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Inbox: Jays may have pick of litter
Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
11/20/09 2:07 PM EST
If I remember correctly, this past First-Year Player Draft, former Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was not able to sign three of his high picks. If I understand this right, they will get compensation picks for next year's Draft for not being able to sign them.
My question is, if the Blue Jays don't re-sign shortstop Marco Scutaro and catcher Rod Barajas, how many high Draft picks will Toronto get in next year's draft?
-- Trevor M., Winnipeg, Manitoba
As things currently stand, the Blue Jays would have six selections within the first three rounds of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft in June. Before the end of this offseason, Toronto could potentially have as many as nine picks within the first three rounds of what will be an important Draft -- the first under new general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
In order to gain the three extra selections, a couple things need to happen. The Blue Jays would first have to offer arbitration to free agents Scutaro and Barajas. If Scutaro (Type A free agent) declines and signs with another team, Toronto would potentially receive a first-round pick and a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. If Barajas (Type B) declines and signs elsewhere, the Jays net a sandwich pick.
For Scutaro, I write "potentially" because the first-round pick could change if the signing team inks higher-ranking free agents as well. Last winter, Toronto gained two selections for A.J. Burnett (Type A) signing with the Yankees. Since New York also signed two higher-ranking Type A free agents (CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira), though, the Jays were given the Yankees' third-round pick as compensation.
That brings us to why the Blue Jays already have three extra selections in the next Draft. The compensation picks Toronto gained from losing Burnett were used on pitchers James Paxton (sandwich round) and Jake Barrett (third round) in the 2009 Draft. Paxton and Barrett did not sign with the Jays, and neither did another second-round pick, lefty Jake Eliopoulos.
As a result, the Blue Jays will receive similar picks in the 2010 Draft. That being the case, Toronto currently is set up to have one first-round pick, a sandwich selection and two picks in each of the second and third rounds. The fact that Scutaro and Barajas could help increase Toronto's haul in the early rounds will certainly play a role in the club's decision to re-sign the players.
We all know the hottest topic this offseason is the future of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. What are the possible clubs Halladay can end up on in 2010, if the Jays decide to trade him? Also, what are some possible packages they expect in return?
-- Nick P., Toronto
It should come as no surprise that it will likely be the larger-market teams who have the best shot at landing Halladay. In 2010, he is scheduled to earn $15.75 million -- a salary that only a handful of teams can take on without flinching. There is also the chance that an interested team would be interested in making more of a long-term investment.
As a general philosophy, Anthopoulos will not rule out giving another team a window to negotiate a contract extension with one of his players in trade talks, if it means the return is significantly greater. Obviously, that could apply to Halladay and, again, only a handful of organizations are financially able to present the type of contract he might see as a free agent next offseason.
Anthopoulos has already said that he is not against trading any of his players within the American League East, so this could come down to a bidding war between the Yankees and Red Sox. The Dodgers are also rumored to be interested in pursuing Halladay. As for the return, the Jays want young players who can help form a strong core to build around, and there are needs at shortstop, catcher and in the outfield.
What would be stopping the Blue Jays from going after free-agent closer Billy Wagner? This would free up two good relievers in Jason Frasor and Scott Downs.
-- Floyd E., Barriere, British Columbia
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Wagner is 38 years old and will likely only pitch for one more season, considering he's 15 saves away from reaching 400 for his career. On top of that, he is eligible as a Type A free agent, meaning the signing team would have to give up a pick in the 2010 Draft in order to add him. The cost for one season seems too much for Toronto. The Jays are happy with splitting the closer duties between Frasor and Downs.
If the Jays are not able to re-sign Scutaro, could they ask second baseman Aaron Hill to move back to shortstop? Then, the Jays could sign a second baseman (Orlando Hudson, hint hint). Second base is an easier void to fill than shortstop, and Hill came up as a shortstop.
-- Trevor H., Etobicoke, Ontario
Hill could handle such a move, but he likes where he is now and has developed into a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman. The Blue Jays have no plans on moving him out of the position -- Anthopoulos has said as much this winter. Toronto has interest in bringing back Scutaro or free-agent shortstop John McDonald, and the club is also looking at other options (free agency, trades) to fill the hole at short.
What happened with catcher Michael Barrett? I heard he had an option for 2010 with the Blue Jays.
-- Robert F., Whitby, Ontario
Barrett -- out due to injury for much of last season -- did have a club option for 2010, but the Blue Jays designated him for assignment on Oct. 29 and the veteran catcher is now a Minor League free agent. The only big league catcher currently in the fold for the Jays is Raul Chavez. Toronto is searching for additional help behind the plate this winter.
What are the Blue Jays' options for Jose Bautista?
-- Kevin H., Vaughn, Ontario
Bautista made $2.4 million as a utility player last season and is eligible for arbitration again this offseason. The Jays need to decide whether they want to pay that much or more for a bench player who hit .235 last year. Bautista did perform well as an everyday player over the final month (10 homers, 21 RBIs in final 30 games), so Toronto might consider trying him in a regular role -- perhaps in right field. The Jays might also non-tender him, which would make Bautista a free agent.
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
