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Excerpts all taken from Rotoworld

From Bastien on twitter

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston confirmed last week that Scott Downs and Jason Frasor will battle for ninth-inning duties this spring.

"It's going to be between [Downs & Frasor] and anybody else that Alex brings into camp," Gaston told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Downs had a 3.09 ERA and was 9-of-13 in save opportunites last season while Frasor posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 11 saves in 14 chances. The Blue Jays are also interested in acquiring free agent Kevin Gregg, who could join the mix.

From the Denver Post

Kevin Gregg's agent, Danny Horwits, said Tuesday morning that he "should know soon" where his client is headed for the 2010 season.

Gregg has drawn interest from the Marlins, Rockies, Blue Jays and Padres in recent weeks. Toronto can offer him the best shot at closing duties, but perhaps the other clubs will make stronger bids. The 31-year-old had a 4.72 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP in 72 games last year for the Cubs and converted 23-of-30 save opportunities before Carlos Marmol secured the role.

From Corey Brock on twitter

A source tells Corey Brock of MLB.com that the Padres don't appear to be among the finalists to sign free agent reliever Kevin Gregg.

The Padres have shown some interest in Gregg, but he is currently seeking an opportunity to close. That wouldn't be the case in San Diego unless Heath Bell becomes trade bait. He would likely find an open competition to close in Toronto, though the Marlins have also expressed interest in bringing him back.

At least he's another experienced bullpen arm with closing experience.

and from Rosenthal

Ken_Rosenthal - Kevin Gregg close to signing with #Blue Jays.
9 minutes ago from web

I'm underwhelmed. I'd much rather the team went after Kiko Calero and his 1.95 ERA & 10.35 K/9. He'd also probably cost less.

youngLion wrote:I'm underwhelmed. I'd much rather the team went after Kiko Calero and his 1.95 ERA & 10.35 K/9. He'd also probably cost less.

I agree...I really like Calero!

Gregg is nothing special, but might make for a decent mid-season flip...or a late-inning guy should we move Frasor/Downs. Calero wouldn't be a bad pickup either, but he's looking for two years and there are concerns that his arm might not last that long.

It's probably a low contract with lots of incentives if the Jays get him.

He really flamed out badly last year. From what I remember, his velocity dropped like a rock at mid point and got hit badly. Hopefully he can come back and be effective and be one of the "buy low, sell high" moves AA is trying to do this offseason (ie Buck, Gonzalez).

reliever kevin gregg has $2.75-mil deal with blue jays that contains 2 options and could make him close to $12 mil

from Jon Heyman

Terrible move. $2.75 mill? That's $2 mill too much. There'd better be some moves to accompany this ie Frasor and Downs for prospects. No point whatsoever as a stand alone. Also, Gregg's terrible. Hopefully, those options for additional years aren't reachable and he gets traded midseason. Yikes.

I don't see how AA's strategy is any different from JP's the past few years. Sign a bunch of past their prime scrubs to minor league or incentive laden contracts in the hope that some will rejuvenate their career's in Toronto.

The Gregg signing better be the start of something bigger. Our bullpen is the least of our concerns and yet that seems to be the only position he's interested in aquiring. Why isn't he doing something about the infield? We are goign to have one of the worst in the league with Johnny Mac/Gonzo, Overbay, Encarnacion, and Buck. Save Hill, there is plenty of AAA teams with better infields.

You guys are jokes. This was a good move by AA, and means more than likely he trades either Frasor or Downs for prospects. Gregg has improved his command over the past couple seasons, and if he becomes the closer and does an admirable job, he can be flipped for prospects as well. AA has to think outside the box right now. He has nothing to work with in terms of assets to trade, unless you want to see Lind or Hill moved.

gregg will be a good trade chip at the deadline if it doesn't pan out as we thought.

zilby wrote:gregg will be a good trade chip at the deadline if it doesn't pan out as we thought.

If he doesn't pan out then by definition he won't be a good trade chip.

Anyway I'm not a huge fan of this deal, but it can be either decent or terrible depending on those options. I haven't seen any details on them, but if they're player-controlled or even mutual I think this deal is pretty brutal.

Yeah, better hope he pans out, which isn't a given. He struggled in the NL central, so he's gonna have it even tougher in this division.

Looks like the deal is finally just about done. Bastian says that the options are club controlled, which is really he only sensible option.

youngLion wrote:

zilby wrote:gregg will be a good trade chip at the deadline if it doesn't pan out as we thought.

If he doesn't pan out then by definition he won't be a good trade chip.

Anyway I'm not a huge fan of this deal, but it can be either decent or terrible depending on those options. I haven't seen any details on them, but if they're player-controlled or even mutual I think this deal is pretty brutal.

I'm not sure how much the deal is worth. I heard it was a base 2.75 Mil salary which is really not that much. Now if the rumoured up to $12 mil in incentives then I'll question the deal, but I'm assuming that's the club options, should they choose to pick it up.

As I said, if he doesn't pan out, the Jays lose $2.75 million dollars - big whoop in the grand scheme of things. This move now allows them to trade Downs or Frasor for prospects which I assume they will do. Thinking outside the box.

LBJSeizedMyID wrote:

youngLion wrote:

zilby wrote:gregg will be a good trade chip at the deadline if it doesn't pan out as we thought.

If he doesn't pan out then by definition he won't be a good trade chip.

Anyway I'm not a huge fan of this deal, but it can be either decent or terrible depending on those options. I haven't seen any details on them, but if they're player-controlled or even mutual I think this deal is pretty brutal.

I'm not sure how much the deal is worth. I heard it was a base 2.75 Mil salary which is really not that much. Now if the rumoured up to $12 mil in incentives then I'll question the deal, but I'm assuming that's the club options, should they choose to pick it up.

As I said, if he doesn't pan out, the Jays lose $2.75 million dollars - big whoop in the grand scheme of things. This move now allows them to trade Downs or Frasor for prospects which I assume they will do. Thinking outside the box.

Gregg had 7 blown saves in 30 opportunities last year. He had career worst numbers across the board on a team that was better than us and yet and signing him to replace a better pitcher (Frasor) is thinking outside the box?

Do you actually think the Jays are contenders this year?

No, they aren't. Frasor and Downs both have trade value. Trade them for prospects.

If Gregg turns his season around, you have a piece you can move at the end of the year for more pieces. It's a 1 year deal. Low risk. Thinking outside the box. YES.

Mr. McGregg! Talk about arm strength! He's got a leg for an arm!

I think it's a good pickup. If he gets back on form then he can be quite useful, and most definitely better than noodle arm BJ Ryan.