Jays Sign John McDonald for 2 Years

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 6:18 PM EST in News Comment 31 comments

Words fail me, here is the press release:

BLUE JAYS SIGN JOHN MCDONALD

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have signed shortstop JOHN McDONALD to a two year contract worth 3.0 million dollars for the 2010 & 2011 seasons.

McDONALD, 35, is returning the Blue Jays for a 6^th season. The Scituate, Massachusetts resident appeared in 73 games last season, making 35 starts, including 19 at shortstop, nine at third base, five at second base & two in left field. The right-handed hitter established a new career high with a .384 slugging percentage in 2009 & his .258 batting average was his best mark since 2005.

In 11 Major League seasons, McDONALD has hit .238 with 74 doubles, 13 home runs and 134 RBI, while adding a .972 fielding percentage.

Well....words fail me beyond I don't bloody believe it. 2 years. We were worried someone would snap him up after this season, cause the market for 36 year defense only shortstops looks to be so strong in 2011??

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truly unbelievable....

but in the early 90’s, they would have said we were a classy organization that took care of its veterans.

by ayjackson on Nov 25, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Eh Why...

OOPS…

I pushed the wrong button…sorry…

Now, I say not so unbelievable. IF – our “new” SS goes down we put in a near gold glover. The Prime Minister can back up SS, 3rd, 2nd and LF. He can be a late inning defensive replacement for EE at 3rd. IS 3 big ones too much? Probably. BUT – so what. We NEED to have at least one freakin’ glove available in case of all holy hell breakin’ loose.

And besides – I like the guy and his 100% effort. JMac – WELCOME back for two years. In 2011 I can see him tutoring Tyler or Justin – not a bad move.

by Mylegacy on Nov 25, 2009 8:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's a few years removed from near gold glove....

and if he is your back up at third and LF you have big problems. But I guess we aren’t planning to win for a couple of years.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

2 Years?

Alright, one year at $1.5m I could defend. Two? Either there’s something else going on, or looking to in 2011 is also not in the cards.

by dexfarkin on Nov 25, 2009 8:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And if I could type-

-that would say ’or looking to compete in 2011 is also not in the cards.

by dexfarkin on Nov 25, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I truly don't get it....

A year…stupid but ok. Two years? Why would you guarantee second year? If you want you’ll be able to re-sign him. He isn’t going to suddenly be worth $7 million. This idea that him being able to play the outfield is making him worth more is hard to believe, no body would want him as a fourth outfielder. You play him in the outfield you are advertising you don’t want to win. The thing that really gets me about that argument is that there are no end of outfielders you could get at the major league minimum that could be fourth outfielders and could get on base at better than a .260 rate.

What you should be bidding against is other teams, not against yourself. If you could find another team that would pay Mac a million season, I’d be amazed.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

See, I still don’t think a year is stupid. I like the idea of JMac off the bench, and I think a guy like him gives you some versitility, especially late in a game. I also don’t discount the fact that losing Halladay and MacDonald in the same year would put off some people, and the numbers factor in a sop to the fanbase. But, yeah, two years is hard to understand from pretty much any perspective, unless the intention is not to compete until at least 2012, and you’ve already got an SS for then identified, but is going to be a year or so and some mentoring away from being a starter.

by dexfarkin on Nov 25, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I very much doubt there are any fans that would consider losing Mac somehow the same as losing Doc

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, but I think it would be a mistake to say that losing the second most popular Jay in the same year as the most popular one isn’t any kind of factor one way or the other. Just because one is not as great as the other doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a reason to be considered.

by dexfarkin on Nov 25, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i disagree

its not the same per say, but its a big deal. he is the favorite amongst a lot of fans… he been around for a while with the team, and it’d still suck to lose him… especially along with Doc.

Plus, people are hating way too much. he can play great D and backup 3rd and 2nd aswell… plus its not like the Jays are winning anytime soon.

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Nov 25, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

plus its not like the Jays are winning anytime soon.

And there is the point. This signing shows that they aren’t interested in winning anytime soon. Not only are they tanking (thanks Drunks) this year, they don’t care enough about the year after to see if Mac can be worth a roster spot before giving him one. Yeah he’s been good defensively in the past… but two years ago he was only average defensively. Last year? Well he didn’t play enough for anyone to guess if he is still good or bad defensively. Hating him? No. Hating this contract? Oh yeah.

