Minor League Signings

by Tom Dakers on Feb 10, 2011 10:42 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

The Jays made a handful of minor league signings: pitchers Mike MacDonald and Rommie Lewis (resigned after becoming a free agent when the Jays removed him from the 40-man roster), Craig Stansberry (3B), Leonard Davis (OF) and, as mentioned in Cypruss99's fanpost, Ryan Shealy (1B).

Also Michael Kelly was released and Chuck Huggins retired. I'm surprised at Huggins, I thought he was doing pretty good. Made it to Double-A last year.

The signings are all minor league depth moves, lots of bad things would have to happen for them to have any meaningful time Toronto, but someone has to pitch innings and take at bats in the minors. MacDonald is 29, RH, he was in the Jays system until the 2009 season. He has a 4.27 ERA in the minors. We drafted him in the 15th round of the 2004 draft. Career numbers are here. Lewis you know about.

Stansberry is 28 and has a .265/.353/.390 line in 854 minor league games. He was a 5th round pick in 2003 by the Pirates.

Davis was an 8th round pick back in 2004 by the Expos and has a .269/.326/.472 line in 688 minor league games.

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What does the Ryan Shealy signing mean for David Cooper?

I’m not very high on Cooper and haven’t expected him to make it to the Jays, but with the second half he had, I would’ve liked to see what he could do at AAA. Even if there is only the smallest of chances that Cooper’s turned it around, why not give him a chance? He obviously had some talent to begin with. I’d just rather see him than some guy that doesn’t stand a chance to make the Jays eating up at bats.

by doc alex on Feb 10, 2011 10:53 PM EST reply actions

I really don't think it means anything

Vegas needs a DH, Shealy can do that or play first if the Jays decide to start Cooper at AA. It is a good place for Shealy, his power will show well. He could be Randy Ruiz all over again.

by Tom Dakers on Feb 10, 2011 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

Should work on his chopsticks skills

by Minor Leaguer on Feb 10, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I assume Cooper will probably get a “last chance” shot at AAA. If he tears it up, perhaps he can be in the mix for 2012, if not, I assume his days in the organization are near their end.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

by Jevant on Feb 11, 2011 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

What does the Ryan Shealy signing mean for David Cooper?

Not a lot. It’s a depth signing with a potential upside for peanuts.

by dexfarkin on Feb 11, 2011 3:00 AM EST up reply actions

If I were Cooper...

I’d worry more about McDade then I would Shealy.

by Alan F. on Feb 11, 2011 8:40 PM EST up reply actions

Why would Huggins retire? He was doing pretty well...

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Feb 10, 2011 11:19 PM EST reply actions

yeah I don't get it.

He was on my just missed out list when we did the our prospect list.

by Tom Dakers on Feb 10, 2011 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

You never know what's going on in someones life, it could be for personal reasons.

by KWJAYS on Feb 11, 2011 6:28 AM EST up reply actions

Just a complete guess re Huggins – probably got a “real world” offer he felt he couldn’t pass up. Minor Leaguers don’t make much.

On the minor league signings, a lot of these guys will never actually suit up for the organization past opening day – there are just too many of them.

consider this:

IF you project the Jays pitching staff on April 1 like this-
Romero/Morrow/Cecil/Litsch/Zep (could be Drabek but this is just an example)
Francisco/Rauch/Frasor/Dotel/Purcey/Camp/Janssen

Then you have the following guys who are logically candidates for the Vegas Staff:

Starters: Drabek/Stewart/Mills/Richmond/Reyes (if he clears)

Relievers:
Top tier – Roenicke, Carlson, Villianueva, Farina, Perez, Lewis, Ray
second tier – Abreu, Henn, Hinkley
third tier – Everts, Ledezma, Vermillyea, Collazo, Stokes, MacDonald, LaMura (he’s 30), Ethredge

and that’s without promoting Randy Boone who’s really done with AA and his clock is ticking (not that he’s a prospect)

Even with injuries, and with some of those guys shuffling down to AA, probably 4-6 of those guys will be cut.

I think a few of the filler hitters will meet the same fate.

by TamRa on Feb 11, 2011 4:44 AM EST reply actions

Adam Loewen

Is Adam Loewen signed for 2011? Was he not on a two year deal? Not sure I have heard any updates on him… I see he is playing winter leagues… do they have to sign him?

by melochejonathan on Feb 11, 2011 9:44 AM EST reply actions