Which Blue Jays Are Free Agents?

Which Blue Jays Are Free Agents?

The Hot Stove season is well underway. Although Toronto's offseason has been relatively quiet thus far, it won't be long until they make some moves.

The Blue Jays have numerous holes on their roster and need to add more left-handed hitters as well as starters. The following players are currently free agents and could be on Toronto's radar this offseason.

Ross Stripling

On this winter's market, there are a number of highly-coveted starting pitchers to choose from; however, one standouts above all else: Ross Stripling. He recently inked a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.

Last season, the 33-year-old righty was an unexpected success for the Blue Jays, finishing with a 3.01 ERA and 111/20 K/BB ratio across 134 1/3 innings. His success was largely due to his remarkable ability to suppress home runs. Furthermore, he threw more changeups than any other pitch in their bullpen last season, which should help him continue improving his strikeout rates going forward.

Stripling's career in the bullpen has made him a valuable asset to any team searching for an experienced starting pitcher. He can offer multiple pitches, which has been his specialty throughout each of his eight major league seasons.

Despite his impressive numbers, however, the righty is still developing as a starter. While this may limit his value to some teams in free agency, other organizations can benefit from his reliable performance.

On Tuesday, the Giants added Stripling to their stable of young starting pitchers by signing him to a two-year contract worth $25 million. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that this deal includes an opt-out after 2023 season and will provide great reinforcement for their rotation; joining Jameson Taillon and Sean Manaea already on the roster, should Stripling replicate his performance from last year, the Giants could have an impressive group of starters heading into 2019.

Daulton Varsho

Two days before Christmas, the Arizona Diamondbacks made a statement by trading center fielder/catcher Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays for top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and veteran outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. This move broke up Arizona's outfield impasse and provided Toronto with one of baseball's best defensive-minded outfields heading into 2023.

Varsho, 26, spent last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and showcased his power and speed in his first full major league season. He hit 27 home runs, drove in 74 runs and stole 16 bases - an impressive total for a left-handed bat that can play both outfield and catcher for Toronto's Blue Jays. As such, Varsho will be an invaluable asset to their lineup this year.

He is currently signed through the 2027 season and has four years of team control. After that year, he can become a free agent but could still sign a long-term deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It's understandable why the Arizona Diamondbacks would want to trade Varsho, one of their four young left-handed outfielders for 2022. His batting average and on-base percentage were both low, but his power and speed make him an invaluable asset in any outfield.

The Blue Jays, however, are delighted to get their hands on a player with the potential of being an impact left-handed bat. Unfortunately, the cost is high; they sent top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and an experienced outfielder to Arizona in exchange for him.

Toronto Blue Jays were in need of a reliable backup catcher and outfielder, and this trade fills that need. Varsho's presence will give them another player capable of filling that role; plus, Toronto's depth behind the plate played an important role in making their decision.

Although this move marks a monumental shift for the Toronto Blue Jays, it won't put them ahead of schedule. They may look to fill their catching needs through international signings, the MLB Amateur draft or general free-agent activity in the near future.

Michael Conforto

If the Toronto Blue Jays are looking to add a right-handed bat to their outfield, Michael Conforto could be worth considering. The former New York Mets outfielder is currently a free agent after declining his qualifying offer and missing last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Conforto, a right-handed hitter, has experience at multiple positions but primarily plays left field. He was named an All-Star in 2017 and is a dominant offensive force. Additionally, his strong defensive arm makes him ideal for the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup which heavily relies on righties.

The Rangers have also expressed interest in 29-year-old slugger. Evan Grant of ESPN reports that they have made contact with his agent.

Conforto is an outstanding hitter with a great on-base percentage who can hit for power. Additionally, he is an excellent defensive player in center field, boasting a plus arm.

While his career has been plagued by injuries that have prevented him from playing full seasons in the major league level, Conforto has been a productive player during his brief MLB tenure, posting a.255 batting average and 132 home runs over seven seasons with the Mets.

He's an outstanding defensive outfielder and could fill in for a DH position on the Jays, which they could certainly use. Additionally, he could likely slot into their bottom-third of the batting order as a right-handed power hitter; an ideal spot for him.

Brantley (Free Agent): At 35 years, veteran outfielder Brantley has plenty of experience to fill the Blue Jays' corner outfield/DH spot. He's an effective on-base machine who draws lots of walks and hits for a high average.

This offseason, the Jays will likely need to invest money in a player. While it could be risky to chase one of these guys, they could end up paying much less than his worth and have an opportunity to land him for an affordable price.

Odubel Herrera

By the start of their first game of the season, the Blue Jays could have a new center fielder on their roster if they can secure a free agent. The team has had issues at this position for years and needs to make an effort to improve it.

Odubel Herrera may not be the most gifted player in the world, but he does possess some useful traits. As a hitter who can make contact and hit for average, Odubel Herrera could make an excellent addition to any lineup.

