The Blue Jays have signed 44-year old INF Omar Vizquel to a 1-year contract, while they have extended SP Brandon Morrow's contract for 3-years. Morrow will be paid $20 million over that span, with a $10 million Anthoption for a 4th year, and a $1 million buyout.
Vizquel is known as one of the best shortstops of all time, winning 11 gold gloves in his 23 year career. he has a career fielding percentage of .985, and a career defensive WAR of 13.3 according to baseball reference. Vizquel, ranks 5th all time in career TZR among shortstops, and will be a huge help defenziveley, if he makes the roster, or if he doesnt. If he does, he will be able to help SS Yunel Escobar, and 3B Brett Lawrie, both young fielders with a lot they could still improve on. If he doesn't make the roster, and Luis Valbuena or Mike McCoy does, then he could spend all of his season in AAA, helping Adeiny Hechaverria with his defense. Chris Woodward held a similar position last year, as he guided Brett Lawrie to the majors.
To put Vizquel's age in perspective, SS Yunel Escobar and 2B Kelly Johnson were both 7 years old during Omar Vizquels rookie year, Adam Lind was 6, and Brett Lawrie was not born.
Barring any further moves from AA, Morrow is going to be the Jays #2 pitcher this year, behind Jays Ace, Ricky Romero. Brandon is always up in the leader boards when it comes to K/9, and has the potential to be much better than Romero. Morrow will be making more than Romero, which is a bold statement by the Blue Jays Front Office, especially because Romero has proven he can be an Ace, unlike Brandon Morrow.
Since Morrow has signed and avoided arbitration, Casey Janssen is the only Blue Jays Player to still need arbitration, although I believe he will sign a 1 year deal with an Anthoption before his hearing in mid-February.
A report from Yahoo Japan says that the Jays are close to acquiring RP Koji Uehara from the Texas Rangers for TBA, but this report has not yet been confirmed by anybody with trustworthy knowledge.
Earlier this evening, a report from a major source said the Jays were one of the four finalists for reliever Francisco Cordero.
What do you think about these deals AA has pulled off tonight, leave your comments below, or on twitter @gideonturk or the offical bluejaysplus.com twitter @Bluejaysplus. Also, make sure to like the BlueJaysPlus facebook page
Updates
8:45 PM-Jerry Crasnick of espn.com reports that the Omar Vizquel deal is a minor league deal, with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
8:54 PM-Mike Wilner, of Sportsnet 590 reports that the talks between the Jays and Rangers have cooled for Uehara, because the Rangers are demanding too much.
9:10 PM-Ken Rosenthal of Fox, reports that the Rangers and Blue Jays are in trade talks for Uehara, but nothing official.
9:51 PM- Gregor Chisolm, of mlb.com has told me that "The club has some interest there (Uehara) but nothing official at this point".
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