Jays Sign Four Minor Leaguers

by Tom Dakers on Jan 13, 2010 1:39 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

We knew about Lubanski, but here is the press release:

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have signed minor league free agents LHP WILLIAM COLLAZO, OF JORGE PADILLA, OF CHRIS LUBANSKI and INF JESUS MERCHAN to contracts with invites to major league spring training.

COLLAZO, 30, has spent the previous season in the Marlins organization, going 8-5 with a 3.85 ERA with New Orleans (AAA) in 2009. The Carolina, Puerto Rico native has appeared in six major league games, all in relief, with the Mets in 2007, posting a 6.35 ERA. The left-hander is a career 52-52 record, with a 3.96 ERA in 340 minor league contests.

PADILLA, 30, spent last season in the Washington organization, mostly with Syracuse (AAA) of the International League, batting .367 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. The Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico native reached the Major Leagues for the first time last season, appearing in 29 games, and posting a .129 average. In 12 minor league seasons the right-handed hitter has posted a .289 average with 90 home runs and 150 stolen bases.

LUBANSKI, 24, has been in the Royals system since being drafted 5^th overall in 2003. The Collegeville, Pennsylvania resident has a .278 average with 91 home runs in 715 career games. The left-handed hitter recorded a career high 28 home runs at High Desert (A) in 2005.

MERCHAN, 28, played at three levels in the Indians organization in 2009, hitting a combined .306 with seven doubles, one triple and 12 RBI in 43 games. The Maracay, Venezuela native has posted a .294 career minor league average over 11 seasons with 24 home runs and 354 RBI.

Tom back: none of them are terribly exciting, more depth for the team. Willie Collazo minor league numbers are here. Added into the bunch of lefties we have in the system. Jorge Padilla is an outfielder, right handed hitting, can play either corner, numbers are here. Chris Lubanski we have talked about before, former first round draft pick, some power, hits left, can play the corners. Numbers here. Jesus Merchan could be a utility infielder, here is his numbers.

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Comments

Regular organizational depth signings.

Nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary.

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Jan 13, 2010 2:24 PM EST reply actions

"here is his numbers. "

disappointing grammar.

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Jan 13, 2010 5:22 PM EST reply actions

What you think?

probability of taking the MLB field with the Jays?

Collazo < 10%
Padilla < 10%
Lubanski 10 – 20%
Merchan < 10%

Hope I am wrong on the downside.

by aagoodfella on Jan 13, 2010 10:16 PM EST reply actions

an idea of a discussion.

i bet this OFers will be call ups late in the year to ease up the load on our current OFers
which is not a bad idea.

someone could do a thread about the Jays oufield choices they have ( which i think is very thin).
since we’re not competing this year could we try Lind/Wells/Snider for a while and see how it works out for a bit, they are not defensive specialist but they are scary good at the plate if Vernon Wells do better than last year.
Now that i think about the Taylor/Wallace flip,i was i little skeptical at first now i think i’m against it.
but like a said i would comment more if someone who has more baseball knowledge make a new thread about it.
i have several ideas and choices to discuss

by elpikiman on Jan 13, 2010 10:34 PM EST reply actions