Blue Jays non-tender Capra, Tapia and Zimmer as off-season business continues

TORONTO — The Blue Jays tendered contracts to 11 arbitration-eligible players ahead of Friday’s deadline, setting in motion a process that will make the team’s young core considerably more expensive for 2023.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays non-tendered infielder Vinny Capra while also officially cutting loose outfielder Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer, who had both been designated for assignment earlier in the week. The team’s 40-man roster now includes 39 players.

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Led by first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette, the Blue Jays’ arbitration class projects to be among the most expensive in baseball, with $42.8 million in projected earnings according to the forecasts provided by MLB Trade Rumors. While the figures below can vary from player to player, they combine to offer an accurate picture of what costs are on the horizon:

1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: $14.8 million

SS Bo Bichette: $6.1 million

RP Jordan Romano: $4.4 million

C Danny Jansen: $3.7 million

RP Adam Cimber: $3.2 million

Util Cavan Biggio: $2.6 million

2B Santiago Espinal: $2.1 million

RP Tim Mayza: $1.9 million

RP Trevor Richards: $1.5 million 

RP Erik Swanson: $1.4 million

RP Trent Thornton: $1.1 million

Of course, those figures are still far lower than what these players would earn in free agency, making them appealing from a team perspective. And up until a few days ago, it appeared the Blue Jays would be spending far more on their arbitration class. The composition of their roster shifted earlier in the week with the trade of Teoscar Hernandez for Swanson and the decision to designate Tapia and Zimmer for assignment.

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Teams and players exchange figures in January with hearings schedule for February as needed, so it’ll be months before the specifics of the Blue Jays’ arbitration class are finalized.

In the meantime, the front office continues seeking to improve the big-league roster via trade and free agency. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Blue Jays appear to have adjusted their approach since the Hernandez trade, with industry sources describing them as more active than before in the outfield market yet less aggressive in pursuit of relief.

While the Blue Jays started the off-season actively pursuing relievers, it’s possible they’ll now wait for the market to develop before adding further arms. Conversely, the Blue Jays’ need for outfielders is clear with Jackie Bradley Jr. now a free agent, Hernandez in Seattle, and Tapia and Zimmer off the 40-man roster.

Ideally, the Blue Jays would acquire a player capable of handling extended stretches in centre field and a left-handed hitter or switch-hitter would likely be preferable if possible. Free agents Brandon Nimmo, Joey Gallo and Kevin Kiermaier could be of interest to the Blue Jays while trade candidates like Lars Nootbar, Dylan Carlson and Bryan Reynolds make some sense on paper, too.

Speaking on a conference call Wednesday, GM Ross Atkins indicated that the Blue Jays like their existing outfield depth of George Springer, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Whit Merrifield, Nathan Lukes and Biggio but are also considering outside additions.

“There will also be other opportunities via trade and free agency and we will exhaust those,” Atkins said.

Beyond the outfield, the Blue Jays must also acquire starting pitching now that Ross Stripling’s on the open market, and it’s no secret that rival teams continue calling about Toronto’s catching depth. So while Friday’s paperwork has now officially been filed, far greater decisions await the Blue Jays’ front office in the weeks ahead.

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