Ron, I think you`re oversimplifying things.  There`s a lot of context here and we all know the story now - former top prospect, no development time in minors due to Rule V selection, traded four times in a year, left to the development skills of the Pirates organization, retooled swing, hot September 2009 after changes made, changes sustained over the offseason and througout 2010.  Not your typical ``just a bench player``.

I agree there`s risk there.  If it were me, I`d wait until July and sign him or trade him if his performance sustains.  I`d also do a hell of a lot of research - statistical and video - on players who have done similar before.  I certainly wouldn`t just write it off as a fluke.

I agree with actionjackson. I was thinking the same thing, except with the option coming after 2 guaranteed years. However, thinking realistically there is no way Jose is going to sign for 2 guaranteed years. There has to be 3 guaranteed years. I also agree with the dollar figures. The only wrinkle to the 2014 2 year club otion I was thinking of is adding a player option at a lower salary. That would give Jose a bit more control over things in case the Jays didn't pick up the club option and it might sway him to signing for fewer guaranteed years than what he would otherwise like to... I also don't think 2010 was a fluke, so if the Jays want him for more than 1 year, now is the time. There are a lot of non-home run hitters throughout MLB history who have had one big 25 to 35 homer season. But I don't think there is a single example of a player who hit over 50 home runs in a season and that was his only power season. There is still some risk in signing Jose to a long term deal, but if the Jays wait to see what he does in 2011, Jose is going to command a salary (in years and dollars) that is not at all in line with AA's philosophy.

Maybe the Jays "buy" another year of evidence before committing to a long term deal.  They could do this by paying him $15m for 2011 (above market) and retaining a 3 year option at $50m.

The one risk here is that he doesn't perform well and you can't risk offering arbitration.

I'm still obsessing over the name of Bautista's agent.  Is there any chance that he's related to the recent stage name of this guy? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Kim

Which might explain why the agent is trying to get all the "Sugar Sugar" from the Jays for his client.

Jeremy Sandler in the National Post has confirmed that Rance Mulliniks and Sam Cosentino will not be a part of Blue Jay broadcasts in 2011.

I had thought Tabler didn't want to do more games than he has been doing for family reasons.  Perhaps that has changed or, as Sandler speculates, there may be more news to come.

Perhaps that has changed or, as Sandler speculates, there may be more news to come.

I wonder if Jamie Campbell gets an increased role again.  I'm sure Buck Martinez is doing TBS games again this season so someone would have to fill in.  Either that or Jerry Howarth or Alan Ashby get worked into the mix.  Interesting times.  Sad to see Rance go, I didn't mind him.  I preferred Cosentino as a sideline reporter.

I wonder if Jamie Campbell gets an increased role again. 

Oh, please, no..  Listening to Campbell and Zaun during the Sportsnet World Series broadcasts was arguably the most painful experience I have ever had.  The only way it was tolerable was for unintentional comedy when inebriated.

I thought Zaun, while clearly still encountering some growing pains, showed a lot of potential when I listened to him during the 2010 playoffs.

If Zaun does not catch on with San Diego, it wouldn't surprise me if a job at Sportsnet is waiting for him. I've enjoyed Campbell and Zaun during the post season and I hope the tradition continues.

Interesting that Jay's got Podsednik on a Minor League deal. (MLBTR.)

I assumed he would warrent a Major League deal.

But I don't think there is a single example of a player who hit over 50 home runs in a season and that was his only power season.

I assume you mean other than Brady Anderson? :)

Hey everyone, by the way. Long time reader, first time commenter. Y'all are like, scary smart, so it's a bit intimidating to jump in.

Podsednik signed to minor league deal this morning, not a lot of downside there I would say.

Looking at Podsednik's career stats, I see that he has played mostly at LF, rather than RF.  So maybe shift Snider to RF and Podsednik to LF (and back-up CF)?   It might be a minor-league deal for Podsednik, but I certainly wouldn't assume that he'll be a bench player this year.  Anthopolous is surely doing everything possible to dump Rivera's $5.25-million salary.  If he manages that little trick, Podsednik is the logical guy for the starting OF and Bautista for 3B -- unless the Jays think that Lawrie or Encarnacion can handle a full-time load at 3B, which I'm skeptical of.

In addition to his OBP talents, Podsednik has 65 stolen bases in the past two seasons, and AA would love to get that weapon into the starting lineup -- as he has already shown with the Davis acquisition.

.....If we have to see an OF that includes both Davis and Podsednik its going to be one of the worst in the league....

Don't forget that the OF would be even worse with Rivera as the starting RF.  Rivera actually had a lower OPS than Podsednik last season -- and he also lacked the 35 stolen bases that Podsednik provided last year.   So, if Rivera is the alternative, Podsednik is actually an upgrade.  And since the Jays have written off 2011 as a rebuilding year, what does it matter if the OF is mediocre anyway?

