Ben Nicholson-Smith

wishing Jamie the best in his recovery ... otherwise just not really my domain, so I'll leave those decisions to others ... thanks for reading & watching!

let's just move this chat over to MS Teams & we can discuss further there

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hit me with your questions tomorrow! www.reddit.com/r/Torontoblu...

let’s first of all hope fans have much better choices for custom jerseys 🤣 … but let’s say 1

(Also Madison and Pillar when talking former players of course! I mean Pillar played in the majors last year haha)

well Joe and Caleb and Kevin are obviously going to be the best media members … out of the writers, I mean, that’s why i’d want to play haha 🤣 i am at least confident i would have positive dWAR

Great question

really wish the Jays would let us do a media baseball game … pls do this @bluejays.com

Tim Mayza and Trevor Richards among the Phillies' non-roster invitees, per team

per Jays Yohendrick Pinango is also invited to big-league spring training. He signed a minor league deal in October which included an invite to MLB camp per Jays

Blue Jays announce their internal non-roster spring training invitees...

Blue Jays say they've signed 27 int'l free agents

Another way to frame the Kyle Tucker deal (as reported by Jeff Passan & Robert Murray):

•two years, $120 million
•$60 million player option for 2028
•$60 million player option for 2029

Tough news for Team Canada:

#Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman has pulled out of the World Baseball Classic for personal reasons. He was going to DH for Canada. Jordan Romano also out.

Good news: SP Jameson Taillon, C Liam Hicks, IF Tyler Black are in.

Baseball Canada’s Awards Banquet is tonight!

Nationals claimed Paxton Schultz off waivers per Blue Jays

Important context for Lauer’s case: he had worked his way up to $5.075 million in arbitration before going to Korea

Historically, players who work their way up in arb, exit the arb system then come back get paid above their previous high water mark

Ultimately up to an arb panel

Eric Lauer filed at $5.75 million per source, Blue Jays filed at $4.4 million

They’re expected to go to a hearing

Blue Jays have also avoided arbitration with Daulton Varsho on a one-year, $10.75 million deal per source

Joel Sherman was on this one

Blue Jays, Ernie Clement avoid arb with a $4.6 million contract for 2026 per source

not much precedent for two-sport stars like you tbh

Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Tyler Heineman per industry source

He'll earn $1,237,500 in 2026

Blue Jays have four arb eligible players: Daulton Varsho, Eric Lauer, Ernie Clement & Tyler Heineman

Jays will either exchange numbers with those players, setting up a hearing at which a panel would choose one side’s number, or agree on a 2026 figure by tomorrow.

Deadline for teams & players to exchange arbitration filing numbers is tomorrow

Lots of work goes into this on both sides & we'll see many agreements by Thurs evening. Not earth-shattering, but a necessary step. Many teams are file & trial meaning it's agree now or hearing later

Blue Jays in comfortable position while still exploring possible opportunities Despite the Blue Jays’ activity, there’s a lot of intrigue remaining this off-season.

Door open on Tucker & Bo. Interesting q now: what form does that dialogue take?

Speculatively, would seem less likely that Jays lead charge on either player w/ massive bid soon. Maybe more likely: Jays ask players to frame value. Regardless, may take time www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...

Kazuma Okamoto says his nicknames include "big oak" and "big baby"

Asked about his defensive skillset, Kazuma Okamoto says he's flexible & open to different positions. Ross Atkins says Okamoto could contribute “in several ways, so we’ll continue to have that dialogue with him.”

Jays announced Okamoto as an infielder. He can play 1B, 3B, some OF

Kazuma Okamoto says discussions are ongoing, but he hopes to play for Japan in the WBC

Re. potential of more moves, Ross Atkins says Jays feel good about team as-is but will "always be open" to making org better & have great ownership support

“The one thing I’ll add is additions… will start to cut away playing time from players that are very good MLB players”

Kazuma Okamoto says he put all 30 MLB logos in front of his daughter and she pointed to the Blue Jays.

Kazuma Okamoto, in English: “I’m very happy to join the Blue Jays. I’ll work hard every day and do my best for the team … go Blue Jays”