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Jays address shortstop position with a pair of signings
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The Jays have added former Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez (pictured
above), who will have the tough task of replacing the almost assuredly
departing Marco Scutaro. (AP Photos/Mary Schwalm)
The Jays made their first forays into the free agent market last week, first re-signing defensive wizard John McDonald and then adding another shortstop in one Alex Gonzalez, found most recently in Boston. The moves all but guarantee the departure of last season's starting shortstop and lead off hitter Marco Scutaro, who priced himself out of the Jays plans by looking for a three to four year contract at somewhere in the neighborhood of three million dollars a season.
The returning McDonald has long been considered one of the premier defensive infielders in the majors. If ever John's hitting could come close to mirroring his fielding prowess ( a lifetime .238 batting average with 13 home runs in more than 1,700 at bats), the Providence College grad would surely be an MLB All-star. The two year deal worth $1.5 million a season looks like wise money spent for the security of having his slick glove in the field on the days that the birds need him to fill in on the left side of the diamond.
In adding Alex Gonzalez, an eleven year major league veteran, the club is bringing in a very good glove man with range, but with a stick that has flaws. Though the 1999 National League All-Star has shown good power for a shortstop (114 career home runs), both his batting average (.247) and on-base percentage (.294) are below average in comparison with his peers. Alex will more than likely bat at the bottom of the Toronto order, which leaves a gaping hole at the top, where Scutaro put in an excellent performance last year. The minimal investment (1 year at $2.75 Million, option for 2011), makes this a decent signing, especially when considering what else was available on the free agent market this off-season and Marco's apparent demands.
Alex's signing may prove to be a stop gap solution as the Jays wait to see whether top prospect Justin Jackson will find his stick and make a push for the position in 2011, or potentially pick up a good shortstop prospect in a Roy Halladay trade.
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