I didn't realize Banks was available, but apparently the Jays had to make room for Shawn Camp, and Banks was subsequently claimed by the Padres.
Apparently Banks was less valuable to the Jays than Tracey Thorpe, Jean Machi, Russ Adams, and Sergio Santos. Not to mention Gus Chacin, Bill Murphy, and Buck Coats.
Brilliant.
And in other bad Blue Jay decisions Adam Lind is still in Syracuse.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=2008042321134472