His versatility on the field is another major asset. While his defensive abilities are not yet at their peak, he has made significant progress in that department over his last couple of seasons with the Blue Jays.

It's understandable why the Blue Jays would want to bring in Odubel Herrera as their long-term center field solution. He's a reliable player with impressive power and has all of the potential to become an elite center fielder in the future.

His past issues with the Phillies could hinder his prospects of signing a long-term deal, particularly his arrest for domestic violence in May of 2019.

After his arrest, Major League Baseball issued him an 85-game suspension for violating their Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Although all charges against Herrera were eventually dropped, it still stained his reputation among Phillies fans.

After spending his first three professional seasons in the minors, Herrera finally made it to the big leagues for the Phillies in 2016. He had an All-Star season that year before hitting a career low.222 with a slugging percentage of.416 last year.

As such, he was designated for assignment prior to the 2020 season, opening up the possibility of becoming a free agent after 2022.

The Blue Jays must find a way to add a player with similar skillset to Herrera in order to upgrade their center field position. At present, there are four candidates in contention for the job, including Adam Haseley and Scott Kingery.

How to Listen to the Philadelphia Phillies Play

No matter if you live in Philadelphia or not, there are plenty of ways to tune into the Phillies game. These include apps, websites, radio and TV broadcasting options.

The Phillies are in the final year of a 25-year, $2.5 billion television broadcast agreement with NBC Sports Philadelphia that includes some advertising revenue.

Listen on the App

If you're a Philadelphia Phillies fan and want to follow their games, there are several ways to do so. The team website offers podcasts called Phillies on Deck, radio broadcasts and live games can be watched both online and on television.

Tuesday evening, the National League Championship Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres will start at Petco Park. Fox Sports will broadcast the game for those with authenticated accounts on its MyTeams app; Joe Davis - a familiar voice to baseball fans - will be in the booth.

Davis is calling his first MLB playoff series for Fox and says the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park was electrifying during those games.

Davis has shown signs of growing confidence when calling postseason baseball on the national stage. He's known for his energetic calls during some of baseball's biggest moments.

He'll be joined on the phone by Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci from 94.1 WIP and 1210 WPHT, who will broadcast the game live.

This app lets you stay informed on Phillies games, score updates and more. It is available for both Android and iOS devices at no cost to download. Personalized streams send notifications when a story breaks; plus you can even earn loyalty rewards!

If you're an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan, downloading the app to your smartphone or tablet is a must-do. Not only is it user friendly and has an attractive design, but you can even sync the app with your calendar so that you always know when to watch a game!

No matter where you are, the Philadelphia Phillies app allows you to listen to the best radio broadcasts from anywhere. Get up-to-date news, injury updates and player interviews as well as access local and national sports talk shows.

The app also allows you to stream live video of all Philadelphia Phillies regular-season and postseason games, as well as the playoffs and World Series. You can watch games on your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Listen on the Website

Philadelphia boasts one of the country's most legendary sports teams and numerous Hall of Famers who have donned its iconic red, white and blue colors. As a result, tickets to games at Citizens Bank Park are in high demand.

The Philadelphia Phillies have been a premier baseball franchise since 1883, making them the oldest continuously-named, one-city team in Major League Baseball. Additionally, they have won two World Series championships throughout their storied history.

Listening to a Philadelphia Phillies game online is free. All you need to do is download the MLB At Bat app for Android or Apple device and sign up for At Bat Premium (a small monthly fee) within-app.

Once you download the MLB At Bat app, you can stream a live home or away radio broadcast of a Philadelphia Phillies game on your smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, you may listen to it using computers and other devices that support streaming audio.

Philadelphiaans can tune into WIP FM 94.1, the team's flagship station. There is also a network of 21 radio stations throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey that air their games. Philadelphia residents also have the option to stream live games by downloading either WIP Radio's Audacy app for computers or other devices that support streaming audio.

If you live outside Philadelphia, but still want to listen to a Phillies game, MLB Audio offers streaming access for all 30 major league teams.

For over a century, The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the most beloved and successful franchises in Major League Baseball. They have won two World Series titles and seven National League pennants throughout this time.

Fans have enjoyed an unparalleled level of excitement throughout their history, thanks to memorable seasons and legendary players. Recently, the Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the sport's most exciting teams, with Bryce Harper adding to their postseason success.

Listen on the Radio

If you're a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, there are several ways to tune in live. These include using an app, watching on their website or tuning into radio broadcasts.

Listen to Philadelphia games on the radio through a number of different channels, such as 94.1 WIP with announcers Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen or CBS Sports with Tom McCarthy. Alternatively, for an affordable monthly fee you can sign up for MLB At Bat Premium which grants access to every home and away game radio broadcast.

