Archive for the ‘Blue Jays’ Category

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Blue Jays give Wells Club Record Extension

Saturday, December 16th, 2006

The Blue Jays have signed center fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126 million contract extension. The deal includes full no-trade protection and an opt-out clause after the fourth season, according to a source with knowledge of the contract. It also includes a $25.5 million bonus to be paid in equal installments of $8.5 million in 2008, ’09 and ’10, leaving the Jays flexibility to spend on pitching for next season.

While Wells said he wanted to remain with the Jays, many in the sport believed that he intended to play out the final year of his contract, then return home to Arlington, Tex., to join the Rangers and reunite with shortstop Michael Young, his former Jays teammate and best friend in baseball.

The Jays still want to add pitching, and their signing of Wells could lead them to trade another of their outfielders, most likely Alex Rios, for a proven starter.

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Wells offered extension by Blue Jays

Thursday, December 14th, 2006

The Toronto Blue Jays have offered All-Star center fielder Vernon Wells a contract extension worth more $120 million. Wells told the Globe and Mail that it would be worth between $126 million and $136 million and extend for seven or eight years. That would make it the sixth-largest contract in baseball history, trailing only Alex Rodriguez ($252 million), Derek Jeter ($189 million), Manny Ramirez ($160 million), Todd Helton ($141.5 million) and Alfonso Soriano ($136 million).

Wells hit .303 with 32 homers and 106 RBIs this year and is due $5.6 million next season. If they can’t reach an agreement, the Blue Jays might trade Wells, but Ricciardi didn’t put a timetable on when he’d like to get it done.

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Jays agree to one-year, $1.5M deal with Clayton

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

The Toronto Blue Jays and shortstop Royce Clayton have come to an agreement on a one-year deal worth about $1.5 million, pending a physical, which Clayton is expected to take Wednesday night.

It is expected that Aaron Hill, who bounced between second base and shortstop last season, will switch back to second base with the addition of Clayton.

Clayton, who was traded from the Reds to the Nationals last season in the blockbuster trade that also sent Austin Kearns to Washington, batted .258 with two home runs and 40 RBI in 137 games.

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Zaun re-signs, will be Jays’ starting catcher

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

Gregg Zaun stayed with the Blue Jays by agreeing to a $7.25 million, two-year contract Tuesday, a day after catcher Rod Barajas backed out of an apparent deal.

Zaun was said to have drawn interest from Boston and New York, where he would have been a backup.

Zaun hit .272 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI last season as the backup to Bengie Molina, whom Ricciardi is not interested in re-signing.

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Angels to add Jays’ Speier to already deep bullpen

Sunday, November 19th, 2006

The Angels are set to add another arm to their already deep bullpen Sunday.
Los Angeles agreed to a four-year contract with Justin Speier, formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The right-handed Speier, 33, was 2-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 58 appearances with Toronto last season. He joins a talented Angels bullpen that will set up for Francisco Rodriguez, who led the American League with 47 saves in 2006.

Speier is 27-20 with 17 saves and a 4.02 ERA in his nine-year career.

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Frank Thomas close to deal with Blue Jays

Thursday, November 16th, 2006

Free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas is close to agreeing to a two-year contract with the Blue Jays.

Thomas, 38, batted .270 for the A’s last season with 39 homers and 114 RBIs. The A’s, who had negotiated with him for several weeks, were confident of re-signing him.

The Blue Jays lacked a full-time DH last season; seven different Jays had 40 or more at-bats in that role, led by Shea Hillenbrand, who was traded to the Giants in July.

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Blue Jays trade Hinske to Red Sox

Thursday, August 17th, 2006

The Toronto Blue Jays traded outfielder Eric Hinske and $2.8 million to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday for a player to be determined.

Hinske, who also can play first and third, is hitting .264 with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. Boston is assuming the $1.1 million left on his contract this season.

The 29-year-old Hinske won the 2002 AL rookie of the year award when he hit .279 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs. He was rewarded with a $14.75-million, five-year deal before the 2003 season, but has struggled since and was used off the bench this year.

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Reds get reliever from Toronto

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

The Cincinnati Reds acquired left-hander Scott Schoeneweis from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash.

The move came two days after the Reds learned that left-handed reliever Kent Mercker will need reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. Mercker has a torn ligament and tendon in the elbow.

Schoeneweis is the seventh pitcher acquired in the last six weeks by the Reds, who have stayed in playoff contention partly by remaking their bullpen. A 5-0 loss in St. Louis on Tuesday night left Cincinnati in second place in the NL Central, 2 1/2 games behind the Cardinals.

The 32-year-old Schoeneweis went 2-2 with a 6.51 ERA in 55 games for the Blue Jays this season. He is 41-47 in his career with a 5.09 ERA in nine seasons with Toronto, the Angels and the White Sox.

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Struggling Red Sox look to deal with Toronto

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

The Red Sox, seeking to boost their offense, are talking to the Blue Jays about a trade for infielder/outfielder Eric Hinske.

Hinske, who has cleared waivers, was pulled from the Jays’ lineup Wednesday night, though a club official said it was only because the team wanted to play third baseman Troy Glaus.

If a deal with the Red Sox is completed, Hinske, presumably would platoon with Wily Mo Pena in right field while Sox right fielder Trot Nixon remains on the disabled list with a strained right biceps.

Hinske, 29, has appeared in 30 games in right this season, more than at any other position. He also has played third base, first and left field.

The Blue Jays have been looking to move Hinske’s contract since last off-season. Hinske is owed the balance of his $4.325 million salary this season and $5.6 million next season.

While the Jays also are talking to other teams about Hinske, the Red Sox are perhaps the most logical suitor because of their ability to absorb his contract.

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Giants acquire Hillenbrand from Blue Jays

Saturday, July 22nd, 2006

The Giants sent reliever Jeremy Accardo to Toronto for Hillenbrand and reliever Vinnie Chulk, getting in Hillenbrand the first baseman and offensive threat they had been seeking before the trade deadline.

Hillenbrand, who has a $5.8 million contract for this season, hit .301 with 12 homers, 15 doubles and 39 RBIs for Toronto this year.

The Giants had a hard time parting with Accardo, someone they considered a future closer.

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