Sure, he can play all the infield positions but he's not very good defensively anymore and he can't hit a lick. Have never really liked him either because I always thought he's been overrated and he's one of these guys that announcers rave over again and again. Now, we'll have to hear things like "the great Omar Vizquel" and "you can't measure how much value he has in numbers", and if Lawrie or Escobar or Johnson make great plays it will because of Vizquel's leadership so the great play by an infielder will inevitably lead to a shot of Vizquel clapping in the dugout. It's the type of move that doesn't really matter, but for enjoyments sake, I'd rather not have guys like this around.

Vizquel only has to be better than Mike McCoy to have a useful role on this team. And a lot of people weren't happy at the prospect of seeing McCoy getting regular defensive innings this season.

Apparently the contract has not actually been finalized yet, but the two sides are very close.

Vizquel can't hit a lick anymore, but neither can Mike McCoy. More importantly, from what I've heard, Vizquel can still play a competent defensive shortstop, which McCoy can't. We're dealing with a veteran on what is presumably a one year contract at a very reasonable price. There are backup infielders I'd rather have, but there aren't too many of them who can play short and contribute anything with the bat. There isn't much to be excited about here, but I don't see too much to complain about either.

I was basing my comment that it hadn't been confirmed yet on Wilner's Twitter. He's just reported that the deal has been finalized, as per Vizquel's account, which says he'll be in spring training "to earn a spot."

If the contract is a minor league deal with a spring training invite, there is nothing at all to object to.

Per Crasnick, it's a Minor League deal for Vizquel w/ an invite to camp:

jcrasnick
Omar Vizquel's agreement with the #BlueJays is a minor league deal that includes an invite to major league camp.

Not sure this is a good move.

I heard a rumour that he's actually a year older than stated

Nothing wrong with a spring invite. His OPS+ is 82 lifetime, ranging from 45 to 83 the past 5 years. In his 40's he has hit 252/309/313.

As a 'John McDonald' he will do fine. Around 100-200 PA, a lot of games where he comes in to cover SS or 2B or 3B to give the starters a rest. I suspect he'll spend the vast majority at SS while Luis Valbuena covers 2B/3B primarily. The 5 man outfield will be quickly forgotten unless trades come into play. At least that is my bet.

No more than 1 win added/subtracted vs the other option (McCoy).

I was wrong in the other thread. The real reason that they signed Vizquel was so that he and John Farrell could reminisce about the one game they played together in Cleveland in 1995.

By the way: for those of you who like to play the degrees of separation game - if Vizquel plays for the Jays, you can make this chain:

Brett Lawrie was a teammate of Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel was a teammate of Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield was a teammate of Willie McCovey
Willie McCovey was a teammate of Hank Sauer (they pinch-hit in the same game on August 17, 1959)
Hank Sauer was a teammate of Lloyd Waner, who first played in 1927

If nothing else, I suspect the plan is to sit him next to Hechavarria in spring training and impart wisdom.

If he's good enough to stick with the team and become John McDonald Part Two (which is bizarre, since Vizquel was McDonald's mentor), then it's a nice bonus.

I heard a rumour that he's actually a year older than stated

You mean 61 and not 60?

 

This makes sense.  Vizquel can probably still play shortstop.  If so, I'd rather have him on the roster than Mike McCoy, and if not, it won't hurt, as Ryan says, to have him around during spring training.

The 3 man bench is getting crowded. It is getting late in the off season, so unsigned players should take anything they can get.

Depth is important, if our regular 2B,SS or 3B gets injured, someone has to play there. A Hech will probably not be ready. McCoy, Valbuena (out of options), Vizquel & Woodward in the minors. Jon Diaz? Weak choices.

Also I expect KJ to be traded if we are not contending.

A weak bench was to be expected if the Jays aren't expecting to fight for the playoffs this season. A bench should be cheap and full of future coaches if you are a young team trying to build up. This signing fits that mold perfectly.

I figure the Jays are just after a lot of depth so the kids don't have to be called up one second before they are ready for the majors. Hech now can sit in AAA all season without being called upon unless he is ready (Woodward the backup to the backup, Valbuena next, McCoy in an emergency, then at that point you have Adieny).

Third base is the biggest concern just due to Lawrie being likely to get hurt a few times due to his style of play (fun to watch but a good way to get injured often). None of the options are solid, but I wouldn't be shocked if Bautista goes back there for 2 weeks if/when Lawrie is DL'ed at some point thus the 5 man outfield being needed. Not ideal, but maybe Bautista has told management he doesn't mind it as long as it is for stuff like a 2 week stretch at a time (ie: consistency rather than spot play) while guys like Vizquel/McCoy/Woodward/Valbuena can cover for a day or two when needed to give Lawrie a rest.

Was Julio Franco not available?