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The Blue Jays and outfielder Alex Rios agreed to a one-year deal worth US$4.835 million to avoid salary arbitration. Rios was Toronto's lone player remaining in arbitration.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=228927&hubname=

It's interesting that the Jays haven't gone to arbitration since 97. I don't understand why they don't just sign Rios to a long term contract.

Flagrant Foul wrote:It's interesting that the Jays haven't gone to arbitration since 97. I don't understand why they don't just sign Rios to a long term contract.

Because the Market's at an all time high and JP thinks it will go down.

Can someone explain why we would had to sign him? I thought he was under contract for a few more years? I am very confused over this situation along with others in a similar position.

Thanks for explanation.

I was really hoping we would lock him up a while, because he's definitely our best player right now.

I would surely take back Vernon's contract and give it to Rios right about now.

trellaine201 wrote:Can someone explain why we would had to sign him? I thought he was under contract for a few more years? I am very confused over this situation along with others in a similar position.

Thanks for explanation.

He is under the Blue Jays control he just gets pay raises in arbitration if no long term contract is reached. A player needs three years of major league service time before arbitration and then three more years of arbitration before free agency.

Thanks so Rios has been with the Jays for 4yrs? Thus he would become a FA in 2yrs? So would he become a FA after October of 2010?
Thanks for the information.

trellaine201 wrote:Thanks so Rios has been with the Jays for 4yrs? Thus he would become a FA in 2yrs? So would he become a FA after October of 2010?
Thanks for the information.

Yes, after the 2010 season he will be a free agent assuming he doesn't sign a long term contract.