Blue Jays Turning Away Alek Manoah Trade Offers

[Brock Beauchamp]

Jon Morosi tweeted today that embattled Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah will not be traded, as the Jays expect him to be in their 2024 rotation.

Manoah, only 26 years old with several years of team control remaining, was phenomenal in his first two years with Toronto before collapsing in 2023, pitching to a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts.

It has been rumored the Twins are still interested in playoff-caliber starting pitchers, particularly with the recent news that it's likely they will stay with Bally Sports this season, giving them a last-minute influx of cash to spend on payroll.

It appears we can now cross Manoah off the possible list of acquisition targets.

 

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[tony&rodney]

A no brain decision by Toronto. Manoah is still inexpensive and could regain status as a good pitcher. A ton of teams flooded the Blue Jays with offers to take him for a minimal return, which certainly made little sense to follow through on by toronto.

[Brock Beauchamp]

19 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

A no brain decision by Toronto. Manoah is still inexpensive and could regain status as a good pitcher. A ton of teams flooded the Blue Jays with offers to take him for a minimal return, which certainly made little sense to follow through on by toronto.

I agree. I was kinda hoping the Jays had just soured on him so much that they were willing to listen to offers.

[ashbury]

Just as in international diplomacy, there are normal sounding English language phrases that have special meaning among baseball front offices.  "No plans to move him" means "improve your offers or we're standing pat."  In my opinion Manoah's very much on the trading block, but only for the right offer.  They won't sell low, and have rejected the lowball offers they've gotten.  For the Twins, it would mean one of their very top prospects, and probably the Twins say no to that - but it doesn't mean discussions aren't happening.

Saw the same thing in the Polanco trade but in reverse.  Their PBO said they had been talking with the Twins about Jorge for 2 years now - over 100 phone calls by his approximate count - but it looks very much like the Twins demanded front-line starting pitching for the entire time and finally caved.  Caved is too strong a word (plus it reminds me of Jake), but basically two competent front offices did their jobs and the outcome took that long because both stood their ground. Two years!

[chpettit19]

7 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Just as in international diplomacy, there are normal sounding English language phrases that have special meaning among baseball front offices.  "No plans to move him" means "improve your offers or we're standing pat."  In my opinion Manoah's very much on the trading block, but only for the right offer.  They won't sell low, and have rejected the lowball offers they've gotten.  For the Twins, it would mean one of their very top prospects, and probably the Twins say no to that - but it doesn't mean discussions aren't happening.

Saw the same thing in the Polanco trade but in reverse.  Their FO said they had been talking with the Twins about Jorge for 2 years now - over 100 phone calls by his approximate count - but it looks very much like the Twins demanded front-line starting pitching for the entire time and finally caved.  Caved is too strong a word (plus it reminds me of Jake), but basically two competent front offices did their jobs and the outcome took that long because both stood their ground. Two years!

Gabriel Gonzalez for Alek Manoah and a low level flier would be an interesting trade to me, assuming Manoah's medicals are clear and the Twins believe they know what went so crazy last year. I wonder what Toronto would say if the Twins called with that kind of deal. Wonder if their plans to move him would change.

I only pick Gonzalez because he's never even stepped foot in the Twins facility (to my knowledge).

[old nurse]

Manoah had a bad year. The year before he was an all star and placed third in Cy Young. A team is not trading for last year’s pitcher but think he can return to the previous form. 4 more years of team control. They are not going to trade him unless it is a top 10 prospect and one almost that good, plus’s a couple of high ceiling lottery tickets. Pitching is not going to come cheaply unless it is cheap pitchers. Mow if he is having a mediocre season in 24 he might be obtainable for a Gonzales and a high upside prospect but Toronto will not have fixed the problem 

[chinmusic]

It'll be interesting to see what 2024 holds for Manoah.

He really was a mess last year. Performance, attitude and mental fortitude.

For all I know, he'll win the Cy Young, but I highly doubt it.

