RealGM

The Blue Jays don't appear to have any interest in acquiring a premium free-agent first baseman unless it's someone who is willing to spend time in the designated hitter role as well.

The main reason for that decision is Anthopoulos does not want to stunt the development of Adam Lind. The 27-year-old Lind played 11 games at the position last season and, for now, the Blue Jays believe they owe it to themselves to see if he would be a long-term fit.

"We're getting a little more intrigued by it," Anthopoulos said of transitioning Lind into a first baseman. "We're not ready to commit to it right now, but we would like to have a scenario where at least we can continue to find out about Adam at first."

Lind is under contract for the next three seasons at a total of $15 million. The Blue Jays also have three club options from 2014-16, which are valued at $22.5 million. With Toronto potentially committed to him on a long-term basis, it would benefit the club to utilize Lind at a position in the field. That way, it creates the possibility of adding a veteran hitter later on to fill the DH spot.

"The upside for us long term in finding out about Adam, there's huge value to that," Anthopoulos said. "Just for the roster construction going forward. So, to find someone that can be a little bit more of a hybrid role -- whether they're DH and play some first -- that's the ideal scenario for us."

"To go sign a bona fide first baseman that you're going to have to promise everyday at-bats ... we can sit here the following year and say: 'You know what, we still haven't truly found out about Adam Lind because we had an established first baseman that needed to play the position.'"

Lind spent some time at first during college but has yet to receive a regular opportunity to play there in the Majors. During his brief stint in 2010, there were some glaring weaknesses in his abilities at first.

He struggled with a lack of range and his footwork around the base. Those skills could potentially improve with enough repetition, though, and Lind shows great hands with an ability to pick the ball, which is a key component of the position.

tecumseh18 wrote:Too bad this is the impediment to getting Man-Ram. Alex has said that because Lind would be an experiment at first, any DH signed would have to be able to play first if Lind can't handle it. And Manny can't.

augustine wrote:

tecumseh18 wrote:Too bad this is the impediment to getting Man-Ram. Alex has said that because Lind would be an experiment at first, any DH signed would have to be able to play first if Lind can't handle it. And Manny can't.

Or, on the contrary, it indicates they want a non-first base playing DH such as Manny. Last week when Pena was on the market, the Jays did not fully pursue him because they want to see if Lind can stick at first, and signing a Pena type will not allow them to pursue this. Therefore, a Manny type is ideal.

That should safely put an end to the constant Manny Ramirez rumors that have been circulating around Toronto. Ramirez has been spotted north of the border several times during the offseason, but it's pretty clear his appearances have had nothing to do with the Blue Jays.

"The priority would be -- in an ideal scenario -- a DH/first baseman, someone that we know can play the position," Anthopoulos said. "I don't know that we're comfortable at this stage just handing someone a job that is strictly a DH that doesn't have the ability to play first base."

Randle McMurphy wrote:I don't care, sign Manny. Jose Bautista and Jose Molina can both play 1B if Lind totally bombs, and there are always guys available in FA. Seriously, it's 1B...you don't need a defensive whiz out there.

He struggled with a lack of range and his footwork around the base. Those skills could potentially improve with enough repetition, though, and Lind shows great hands with an ability to pick the ball, which is a key component of the position.

Randle McMurphy wrote:I don't care, sign Manny. Jose Bautista and Jose Molina can both play 1B if Lind totally bombs, and there are always guys available in FA. Seriously, it's 1B...you don't need a defensive whiz out there.

Toronto Blue Jays OF Adam Lind will participate in five days of instruction at first base over the winter, and the lessons will continue in January as the team prepares to play Lind at first base next season, according to MLB.com's Larry Millson. "It will be like a five-day crash course and then some more work in January," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on Wednesday. "The more work he can get done ahead of time, the more prepared he will be for Spring Training." However, the team has yet to commit to Lind full time as their first baseman.

Skin Blues wrote:Seriously, this is first base. You could teach a mule to play there in a few months, I'm sure Lind will have no trouble getting acclimated. As long as he's comfortable there by 2012 then I don't see the issue.

ItsDanger wrote:He's got a LONG way to go IMO. I wonder if he even has the tools to pull this off. Not much choice now unless we pull a trade off.

OldNo7 wrote:Lind should have manned up and offered to play 1B in Winter Ball to get some experience before training camp.