The Blue Jays have signed another player of the table-setting variety in speedy Scott Podsednik.
He has signed a $1M minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. This after declining his $2M option with the Dodgers in hopes of finding a better offer. But hey, what american ball player wouldn't pay an extra mil to live in Toronto instead of LA?
At first glimpse, I thought this was a sign that Rivera is on his way out, as has been oft rumored, but there are many other reasons that could be behind this move. Scott's main weapon is his legs, and to have a guy who can come off the bench to pinch run and swipe a bag for you late in a game; thats a luxury.
He can play left or center, he's even played some right should something dire transpire, so he certainly adds a little flexibility. He's also not a bad little hitter, although a quick glimpse at his career stats tells you that his .297 avg last year could easily dip.
Right now, the idea is for him to compete with Corey Patterson and Mike McCoy for a bench spot, which I think he easily takes. Although older than Patterson, he seems to have maintained his bag larceny longevity at a higher clip.
I'm sure he has every expectation of making the club, and if he does not, some other club will be happy to pick him up at $1M for the season. To me it seems like a great, competitive signing with almost zero downside. There is no youngster Pod stands in the way of, and if the right offer rolls around for old man Rivera, we've got another grey-beard perhaps even better suited for the team waiting in the wings.
It sounds like the Jays and Bautista are closing in on a supposed 5-year $65M contract. To me, this seems like too much, although paling in comparison to the monstrously horrid contract of V-dub. Of all of the soon to be free agents, I find Senior Jose's to be the most perplexing. What do you pay a guy who scrapes along in the big leagues until he's 29 and then explodes for the most HRs in team history?? Apparently $13 per.
Now, it's no secret that the Jays have strapped on bit of an eye-patch when divvying out there treasures this year (abstract Pittsburgh Pirates reference? no? allright.). They have something rappers all love, booty to spare. Their competitive target is realistically 2013 and beyond. If they are smart, maybe they make this contract top heavy and pay him $20M a year for the next 2 years and then drop down to the $8.35 range for the next 3. Just a thought.
In any case, I would expect we hear an announcement of a long term deal sometime tomorrow, Friday at the latest.
What do you think he's worth?
No comments:
Post a Comment