Nobody's clamoring for Reynolds to come to Toronto, but I am shocked at this decision. Surely, the Astros could have sent him on a "rehab" assignment and tried the two youngsters (Redding I've seen, but Robertson is a mystery) while letting Shane show his best stuff in real minor-league games. Like any veteran who was "certain" of a job, he didn't bear down too hard in the spring games, and it's hard to believe he was judged so harshly for that performance.

It's also about money. Wednesday was the deadline for teams to avoid owing their players with non-guaranteed contracts the full amount. Not quite as big a name, but caught in the same trap, Giovanni Carrara was relesed by the Dodgers. The unexpected good health of both Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort moved Andy Ashby to the bullpen, and Carrara would have made $790,000; by cutting him, L.A. saved $600,000.

Other spring surprises? Laynce Nix might make the Rangers, at least until Kevin Mench comes off the DL. Nix was probably the best hitter in A ball last year, but I thought he'd be a September callup. In 2004. Juan Acevedo will begin the season as the Yankees closer, according to the YES crew. Casey Blake, a career AAAA guy, has the 3B job for Cleveland, indefinitely. Mark Grudzielanek will be the regular 2B for the Cubs, and might even lead off. White Sox speed demon Willie Harris got farmed out. Longshot Ronnie Belliard seems to have won the Rockies' 2B job; poolies take note. Of course, the most amazin' development for me has been David Cone, who I wanted as the Jays' TV colour man, making the Mets' rotation.

It's good to see former Blue Jay Casey Blake finally get a chance.

Apparently Adam Kennedy has the lost the full-time starting job at 2B and will split time with *wince* Benji Gil.

With the release of Coco, sending back Majewski and Dubois and the pending transaction to put Francisco Rosario on the 60-day DL, the Jays had 4 open spots on the 40-man. I know of two players who were added...Miller and Linton...that leaves 2 open spots.

Have there been any others that I'm forgetting?

RHP Kevin Frederick was claimed from the Twins today and added to the 40-man roster.

From USA Today's 2002 Twins Prospect Report:
Kevin Frederick -- RHP -- Swing Man: Relievers who are 25 years old and have never pitched above Class AA do not usually appear on lists like this. But, most pitchers don't put up the numbers that Frederick did with Class AA New Britain last season.

A former first baseman at Creighton University, Frederick's career was stalled by shoulder surgery in 1999. After pitching in Class A ball in 2000 and beginning last season there as well, the 6-1, 208-pound righthander went on to post a 6-2 record with a 1.63 ERA in 44 games with New Britain last season, fanning 109 batters in 82 2/3 innings and allowing just 56 hits.

Frederick has held opposing hitters to just a .205 average over his career. Last season, his 1.52 ERA between the two levels easily led all Twin farmhands. A 34th-round pick from the 1998 draft, Frederick has a fastball, slider and changeup and is a superb competitor.

Last line of the above linked waiver claim article

"The BLUE JAYS now have 38 players on the 40-man roster."