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Unless they re-sign free agent Rod Barajas, the Toronto Blue Jays will have a new catching tandem in 2010. Jordan Bastian from bluejays.com says the team decided to non-tender Raul Chavez, making him a free agent. He was the Blue Jays only arbitration-eligible player who was not offered a contract.

Chavez began the 2009 campaign in AAA Las Vegas as he lost out to Michael Barrett for the back up job to Barajas in spring training. However, an shoulder injury to Barrett led to Chavez being called up from AAA Las Vegas in mid-April and he remained in Toronto for the balance of the season. It was a stroke of fortune that Chavez was still in the organization as manager Cito Gaston convinced him to stay despite having to begin the year in the minors.

The right-handed hitting Chavez played in 51 games for the Jays in 2009 and batted .258/.285/.346 with two homers and 15 RBI. The 36 year-old Venezuelan also added eight doubles and stole a base in two tries. The 5-11, 175 pound backstop threw out 18 of 47 runners trying to steal - translating to a 38 percent clip. That was just three percent below his career average. All in all, Chavez did a nice job with Toronto and he should be able to catch on (get it? comedy gold you won't get anywhere else!) with another team in 2010.

The Jays are rumoured to be after Chavez's former Pirates teammate Ryan Doumit and the Angels Mike Napoli who could be part of a Roy Halladay deal.

The Jays did offer contracts to the rest of their arbitration-eligible players in utilityman Jose Bautista and pitchers Jeremy Accardo, Shawn Camp, Jason Frasor, Brandon League, Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and Brian Tallet.

Posted by #2JBrumfield on Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 07:02 AM EST.

Chavez Odd Man Out | 35 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

andrewkw - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 10:15 AM EST (#209419) #

I don't think Chavez will have an easy time catching on with another team. I think there's still a good chance he'll be back either as the backup or in Vegas as the 3rd catcher. Don't forget when Halladay is traded they will need at least 3 extra spots on the 40man probably. I cannot believe Bautista was tendered a contract. I hope he is awarded a huge raise and this blows up in their face. There is no way this guy deserves a raise. The team is in a sad state when I'm wising things to go wrong for them. Hopefully once Doc is traded things will turn around. Everything this offseason except the Gonzalez signing on has been disappointing for me on the major league front. It seems like things are going to be changing for the better on the minor league front which of course will mean things on the major league front will get better but why not start now? There is no reason to pay a guy who was more useless against rhp then Johnny Mac 3 million dollars or more. Of course they gave Mac 3 million over 2 years so maybe they're just being fair..

Chuck - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 10:45 AM EST (#209422) #

I cannot believe Bautista was tendered a contract.

I'm surprised as well. I think this means that there is a real threat that he resumes the role he closed out the 2009 season with: leadoff man and fulltime right fielder. Given his career line against RHP (227/316/366) that would not be good.

Bautista could play a useful role as a platoon outfielder and backup at 3B, but the $3-4M he figures to get in arbitration is a starter's salary on this team, not a backup's.

It's hard to imagine the team now adding a lefthanded platoon-mate for RF, like Ryan Church, for another $3-4M, especially when their entire bullpen is due for raises.

PeterG - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 12:13 PM EST (#209427) #

This could mean that the intention is for Travis Snider to spend the better part of the season in AAA.

katman - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 12:27 PM EST (#209428) #

This team keeps making decisions that puzzle me.

Non-tender the only viable major-league catcher it now has, who performed well and is making very little. Why? At the very least, we have a reliable backup while our struggling catcher prospects try and find their footing in the minors. Bad decision, even if a free agent is signed.

Offer Arb to Jose Bautista, who costs $2 million minimum now, and whose only value is minimal to negative on this team. The only way this decision looks good is if Bautista becomes part of a deal, and that isn't very likely. Bad decision.

Johnny Mac for $3M over 2 years, then you go sign another free agent shortstop. Bad decision.

Alex A. may be saying the right things about better scouting and player development, but the actions are not confidence-inspiring. Too many poor decisions, that create unproductive use of funds within its budget and have questionable logic behind them, in too short a time.

christaylor - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 12:50 PM EST (#209429) #

AA first major test was not really a success.

The SS signings and his handling of C, while opposite in character (too much money paid at short, too many bodies) seem to speak that he's internalize the lack of true SS/C over his tenure with the Jays a little too much. Important positions but for teams that lack a true option there are a ton of fungible players out there (which, it has to be said, JP seemed to understand well).

westcoast dude - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 01:06 PM EST (#209430) #

Jose Bautista will be fine. Give him a chance. (I'm having a Marco Scutaro deja vu flashback.)

