Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Battle for the 4th and 5th Rotation Spots
The battle for the 4th and 5th spots in the Blue Jays rotation has currently come down to 5 pitchers; John Thomson, Tomo Ohka, Casey Janssen, Josh Towers, and Victor Zambrano. Each of these pitchers comes with a question mark heading into the season. Thomson, Ohka, and Zambrano are coming off injuries last season, with Zambrano actually ahead of schedule after major surgery last season. Janssen is only entering his second season at the major league level, part of first season was spent in the minors, so it not really known if he's ready for full time status. We don't really need to mention the struggles that Josh Towers endured last season. It will be interesting to see how this battle plays out over the next week and change.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Jays Re-Sign, and Add One Pitcher
The Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Jason Frasor and re-signed the reliever to a one-year contract worth $825,000. The Jays added injury prone, and former Atlanta Brave starting pitcher, John Thomson. The one-year deal is worth $500,000 plus incentives. Last year Thomson went 2-7 in 18 games with a 4.82 ERA in just over 80 innings. He had blister problems last season, as well as a mild fraying in his right shoulder. In 2005 he had a tendon injury in his middle finger, limiting to just under 99 innings. In 2004, Thomson was 14-8 with a 3.72 ERA with the Atlanta Braves.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Jays Looking to Lock up Overbay
Blue Jay news has been scarce recently, but word has come out the Jays are looking at locking up first baseman Lyle Overbay to a multi-year deal. Overbay is eligible for arbitration this season and next, but the Jays would like to lock him up for 3 or 4 years. He made $2.52 million. Scout.com is suggesting that he might be looking for as much as $32 million over 4 years. Overbay was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers before last season along with Ty Taubenheim for Gabe Gross, David Bush and then minor league Zach Jackson. He had career highs in batting average (.312), home runs (22) and runs batted in (92)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Another Utility Infielder in the Fold
The Blue Jays avoided salary arbitration with utility infielder John McDonald yesterday by signing him to a 1-year deal worth $750,000. He will be Aaron Hill's primary backup at second, as well as battling for time at shortstop with Royce Clayton and Jason Smith.Lyle Overbay, Reed Johnson, Alex Rios, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor are arbitration eligible this year.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Contract Offer For Wells?
According to GlobeSports.com, the Blue Jays have made a contract offer to center fielder Vernon Wells, and they didn't hold anything back in the offer. Yahoo! Sports reported that a source informed them the Jays offered Wells a contract in the neighborhood of $126 million for 7 years. That would be $18 million per season. If Wells were to accept that offer, and if those numbers are right, it would make him the 6th highest paid MLB player.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Jays Get Shut Out
Well this didn't go as planned for J.P., losing out on both Lilly and Meche. Lilly signed a 4 year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Cubs last night. He let the Jays know late afternoon that they were out of the running and that it was down to the Cubs and Yankees. It's not much of a surprise to me that he decided to sign elsewhere. The blowup with Gibbons probably didn't help, and J.P. stating that he would like a 'yes' or 'no' answer since he was tired of waiting. The Jays reportedly offered Lilly the same 4 year, $40 million deal that the Cubs did. It's fine with me, he can frustrate the fans at Wrigley Field with his inconsistencies. Losing out to Meche surprised me. He informed the Jays this morning that he would be signing elsewhere, despite having a 4 year, $40 million contract on table from the Jays. He is apparently going to be signing the Royals. Yes, that's the Kansas City Royals; one of worst teams in baseball, if not the worst, and have been that way for years. Why would you sign for a basement dwelling team, when you could play for a potential contender and make $10 million a season. Here's the answer; $11 million a season. This is why athletes can get the wrap of just playing for the most money. It's not about playing for a potential contender and on a winning team, it's about the money. The Royals are terrible, and are not going to be a winning team anytime soon. By the way, Meche isn't worth $10 or $11 million anyway.
