Toronto Claims Justin Smoak Off Waivers

[Yardball85]

Well that's interesting. I could see him being a thorn in our side for the next few years despite his less than impressive numbers in Seattle. I wonder if we would have been interested had we had a chance to claim him.

http://gregjohns.mlblogs.com/2014/10/28/smoak-claimed-off-waivers-by-blue-jays/

[Can_of_corn]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> claim Justin Smoak off waivers from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a>.</p>— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="

">October 28, 2014</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After all these years it still looks like Smoak or Matusz is a toss up.

[Can_of_corn]

Folks think this is a preclude to the Jays trading Lind.

I agree.

[clapdiddy]

Well that's interesting. I could see him being a thorn in our side for the next few years despite his less than impressive numbers in Seattle. I wonder if we would have been interested had we had a chance to claim him.

http://gregjohns.mlblogs.com/2014/10/28/smoak-claimed-off-waivers-by-blue-jays/

I sure hope we would have. Heck, I might have traded a low-level prospect for him.

[weams]

Well. They are required to cut payroll. Makes sense.

[OFFNY]

o

Merge request:

(MLB Section)

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/144975-Jays-Claim-Smoak

[clapdiddy]

I wonder if this could lead to a deal to the Mariners for Lind? They were mentioned as one of the teams that could have interest.

[Can_of_corn]

I wonder if this could lead to a deal to the Mariners for Lind? They were mentioned as one of the teams that could have interest.

I could see that.

[Can_of_corn]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/blue-jays-claim-justin-smoak/

In fact, that Smoak has lasted as a regular this long is kind of amazing. Over the last 50 years, 92 first baseman have been given 2,000 or more plate appearances by the end of their age-27 season; of that group, Justin Smoak ranks 89th in wRC+, ahead of only Travis Lee, Casey Kotchman, and Dan Meyer. Kotchman was an elite defensive first baseman, while Lee was a very good baserunner relative to his peers; Smoak is neither of those things, so he ranks behind both in WAR at this point of his career. Only Meyer produced fewer WAR through this point among first baseman who got this many chances, and from ages 28 to 32, he would produce another -2.0 WAR over 900 plate appearances before finally getting forcibly retired.

[Crazysilver03]

I think Jays decline his option and take him to arbitration or non-tender him.

[Can_of_corn]

I think Jays decline his option and take him to arbitration or non-tender him.

Why claim him and then non tender him? It's a 200K buyout on the option.

[Crazysilver03]

Why claim him and then non tender him? It's a 200K buyout on the option.

See if you can get him for cheaper than what he will get during arbitration. Or to try to not take him through arbitration and basically trash him to lower his cost.

[byrdz]

Smoak is terrible which means the Blue Jays will turn him into 50hr slugger.

[DrungoHazewood]

...Justin Smoak ranks 89th in wRC+, ahead of only Travis Lee, Casey Kotchman, and Dan Meyer. Kotchman was an elite defensive first baseman...

Somewhere out in the ether SportsGuy is still advocating that the O's acquire Kotchman. He's only 31.

[O's84]

Somewhere out in the ether SportsGuy is still advocating that the O's acquire Kotchman. He's only 31.

Classic, haha. He had a serious man crush on him.