The only other alternative is Bautista in the OF, alongside Davis and Snider.  That's a pretty good OF, but who plays at 3B in that scenario?  Anthopolous was quite clear that he signed Encarnacion to be a DH and 1B this season.  After enduring Encarnacion at 3B for most of 2009 and 2010, Anthopolous dumped him twice (he was DFA-ed in July and then dumped on waivers at the end of the season) so I just can't see Anthopolous being happy with EE at 3B this year.  Also, if he switches EE to 3B, with Lind at 1B, who is the DH?  It would complicate a lot of things and weaken the lineup even further.

Of course it's possible that Anthopolous will find another 3B on the trade market.  If that happens, I could see Bautista at RF and Podsednik on the bench as the back-up OF and occasional platoon player.  But unless there's a trade for a decent 3B, I would expect Podsednik to get a lot of ABs this season. 

When the Jays sign a minor league free agent, they are usually just filling a roster spot.  You want a player who will fit in and not create problems in the clubhouse or on the bus.  When the Jays bring back a player that is a sign that the player is a good team guy.

Signing some Canadian players for these spots is a good idea.  They usually make news through the season in their home town or province and that is good PR for the Jays.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it   or something like that.  Unless there is something going on that we do know about, this deal is every bit as bad as the Wells contract. I am shocked that AA would deviate from his philosophy to sign a journeyman coming off a career year. I expected maybe 3 years, 30M at the most.. Please tell me that there is not a no-trade clause as well! Maybe the Angels will be calling!. This makes no sense. Things may turn ugly very quickly with Bautista at 3rd and Snyder in RF with a novice 1B as well. or whatever combination they can come up with.  All the good coming from the Wells dump has now been undone.  There was no hope for  2011 anyway but where is the flexibility to sign free agents for 2012 now?

AA, say it ain't so!!  You have exchanged one albatross for another and snatched away our future hope.

All the good coming from the Wells dump has now been undone.  There was no hope for  2011 anyway but where is the flexibility to sign free agents for 2012 now?

Before someone jumps on that statement, let me pull back a bit. Obviously, the annual payout to Bautista may only be about half of what Wells would have received so there may still be some flexibility but I still strongly disagree with AA buliding his team around a guy coming off one good year. It just does not seem to be the AA philosophy and I wonder if there was pressure from Rogers.  I would have much preferred them chasing Michael Young. At least that would have set up a decent defensive alignment.

I thought Zaun, while clearly still encountering some growing pains, showed a lot of potential when I listened to him during the 2010 playoffs.

I am sad to see both Mulliniks and Cosentino go.

I agree with the take on Zaun. He's still quite unpolished, but there is definitely a competent colour man set to one day emerge. And he appears to be positioning himself for a life in broadcasting much like Buck Martinez did towards the end of his career.

I, too, agree on Mulliniks. While too much Rance could get tiresome, he's a man with something to say and in possession of analytical skills that are rarely seen in Toronto. He will be missed.

For my tastes, Cosentino just tried too hard to impress and was difficult to take.

My personal bete noire has always been the inert milquetoast that is Pat Tabler. The day he stops broadcasting Jays' games is the day I'll stop screaming at my TV set. And maybe that vain in my forehead can finally recede to its normal position.

I would have much preferred them chasing Michael Young.

If this happens,then I'm off the bandwagon - just a horrible idea IMO

I have not heard Cosentino do commentary enough to have a firm opinion on him. My statement more referred to him as a sideline reporter, where they are on the broadcast so infrequently as to barely matter. He seemed to be eager about the sport, which made me like him.

I think your take on Rance is quite accurate. While sometimes he would repeatedly beat one drum, I'd rather be subject to one drum of insight than four or five drums of bland neutral statements. Listening to Mulliniks, it was very easy to discern his particular hitting philosophy, which I enjoyed. It was interesting to get his thoughts on how he would have approached different situations, counts and pitchers. I think Rance worked well in the arrangement over the last few years, as listeners were provided insight into his approach for a couple of series, but were then provided some contrast.

The Jays have brought back Vince Perkins who pitched in independent ball in 2010.

If Vince Perkins does make his way to the Dome again, let's hope it goes much better than the last time he was here.  Here's a brief blurb on his signing.

I would have much preferred them chasing Michael Young.

If this happens,then I'm off the bandwagon - just a horrible idea IMO

Giving all that money to a guy who produced one year to play 3rd base is  a GOOD idea?  Young has a track record at least.  Unless AA has something else up his sleeve, and I doubt that, then I am grasping for a hold on that bandwagon right now. 

Young has a track record

In the context of a third baseman that track record has been nothing special for 4 of the last 5 years and he's still owed $48M over the next 3 years and he's exactly 4 years older than Bautista.  They have the same birthday!