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Blue Jays Sign Omar Vizquel

By Mark Polishuk | January 23, 2012 at 6:28pm CDT

The Blue Jays have signed 44-year-old infielder Omar Vizquel to a minor league contract that contains an invitation to the Major League Spring Training camp, the team announced.  ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link) had the scoop first, hearing the news from Adam Katz, Vizquel's agent.  The infielder would earn $750K if he makes the Blue Jays, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet Radio FAN 590 tweets.

An 11-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop, Vizquel has played mostly second and third base over the last few seasons and provides the Jays with depth at both positions behind starters Brett Lawrie and Kelly Johnson.  The Blue Jays are Vizquel's sixth different club over his long career, which would reach 24 seasons if he plays in 2012.  Vizquel still has an outside chance at the 3000-hit club (he has 2841 career hits) if he can keep playing through 2013, judging by his recent offensive output.

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Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Omar Vizquel

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78 Comments

  1. Ryan Aguirre

    13 years ago

    There it is…  That was the missing piece

    Reply
    • FrankTheFunkasaurusRex

      13 years ago

      Congratulations on being the billionth person to make that joke.

      Reply
      • Matt

        13 years ago

        But it was funnier this time

        Reply
        • FrankTheFunkasaurusRex

          13 years ago

          No.

          Reply
          • Matt

            13 years ago

            How does it feel to be mad all the time for no reason?  It must be awfully boring.  I just managed to see you railing on someone else about a “Yu” joke.  Welcome to the internet, this is a place for fun, not for your authoritarian rulings on jokes.

            Reply
            • FrankTheFunkasaurusRex

              13 years ago

              My brain hurts when I try to comprehend the concept that making the same unfunny joke again and again and again is somehow fun.

              Reply
            • Lucas Kschischang

              13 years ago

              When I tell stand-up, I usually just repeat the same joke over and over again.

              Reply
              • Dennis Megary

                13 years ago

                thats the best way to tell a joke Lucas,thats the best way to tell a joke Lucas,thats the best way to tell a joke Lucas,thats the best way to tell a joke Lucas,thats the best way to tell a joke Lucas,

                Reply
          • Matt

            13 years ago

            How does it feel to be mad all the time for no reason?  It must be awfully boring.  I just managed to see you railing on someone else about a “Yu” joke.  Welcome to the internet, this is a place for fun, not for your authoritarian rulings on jokes.

            Reply
        • FrankTheFunkasaurusRex

          13 years ago

          No.

          Reply
      • Vampire Weekend at Bernie's

        13 years ago

        Print off the World Series tickets.

        Reply
  2. seanb1223

    13 years ago

    This goes to prove that the further north you go, the slower you age. Trust me. I’m a physicist.

    Reply
    • michael hughes

      13 years ago

      Wouldn’t a bio-chemist be more qualified?

      Reply
      • seanb1223

        13 years ago

        I said trust me.

        Reply
      • $14878247

        13 years ago

        More like whale biologist. Always trust the whale biologist.

        Reply
  3. pastlives

    13 years ago

    k THIS ones a little more questionable

    Reply
  4. vincentjulian

    13 years ago

    AA is a fan of all things White Sox

    Reply
  5. renegadeisback

    13 years ago

    45 years old.. umm

    Reply
    • seanb1223

      13 years ago

      Maybe he can get his teammates senior citizen discounts on the road.

      Reply
    • johnsmith4

      13 years ago

      Darren Oliver needs a room mate 😉

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        13 years ago

        not to ruin your joke, but I actually just recently learned that they dont have roomates. i was shocked to learned this.

        Reply
        • seanb1223

          13 years ago

          No, you ruined it alright.

          Reply
        • deere5800

          13 years ago

          Seriously? Just the Jays or all/most teams?

          Reply
          • Lunchbox45

            13 years ago

            All teams. Such a waste of money.

            Reply
            • deere5800

              13 years ago

              Huh. But how to they get up to crazy shenanigans?

              Reply
  6. Benny

    13 years ago

    Big respect to Vizquel, still holding it down at SS, at the age of 45. With all due respect though, you need to retire already!

    Reply
  7. crzycanuck

    13 years ago

    This would have been a good pick up 10 years ago

    Reply
    • safari_punch

      13 years ago

      Even better 20 years ago.

      Reply
      • crzycanuck

        13 years ago

        Agreed.  Heard his grandson was in the minors.

        Reply
  8. Andy Frank

    13 years ago

    say what??

    Reply
  9. TheodoreRoosevelt

    13 years ago

    Defensive backup; and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if AA has nabbed him with a mind to a long-term coaching role. He’s trying to build a dynasty at the Jays. 

    Reply
    • crzycanuck

      13 years ago

      I can see that happening.  He’d be a great mentor once Hech comes to town.

      Reply
    • Disgustedfan

      13 years ago

      He has sure built a great dynasty of 4th place finishes.

      Reply
      • TheodoreRoosevelt

        13 years ago

        Yes. Bye now. 

