Ben Nicholson-Smith
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Ben Nicholson-Smith
@bnsbaseball.bsky.social
we could talk about baseball..
the Verlander-Tigers reunion is perfect... and he should legitimately help them
February 10, 2026 at 8:07 PM
new season, new At the Letters ep. with @ArdenZwelling
www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/at-...
February 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Jays notes (no breaking news here!)
• Lauer: had arb hearing already but results expected this wk… decision made, just sealed
• Scherzer: Jays have been open to possible mid-season reunion
• Bassitt: don't get impression there’s much brewing here w Jays, but he's likely to have strong interest as SP
February 9, 2026 at 2:34 PM
If Eugenio Suarez gets $15/1 after a 49-HR season, then the vast majority of the $76.3M left on Anthony Santander's contract is underwater now

Major deferrals on the Santander deal & it could all flip again w/ a good yr, but Suarez deal shows how mkt values high power, low OBP, bat-first players
Breaking news: My colleague Mark Feinsand has confirmed the ESPN report that Eugenio Suarez is going to the Reds on a one-year, $15 million contract with a mutual option for 2027. Still pending physical. Longtime fan favorite is coming back.
February 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
hit me with your questions tomorrow! www.reddit.com/r/Torontoblu...
From the Torontobluejays community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Torontobluejays community
www.reddit.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:01 PM
really wish the Jays would let us do a media baseball game … pls do this @bluejays.com
Shams announces he will be playing in this year's NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 🙌 (pic via @basketballforever.bsky.social)
January 28, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Tim Mayza and Trevor Richards among the Phillies' non-roster invitees, per team
January 23, 2026 at 4:54 PM
per Jays Yohendrick Pinango is also invited to big-league spring training. He signed a minor league deal in October which included an invite to MLB camp per Jays
Blue Jays announce their internal non-roster spring training invitees...
January 22, 2026 at 1:26 AM
Blue Jays announce their internal non-roster spring training invitees...
January 21, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Blue Jays say they've signed 27 int'l free agents
January 21, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Another way to frame the Kyle Tucker deal (as reported by Jeff Passan & Robert Murray):

•two years, $120 million
•$60 million player option for 2028
•$60 million player option for 2029
January 16, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Reposted by Ben Nicholson-Smith
Tough news for Team Canada:

#Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman has pulled out of the World Baseball Classic for personal reasons. He was going to DH for Canada. Jordan Romano also out.

Good news: SP Jameson Taillon, C Liam Hicks, IF Tyler Black are in.

Baseball Canada’s Awards Banquet is tonight!
January 10, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Nationals claimed Paxton Schultz off waivers per Blue Jays
January 9, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Important context for Lauer’s case: he had worked his way up to $5.075 million in arbitration before going to Korea

Historically, players who work their way up in arb, exit the arb system then come back get paid above their previous high water mark

Ultimately up to an arb panel
Eric Lauer filed at $5.75 million per source, Blue Jays filed at $4.4 million

They’re expected to go to a hearing
January 9, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Eric Lauer filed at $5.75 million per source, Blue Jays filed at $4.4 million

They’re expected to go to a hearing
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Blue Jays have also avoided arbitration with Daulton Varsho on a one-year, $10.75 million deal per source

Joel Sherman was on this one
January 8, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Blue Jays, Ernie Clement avoid arb with a $4.6 million contract for 2026 per source
January 8, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Tyler Heineman per industry source

He'll earn $1,237,500 in 2026
January 8, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Deadline for teams & players to exchange arbitration filing numbers is tomorrow

Lots of work goes into this on both sides & we'll see many agreements by Thurs evening. Not earth-shattering, but a necessary step. Many teams are file & trial meaning it's agree now or hearing later
January 7, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Door open on Tucker & Bo. Interesting q now: what form does that dialogue take?

Speculatively, would seem less likely that Jays lead charge on either player w/ massive bid soon. Maybe more likely: Jays ask players to frame value. Regardless, may take time www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
Blue Jays in comfortable position while still exploring possible opportunities
Despite the Blue Jays’ activity, there’s a lot of intrigue remaining this off-season.
www.sportsnet.ca
January 6, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Kazuma Okamoto says his nicknames include "big oak" and "big baby"
January 6, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Asked about his defensive skillset, Kazuma Okamoto says he's flexible & open to different positions. Ross Atkins says Okamoto could contribute “in several ways, so we’ll continue to have that dialogue with him.”

Jays announced Okamoto as an infielder. He can play 1B, 3B, some OF
January 6, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Kazuma Okamoto says discussions are ongoing, but he hopes to play for Japan in the WBC
January 6, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Re. potential of more moves, Ross Atkins says Jays feel good about team as-is but will "always be open" to making org better & have great ownership support

“The one thing I’ll add is additions… will start to cut away playing time from players that are very good MLB players”
January 6, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Kazuma Okamoto says he put all 30 MLB logos in front of his daughter and she pointed to the Blue Jays.
January 6, 2026 at 6:13 PM