But January is the Month That Cares: Recapping Blue Jays Month

by Tom Dakers on Feb 1, 2012 12:16 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays Analysis

Yay, it's February. 14 more days and the pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Here's a look back at what the Jays did (not much) in January:

The month started out with a trade. Alex traded with the White Sox to get Jason Frasor back. Going to South Side of Chicago (well, to a team in the South Sider's farm system) are Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb. The Jays also outrighted Jim Hoey to Vegas to make room on the 40-man.
A few days into the month the details of Darren Oliver's contract came out. He's making $4 million for 2012 and the team has a $3 million option on 2013, with a $500,000 buyout.
With the signing, the Jay released Mark Teahen and will eat the $5.5 million left on his contract.
All our arbitration eligible players got contracts, expect for Casey Janssen, who will be in front of the arbitrator, unless he and Alex agree to a contract pretty quick. Carlos Villanueva signed for $2,277,500. Kelly Johnson $6,375,00. Ben Francisco $1,537,500.
Brandon Morrow got the biggest deal. He will be making $21 million over the next three years. The team has a $10 million option for a 4th year.
We signed Omar Vizquel to a minor league contract.
We added yet another arm to the bullpen, by signing Francisco Cordero to a 1-year, $4.5 million contract. Like last off-season, we seem to be collecting as many relievers as we can.
We made a bunch of minor signings: RHP Nelson Figueroa, RHP Tim Redding, LHP Bill Murphy, C Kyle Phillips, SS Chris Woodward and OF Danny Perales. The one that kind of interests me is Bill Murphy. He pitched in Japan for the last couple of years, making 48 appearances, 30 starts, had a 14-11 record with a 3.81 ERA. But then he walked too many, 104 in 196 innings. Still a he's nice lefty to have in Vegas.
The Jays announced their giveaways for the 2012 season. Minor Leaguer listed them here.

We learned a few things at the State of the Franchise evening, among them:

The Jays have a policy against signing players for more than 5 years. I'm thinking that Brett Lawrie will be testing that policy.
Paul Beeston owns socks.
Some free agents are willing to take less money not to play on the turf at Rogers Centre.
Buck Martinez can take a minute and a half to ask a very simple question.
Paul Beeston has considered grass. No not smoking it. Replacing the turf with it.
Blue Jay fans can ask dumber questions than even Richard Griffin.
There was more stuff, Minor Leaguer had a complete review of the night here.

Beyond that? Well, we had all the usual stuff around here to keep us occupied while waiting for baseball. My favorite part was my interview with Bruce Walton. If you missed it, it is here: part one, part two, part three, part four and part five.

January's done. We are that much closer to baseball.

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" I'm thinking that Brett Lawrie will be testing that policy"

Maybe, but I think the Jays would be much happier buying out Lawrie’s arb years then tacking on a team option or three a la Moore. I would actually be a little surprised if Brett gets more then 5 guaranteed

I tweet.

by benk on Feb 1, 2012 12:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I'm not sure about what exactly this policy means

As I interpret it, it applies to FAs, not to extensions necessarily. Romero was a 5 year deal, and before that the policy had been 3 years for a pitcher. And when you think about it, it makes sense to treat extensions differently than FAs – with FAs, you’re generally buying players at their peaks or slightly over, so they’re only going to get worse. With extensions, especially to pre-arb players, you’re gettig the peaks years, and maybe those on both sides. With Lawrie for example, even 8 years would take him though his expected peak years and slightly over

by MjwW on Feb 1, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions

right, certainly

But just by default (extensions included), risk increases greatly for each additional year. Lawrie might get 6 guaranteed, but I don’t think AA would be thrilled about it (and only if he can’t Jedi his way into team options)

I tweet.

by benk on Feb 1, 2012 12:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Right, for sure

Options over guaranteed years is always best. But whereas for free agents the 5years might be a hard constraint, for pre-arb extension candidates it might be a soft constraint, more of a strong preference.

by MjwW on Feb 1, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

When I first started reading, I thought you said "Yay, It's February 14"

And I got worried…..glad to know I didn’t forget about Valentines day…yet! :)

If you can't convince them, confuse them!

by Carm on Feb 1, 2012 12:43 PM EST reply actions

The most important thing we learned is that Paul Beeston owns socks

Hic sunt fortuna dracones
There is only 1 "n" in Hutchison

by JaysfanDL on Feb 1, 2012 12:51 PM EST reply actions

Woodward

Hard to think how much playing time he could get with all the AAA SS options. Unless he gets some 3B?

by Steve02 on Feb 1, 2012 1:28 PM EST reply actions

Purely minor league depth

Vizquel won’t play AAA if he doesn’t make the MLB roster. Valbuena was added to the Mariners 40 man in 2008, and was optioned in 2009, 2010 and 2011, so it appears he would have to clear waivers to be sent to AAA and I’m not sure he would. That leaves McCoy in Vegas with Hech, probably Ricardo Nanita and Kevin Howard in the mix as well. Woodward’s there for the veteran presence, and some depth

by MjwW on Feb 1, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Valbuena’s not very good. Maybe I’m underrating him, but I think he’d clear waivers. If him and Vizquel seem equal coming out of camp, I would think that he’d be the one sent down, as the Jays are more likely to want Vizquel’s experience and extra 20 years on the bench.

Here's my attempt at a witty sig. Didn't really go so well, methinks.

Wise men wonder, while strong men die.

by Cam Oegema on Feb 1, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Valbuena

Has put up very good AAA numbers, but hasn’t translated that to the minors. He’s young though, and I imagine that someone would take a flier on him, especially if they had an injury…similar to how we picked up Nix right at the end of Spring Training last year after he was put on waivers. Ultimately, we’re both guessing.

by MjwW on Feb 1, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions