The Blue Jays have claimed catcher Bobby Wilson off of waivers from the Angels, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). Toronto's 40-man roster is now full.
Wilson, 29, appeared in 75 games for the Angels this past season. He posted a .211/.277/.292 batting line in 201 plate appearances and prevented 29% of stolen base attempts from behind the plate. Though the right-handed hitter struggles against right-handed pitching, he owns a .242/.315/.455 batting line in 156 plate appearances against left-handers. Wilson will be arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason and had projected as a non-tender candidate in Anaheim.
The Blue Jays are monitoring the waiver wire closely. They claimed Tyson Brummett, Cory Wade and Scott Cousins last week.
Will he get traded to the Rangers now, and hit all-world only against the Halos?
Knowing the Jays luck…he’ll go to the Mets for Frank Francisco.
If we can turn him into anything it would be a miracle. He’s worse than Mathis
Just because a player can be claimed doesn’t mean you have to claim him.
+1
Wow. First Mathis then this guy. Alex must like slap hitting ex Angel catchers
if by slap hitting you mean striking out
Alex must like non-hitting ex-Angel catchers.
Well this is rather pointless.
who cares depth move AAA welcome to the bisons
The blue jays just claim everybody now. save some for the other teams
They are probably going to end up DFA’ing half the guys they claim. They are hoping that these guys will stay in the organization, and will either fight for a MLB job or head to Buffalo…
Sure we’ll let the other teams have them when AA starts trading.
umm pointless, didnt they sign mathis to a 2 year deal last season, have JP and dranaud.
depth. unless you want more Yan Gomes.
What’s wrong with Yan Gomes? 1B/3B/OF/C
Sounds like a versatile bench player to me. Obviously the bat is a little weak but he’s got some pop.
yah.. he can’t hit, but either can wilson.
so this move is odd.
Maybe the bullpen catcher retired *shrugs*
at the very least, Wilson can play C defensively. Gomes not so much.
What I’m getting at though is Gomes would nothing more than a 3rd catcher, however still capable to play the position…he can be valued defensively at other positions more so than Wilson.
which kind of explains the depthy addition of Wilson. Its not like either is going to be pressed in to a situation where they’re playing C everyday unless it was an urgency anyway.
Yeah, Wilson is basically going to be what Torrealba was in his brief time here (minus the expanded roster). He’ll be in AAA waiting to be called up to back-up in case of injury (Mathis in particular, if it was JP I’m sure d’Arnaud will get the call). Yan will more so only see time behind the plate if say JP is DH’ing and for some reason Mathis gets hurt, or we play a 15 inning game, or any other odd ball incident.
“Wilson can play C defensively”
Well, Alex Grady, your in for a surprise next year!
In all seriousness, I really hope Wilson does well in Toronto, he just never got the chance with the Angels. But know this, defense isn’t what he hangs his hat on. If anything, that would be his offense, though his hat isn’t really secured on that either.
you should see Gomes behind the plate.
That’s the 3rd catcher to go to Toronto from the Angels in 2 1/2 years? I think they also got the Molina’s after the Angels too(Jose to NYY first)
First Napoli (kind of), then Mathis, now Wilson. Scioscia is clearly coming from ANA to be the next manager for the Jays.
worst case scenario. I’ll quit
we’re both lifers and you know it.
(nice edit)
it might turn in to a full life
as an angels fan this seems interesting does this mean they think conger will be the fulltime backup finally or hester? or someone else?
It means Bobby Wilson is out of options and has to be DFAed at some point to be assigned to the minors. Angels either (1) thought they can sneak him through waivers at this time of year; or (2) had to make room on their 40-man roster for a valuable prospect who is about to become eligible for the Rule 5 draft
Yes. I think I remember reading a statement to that effect somewhere after they extended Iannetta.
Move over now – the Blue Jays trade John Farrell and get Mike Aviles and Bobby Wilson. Boy the World Series wagon must be pulling up now, ‘eh Alex?
it’s a process.
You’re kidding right?
Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo will become Boston’s bench coach: Just another reason Blue Jays fans feel hurt and let down by the terrible decisions made by this organization. Toronto is a HOCKEY town and this WAS the year to SWING the hockey crowd over BUT instead you dropped the ball! TORONTO NEEDS TO GET RID OF AA & BB!
My eyes just had mini seizures with those random all-caps words in that 2nd-to-last sentence
Bobby Wilson is out of options. He can only be assigned to the minors by getting DFAed. Expect him to get DFAed between now and April.
once there is a shortage around the league for relievers and catchers who cant hit, AA is going to have all of the power.
I can’t wait.
This was clearly a requirement of the Vernon Wells trade. AA told Reagins, “Hey, if we take ALL your lousy catchers off your hands, will you take Vernon?”
i’m really interested on if Conger is finally up for good, as backup, or if they have someone else in mind…not Hester. Knowing Jerry, which I DON’T, i’m thinking he may go after Miguel Montero….
They just re-signed Ianetta to be their everyday guy, they aren’t signing Montero
Yeah pretty sure they aren’t “signing” a guy who is locked up already through 2017.
Excellent point. They just re-signed Iannetta to be their everyday guy, they aren’t trading for Montero, who happens to be under contract through 2017.
Only reason I see this being done is to move Arencibia in a package deal for a starter via trade.
i’ve always liked Yori Torrealba myself. wasn’t sure why Rangers released him and thought he did a good job with Jays. never will hit more than the occasional clutch hit but he had a good grasp of the pitchers right off the bat. if they hadnt signed Mathis on extension I thought he would be a good mentor for JPA and/or DArnaud
Just a guess but I could see Arencibia to Texas for something involving Matt Harrison or Alexi Ogando. I’d really like it if they could add Michael Young to the deal somehow. As much as I like Arencibia and I know he loves Toronto, I think d’Arnaud is the future at catcher. I’d be ok with Mathis starting the year as the Jays #1 while d’Arnaud gets a little more seasoning at AAA. It’s possible d’Arnaud would even be ready for the bigs now. Mathis doesn’t have the bat JP Does but he has really improved since coming to the Jays. He’s good with the staff and behind the plate. The only problem is I don’t know how willing Texas is to trade starters at this point. Of course if they would trade Profar that would be cool. Thoughts?
Ahhhhh Bobby Wilson. You will be missed dearly in the OC. The way you embraced your role as offensive blackhole. The way you made it look like you never threw one runner out the entire year. Hank Conger has some big shoes to fill.
But Blue Jays fans, fear not, if Jered Weaver lands in Toronto, I heard he has amazing rapport with Bobby Wilson!
Great pickup as a solid defender