If they are worried about losing the second most popular Jay they ought to sign Scoot.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmm wasn't thinking there...

Figured Scutaro would be second in popularity to Doc, but Hill and Lind ought to be in their. If Mac is more popular than those two then the fans are fools.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 25, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Mac is more popular than those two then the fans are fools

This is getting a little into the silly territory. We all know that fan favourites have nothing to do with ability half the time. Sal Fasano is now Lansing’s manager, and people love it because Sal is a great, engaging, standup guy who is not a particularly good baseball player. I remember thinking how classy the Jays were giving a coaching job to Willie Upshaw when he retired, despite a decidedly mediorce career. A-Rod is one of the best players of the last three decades, and I would pay money to watch Matt Stairs punch his lights out.

People like who they like. MacDonald has been a team player who has stepped up every time he’s been asked to. He’s classy to the media, he’s involved in the community, the press consider him one of the nicest guys in baseball; so what if he gets a bit of a stroke at the end of his career if it doesn’t hurt the Jays? I don’t agree with the two year signing, not even a bit, but at the end of the day, unless it stops them from getting a piece that can put them over the top, the money is irrelevent.

Bottom line; the fans are fools. But anyone who approaches baseball in a cold, clinical method of unromantic return on investment is a bloody Yankees fan. I’m happier as a fool.

by dexfarkin on Nov 26, 2009 2:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Even if they kept him because he’s a fan favorite and a good defender at three positions there’s just no reason to give him a two year deal.

How many guys could be found to replace his skill set? Plenty, he isn’t a guy that would be sought after by anyone next offseason and they could just as easily resign him and if he goes into the tank, let him walk…If he sucks this year and they cut him their only out 1.5 million dollars, which isn’t a ton of money but why risk throwing it away anyways?

Even if the second year was a team option year with a small(100-250k) buyout that wouldn’t be quite as bad and would at least allow them an out.

Lastly, what if say Brad Emaus moves up to Triple A this season, has a decent year and looks ready to contribute in 2011 as a utility guy, why would they rather have that spot tied up with Mac? Now, in that scenario if they cut him for Emaus(or someone else, just an example here) they’d basically be paying 1.8 million for the utility spot filled by Emaus that otherwise would cost them 350k or so…Puzzling move.

Writer for Examiner.com covering the NH Fisher Cats
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by teejay1324 on Nov 26, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t agree with the two year signing, not even a bit, but at the end of the day, unless it stops them from getting a piece that can put them over the top, the money is irrelevent.

As I mentioned, I don’t agree with the 2 year deal, but according to the papers today, JMac had several offers, including a multiyear deal on the table. Apparently the plan is for him to remain a guy off the bench, so obviously, they’re not that worried about the money or assumed that the second year was the only way he’d resign. But considering that the deal represents, what, 2% of the payroll over the next two years, I’m not overly concerned that he’ll block someone.

by dexfarkin on Nov 26, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very discouraging this.

by Woodman663 on Nov 25, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

2 years?

that is quite a coup for John’s agent.

to me this is a bit surprising. But, I am not likely as riled as others.

by aagoodfella on Nov 25, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

This organization continues to give the fans no hope for the future. Or the present, for that matter.

But hey! We’ll still have Flashback Fridays, and reunion weekends!

by Jevant on Nov 26, 2009 8:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Where's this fan favourite nonsense coming from?

He’s not a favourite of mine. I hate seeing him in the lineup because I know that we are not getting anything in terms of hitting. His good glove is only relevant when he plays, and then you have to see him bat.

One year I can see because he’s a one of Cito’s guys. But now Cito’s replacement in 2011 will be forced to have him on the roster.

If Johnny Mac has other offers for multiple years, the Jays should have let him walk. It’s not like finding light hitting backup infielders should be hard to do.

by siggian on Nov 26, 2009 9:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

In a poll of the viewers of the Canadian sports station Rogers Sportsnet, which broadcasts the majority of the Blue Jays’ games, John McDonald was voted the most popular Blue Jay, narrowly edging out Roy Halladay.

by dexfarkin on Nov 26, 2009 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shocking

Have these viewers ever seen him play?

Or ever seen Hill or Lind?

by Jevant on Nov 26, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You gotta figure about it is half the people on the site won't be ones that watch baseball....