With a smartphone or tablet, you can download the MLB At Bat mobile app and listen to the Phillies on-the-go. All that's required is an in-app purchase for At Bat Premium access - plus other major league baseball teams can be heard too! Stream games across any device using any type of internet connection with ease!

Recently, the Phillies have been playing well and look like a team capable of winning the World Series. After winning two divisional titles and showing they can beat some of baseball's top teams, Philadelphia appears to be on track for success.

One of the things that's made the Phillies so good is their young players, including Bryce Harper who has made a name for himself both on and off the field. He was one of the players signed in free agency last offseason by the Phillies and has become an invaluable member of their squad.

As a result, he's become an iconic player for the Phillies. In three of his four seasons with the team, he helped them win over 500 games and has served as an inspirational role model to both kids and adults alike.

He has been an invaluable asset to the organization, especially when it comes to marketing. He's made appearances on TV and radio and been actively involved in all manner of promotional initiatives for the club.

The Philadelphia Phillies are in their first NLCS since 2009 and two wins away from making it to the World Series for the first time in nearly two decades. On Thursday night, they take on Houston Astros in Game 4 of their series that could very well determine who advances to the Fall Classic next month.

Listen on the TV

Fans of the Philadelphia Phillies or those just wanting to watch some baseball can easily tune in on TV. The team plays its home games at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, so fans get to enjoy a full slate of matches featuring their favorite players on the pitch.

The Phillies typically air their national broadcasts on NBC Sports Philadelphia, though some games can also be streamed via ESPN+. Furthermore, some of their matches are streamed through Fox Sports - a paid subscription service available to cable and satellite subscribers that requires cable or satellite subscription.

You can stream the Phillies games on a variety of online streaming services, such as fuboTV and Sling TV (both offer free trials). Both services are similarly priced and provide access to plenty of live sports channels.

If you don't have cable subscription, watching the Phillies on TV with an antenna is still possible. These inexpensive devices plug into your television's coax port to pick up free broadcasts.

Another option is to use a virtual receiver, which can be purchased for less than $50 on Amazon. These boxes are compatible with most smart TVs including those from Sony, LG, Vizio, Samsung and Hisense.

No matter where you are or what device you own, you can listen to Major League Baseball games on radio stations throughout eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware. All that's necessary for this is downloading the MLB At Bat app on your device and signing up for At Bat Premium (a small monthly fee) in-app. With access to both home and away broadcasts of Major League Baseball games, don't miss a moment of the action!

On 94.1 WIP, longtime announcers Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will be providing live coverage of the World Series. They'll be joined by a variety of other announcers to bring all the action to Philadelphia's listeners.

Who Owns the Philadelphia Phillies?

In a spending spree unparalleled in their history, the Phillies lavished hundreds of millions of dollars on players they desperately needed.

They signed Bryce Harper to the richest contract in franchise history, and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski expressed his willingness to do more if there is "ownership support." But what happens when spending isn't enough?

The Carpenter Family

The Carpenter Family was the primary owner of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1943 to 1981 and holds the longest tenured ownership group in franchise history. They have employed 15 team presidents since 1883; Andy MacPhail took over as president in 2016.

Robert Ruliph Morgan (Bob) Carpenter Jr., the youngest baseball team president in league history, became president after his parents and grandfather purchased the Philadelphia franchise in 1943. During Bob Carpenter Jr.'s tenure as president of the team, they won four division titles and made their first World Series appearance in 1980.

Under his leadership, the Phillies consistently ranked among the top five teams in attendance and revenue for several years. Furthermore, they acquired many talented players such as speedy leadoff hitter Richie Ashburn and former major-league pitcher Robin Roberts.

In 1976, Carpenter employs Paul Owens as his skilled farm system director; he would eventually help guide the Phillies to their first World Series title. In addition to his position as general manager, Owens served as senior advisor and president of baseball operations department for the club.

Carpenter's greatest failure as an owner lay in his unwillingness to sign black players. He signed left fielder Wes Covington in 1961, one year after Jackie Robinson broke the color line, but didn't sign another black player until 1963.

Carpenter was an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Delaware and Tower Hill School, as well as a generous philanthropist. He served on the boards of trustees at both schools, was involved with Ronald McDonald House, and enjoyed spending time outdoors. On September 13th he passed away at 81 years old - an immense loss to Philadelphia and baseball everywhere.

The Potter Group

The Philadelphia Phillies are the oldest team in Major League Baseball, boasting a long and storied legacy. Despite their poor record, the Phils have been one of baseball's most beloved teams over the years.

The Potter Group is a UK-based provider of road and rail freight logistics service. They specialize in paper products, chemicals and FMCG warehousing and distribution.

They are a family-owned business founded in 1937. They represent numerous manufacturers within the durable goods and nec industry.

Their product portfolio includes fire alarm and detection systems, security alarm systems, emergency communication devices. Furthermore, they offer building surveying & design, consulting services and installation.

