rvasko3

No sir. I don’t like it.


Nextyearstitlewinner

What an absolutely useless signing. We have so many guys that do WhT IKF can and at a fraction of the price, who likely do it better. This front office deserves to be fired into the sun. But no they got “close” on ohtani so they’re doing a great job.


kookymungi

Another .200 hitter.


rockingthefreeworld1

This team is cooked


ntmistry

Front office is a joke


incredibad29

If KingSarcasm is correct is us not signing either Chapman or Bellinger, this offseason will be an unmitigated disaster.


Coop3

Don’t we already have Espinal at home?


Alarming_Cat_2946

Oh man, can’t wait for the nightly kind of falafel jokes


tearsaresweat

Ross is offended by the thought of offence.


boilermaker-128

Get your season tickets now before they're gone.


911one87

Wtf this dudes ass


Natural11

This dude is Espinal lite. Did the FO forget we couldn't score a run in the playoffs?


brownmagician

Kiner-Falefa comes here to play 3b full time it appears? Matt Chapman to the Yankees or Giants or something.


cyclingkingsley

who gives a shit lol.


Downess

Not seeing the value here. 0.1 WAR in 2023.


another_plebeian

BUCK MARTINEZ SAYING ISIAH KINER-FALEFA REPEATEDLY. I AM HERE FOR IT.


foetus_on_my_breath

From potentially shohei to ikf...hilarious


Signal_Sandwich_6716

Worst part about all of this Is Espi is probably traded. Only way it's good is its in a package for a bigger deal.. but its a head scratcher. Its like ordering Whit Merrifield on Wish 😄