Shannon Stewart comming back to Toronto?

by Quinton on Feb 20, 2008 9:54 PM EST in News Comment 3 comments

According to a report by the Globe & Mail, J.P. Riccardi offered Stewart a contract a few weeks ago but has not received a response. Shannon Stewart hit .290 last year in 146 games and can be a impact player when he isn't hurt.

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Weird

I liked Stewart when he was here. He's a great hitter but do we need him? Backup DH and backup LF is occupied by Stairs and unless a trade with Reed Johnson is in the works, it doesn't make too much sense. Besides I want Adam Lind to get some playing time.

Allan's World Music

by achengy on Feb 20, 2008 10:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stewart

might cost less than Reed Johnson for a similar level of production, saving the team green. But I think I'd rather have Reed -- Stewart can still hit but has been injury prone over his career. Stewart has slowed due to injuries and his defense has declined, while Johnson provides solid defense at all three outfield positions and has always excelled at hitting lefties, which will be his role this season.

The only other purpose for bringing in Stewart would be as injury insurance. If Overbay, Thomas, Reed, Wells, or Rios got hurt, Stewart would be good to have. But the Jays would probably be better off with a lefty batter for this kind of role, and they have a great internal candidate for insurance for all those guys, as Allan notes, in Adam Lind.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Feb 21, 2008 8:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stewart would not be a good addition...

The lineup is too right-handed heavy as it is, and Stewart is in the twilight of his career. He has had some injuries that have sapped his speed, and he is just a slight upgrade over Reed Johnson. I just don't see how another right-handed hitter enhances this lineup, even in the unlikely event that Stew would ever agree to being a utility outfielder/DH. Dumb move by Ricciardi if the story is accurate that he offered him a contract. Shannon Stewart was a great Bluejay, umm, when he was 26. He's 34 now and his best years are behind him. Even in a best-case scenario with the Jays this year he would likely hit .285-.290 with 8 to 10 HRs, and the way the team is managed these days, maybe 1 stolen base. Reed Johnson, if healthy, should approach or exceed those numbers already, as he is 2 and a half years younger than Stewart, and a similar type of hitter.

John Olerud is the Greatest Bluejay of All Time

by johnolerudforpresident on Feb 21, 2008 12:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs