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.