It's a good thing Raul Chavez is no prima donna. Nice guys finish last--tough guy, but nice.

PeterG - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 01:35 PM EST (#209431) #

Chavez and Gathright inked to minor league deals. Bautista signed at 2.4 mil, McGowan at 500k.

TheBunk - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 01:36 PM EST (#209432) #

AA just saved the team probably a million by not offering chavez arb and then signing him to a minor league contract, very calculated move, chavez knows the only place he gets a shot at regular playing time is in toronto.

Loving the over reactions though lol, keep em coming.

chris_jays - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 01:45 PM EST (#209433) #

Jays sign catcher John Buck to a 1 year deal for 2M as per ESPN

Wildrose - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 01:53 PM EST (#209434) #

Jays sign catcher John Buck to a 1 year deal for 2M as per ESPN

Gerry you the man!

Mike Forbes - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:01 PM EST (#209435) #

Very smart getting Chavez back on a minor league deal. If the Jays pick up another catcher in a Halladay trade (Napoli), they can just store Chavez in AAA to be recalled incase of emergency.

lexomatic - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:04 PM EST (#209436) #

Bautista maybe a bit much.. but not horribly so.
i'm either neutral or positive on these moves. as little moves (so minorly positive.)
i like Buck at 1 year. Rany'll be mad.. he speculated the Royals could get him at this much. his defense is supposed to be pretty bad though right? i guess good to have Chavez as a defensive replacement.
This gives JPA time to work on his game enough to become the next Buck. The big quesiton now i guess (besides the ever-looming Halladay trade) is who's in the outfield? I sure don't want Gathright starting

Wildrose - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:05 PM EST (#209437) #

Loving the over reactions though lol, keep em coming.

Amen to that-some around here need to get a grip.

PeterG - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:07 PM EST (#209438) #

FWIT, talking to some friends who have involvement in professionall ball, the feeling "out there" is that Doc is going to the Phillies. Angels represent plan B at this point.

Jim - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:11 PM EST (#209440) #

If you are going to go with a 4 man bench you might as well bring Bautista back since you can pretty much put him anywhere. Tying up a roster spot with McDonald who really only is of any use at short doesn't give you a whole lot of flexibility.

85bluejay - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:15 PM EST (#209441) #

Loving the over reactions though LoL, keep em coming

Couldn't agree with you more - I think AA is off to a solid start - the Jmac signing is the only transaction I wouldn't have done, but that's small potatoes - I

especially like his patience with the Halladay saga and keeping talks under wraps.

cybercavalier - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:22 PM EST (#209442) #

This team keeps making decisions that puzzle me. Non-tender the only viable major-league catcher it now has, who performed well and is making very little. Why? At the very least, we have a reliable backup while our struggling catcher prospects try and find their footing in the minors. Bad decision, even if a free agent is signed. Offer Arb to Jose Bautista, who costs $2 million minimum now, and whose only value is minimal to negative on this team. The only way this decision looks good is if Bautista becomes part of a deal, and that isn't very likely. Bad decision. Jose Bautista will be fine. Give him a chance. (I'm having a Marco Scutaro deja vu flashback.)

In terms of performance, JBau and Chavez are ok as backups but do they qualify for those contracts? I am hesistant. Chavez is a good backup lasy year but he will be aging. Can we get another backup of the same quality from free agency? I do have a soft spot of heart for former Jays Erik Kratz who has a reputation of game-calling and won the AAA all-star MVP for the International League. Kratz is at least 6~7years younger than Chavez.

Abilities of Bautistia include getting on-base, a strong throwing arm (putting him at 3B and RF backup). Can we find someone in the market with the same abilities with the money of the contract? IMO, find a catcher (or a starting catcher is the best scenerio) who is regularly getting on base.

Maybe converting Baustista into a pitcher? like Ben Davis. Just kidding.

Gerry - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:25 PM EST (#209443) #

Buck had a much better OPS than Barajas in 2009, .782 for Buck and .661 for Barajas. That was due in part to Buck having a good year and Barajas a down year. The 2010 Bill James projections, available on Fangraphs, show Buck projected at .692 for 2010 and Barajas at .680. Buck's advantage is that he walks almost twice as much as Barajas.

