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Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:49 pm
by Geddy
TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays made their final move of the off-season Wednesday by signing veteran infielder Kevin Millar to a minor-league contract with an invite to major-league camp.
The 37-year-old's addition caps an underwhelming winter in which general manager J.P. Ricciardi had his hands tied by budget cuts.
Millar - along with Matt Clement, Mike Maroth and Michael Barrett, also signed to minor-league deals - is one of the few notable players brought in. And despite the continuing availability of some big names on the free agent market, no other help is coming.
"I think that's it," said Ricciardi. "The possibility of doing something in spring training may present itself but right now I don't see us doing anything.
"The only thing we'd be able to do is via trade and we'll keep our eyes and ears open."
Millar, who batted .234 with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2008, will give manager Cito Gaston some extra depth on the bench and another option if either Adam Lind or top prospect Travis Snider falters.
full storyWell JP is saying that this is probably the last move of the off season. This has probably the least promising off season in recent years. In the past these types of washed up player signings by JP usually haven't worked out and I doubt most of this year's will lead to any big surprises.
I know JP doesn't have much money to spend but if he's going to give in already, then why not start trading away guys for prospects or picks at this stage? It almost feels like JP just pulled his pants down, and bent over for the rest of the AL east to let them have their way.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:01 pm
by jalenrose#5
The Jays finished 51-37 under Gaston, with one of the worst offences in the league. I think with an improved offence, this team can compete, even with middle of the road starters. Remember when it was Halladay, Lilly (who was awful ERA wise), Towers, Chacin and Dave Bush in our starting rotation??
The Jays finished 1 game away from .500 at 80-82. Their offence consisted of 1 20 plus HR guy (Wells)
C Zaun
2B Hudson
SS Hill
3B Koskie
1B Hinske
OF Rios, Wells and Catalanotto/Reed with DH being Shea Hillenbrand.
Now one can argue the Jays have a much better offence right now with Wells, Rios, Hill all capable of being all stars, a better 3B and 1B hitters and a much more promising LF/DH combo.
The Jays have the exact same bullpen as last year mostly, it's just the starters. I think if the Jays can get thru the first month at .500, they'll be in it.
The Millar signing was a classy move, a great clubhouse guy who will be great for the young guns Lind and Snider. COWBOY UP!!!
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:46 pm
by s e n s i
Haha, funny thing is I'd actually prefer playing Millar at 1st over Lyle "Inning" Over-bay.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:20 am
by J-Roc
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:48 am
by Michael Bradley
Wow, the Jays have not made a single MLB free agent signing. Millar, Clement, Loewen, Barrett, Lane, Maroth, Takahashi, Noguchi, Chavez, Ruiz, and Fahey were all minor league signings. Ricciardi has also claimed a few guys off waivers. His one trade was for a reclamation long shot (Matt Bush). Not one MLB signing. That has to be a rarity.
As for Millar, he's a good signing, I guess. Overbay needs a platoon partner, and Snider may not be ready yet. Millar is a nice stop-gap DH/bench player.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:25 am
by Holmes
Millar hit 20 HR last year at the age of 37. Good for a tie in the team lead for homeruns last year had he been on the Jays.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:52 pm
by Schad
Makes sense, especially if the Jays opt to go with a six-man bullpen. Millar actually has a reverse-split (better against righties than lefties), but can take Lind's place against tough lefties, and given the fact that we'll be DHing an outfielder 90% of the time, his addition means that we would have a capable DH off the bench when resting one of the four OFs or Overbay.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:25 am
by Mustard_Tiger
chocolateSens1 wrote:Haha, funny thing is I'd actually prefer playing Millar at 1st over Lyle "Inning" Over-bay.
Yes, downgrading with a worse offensive player and a horrible defender is always the best move you can make.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:26 am
by Mustard_Tiger
rkid wrote:It almost feels like JP just pulled his pants down, and bent over for the rest of the AL east to let them have their way.
Don't you mean ownership?
I'm pretty sure Ricciardi would have signed somebody to a major league contract if he was allowed to.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:29 pm
by chargerxthirty
theres some mustard on your shirt dude.... *points*
boop... got you in the chin
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:17 am
by s e n s i
Mustard_Tiger wrote:chocolateSens1 wrote:Haha, funny thing is I'd actually prefer playing Millar at 1st over Lyle "Inning" Over-bay.
Yes, downgrading with a worse offensive player and a horrible defender is always the best move you can make.
Oh it's not that. I just have a blind hate for Overbay. The most untimeliest of all hitters. A solid chance to hit into a DP, or infield fly to end an inning. I get frustrated.
Re: Jays sign Millar to minor league deal
Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:41 am
by Nolan
Decent signing, hopefully he can repeat his last season performance with Baltimore.
