The surprising 2010 Toronto Blue Jays season has come to a close. Few predicted an 85-77 overall record. The Jays were one of only three teams (Yankees + Rays) to post winning records in all three AL divisions (East, Central, West).
But the season is over. Let’s look ahead to 2011.
2011 Current Payroll: $43.24 million
Upcoming Free Agent Eligible:
Based upon MLBTrade Rumor Elias projections (as of Sept 18th)
Downs (Type A)
Frasor (Type A)
Buck (Type B)
Gregg (Type B) – club option
Molina (none) – club option
Overbay (none)
Club Options:
Kevin Gregg (2011 at $4.5 or 2011+2012 at $8.75), otherwise $750K buyout
Jose Molina (2011 at $1 million), otherwise $200K buyout
Arbitration Eligible:
Stage 4
Tallet
Camp
Bautista
Stage 3
Encarnacion
Accardo
Buchholz
Stage 2
Marcum
McGowan
Wise
Janssen
Stage 1
Lewis
Escobar
Litsch
Morrow
2011 MLB Draft
Jays draft 21st overall
Other Club Notes:
Vernon Wells big $$$ begins in 2011, with $26+ million in salary and bonus due.
Locked up until 2013: Lind, Romero, Hill (assuming Jays pick up club option), Wells, Adeinis Hechavarria
Potential Strategies
Due to type A status, both Downs and Frasor may become ‘sign & trades’. Teams may be gun shy about giving up 1st round draft picks for set-up level relievers.
The Jays could allow Tallet to walk if they fail to offer arbitration.
The Jays may let Kevin Gregg walk for Type B compensation.
AA and the Jays may ‘buy’ more draft picks this off-season. One season rentals such as Gregg & Buck allowed the Jays to essentially purchase Type B level compensation draft picks.
Molina is not going to be a type B free agent. Bengie Molina will be, but Jose Molina will not.
You are correct, my bad.
Jose Molina is one spot away from Type B free agency.
With respect to Downs and Frasor doing “sign-and-trade” deals, I thought MLB had a rule that free agents couldn’t be traded until a certain point of the season.
Well, apparently there is a June 15th date until free agents can be traded, but a player can also waive that right if desired.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20090218&content_id=3843216&affiliateId=CommentWidget
@Pooks137
The precedent was set last season. The Braves signed Type A free agent reliever R.Soriano and traded him to the Rays in return for Jesse Chavez, a classic sign & trade.
The Jays won’t receive compensation draft picks but AA should get his choice of mid-tier prospects in sign/trades with Frasor & Downs.
I should add unless lower tier teams (within 1-15 in overall standings) sign one of the two. Then the Jays would receive compensation round picks.