I wonder if Zito is still accepting calls.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Gil Meche To Decide Today
Gil Meche apparently will let the baseball world know today which team he will sign a lucrative contract with. The Blue Jays, along with the Cubs and Royals are the finalist to obtain his services. The Jays have reportedly offered him a 4 year contract worth between $32 and $36 million.The Jays continue to talk with Lilly's agent, but rumors are circulating that the Cubs are in the lead for his services. J.P. seems to be getting tired of waiting for a response; "We're all getting a little tired of the talking," Ricciardi said. "At some point, it's got to get to 'yes' or 'no.' We're getting close to that point." Those comments might help make up Lilly's mind in signing somewhere else.
There has been some speculation that the Jays are interested in platoon outfielder Matt Stairs. It's been few years since the Jays have had a Canadian on their roster, Paul Quantrill being the last.
It was also mentioned that another Canadian, Eric Gagne, would be interested in pitching for the Jays. He would be a risk coming off several elbow surgeries, but if they could get him at a low base salary plus incentives, he would definitely bolster their bullpen if he could stay healthy.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Lilly and Meche to get Offers
Sources have told members of Scout Inc. that they believe J.P. will make offers to Ted Lilly and Gil Meche as early as today. An insider has told them that J.P. has the funds available to sign both pitchers. I think they would have to get creative to sign both pitchers, plus maybe adding a 4th outfielder and backup infielder.The Cubs apparently offered Lilly a 4 year deal worth approximately $30-32 million on Friday. The Cubs are also after Jason Schmidt, and would drop their pursuit of Lilly if they could sign Schmidt. Chicago most likely won't be able to sign Schmidt as he prefers to play on the west coast, and Seattle is one of the teams chasing him.
The Jays offered Lilly arbitration, which he will reject. This is of no surprise to the Jays, but it allows them to receive draft pick compensation if Lilly signs somewhere else. The Yankees, Orioles, Giants and Rangers, to go along with the Cubs; have shown some interest in signing him.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Here’s an Idea
So J.P. is looking to sign both Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, which would cost him in the neighbourhood of $16-20 million per season. How about trying to sign Barry Zito or Jason Schimdt instead of Lilly and Meche? I'd rather see one of the big arms instead Lilly and Meche. Which rotation looks better, Halladay-Zito-Burnett-Chacin-Marcum (or some other 5th starter) compared to Halladay-Burnett-Lilly-Chacin-Meche. I'd go with the former.
Both Lilly and Meche?
I was a bit surprised to read that J.P. wants to sign both Ted Lilly and Gil Meche. Although the Jays haven't released what their proposed salary budget is, I figured that adding the $16-20 million per season for the two would not be possible. I still don't think it will happen though. If J.P. is unable to land both pitchers or sign only one (or neither), he would have an interest in Jeff Suppan and/or Mark Redman.I made an error in yesterday's post. I mentioned that Redman's ERA was around 4.50, I was actually thinking of Suppan's. Jeff Suppan had an ERA of 4.12, while Redman's was 5.71. Redman only had one month where his ERA was under 5.27, he was 5-0 with a 3.74 ERA in June.