        Reply
      • Chris Bosh

        13 years ago

        So 2 years of 4th place finishes under AA where most of the team was still JP’s holdovers is his dynasty now? 

        Reply
      • ice_hawk1002

        13 years ago

        you are aware he has been gm for 2 years right? 

        Reply
      • Adam Moreira

        13 years ago

        At least the Blue Jays have been competitive; they’re just in an insanely stacked division.

        Reply
  10. Alex Grady

    13 years ago

    Better than Mccoy in every way.

    Reply
  11. WonderboyRooney10

    13 years ago

    I cant believe hes still hanging around. Bravo to him

    Reply
  12. $5427573

    13 years ago

    Johnny Mac 2.0!!!

    Reply
    • kwiell

      13 years ago

      Isn’t Johnny Mac actually Omar Vizquel 2.0? 🙂

      Reply
  13. Mike R Christian

    13 years ago

    gotta be a good thing to have him around Yunel…

    Reply
  14. nm344

    13 years ago

    Wait.. this is a major league deal? 

    Reply
    • vilifyingforce

      13 years ago

      Hasn’t been updated on the Jays site yet, I see they brought back Woodward on a minor league deal again though.

      Reply
      • vilifyingforce

        13 years ago

        Vizquel just tweeted he will be in spring training to earn a spot. Sounds like a minor league deal.

        Reply
        • Adam Moreira

          13 years ago

          Ah okay—that makes sense. I could not see a team at his age giving him a major-league contract. But I wonder if it is time for him to transition into coaching. Vizquel really has nothing left to prove.

          Reply
          • vilifyingforce

            13 years ago

            2-3 more seasons and he’ll crack 3000 hits!

            Reply
  15. Joey E

    13 years ago

    comments section needs more AA love!
    where are all you jays fans?

    whatever. all i know is that if the dodgers signed him, this place would be nothing but jokes but when the jays sign him, there is nothing worth reading in here. all a bunch of meh

    Reply
  16. escapingNihilism

    13 years ago

    I think the only player left who was in MLB when I was born (unless you count Moyer).

    Reply
  17. Harthan

    13 years ago

    I’m excited, only because there’s a chance I’ll get to see him play in Cleveland on opening day this year, as the Jays open against the Indians at Progressive Field.  I’d love to be part of a standing ovation for him.

    Reply
    • joe smith 5

      13 years ago

      There is no chance you will see Vizquel on opening day in Detroit.

      Unless this is a coaching position or just AAA depth I really dont understand it. I would rather have McCoy or Valbuena as the backup infielder.

      Reply
  18. Adam Moreira

    13 years ago

    This may be Vizquel getting his foot in the door of a coaching career.

    Reply
  19. RawlingsHeart

    13 years ago

    I don’t understand why everyone’s tripping. It’s not a bad signing. I mean if anything you get one of the best defensive players ever to teach your younger players a thing or two about defense. Plus it’s only a minor league deal.

    Reply
  20. FriedCalamari

    13 years ago

    If Bautista can do it at 29. Why can’t Vizquel do at 45? He will change his approach at the plate. 35 bombs from Vizquel as DH/ss/3b/2b, book it.

    Reply
  21. tribe1045

    13 years ago

    Omar deserves to be in the HOF regardless. It would be nice to see him get to 3,000, though.

    Reply
    • seanb1223

      13 years ago

      Based on longevity?

      Reply
      • TO647

        13 years ago

        Based on being one of the best shortstops ever.

        Reply
      • tdot32

        13 years ago

        at shortstop, it is a feat.

        Reply
  22. ARod's Ring

    13 years ago

    Vizquel was the last active major leaguer to have played at Exhibition
    Stadium.

    LOL You know you’re old when…

    Reply
  23. Eric He.

    13 years ago

    The Bluejays make me laugh

    Reply
  24. ___ _____

    13 years ago

    Teh “AA” does it again!!!!!!!1!one Geniuz!!!!1!!

    Reply
  25. ___ _____

    13 years ago

    Should have got someone younger, like Kelly Gruber. Lawlz

    Reply
  26. purplewidow

    13 years ago

    This guy can teach every player and coach a few things.. He is a wealth of knowledge and helped Alexie Ramirez and Brent Morel and Gordon Beckham turn into defensive gems!!! I am shocked at all the disrespect for this guy just because of his age.. He isn’t starting and if he did would post a 280 average in his sleep. Everyone on this board needs to grow up!!

    Reply
  27. vikray

    13 years ago

    The Canucks healthcare can cover him now when he breaks a hip. I kid – I hope he plays until he’s 50 which is about how long he’ll have to play to reach 3000 at this rate

    Reply
  28. juanitapajarita

    13 years ago

    Some of you, really talk, talk, talk, with no idea of baseball… Omar has been and continues to be an example on the field, and out! He is a truly great player, at 44, he can still catch a ball better than almost any young player can, he brings charisma, team cohesiveness, and experience. I hope he gets the 3000 hits, because he DESERVES it! He is a baseball player to be remembered and followed

    Reply

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