The Toronto Blue Jays have won the prize for the most exciting offseason. Between their trade for NL Cy Young Award winner RA Dickey and the mega trade with the Miami Marlins, the Jays have put themselves in position where they should expect to compete for the AL East title. Remember, the Jays have not made the postseason since 1993, their last World Series title. Since last season, they have brought in and out an alarming amount of catchers. That has spilled over into 2013 spring training.
Both the 2012 and 2013 versions of the Toronto Blue Jays have had JP Arencibia as their starting backstop. Last year, the Jays had Jeff Mathis as their primary backup. With top prospect Travis d'Arnaud in AAA, they also had veteran Bobby Wilson as an option in AAA. Yorvit Torrealba spent some time on the team towards the end of the season.
Torrealba filed for free agency and Wilson was DFA'd. Eli Whiteside was claimed on waivers, but DFA'd soon after. Mathis was traded to the Marlins in a deal that gave the Jays John Buck. Buck and d'Arnaud were sent to the Mets in a deal that brought them Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The Blue Jays then signed free agent Henry Blanco to a major league contract. AJ Jimenez gives the Jays 4 catchers on their 40 man roster, with Nickeas in camp as a non roster invite. The Blue Jays seem poised to have 3 catchers on their opening day roster, something few MLB teams have done on a consistent basis. The Whitey Herzog led St Louis Cardinals always had a 3rd string catcher, whether it was Glenn Brummer or Tom Nieto. But, it is unheralded in the American League. Obviously, the designated hitter leaves most teams with 4 bench players if they use 12 pitchers.
Perhaps the Jays plan on using Arencibia as their primary DH. However, they have Brett Lawrie at 3B and Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind either DHing or playing 1B. I don't know where they will find the room. To me, I don't think it is crazy to see the Jays start 2013 with Arencibia, Thole and Blanco, through Buck and Whiteside, after spending last season with Arencibia, Mathis, Torrealba and Wilson. That is 8 MLB catchers in 2 seasons.
Both the 2012 and 2013 versions of the Toronto Blue Jays have had JP Arencibia as their starting backstop. Last year, the Jays had Jeff Mathis as their primary backup. With top prospect Travis d'Arnaud in AAA, they also had veteran Bobby Wilson as an option in AAA. Yorvit Torrealba spent some time on the team towards the end of the season.
Torrealba filed for free agency and Wilson was DFA'd. Eli Whiteside was claimed on waivers, but DFA'd soon after. Mathis was traded to the Marlins in a deal that gave the Jays John Buck. Buck and d'Arnaud were sent to the Mets in a deal that brought them Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The Blue Jays then signed free agent Henry Blanco to a major league contract. AJ Jimenez gives the Jays 4 catchers on their 40 man roster, with Nickeas in camp as a non roster invite. The Blue Jays seem poised to have 3 catchers on their opening day roster, something few MLB teams have done on a consistent basis. The Whitey Herzog led St Louis Cardinals always had a 3rd string catcher, whether it was Glenn Brummer or Tom Nieto. But, it is unheralded in the American League. Obviously, the designated hitter leaves most teams with 4 bench players if they use 12 pitchers.
Perhaps the Jays plan on using Arencibia as their primary DH. However, they have Brett Lawrie at 3B and Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind either DHing or playing 1B. I don't know where they will find the room. To me, I don't think it is crazy to see the Jays start 2013 with Arencibia, Thole and Blanco, through Buck and Whiteside, after spending last season with Arencibia, Mathis, Torrealba and Wilson. That is 8 MLB catchers in 2 seasons.
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