The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Carlos Villaneuva by signing the right-hander to a one-year deal worth just over $2.2 million.
UPDATE - The Jays have also come to terms with second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract worth $6.3 million and outfielder Ben Francisco will get just over $1.5 million for 2012. The above link from BlueJays.com has been updated.
Carlos Villaneuva, pitching against Philadelphia July 2, won six of ten decisions with the Blue Jays in 2011 with a 4.04 earned run average. Over 33 appearancances, 11 of which were starts, he struck out 68 batters over 107 innings.
The 28 year-old Villaneuva earned his first win as a Blue Jay at the Dome on May 10 when he pitched a scoreless tenth inning during the Jays 7-6 victory over Boston. He was 5-1 with a 2.99 ERA in July but he landed on the disabled list with a right forearm strain that forced him to miss nearly all of August. Villaneuva is expected to resume the long relief role with the Jays in 2012.
Kelly Johnson, jogging to first after drawing a walk against Baltimore September 10, hit .270 with three home runs and nine runs batted in after coming over from Arizona in the Aaron Hill-John McDonald trade in August.
The 29 year-old Johnson made his Jays debut at the Dome August 25 after needing a couple of days to get his passport and went 1-for-2 with a walk. His first Toronto home run came August 31 in Baltimore during the Jays 13-0 win. All three of his home runs with Toronto came on the road in 2011. His on-base percentage with the Jays was .364.
Ben Francisco, being congratulated for a home run against St. Louis in the 2011 National League Division Series, hit .244 with the Phillies but had an on-base percentage of .340 along with six homers and 34 RBI.
The 30 year-old Francisco has been to the last three post-seasons with the Phillies. His biggest hit was a pinch-hit three-run homer against St. Louis in Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS that gave the Phils a 2-1 series lead.
Starter Brandon Morrow and reliever Casey Janssen remain on the arbitration docket. Teams and arbitration eligible players had a Tuesday 1 p.m. ET deadline to reach an agreement but both sides can still negotiate prior to their hearing sometime between February 1-21.
In other news and notes...
Sportsnet's Shi Davidi has a feature on pitching prospect Drew Hutchison. New Hampshire Fisher Cats Sal Fasano:
UPDATE - The Jays have also come to terms with second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract worth $6.3 million and outfielder Ben Francisco will get just over $1.5 million for 2012. The above link from BlueJays.com has been updated.
Carlos Villaneuva, pitching against Philadelphia July 2, won six of ten decisions with the Blue Jays in 2011 with a 4.04 earned run average. Over 33 appearancances, 11 of which were starts, he struck out 68 batters over 107 innings.
The 28 year-old Villaneuva earned his first win as a Blue Jay at the Dome on May 10 when he pitched a scoreless tenth inning during the Jays 7-6 victory over Boston. He was 5-1 with a 2.99 ERA in July but he landed on the disabled list with a right forearm strain that forced him to miss nearly all of August. Villaneuva is expected to resume the long relief role with the Jays in 2012.
Kelly Johnson, jogging to first after drawing a walk against Baltimore September 10, hit .270 with three home runs and nine runs batted in after coming over from Arizona in the Aaron Hill-John McDonald trade in August.
The 29 year-old Johnson made his Jays debut at the Dome August 25 after needing a couple of days to get his passport and went 1-for-2 with a walk. His first Toronto home run came August 31 in Baltimore during the Jays 13-0 win. All three of his home runs with Toronto came on the road in 2011. His on-base percentage with the Jays was .364.
Ben Francisco, being congratulated for a home run against St. Louis in the 2011 National League Division Series, hit .244 with the Phillies but had an on-base percentage of .340 along with six homers and 34 RBI.
The 30 year-old Francisco has been to the last three post-seasons with the Phillies. His biggest hit was a pinch-hit three-run homer against St. Louis in Game 3 of the 2011 NLDS that gave the Phils a 2-1 series lead.
Starter Brandon Morrow and reliever Casey Janssen remain on the arbitration docket. Teams and arbitration eligible players had a Tuesday 1 p.m. ET deadline to reach an agreement but both sides can still negotiate prior to their hearing sometime between February 1-21.
In other news and notes...
Sportsnet's Shi Davidi has a feature on pitching prospect Drew Hutchison. New Hampshire Fisher Cats Sal Fasano:
"To me, he's one of the best competitors that we have. He's got good stuff, there's no doubt about his stuff, but he really likes to compete. And when he gets a chance to win, he really knows how to finish it."