Jays Re-Sign Backup Catcher
The Blue Jays re-signed backup catcher and first baseman Jason Phillips today. The deal was for one year worth $500,000 plus the possiblity of an extra $50,000 depending on plate appearances.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Pitching Options
According to scout Inc., Ted Lilly's agent said the starting point for contract negotiations is 4 years at $37 million. Wow, just shows you what a weak free agent market will do to player salaries. I have a feeling Lilly will get at least $10 million a season, and I don't really think he's worth that much. He's very inconsistent, pitching lights out for a couple games, then gets shelled for a couple. The problem for the Jays is, there just aren't that many quality pitchers out there, and there is lots of competition for those pitchers. I'm not including Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt, as only a couple teams have a shot at them considering they will get over $15 million a season.Mark Mulder and Vincente Padilla apparently no longer interest the Jays, with Mulder rumored to be chased heavily by the Diamondbacks. Gil Meche and Ted Lilly are really the only 2, class 2 free agents that the Jays are interested in, and I'm not sold on either. J.P. would like to add 2 starting pitchers this off-season. There is said to be a mild interest in Tony Armas Jr. formerly of the Nationals. I haven't come across Mark Redman's name in any rumors, but he could be a lower level pitching option for the Jays. He finished close to .500 and 4.50 ERA with awful Royals, which is pretty good, but could duplicate those numbers when not in a contract year? Either way you look at it, the Jays (or the team signs them) will have overpaid for average pitching.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Zaun #1 Catcher Now
In a bizarre twist, Greg Zaun appears to be the new Toronto Blue Jays number one catcher, as Rod Barajas pulls his deal with the Blue Jays. Zuan has reportedly reached a 2 year agreement with the Blue Jays worth $7.25 million with an option for a third year.Barajas was supposed to fly to Toronto today to take his physical, and upon passing, the 2 year, $5.25 million deal was to be officially announced. But last night, he fired his agent and hired a new one, as he wasn't completely happy with the deal. His deal with the Jays would have resulted in Barajas taking a pay cut from last year, which some believe might have been a problem for the union. I wonder if this stunt that Barajas pulled with the Jays will affect his negotiations with other teams. I think it negatively affects his character, which may be a cause of concern for some teams.
2007 Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training Schedule
Thurs., March 1 - Red Sox @ DunedinFri., March 2 - Red Sox @ Fort Myers
Sat., March 3 - Devil Rays @ Dunedin
Sun., March 4 - Devil Rays @ St. Petersburg
Mon., March 5 - Pirates @ Dunedin
Tues., March 6 - Tigers @ Lakeland
Wed., March 7 - Phillies @ Clearwater
Thurs., March 8 - Red Sox @ Fort Myers
Fri., March 9 - Astros @ Dunedin
Sat., March 10 - Braves @ Disney World
Sun., March 11 - Twins @ Dunedin
Mon., March 12 - Reds @ Sarastora
Tues., March 13 - Red Sox @ Dunedin
Wed. March 14 - Indians @ Dunedin; Indians @ Winter Haven
Thurs. March 15 - Phillies @ Clearwater
Fri., March 16 - Reds @ Sarasota
Sat., March 17 - Tigers @ Dunedin
Sun., March 18 - Astros @ Kissimmee
Mon., March 19 - Yankees @ Dunedin
Wed., March 21 - Phillies @ Dunedin
Thurs., March 22 - Pirates @ Dunedin
Fri., March 23 - Twins @ Fort Myers
Sat., March 24 - Yankees @ Tampa
Sun. March 25 - Reds @ Dunedin
Mon., March 26 - Pirates @ Bradenton
Tues., March 27 - Devil Rays @ Dunedin
Wed., March 28 - Indians @ Winter Haven
Thurs., March 29 - Yankees @ Dunedin
Fri., March 30 - Indians @ Winter Haven
Sat., March 31 - Reds @ Dunedin
From the Toronto star
Monday, November 27, 2006
Barajas Jays New Catcher
Rod Barajas will be taking a physical today, and if he passes, he will be latest Blue Jay free agent signing and new number 1 catcher. The deal is reportedly for 2 years and somewhere around $6 million. It has been rumored for over a week that the Jays were intent on signing Barajas, so this should come as no surprise. This is not a big upgrade over Greg Zuan, but Barajas is a bit cheaper and is 31 years old. Zuan is reportedly looking for $7 million over 2 years, with both the Red Sox and Yankees interested.The Jays are one of five teams who are pursuing second baseman Adam Kennedy, who is looking for a 4 year deal worth around $20 million. I think if the Jays end up signing him, it will be for at least $2 million more than he's looking for.
J.P. is looking to sign a pitcher soon, with Ted Lilly or Gil Meche the most likely. Randy Wolf appears to be ready to sign with the Dodgers. Mark Mulder and Vincente Padilla are two other options. I like Mulder, but he would be the riskier signing of the bunch as he's been hampered by injuries.