For over 80 years, The Potter Group has been a family-owned business established by Charles E. Potter in 1898. Their products enable fire and police departments to send electronic coded signals directly to a central monitoring station so they can be dispatched immediately when needed.

The Potter Group takes great care to guarantee the safety and security of every property they work on. Their products range from fire alarm and detection systems, security alarm systems, fire control panels, as well as emergency communication devices.

Their clients include schools, hospitals, universities and businesses across North America, Canada and Australia.

In their free time, the Potter Group strives to educate children on science and technology. Doing this helps children become more informed about their environment and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

When they acquired the Philadelphia Phillies, they made several significant adjustments to the team's operations and sought ways to help the team compete for a World Series championship.

The Reach-Rogers Partnership

The Reach-Rogers Partnership is one of the major owners of the Philadelphia Phillies, holding 43 percent of team stock and designating a few individuals to own any remaining shares they desire.

Richard Rogers Partnership began in 1977 and later changed to RSHP in 2007. They have designed numerous iconic buildings such as the Pompidou Centre, Lloyd's building and Millennium Dome in London.

They are actively engaged in designing 5G infrastructure. Recently, they joined forces with the University of British Columbia to explore how 5G technology could be utilized for wildfire management, human teleoperations and emergency response.

Before becoming owners, Reach and Rogers were both successful businessmen. Reach ran a sporting-goods store in Philadelphia while Rogers practiced law. Together they conceived the idea for an elite baseball team in their hometown - Philadelphia, which at that time was located right at the center of America's economy.

After searching for some time, they finally found Philadelphia Park - a ballpark constructed out of bricks that was considered to be one of the finest in America.

Reach and Rogers were determined to make their new team successful despite its disappointing start, even recruiting Colonel John I. Rogers - a well-known lawyer, former city comptroller, and colonel in the Philadelphia National Guard - as an advisor. Despite having a rough start in their first season together, Reach and Rogers were determined to make it count in their second.

By the time of his team's founding, Reach had already achieved great success as an entrepreneur, owning a sports-goods manufacturing company that produced hundreds of different baseballs. Furthermore, he invented an advanced winding machine for baseballs which teams across America used.

The Nugent Family

The Nugent Family has long had a close relationship with the Philadelphia Phillies. Not only do they own the team, but they're also involved in numerous other business endeavors.

The family is an Irish American clan with roots in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are multiple branches of this large clan living locally.

This family has been around for over 250 years. Their many descendants are active in sports such as baseball and football, as well as being heavily involved in their community.

They are a very close-knit family, often helping each other out with their businesses. Additionally, they have been known to contribute money to local charities.

Most of the family traces its roots back to Westmeath, Ireland. Legend has it that Gilbert de Nugent and Hugh de Nugent founded this surname upon being brought from England during Henry II's invasion of Ireland in the 11th Century.

After Ireland's defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, some Nugents chose to flee Ireland and seek safety in America. Matthew Nugent was among the earliest recorded Nugent settlers in North Carolina - settling at Natchez around 1780 while it was still Spanish territory.

Another early Nugent family settled in Rapides parish, Louisiana before migrating to Antigua.

In the 1920s, Gerry Nugent joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a manager. A passionate baseball fanatic, he worked hard to improve the team and build its farm system. Unfortunately, due to financial troubles the Nugents had to borrow money in order to stay afloat; some even criticized some of his trades.

The Cox Family

The Cox Family has been around for centuries. With roots in America that stretch back over 1,000 years and many descendants throughout Australia, this lineage can be traced back to one source: England.

The first recorded person with the Cox name to come to America was Lasse Cox who immigrated to Pennsylvania during the early 1600s. At this time of great migration, many families named Cox settled in Pennsylvania - thus explaining why you find such a high concentration of Cox names there today.

Estimates suggest there are over 2 million people named Cox in the United States. They hail from various places across America, such as North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, California, Oklahoma, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Illinois.

New Zealand is home to many Coxes, particularly in South Canterbury. These breeders tend to be sheep farmers.

Throughout the 1700s, the Cox family was a prominent presence in Philadelphia. Notable descendants included Rowland Cox, an esteemed Manhattan lawyer, and Archibald Cox - Special Prosecutor during Watergate scandal.

The Cox Family has had many members involved with baseball over the years. They were even able to purchase and own the Philadelphia Phillies at one point.

At the time William Cox was part of the ownership group for the Philadelphia Phillies, they were owned by Taft Broadcasting. This company purchased them from the Carpenter family for $30 million in 1981.

They then had to deal with Gerry Nugent, a popular but financially unstable owner. This caused the National League to intervene and force Nugent to sell the Phillies to Cox. With that deal finalized, Phillies ownership had come full circle - Gerry Nugent sold their team to Cox and that marked an end to its perpetual cycle of owners.