Buck's defense does appear to be weaker than either Barajas or Chavez. Buck's caught stealing percentage, at 16%, is about half Barajas. I did find an evaluation of catcher defense, here, that suggests Buck is as good as AJ Pierzynski, a bit better than Jorge Posada, but not as good as Jason Varitek.

These moves today help fill the roster, they don't move the team to a winning record.

Thomas - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:33 PM EST (#209444) #

I'd just like to point out that I suggested Buck a couple of threads ago. I don't get a chance to pay myself on the back very often, so I will.

I agree with Gerry's analysis that this move helps the team tread water, albeit at a reasonable price, rather than improve for the 2010 season.

VBF - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 02:58 PM EST (#209445) #

Buck over Doumit is much better at that price. Not to mention the strong possibility of claiming a sandwich pick for him in the 2011 draft. If Barajas can get Type B status, Buck certainly has a good chance.

The tendering of Bautista was interesting especially with news that the Jays have signed Gathright. I like the Gathright signing a lot, especially with the idea of having an outfield of Lind, Snider and Wells at worst. I also think that Bautista at 3 million or more was a lot to pay for his offensive production even if his ability to play third and outfield positions somewhat rare. Rare enough that I wonder if he could be traded for something (anything) instead of just being non-tendered and getting nothing for him.

Heres a link to the Gathright signing. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bluejays-moves&prov=ap&type=lgns

Wildrose - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 03:07 PM EST (#209446) #

I don't have a huge problem with the Bautista signing. He's not a regular on a championship team, but he does have some utility. Fangraphs has him providing $8.4 million dollars of value last season-so if he repeats his season in 2010 he gives the team $6 million of surplus value. Since joining the team he's literally played all positions except catcher and short. In this age of 12 man pitching staffs and frequent positional player injury this sort of flexibility helps.

Some have argued that you can go get this sort of player on the open market cheaper-well then, name some names. There is something to be said for stability. The 2010 Blue Jays will be lucky to win 75 games. In this environment, ( and we saw some of this last year with Gaston and certain players) your going to see an unhappy dressing room. If he was sh## disturber ( like you might find on the open market-usually there's a reason some guys don't get a shot) they wouldn't be bringing him back.

Wildrose - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 03:18 PM EST (#209447) #

I'd just like to point out that I suggested Buck a couple of threads ago. I don't get a chance to pay myself on the back very often, so I will.

So did Gerry.

Gerry - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 10:30 AM EST (#209420) # John Buck would be an OK catcher for 2010.

Way to call it guys....

VBF - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 03:31 PM EST (#209448) #

Some have argued that you can go get this sort of player on the open market cheaper-well then, name some names.

I'm with you on Bautista in that I think he's rarer than people think he is, but there is an (unpopular) argument for Hinske. He can play most positions that Bautista can, albeit poorly but has probably better offensive production hitting righties pretty well, something Bautista can't do. Forget Hinske ever played for the Blue Jays, and his 1 million dollar salary (if you're trying to save money) doesn't look all that bad next to Bautista.

Personally I'd just substitute Gathright for Bautista, and make McDonald the backup third baseman. I think defense is more important than offense going into this season while you try and find long-term answers to these positions.

TamRa - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 03:37 PM EST (#209449) #

Reactions:

McGowan at 500K = Solid

Chavez = Getting him off the 40 for flexibility at the position is of even more value than the money saved by the move. if Chavez were willing to resign on a minor league deal then he was never going to arb anyway so there's no real money saved here but procedurally, it was a valuable play

Buck = given the patheticness of the market, it was acceptable. The only concern I have here is if the halladay deal (or some other trade) brings in a better catcher and you end up spending $2 mil on a reserve. It would be great if it was a non-guaranteed deal

Gathright = meh. Darn good thing it's a minor league deal.

Bautista = I think he's marginally overpaid (roughly a million) but tendering him with an agreement in place was ok by me. As someone mentioned above, if you find a solid platoon mate for him, particulrly one who can lead off (Church is a VERY solid suggestion too, by the way, and Randy Winn might be an alternative) and it would be a steady though unimpressive stopgap in RF and one that could be easily pushed aside by Snider if need be.

Tendering the rest of the pitchers = a no-branier, IMO. there are enough team out ther who are nervous about a big money closer but need someone with experience in the role that moving Accardo should be easy enough. And Tallet would have value in a deal too. none of them are gonna make a huge amount of money anyway, it's quite possible only Frasor even gets close to the amount Bautista signed for.

On another, somewhat related note-

I really wish Ankiel wasn't represented by Boras. If you could buy low on him and gamble that 2009 was a fluke, he'd be a solid addition to the OF.

