Outfielder Jon Jay will be part of the Diamondbacks’ 30-man roster on Opening Day, the team announced. A future transaction will need to take place to officially select Jay’s minor league deal to the active roster, but the 35-year-old will be on pace to play in his 11th Major League season.
As per the terms of the contract Jay signed with Arizona in February, making the MLB roster will guarantee him the prorated portion of a $1.5MM salary. Prior to the league shutdown, Jay was already making a strong case for himself by posting a .947 OPS over 28 Spring Training plate appearances, though Jay’s ability to play all three outfield positions is probably more of a factor than a bat that has been increasingly shaky in regular-season action.
Jay hit .267/.311/.315 over 182 PA with the White Sox last season, though he was slowed by hip problems that eventually required surgery last August. Overall, Jay generated a negative (-0.9) fWAR, thanks in large part to his struggles against right-handed pitching — over his career, the left-handed hitting Jay has been a decent (.286/.348/.389) if unspectacular performer against righties.
Jay and Tim Locastro will be Arizona’s primary backup outfielders behind the starting trio of David Peralta, Starling Marte, and Kole Calhoun. Second-year player Josh Rojas still has a shot at making the team as a utility player, while Ketel Marte may get the occasional start in center field when he isn’t in his primary second base spot. Trayce Thompson is also still an option for the outfield, though he was sent to the Diamondbacks’ minor league camp today.
He’s Always managing to keep on keeping on.
D-Backs should have signed Billy Hamilton to have a Jay, Madison , and Hamilton on their roster.
Gotta love them Federalist Papers.
I remember making jokes in history class about baseball being so connected to history. I mean there’s a John Jay and there was a bill called the Wade Davis bill.
Loved that the Sox last year had Jay, Burr, and Hamilton
uh oh, I hope Burr and Hamiilton were not dueling last year.
One year the giants had gary CARTER, terry KENNEDY and Otis NIXON,
And just for the hell of it, the pirates had al HOLLAND & lee TUNNELL…and for the really confused the mets had bobby jones and bobby jones ( right handed, white)(left handed, black, on the 99,00 team. ..and also both bob millers the same yr in the 60s. ..as for this name only 3 players named Marlon played mlb..all 3 were mets.
haters be damned; the man rides (writes?) again
Obviously, the Diamondbacks are setting up their move for Machado.
The Braves want him to, adding Yonder Alonso to the roster.
Solid. But it may mean Dalton V. waits for a call up.
Glad this tool rejected the Padres offer to stay with the team, he’s bombed horribly ever since!
He’s been my fave for years. So glad he got to play in the ‘11 WS.