Blue Jays Rumors

Odds and Ends: Sisco, Murton, Thigpen

By Tim Dierkes | February 5, 2009 at 12:31pm CDT

Links for Thursday…

Lot of people tossing around the number of unsigned free agents…I have it at about 80, at least if we draw the line at players that are remotely useful. Here’s my list.
Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues would like to see the Yankees sign Mark Grudzielanek.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the A’s will attend Andy Sisco’s Friday workout.
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com takes a stab at the All-Free Agent team.
The Rockies did not acquire Matt Murton as a precursor to another deal, Troy Renck learned.
The Blue Jays designated catcher Curtis Thigpen for assignment to make room for Brian Burres.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star shows that MLB has done a nice job of keeping player salaries at 40-45% of the game’s revenue in recent years (as opposed to 62% in the NFL).
RotoAuthority looks at how you can combine a Rich Harden type with a Randy Wolf type to create a top ten fantasy baseball starting pitcher.

Blue Jays, Brian Tallet Avoid Arbitration

By Tim Dierkes | February 5, 2009 at 9:56am CDT

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with reliever Brian Tallet by signing him at $1.015MM for ’09. Tallet, 31, held lefties to a .257/.327/.327 line in 2008.

In other lefty reliever news, MLBTR has learned that George Sherrill will agree to terms with the Orioles today or tomorrow. Sherrill had submitted at $3.4MM while the Orioles countered at $2.2MM.

Jays, Kevin Millar Close To Deal

By Tim Dierkes | February 5, 2009 at 8:52am CDT

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, first baseman Kevin Millar is "almost certain" to sign a minor league deal with the Blue Jays today or tomorrow. The Mets, Yankees, Nationals, and Rangers had also been in on Millar. Rich Aurilia has been recommended for the Mets by several writers, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post learned they’ve yet to make contact with his agent.

Millar, 37, hit .234/.323/.394 in 610 plate appearances last year.

Blue Jays Claim Brian Burres

By Tim Dierkes | February 4, 2009 at 4:25pm CDT

According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Blue Jays claimed lefty Brian Burres off waivers from the Orioles today. Burres had been designated for assignment when the O’s acquired Rich Hill. Burres, 28 in April, posted a 6.04 ERA in 129.6 innings for the Orioles last year.

Odds and Ends: Crede, Jays, Howard

By Tim Dierkes | February 4, 2009 at 11:15am CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Here’s the transcript of WEEI’s interview with Theo Epstein. Epstein says "nothing is hot or active right now" for the Red Sox.
Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote yesterday that "a Joe Crede signing remains a real possibility for the Twins."
Shi Davidi of the Canadian Press writes about the Blue Jays’ attempts to break into the Japanese market.
Will the players union organize a training camp for unsigned players? Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times discusses the slow-moving market.
Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News had two baseball officials and an agent explain how they’d approach Ryan Howard’s arbitration case.
RotoAuthority ranks the second baseman for fantasy baseball.

Blue Jays Make Offer To Kevin Millar

By Tim Dierkes | February 2, 2009 at 1:56pm CDT

MONDAY: Schmuck mentioned this on Thursday; J.P. Ricciardi confirmed it today: the Blue Jays have a minor league offer out to Millar currently.

THURSDAY: Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun talked to free agent first baseman Kevin Millar, who will not be offered a contract from the Orioles for ’09. Millar is surprised and frustrated by their lack of interest, saying:

"Yeah, the bottom line is, obviously, they want to go in a different direction. Now, what that means, I don’t know. Are they going to win games this year? No. Obviously we know that going in. You’ve got to be realistic."

True, the team isn’t quite ready to contend, but it’s rare to hear a player say it so bluntly. Millar has drawn interest from the Blue Jays and Giants so far this winter. He hit .234/.323/.394 in 610 plate appearances in ’08.

Ken Takahashi Signs With Blue Jays

By Tim Dierkes | February 2, 2009 at 8:59am CDT

According to Kyodo News, lefty Ken Takahashi signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. Takahashi, 40 in April, posted a 3.50 ERA and 5.52 K/9 in 115.6 innings (20 starts) last year in Japan.

NPB Tracker profiled Takahashi back in December. Patrick Newman adds a few details: the Jays will evaluate Takahashi as a starter, and he could earn up to $1.5MM.

Odds And Ends: Hill, Dye, Hinske, Fogg

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 31, 2009 at 11:29am CDT

Links for Saturday…

Cameron Smith of the Washington Post thinks the Orioles should pull the trigger on a possible Rich Hill deal immediately.
MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reports that Jermaine Dye remains "unfazed" by all the trade rumors that have involved him this winter.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times suggests Dye doesn’t expect to return to the White Sox after 2009.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Eric Hinske attracted lots of interest. Hinske said eight teams showed "good interest" in him.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post likes the Josh Fogg signing because of his clubhouse presence and his price.
Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune heard that the Padres will not offer a contract to Brian Lawrence, Steve Trachsel or Scott Elarton (hat tip to Buster Olney).
Olney heard that the Blue Jays are looking for bargains to stock up their minor league system.

Blue Jays Sign Brandon Fahey, Jason Lane

By Tim Dierkes | January 26, 2009 at 1:05pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, the Blue Jays signed infielder Brandon Fahey and outfielder Jason Lane to minor league deals.

Fahey, 28 in January, isn’t much with the bat. He is versatile though. Lane, 32, hit .236/.340/.447 for the Yankees’ Triple A affiliate last year. His career highlight was a 26 home run season for the ’05 Astros.

Jays Fire Assistant GM

By Nat Boyle | January 25, 2009 at 11:36am CDT

The Associated Press is reporting the Blue Jays have dismissed Assistant GM Bart Given. This was briefly reported yesterday on MLBTR. Given served also as vice president of baseball operations and has been with the club since 2004. His duties will be managed by Tony LaCava and Alex Anthopoulos, front-office staffers.

No reason for the firing was provided. As Bob Elliot wrote yesterday, "Making a change on Jan. 23 is an odd time on the baseball calendar since most contracts expire at the end of October or December."

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