Toronto Blue Jays: A Flurry of Roster Moves to Start the Offseason

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was busy this week, executing a flurry of roster moves. By Saturday afternoon, 13 changes had been made to the Jays roster as the GM looks to improve his club.

Feeling the pressure to shake up the team after another disappointing season for the Jays, AA made significant changes to the bullpen, at first base and made some smaller decisions at catcher. 

Let's take a look at the roster changes so far for the Blue Jays early in the offseason:

Position	Player	In/Out/Stays	Analysis
Catcher	Josh Thole	Stays	Thole's 2015 contract option was picked up, keeping R.A. Dickey's personal catcher with the club.
Catcher	Santiago Nessy	Out	The minor leaguer was traded to Kansas City Royals for pitcher Liam Hendriks.
Pitcher	Liam Hendriks	In	RHP Hendriks returns to the Jays and adds depth to the Blue Jays bullpen at little cost.
Pitcher	Sergio Santos	Out	The reliever was buried in the minors for much of last season and never fulfilled his potential as a lights-out closer. His $6 million contract option was declined.
Pitcher	Brandon Morrow	Out	Perpetually injured, the starter's $10 million option was declined, making Morrow a free agent.
Pitcher	Dustin McGowan	Out	Although he pitched well in relief last season, McGowan's $4 million contract option was declined. He becomes a free agent.
Pitcher	J.A. Happ	Stays	The Jays picked up Happ's $6.7 million option for next season, though the National Post's John Lott notes that there is speculation that Happ may still be trade bait during the winter.
Pitcher	Marco Estrada	In	The right-hander gave up a league-leading 29 homers last year but posted a 1.20 WHIP and has the potential to be the fifth starter in the Jays' 2015 rotation.
First Base	Adam Lind	Out	Lind mashed against righties last season but was atrocious against lefties. The Jays could no longer waste a bench spot on a strict platoon player. He was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers for Estrada.
First Base	Justin Smoak	In	The Jays declined the $3.65 million option on Smoak after claiming the first baseman off of waivers from Seattle. The Jays retain arbitration rights. Smoak provides roster flexibility for AA as he reshapes the roster.
Outfield	Melky Cabrera	TBD	A qualifying offer was extended, ensuring that the Jays will receive draft pick compensation if Cabrera signs elsewhere.
Outfield	Colby Rasmus	Out	After losing his starting spot in the outfield to close out the season, Rasmus will be allowed to test free agency.
Relief Pitcher	Casey Janssen	Out	The Blue Jays will not extend a qualifying offer to closer Casey Janssen. Janssen will become a free agent.

As per John Lott at the National Post, these moves will save the Toronto Blue Jays approximately $23 million next season. This financial flexibility will be key as the Jays look to address a variety of roster issues, particularly a permanent solution at second base.

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

Interestingly, Anthopoulos was able to save a significant amount of cash without creating any major roster holes:

• McGowan, Morrow and Santos did not pitch significant innings for the Jays last season.
• Edwin Encarnacion is expected to start at first base full time, though Smoak can cover the innings played by Lind, if needed.

• Rasmus had lost the center field job and was benched through September.

• Rumours are already swirling that Aaron Sanchez may be groomed to take over the closer role.

Entering a pivotal offseason, Anthopoulos has given the team (and himself) a chance at making this team better by adding some cash to spend in free agency while creating some roster fluidity.

So far, so good, AA. So far, so good.