Stoeten Answers Benny Fresh’s Chat Questions, But Is Kind Of a Dick About It – 12/22/17

Ahhh, the ol’ Benny Freshbag! It’s been too long!

This week our friend Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet actually took to his computer and answered many, many, many questions tossed his way by the frothing masses, yearning to breathe in the word of deals.

Uh… he did a chat! And now I am here to hijack that chat… dickishly.

As always, I haven’t read any of Ben’s answers…

* * *

It’s not enough, though you’d have to believe it would get you pretty close. Why not do it? Uh… because Bichette is on track to be really good himself? And you’d have to move out other prospects in the deal?

I love the idea of getting Yelich, but hard to see how it would work unless you move him in a three-team deal that sends Donaldson to, say, St. Louis. If you could do it for a package centred around Alford I would, but you can’t.

I don’t really ever have a good answer for these questions — if I did they wouldn’t be under the radar.

He’s one of a whole lot of possibilities still out there. I’d bet the field.

Per FanGraphs’ projections they’re about five wins behind the Angels as both teams are currently constituted — including Ohtani. A team behind those two, like the Mariners, could over-perform, so it’s not like it’s just down to the Jays and Angels alone, but I guess the answer is: probably less than you think. Especially with the way they’re trying to build the roster to have a bunch of better contingencies than they did last year. It’s still an uphill battle for now, but let’s revisit this when we have a fuller picture of their offseason moves (i.e. once they fucking do something).

Yes. Only one I’d hesitate on saying that about is Pearce — he’s the right combination of redundant-but-still-valuable.

I’m not a big fan of unnecessary absolutes, so, I mean, yes, it’s true as you’ve written it: they could be. I’d be more inclined to bet on Bitcoin at the moment, though.

I’d like to think the Jays can do better, to be honest. Happ would be a nice fit for the Jays, for sure, but I’m scared of the 31.2% strikeout rate, the .328 on-base, and the big juiced ball year HR spike (33 between MLB and AAA in 2017, 15 in A+ and AA in 2016, 9 in A- and A in 2015) — at least at that kind of cost.

Because Moustakas is kinda bad. Doesn’t get on base enough for my taste. The idea of moving Donaldson for a big league piece, a couple prospects, and then repurposing the $20 million you’re set to pay him isn’t an awful one, though.

The questioner here was “Alex Anthopoulos.” The question here was “terrible.”

I have no idea and at least one, yes.

Fats already did, back in October.

Would be worth worrying if there wasn’t still a lot of business yet to be done, but there obviously is, so those fans are being a bit ridiculous.

I do not.

I do not. I mean, sure, stuff is always going to be evolving, but the idea of letting guys try to develop into starters until they show they’re no longer capable really is the way to do it. I love Roberto Osuna, but more career arcs like his? No thanks.

Maybe Cobb. I don’t think they’ll be among the finalists for any of these guys, unfortunately. Would love to be wrong, though.

Not sure Cleveland is going to move him now that they’ve gone the cheap-ish route at first base with Yonder Alonso, since the motivation to move Kipnis seemed to be financial, but it would make some sense… just not at the full $13.67 million he’s owed this year. Unless it was Kipnis for Kendrys! Hey, why did no one ever suggest that?

For the fucking Toronto Blue Jays!!!

(Seriously, who cares? Talent finds room for itself.)

I have no idea, obviously, but bruh, it’s already the offseason.

Should they? Sure — there’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal. Will they? Doubtful. They have some bodies for Triple-A at this point so I’m not sure it’s a fit. Maybe if they use Biagini as trade bait they could start looking in that sort of direction, but I’m not sure Wood would be my first choice anyway.

Leone or Tepera.

LOL. The fuck they aren’t.

(I’m sure it’s been considered, but Jesus, be dumber.)

Sanchez would have been a prime extension candidate this winter if he’d had anything resembling a decent season, but now I think he has to show some health before that should be considered. Stroman is harder to make the case for because he’s a Super Two and thus will be paid more through arbitration anyway — I wouldn’t rush into that one either.

It’s sad that fans have so little faith in what this team can be with a little health and a few shrewd additions, and in the front office’s ability to do right by the future while still trying to remain relevant, that they get desperate to watch the team just pack up and go home.

Get St. Louis to not laugh.

Cain and I have no idea. If Núñez hit from the left side or hadn’t injured his knee in the ALDS, maybe my answer would be different.

He’s one of a whole lot of guys who might fit. I’d hope they can do better.

Straight into the ground. Why do you think I’m so pro-Shapiro?

Who says they’re not? Also, he wasn’t a “steady Number 2” in St. Louis last year — unless you mean the other definition of “Number 2.” HEYO!!

OK, he wasn’t shit, but you know what I mean. Not sure he’s going to be the best use of the Jays’ resources, given their needs on the other side of the ball.

Would love to see Alford take that CF job and make it his. Teoscar’s strikeout rate still scares me.

How the fuck would anybody know this?

Yes and Darvish (which, obviously, isn’t happening).

I can’t possibly imagine caring about this.

LOOOOOOOOOL

I like him and I’m hopeful, but it’s pretty hard to tell at this point. The next 365 days will be big.

Stroman has more trade value than Donaldson. Maybe Osuna, too. Teams notice when players have only one year left before free agency, it turns out.

I do not.

Matt Kemp is terrible and this idea needs to go away. How many DHs do the Jays need???

Ahhh, well it’s not Travis, because he needs to show he’s healthy. I wouldn’t sleep on Russell Martin’s value, if the Jays were willing to eat some salary. But it’s probably not too high either. I guess it’s Pillar by default, because of the position he plays (otherwise it would be Smoak, because of contract/breakout). The real value is in the system, though.

Aren’t games supposed to be fun?

Nope! I mean, look at some of the guys still out there. If you’re moving Morales, you’re either taking back a bad contract or you’re eating a bunch of money. Hey, Morales for Shin-Soo Choo — who says no???

Don’t sleep on the Jays having interest in Choo, who Mark Shapiro likes very much, and who played a long time for Cleveland. They’d have to work around the $62 million he’s owed over the next three years, but Morales (owed $23 million over two) could be a start.

Ask Rogers.

LOL

WUT?

LOL WUT?

Pretty sure Texas has a shortstop.

Why would Oakland want Morales? To allow them the privilege of getting some of this dross in exchange for a couple half decent pieces?

Yes, on a one-day contract as he announces his retirement.

I like the idea of Ketel Marte, but not sure why this would be a problem. You don’t think there will be enough middle infield at-bats to go around? If so, great! Find him room in the outfield. Diaz can be optioned, and if he’s somehow really productive too… great! Rotate around as the matchups dictate. Tulo is the shortstop for as long as he’s healthy, so don’t go worrying too much about that.

Yay! We can solve a way to blow a giant hole in the club’s rotation for years to come!

Fuck off.

It’s not impossible.

Gomez is one of many names that could be interesting.