In fact, now that i look it up, he splits heavily towards RHP the last two years so he'd be maybe the ideal platoon mate for JB.

Maybe 2 years and a pricy option year so he'd be protected if he did break out?

The rumor is he (Boras) wants 3 years anf "big money" but there's no buzz about him except from low-rent teams like the Pirates so maybe...

I'm going to fix my fantasizing on him for a while I think....he might not rebound but if we're going to run a question mark out there anyweay, it might as well be one with some upside.

and if we're going to spend 1.5 on Mcdonald and 2.4 on Bautista, i don't see why we can't spend $5 mil or so on Anikiel

TamRa - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 04:19 PM EST (#209451) #

Upon further review, if UZR is to be believed one would give up a significant amount of defense between Ankiel and Church.

So - if it seems we are not going to add an outfielder via trade, Church or Winn might be what you have to go with. Certainly one has to be mindful of the ability to at least be a passable leadoff hitter too.

Thomas - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 04:39 PM EST (#209452) #

And Tallet would have value in a deal too.

He does, but I think the team may be well-served to keep him. Hopefully he won't have to spend much time, if any, in the rotation, but he can serve as an emergency starter and otherwise makes a fine lefty out of the pen, either as a long man or in a setup role, given Carlson's struggles last year.

Of course I'd deal him in the right trade, but I think he fits well into the staff and he's also probably going to become a "B" free agent at the end of the year, which is another bonus.

TheBunk - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 04:52 PM EST (#209453) #

Please no Tallet as a set up man, it would be frightening watching him go out multiple times with one run leads and put two guys on base quickly with free passes. Love him as a long man, no thanks on set up.

Mike Green - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 04:57 PM EST (#209454) #

I'd have non-tendered Camp, but overall the moves make sense to me.

TamRa - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 05:50 PM EST (#209455) #

oops, forgot Camp.

Yeah, with the glut of RHRP on the market he might be difficult to deal and we have to many other options to be so tied to him.

I have to agree there that he's not the best use of a roster spot.

Thomas - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 06:31 PM EST (#209457) #

it would be frightening

Is Jesse Carlson any less frightening?

Alex Obal - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 07:56 PM EST (#209461) #

I thought non-tendering Camp was a no-brainer, in light of the Jays' position in the success cycle. And I like Camp.

greenfrog - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 08:22 PM EST (#209462) #

One thing I like about AA's moves is that they're unambiguously geared towards the longer-term:

- Signing stop-gap guys on the cheap
- Loading up on scouts and adding Dana Brown for addition scouting direction
- Budgeting a large amount for the 2010 draft
- Emphasizing defence (McDonald, Gonzalez, Gathright, Bautista), which should help his young pitching staff over what could be a trying season
- Keeping his mouth shut about Doc while attempting to engineer a trade that will benefit the team in the long run

My only issue has to do with the state of the on-field management, i.e. that Cito is returning next year. I would have preferred Butterfield (or someone else) as interim manager while the team starts to get its house in order.

Otherwise, no complaints.

katman - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 09:36 PM EST (#209465) #

Having a deal worked out with Chavez in advance, which seems to be the case here, does change the non-tender decision's logic.

Still don't see the point of Bautista, with JMac signed (3rd defense), Encarno-man on the roster, an outfield that already has some candidates that could use playing time, and other outfield possibilities that could add longer term value (it's a known weakness, hence likely spot for trades). But the Jays will pay millions to a player whose long term value is nil, in what's guaranteed to be a losing season anyway.

What exactly is being accomplished here that's either necessary, or couldn't have been done for a lot less? The team didn't need a 3rd base substitute, it had that. A poor one, but that's who they just signed. The team doesn't need an outfield substitute, and those are easy to obtain for much less. He's not going to play 2nd or short or catcher. We have 1st covered. He doesn't pitch.

Sorry, do not see the logic. There are teams who could use his skills - but Toronto isn't one.

sweat - Sunday, December 13 2009 @ 09:39 PM EST (#209467) #

Is it plausible that both Jmac and Bautista are on this team to replace Gonzalez and Encarnacian when they are traded to contenders at the trade deadline? I felt that was surely the case when Jmac was signed, and am getting the same feeling now with Bautista coming back

sweat - Monday, December 14 2009 @ 04:23 PM EST (#209516) #

Looks like Doc was moved in a three team swap. Phillies, mariners. Lee involved.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4742072

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