Unless it's a bargain basement scenario, the front office  should stay away.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I can see this. Hopefully he can get back on track. I would think the twins were going for different guys anyway to be honest. Best of luck to him

[darin617]

Isn't this like the Twins saying Buxton isn't available? No reason to sell low on a cheap pitcher. 

As for Buxton, would any team be willing to trade for him right now? Even at 15M I don't think I would gamble on him unless you are a team like LAD that print money.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, darin617 said:

Isn't this like the Twins saying Buxton isn't available?

The Jays didn't say Manoah isn't available, either.  I don't think I'm splitting hairs, when parsing FO-Speak.

 

[Fatbat]

I think he is still available if we throw enough cash in a bag with disco 🤣

[Go twins_508]

On 2/1/2024 at 7:04 PM, darin617 said:

Isn't this like the Twins saying Buxton isn't available? No reason to sell low on a cheap pitcher. 

As for Buxton, would any team be willing to trade for him right now? Even at 15M I don't think I would gamble on him unless you are a team like LAD that print money.

Well Buxton has a no trade clause so he would need to waive that in order for twins to trade him,and don't think he would

[baul0010]

On 2/1/2024 at 1:00 PM, chpettit19 said:

Gabriel Gonzalez for Alek Manoah and a low level flier would be an interesting trade to me, assuming Manoah's medicals are clear and the Twins believe they know what went so crazy last year. I wonder what Toronto would say if the Twins called with that kind of deal. Wonder if their plans to move him would change.

I only pick Gonzalez because he's never even stepped foot in the Twins facility (to my knowledge).

That is what I was just thinking.  I think it would be a great idea to pick up Manoah, but was thinking what it would realistically take to get him.  How high would you be willing to go to pick up someone with a pretty good track record when right, but very bad when not?  

I don't think I'd be willing to give up anything in our top 10 prospects but would consider Kala'i Rosario, Canterino, and something near our 25 to 30 prospect to pick up Manoah.  I'm not sure two top 10 to 15 prospects and a lower level prospect would get it done.  

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, baul0010 said:

That is what I was just thinking.  I think it would be a great idea to pick up Manoah, but was thinking what it would realistically take to get him.  How high would you be willing to go to pick up someone with a pretty good track record when right, but very bad when not?  

I don't think I'd be willing to give up anything in our top 10 prospects but would consider Kala'i Rosario, Canterino, and something near our 25 to 30 prospect to pick up Manoah.  I'm not sure two top 10 to 15 prospects and a lower level prospect would get it done.  

Yeah, the challenge of the situation really is just how wide the spectrum of outcomes for him is. 2023 Manoah is worth nothing. Nobody would trade for him. 2022 Manoah is worth an absolute haul. Toronto can't trade him for scraps, but other teams can't give up big time pieces for him. Very unlikely any deal gets done because he's just too big of a question mark for everyone involved. But 2022 Manoah sure would look nice in the Twins rotation.

[darin617]

13 hours ago, Go twins_508 said:

Well Buxton has a no trade clause so he would need to waive that in order for twins to trade him,and don't think he would

Why wouldn't he waive the no trade clause? He still gets paid regardless. He may actually think the Twins are to blame for his injuries. And there's the old getting a fresh start in a new organization and then sticking it to MN for giving up on you.

[Parfigliano]

5 minutes ago, darin617 said:

Why wouldn't he waive the no trade clause? He still gets paid regardless. He may actually think the Twins are to blame for his injuries. And there's the old getting a fresh start in a new organization and then sticking it to MN for giving up on you.

Bet he would waive it to go to a real (on paper) WS contender like LAD or ATL

[DocBauer]

I don't blame the Jay's for keeping him and betting on a turnaround. If he were with the Twins, we'd be hoping for the same. 

Not an expert on the Jay's OF situation right now, but rumors were they might have been interested in Polanco for 2B as part of a deal. And that ship has sailed, if rumors were true. And I just don't see the Twins moving Kepler at this point as OF depth is rather thin.

And since the Jay's are looking to compete this coming season, there is no fit...UNLESS it's a smokescreen and they want to move him for some younger players for their future. But I doubt that.