FYI, SS Loogy and Hillenbrand are both "Type B". Not that it matters as there was no way Hilly would be offered arb if he was around. SS, I have no idea.

As for Molina, does anyone know if declining his option changes the rules in terms of being able to offer him arbitration?

Frank Thomas a B, and Kevin Millar an A?  Benji Molina a higher rated catcher than Ivan Rodriguez? That is just the way the Elias formula works.  Cat just sneaked into the A list; Lilly just missed.  The Jays can't really complain. 

Compensation for 'B' players is a sandwich pick between round 1&2.

Compensation for 'A' players is the signing team's first draft pick, unless it's in the top 15, or they signed a higher ranked player.  In that case the round drops to their next pick.

For the 'B' players there's no cost to the team that signs them.  On the other hand, marginal 'A' players like Cat will be hurt (who next year would probably be a 'B' with the change in the who's an 'A' and 'B').  I can't imagine there's too many teams that will want to sign Cat and lose a draft pick, assuming the Jays offer arbitration, which I can't imagine they wouldn't.  This restricts what he would receive as a free agent.  I'll be shocked if he's not back with the Jays on a one year deal.

Looking at the new basic agreement, is it required that you offer arbitration to get a draft pick?  I could swear I read somewhere that now teams would get compensation no matter what.  If that is the case it is a good thing for the Jays most likely, otherwise Molina would probably be worth nothing (doubt arbitration will be offered there).  The arbitration date is now December 1st and players must accept or reject by December 7th. 

Funny thought, could we be in early March, hear that Molina has no offers and the Jays take him back in for $2 million?  Given there are no deadlines now (ie: no more 'must wait until May 1st') it could happen.

Funny thought, could we be in early March, hear that Molina has no offers and the Jays take him back in for $2 million?

While Molina doesn't figure to be getting any 3/18 offers like he did from the Mets last year,  I would imagine that his 19 HR and whatever vestige of his old defensive rep that still remains will combine to at least see him get an offer akin to the one Toronto made to him last year. Should Barrett leave the Cubs, Molina would be just the type of player to take over.

Speaking of Barrett, and the Jays' potential interest in him, didn't he end his season with some pretty serious surgery in the, er, mid-section? Is there any reason to be confident that he'll be fully functional come the spring? (I'm not playing devil's advocate, I really don't know.)

From the Cub's injury transactions

9/3/06 Michael Barrett Placed on the 15-day disabled list with an intrascrotal hematoma.

all I can say is OUCH!