Half of those thought they were voting for John A. MacDonald. And course, signing a guy because he’s popular is what gets you Kevin Millar. Baseball is still played between the lines.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 26, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know this is getting almost to the point of satire, right? The Jays fanbase seems to be chomping at their own stitches over a negligable contract for a bloody utility player. Even with the ridiculous extra year, it’s a 2yr/$3m contract that the Jays can cut without blinking if it blocks a new prospect coming in to the organization. Yes, it’s possibly an extra half million above the market and a tacit handjob to the ‘ignorant and unschooled fanbase’, who comprise the other 95% of the people at the ballpark.

But all of these calls that have this as the harbringer of doom? Sorry, but it’s getting silly. It’s not a good contract, but it doesn’t hurt the team either.

by dexfarkin on Nov 26, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bizarre!

If Jays management thinks that JMac puts a single extra fanny in the stadium or more than a handful of extra eyeballs on the TV (“Let’s watch daddy play on TV tonight…”), they are sadly mistaken and completely delusional. Popular? Ptui!

On the other hand, we have ample proof that the people of Toronto do not go to the Rogers Centre to see a star player on the Jays.

About the only thing they haven’t tried in the last 15 years is serious winning. I think the Jays have so turned off the casual fan with how they’ve run things that I’m beginning to think we would need several years of 90+ wins before we see more than a handful of sellouts.

by siggian on Nov 26, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

People are acting as if this signing is going to greatly affect what the Jays will do the rest of the offseason...

i mean seriously guys… we have a backup SS for 2 years who we spent a bit more than you’d like on, but fans love him and you know hes going to play good D. its hardly the end of the world.

i have to question how good of a fan someone is if they cant be happy to see Jmac back for 2 years.

Popularity of Jays should go:

1. Doc
2. Jmac
3. Hill
4. Lind
5. everyone else

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Nov 26, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

it is all about the roster space my friend

sure it is not a lot of money

sure he plays good defense

but if he takes up bench space that a stronger bat or something of that nature could fill, it portends poorly — it all depends on who else is on the bench and generally, you would like to fill roster spots with your higher priorities first. If JM is a higher priority roster spot, folks are worried. However, it may not necessarily be the case, roster signings are driven by other considerations including player availability etc. AA may have other stuff in the works that he is aware will eventually pan out but cannot announce yet. So, I think it is perhaps a bit early to get worried. But that is all IMHO and fan disquiet may prove to have been warranted. I hope not – fingers crossed.

by aagoodfella on Nov 26, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Better uses for Johnny Mac’s roster spot:

1) Young player with any upside
2) Better bat
3) Randy Ruiz

by Jevant on Nov 26, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be happier with a 25th man that

a) could help us win the odd game and b) could be sent down if the team needs a pitcher for a series or two.

by Tom Dakers on Nov 26, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well, I am hoping that this means Overbay will be moved creating a Ruiz / Lind platoon situation at 1B. Again no slight against Big O, just we got too many 1B eligibles.

by aagoodfella on Nov 26, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why this love for Jmac?

I guess I just don’t understand why he should be popular.

To me, he’s just an end-of-the-bench guy with one decent skill. Maybe he’s great in the clubhouse, but that sort of thing got us an entire season of Millar. He may be a great guy for the media, but I’m about the wins, baby.

All I know is that I hate seeing his name in the starting line up. I don’t mind him coming on as a defensive replacement in the 8th or 9th because that means the Jays are winning.

I also don’t like seeing him on the roster because he is now one of Cito’s veterans, which means he will get a number of at bats simply because Cito prefers him over a younger player. Up until midway through last season, I was a strong Cito supporter, but I don’t want Cito running the team now because he’s the wrong guy for a rebuilding team.

(Really, I didn’t want to turn it into a Cito bash but that’s where it ended up)

by siggian on Nov 26, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am guessing he is popular because (1) he has a certain boy-next-door kind of charm that appeals to the ladies (2) he makes spectacular defensive plays that often make the highlight reels and appeals to both casual fans and to hard core fans

just speculating, but fer sure he gets lots of fan support … I have been to plenty of games where folks hang Johnny Mac banners in the stands … yet how often do you see such support for Lind? a guy who is near the top of the league in hitting (although I expect Lind will eventually gain in popularity as awareness increases for his batting skills)

maybe this year they will make a Lind commercial — last year it was Rolen (dinosaur burgers), Roy (hostage segment) and Wells (getting keys locked in his car)

by aagoodfella on Nov 26, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs