Jays sign Michael Barrett
While the Jays having interest in backup cather Michael Barrett has been reported for some time, it now appears that the Jays may have signed him to a minor-league deal. Although official sources have yet to indicate that Barrett and the Jays have reached an agreement, Cot’s baseball contracts, a terrific site listing all MLB contracts, has reported that Barrett signed a one-year minor league deal with the Jays on December 29th. Barrett is perhaps best knowing for fighting teammate Carlos Zambrano and his career seems to have suffered ever since. He also been involved in altercations with opposing players, including Roy Oswalt and fellow catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Barrett’s best year came between 2005 and 2007, seasons in which he hit.287, .276 and .307 respectively, with 65, 61, and 53 RBIs. He also smacked 16 HRs in each season.
If Barrett has indeed been signed, he will recieve an invitation to spring training and should have the inside track on winning a spot backing up Rod Barajas. In fact, if Barrett produce at the same he was a few years back, Toronto could be looking at a quality catching platoon. Of course, top-prospect J.P. Arencibia should take over as the starting catcher in 2010.
This is a pretty good deal for the cash-strapped Jays, and one that involves little risk and offers the potential for medium reward. Should Barrett prove to be a bust, it’s possible that the Jays will call up Arencibia in June, thus delaying his free-agency by a year. The Jays could also give Curtis Thigpen one last chance to prove his worth.
Edit: ESPN is now reporting that Barrett and the Jays have reached a deal.
Justin Morneau named Canadian Male Athlete of the Year
Minnesota Twins first baseman and British Columbia native Justin Morneau has just been named the winner of the 2008 Lionel Conacher Award as the Canadian Press male athlete of the year. This season, Morneau hit .300/.374/.499 with 23 home runs and 129 RBIs, and won the Home Run Derby at the MLB all-star game. In winning the award, Morneau beat out hockey phenom and 2007 winner Sidney Crosby and, in the process, became only the third baseball player to win the award (previously won by Fergie Jenkins and Larry Walker). “Any time you can beat out a hockey player in anything in Canada, it’s an accomplishment,” said Morneau. “It’s pretty cool, especially with the people who have been named to this award.”
Blue Jays Free Agency- Looking Ahead to 2010
With J.P. Ricciardi announcing that the Jays won’t be targetting any free agents in the 2009 offseason, it looks like Jays fans will have to wait until 2010 for any major free agent signings. The Jays have a number of big contracts expiring after 2010 (Halladay, Ryan, Overbay, Rolen), so that would be their last year to make a run for a pennant before going into a rebuilding mode. Barring any complications, Shaun Marcum will be ready to go at the start of 2010, leading to an impressive rotation of Halladay, Marcum, McGowan and Litsch. Here are a few moves that the Jays might make prior to next season.
Shortstop- The contracts of both Marco Scutaro and John Macdonald will expire after 2009. Neither Justin Jackson or Tyler Pastornicky, both expected to be playing ‘A’ ball in 2009, will be able to make the jump to the bigs in 2010. In short, Toronto will have to find a shortstop for at least two years. One possibility is to resign Scutaro to a two or three year deal and give Jackson and Pastornicky time to develop. Another option, and a more likely one in my opinion, is to look to other free agents to fill the gap. Ricciardi has had a crush on both Jack Wilson and Bobby Crosby for quite some time, and when J.P. likes a player, he tends to go after them. Khalil Greene would also be an option. Each of these guys would be candidates for a longer-term deal, and I woudn’t be surprised if one of them ends up in a Jays uniform.
Catcher- The Jays have both the highly touted J.P. Arencibia and the defensive minded Brian Jeroloman in the system, but if the Jays plan on competing in 2010, they likely can’t do it with two young catchers. Rod Barajas will become a free agent, and the Jays only need a one year option behind the plate. If Barajas can’t be resigned for one year, the Jays could look to Mike Redmond, Jose Molina, or Jason LaRue, all veterans who would be ideal for one year and terrific role models for a young Arencibia, who would likely start.
Pitching- A rotation of Halladay, Marcum, McGowan, and Litsch has the potential to impress. You would have to assume that David Purcey would slide into the five spot. The Jays also have a number of young arms who could compete for a spot in the rotation (and who may in 2009): Brad Mills, Ricky Romero, Davis Romero, and Brett Cecil. In the event that Halladay is gone after 2010 (a likely scenario, if not before then), these kids will be relied upon heavily in 2011. That said, spending 2010 at triple-A could be an option should the Jays target a veteran arm for 2010. It’s more likely that the Jays won’t sign a pitcher as a free agent, but may make a late season trade should they find themselves in a pennent race.
Canadians Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Matt Stairs, and Jason Bay will all become free agents in 2010. There would naturally be pressure on the Jays to get an all-star calibre Canadian in a Jays uniform, and especially the uber-popular Bay, but I don’t think that signing any of the Jays would make much sense, even if the Jays do plan on contending in 2010.
Team Canada at 2009 World Baseball Classic
While most of the country has caught World Junior Hockey fever, we shouldn’t forget that the World Baseball Classic is just over three months away! Team Canada has thus far made only one roster announcement for its upcoming entry at the World Baseball Classic, naming former Blue Jay Ernie Whitt as the team’s manager and naming 2006 MVP Justin Morneau to the team. The pride of New Westminster, British Columbia is coming off a season in which he hit .300/.374/.499 with 23 HR and129 RBI. The Canadians will be looking to improve on their 2-1 record from 2006 and will hopefully get a boost from playing in front of a home crowd Toronto. In addition to Morneau, who else can Canadian fans expect to see sporting the red, white, and black? Here’s a partial list of players who may be suiting up for Team Canada in March.
OF Jason Bay (Boston)- This Trail, British Columbia native is a veteran of Team Canada and the WBC, and a player we should expect to see playing with the Canucks in March. In 2008, he hit .286, smashed 31 HRs and drove in 101 RBI. Status: Probable
C Russell Martin (Los Angeles)- Martin missed the 2006 WBC as he was attempting to secure himself a spor in the major leagues. He’s accomplished that and, in the process, has become one of the better catchers in the majors. With a secure spot behind the plate in L.A., I wouldn’t be surprised to see Martin suit up for the 2009 WBC. In 2008, he hit .280 with 13 HR and 69 RBI. Status: Probable
OF/1B Joey Votto (Cincinnati)- Brampton, Ontario’s Votto had an impressive rookie season, hitting .297/.368/.506 with 24 HR and 84 RBI. With a secure spot in Cincinnati, he’s likely to suit up in front of his (almost) hometown crowd. Status: Probable
OF Matt Stairs (Philadelphia)- Upon his trade from Toronto in 2008, the now 41 year old Stairs indicated he was looking forward to returning for the WBC classic. He hit .252 with 13 HR and 49 RBI in 2008. Status: Probable
3B/OF Mark Teahen (Kansas City)- Teahen plays most of his big league ball in right, but would be more valuable to the Canadians at the hot corner. He’s got some power in his bat too. Status: Questionable
INF Pete Orr (Washington)- A utilityman still trying to find his way into a major league roster, Orr is a veteran of Team Canada and would be a big boost to a weak infield. He’s hit .261 in 444 career MLB at-bats. The only thing that might prevent him from suiting up in his hometown would be not willing to forego spring tranining in an attempt to land a big league position. Status: Probable
SP Shawn Hill (Washington)- A member of Canada’s 2004 Olympic team, Hill underwent arthroscopic surgery in September, though reports indicate he should be able to pitch in the spring. It’s likely, however, that he’ll report to Washington in the spring and not to Team Canada. Status: Doubtful
SP Erik Bedard (Seattle)- Injuries kept Bedard to only 15 games in 2008 and was shut down for the year on July 4th. This strikeout machine would be a major contibutor to the Canucks, but like Hill, he’ll likely begin to pitch again in the spring for his MLB team and not for Team Canada. Status: Doubtful
SP Ryan Dempster (Chigago NL)- A starter turn closer turned starter again, Dempster is coming of a career year (17-6, 2.96, 187 Ks) and just signed a fat four year contract. He’d be a huge help to Team Canada. Status: Questionable
SP Rich Harden (Chicago NL)- Harden is finally healthy and living up to his potential. He went 10-2 in 2008 with 181 Ks and an ERA of 2.07. His presence would provide a major boost for the Canadians, but since he’s finally healthy, he may instead elect to opt out of the tournament and head south with the Cubbies. Status: Questionable
SP Scott Richmond (Toronto)- Richmond was supposed to be the ace of Canada’s 2008 Olympic team, but was called up to Toronto a few weeks prior to the start of the Olympic tournament. With two rotation spots open in Toronto, he’ll likely opt out of the tournament and make the push for a full time major league spot. Status: Doubtful
SP Jeff Francis- A member of Canada’s 2006 WBC squad, Francis struggled in 2008, going 4-10 with an era north of 5 and battling injuries. He’d be a big boost to the Canucks should he elect to play. Status: Questionable
RP Jesse Crain (Minnesota)- Another veteran of the 2006 WBC squad, Crain is a quality reliever who should be suiting up in front of his hometown crowd. Status: Probable
RP Eric Gagne (Free Agent)- His career may be in the tubes, but he could be a valuable addition to the Canadian team. If he manages to sign a deal with a big league team (and it might be a minor league deal at that), expect him to report to spring traninig. However, without a contract, he may use the WBC as a venue to show scouts that there is still gas in the tank. Status: Questionable
Aside from these major leaguers, Aaron Guiel, Sebastien Boucher, Ryan Radmanovich and Adam Stern will be competing for outfield spots, Stubby Clapp and Danny Klassen can round out the infield. Pete LaForest is likely to see time behind the plate, Scott Thorman will be a serviceable backup to Morneau, and Vince Perkins and Scott Mathieson will provide additional arms. Mathieson could start if enough big leaguers turn down the invite.
It’ll be interesting to see if Top 50 prospect Phillipe Aumont or 2008 16th overall selection Brett Lawrie, a member of the 2008 Olympic squad, will be called upon to play at the WBC. My guess is that you won’t see Lawrie; Aumont is an unlikely possibility. You can check out the full Olympic roster, which included a number of minor leaguers, here.
Jays “done” with Free Agency- Enter Project Reclaimation
Just days after proclaiming an interest in free agents Jason Giambi and Orlando Hudson, Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is now maintaining that “We’re done…We won’t be spending any money.”
That said, while the Jays likely won’t be signing any big name free agents, they continue to maintain and interest in backup catcher Michael Barrett and have also been linked to 04-05′ free agent bust Carl Pavano. Pavano would be another ‘reclaimation project’ and Barrett could likely be signed to a minor-league deal. In any event, these are both low cost solutions for a cash-strapped team. Here are a few other low-cost/medium reward reclaimation projects that could possibly be signed to minor-league deals:
1B/DH Richie Sexson- A once consistent 30 HR, 100 RBI guy (who twice hit 45 HRs) is coming off a terrible season split between Seattle and New York. He could be a big help to a team that needs offense, IF he can ever find his swing again.
1B/DH/OF Ben Broussard- Although he’s coming off a season in which he hit a mere .159, he was once good for 15 HR, 60 RBI. If he too can find his swing again, he would be an option. They might as well go with Sexson, but Broussard would also be available.
SP Mark Mulder- While he’s only pitched 12.2 innings in the past two seasons, that represents 12.2 more innings than Matt Clement, the Jays only free agent signing thus far. This guy put up amazing numbers between 2001 and 2005. If he’s healthy, he could complete for the 4th or 5th spot in the rotation.
The Jays certainly won’t put up much money for these guys, nor will they offer more than a one year deal. But if they can sign one or more of them to a low risk deal, there may be some reward to be had. After all, if they think Matt Clement can find his stuff once again, there’s no reason to think that these other three can’t.
Blue Jays lose again in Free Agency
The Blue Jays ‘off season to forget’ just became a bit more forgetable with the Yankees signing free agent first baseman Mark Teixeria. Not only does Teixeria join a division rival of the Blue Jays, his status as a Type-A free agent has cost the Jays a second round draft pick.*
When a team loses a Type A free agent, such as Burnett, they recieve a compensatory pick in the sandwich round (between the first and second rounds), as well as the signing team’s first round pick. However, the Yankees have signed three type-A free agents (Sabathia, Burnett and Teixeria), but only have one first round pick to give away. As a result, the team who losses the free agent with the highest rank (in this case the Angels) recieves the signing team’s first rounder. As Sabathia’s ranking is higher than Burnett’s, the Brewers get the Yankees second rounder, while the Jays will have to settle for the Yankees third rounder.
Of course, the Bronx bombers aren’t necessarily finished with their off-season shopping spree. They still have their eyes set on slugger Manny Ramirez, another Type-A free agent rated higher than Burnett. If the Yankees do sign Ramirez, the Dodgers would be entitled to the Yankees third rounder pick and the Jays would have to settle for a fourth rounder.
If recieving draft picks is supposed to compensate teams who lose valuable free agents, then the system sure is broken. The Jays are essentially stuck with a fourth round pick for losing a player for whom they should have otherwise received a first round pick for.
*The Jays were never in line to recieve a first rounder from the Yankees as they signed Sabathia prior to signing Burnett.
Welcome
Well, here it goes. Welcome to my new Blue Jays blog. I’ll be using it to post updates on the team (including tickets, promotions etc.), provide an analysis of games and transactions, discuss the state of the team more generally, and provide infomation on up-and-coming Blue Jays prospects. I’ll also use this blog as a forum to discuss baseball in Canada, including our national teams and player in the bigs and those trying to make it to the show.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering what “44north” means, the great city of Toronto can be found at latitude 44 degrees north. See, you’ve learned something already. That’s all for now.
Remeber, you can go elsewhere for opinions, but you’ll have to come here for the truth.
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