Jays talking to C Paul LoDuca

jalenrose#5 · Post #1 » by **jalenrose#5** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 1:24 am

Blair: Blue Jays meet with LoDuca's agent
Jeff Blair, today at 7:02 PM EST

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Their interest remains limited - about $2.5-million limited - but the Toronto Blue Jays did meet Tuesday afternoon with Andrew Mongelluzi, the agent for free-agent catcher Paul LoDuca.

LoDuca has developed the reputation of being a bit of a clubhouse lawyer, but he was an All-Star for four years up to 2007, when he hit .272 with nine home runs and 54 runs batted in. The Mets did not offer him arbitration, meaning any team that signs Lo Duca - who will turn 36 on April 12 - will not give up a draft pick.

I love this move....if we're able to get him.

Mak · Post #2 » by **Mak** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 3:32 am

Upgrade at C would be nice for sure...

Post #3 » by **OldNo7** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 4:15 am

An article last week in the Star had JP saying he didnt want to invest more than 1 year in a starting catcher, believing Thigpen and the other minor leaguer we have will be ready and he doesnt want to stunt their development.

kavan · Post #4 » by **kavan** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 5:50 am

We need talent in and while the Canadian dollars high hopefully Ted is influenced into spending a bit more then usuall.

risktaker91 · Post #5 » by **risktaker91** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 11:49 am

Lo Duca would a be a nice addition.

asif9t9 · Post #6 » by **asif9t9** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 6:12 pm

I got no problem with this.

The_Hater · Post #7 » by **The_Hater** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 9:00 pm

Not that LoDuca wouldn't help, but why is it that JP has been throwing bandaids every year at the two most important defensive positions, C and SS?

Meanwhile he went out and spent $10 million a season on a 40 year old DH last winter. Augh.

risktaker91 · Post #8 » by **risktaker91** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 10:31 pm

The_Hater wrote:Not that LoDuca wouldn't help, but why is it that JP has been throwing bandaids every year at the two most important defensive positions, C and SS?

Meanwhile he went out and spent $10 million a season on a 40 year old DH last winter. Augh.

That's why.

Post #9 » by **arrpy** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 11:03 pm

LoDuca would be very nice, our catcher right now are basically trash. But in JP's eyes they are all-stars. So I don't think JP would spend very much on him.

Even though I would love to see LoDuca become our starting C, he would be much better than ol' Greg.

The_Hater · Post #10 » by **The_Hater** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 11:20 pm

arrpy wrote:LoDuca would be very nice, our catcher right now are basically trash. But in JP's eyes they are all-stars. So I don't think JP would spend very much on him.

Even though I would love to see LoDuca become our starting C, he would be much better than ol' Greg.

I don't know about that part. He brought in Molina 2 years ago and (he tried to get) Barajas last year, so he's obviously trying to make changes to Zaun. Zaun would be a very nice as a backup. Decent bat, switch hits along with his defensive issues. I'm just wondering who the long term solution is? I don't think Thigpen is it and he hasn't brought anybody else via free-agency of trade that was more than a 1 year rental. And Loduca just perpetuates that.

Raptors90102 · Post #11 » by **Raptors90102** » Wed Dec 5, 2007 11:26 pm

Lo Duca has said that he wants to be a Blue Jay... interesting..

risktaker91 · Post #12 » by **risktaker91** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:38 am

Raptors90102 wrote:Lo Duca has said that he wants to be a Blue Jay... interesting..

When? Source?

Raptors90102 · Post #13 » by **Raptors90102** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:47 am

risktaker91 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

When? Source?

Sportsnet reported today...

jalenrose#5 · Post #14 » by **jalenrose#5** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:53 am

From Rotoworld:
he New York Post reports that the Jays and Paul Lo Duca are close to a one-year contract.
It was reported Tuesday that the Jays had about $2.5 million to offer Lo Duca. He'd probably do better elsewhere, but he sought out the Jays and apparently would like to play in Toronto. We guess this means the Jays won't be offering John Thomson a minor league deal.

Deal looks very close 1yr/2.5 million....if its true....great pickup for the price!

TR50 · Post #15 » by **TR50** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 2:58 am

if this blows over....i may lose control lol

fame · Post #16 » by **fame** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 5:45 am

Doesn't look to good on the asking price right now

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said his dinner-hour meeting with Paul Lo Duca's agent failed to produce a signed contract.

Both sides seemingly want to get something done, but it looks like Lo Duca is asking for at least $5 million, while the Jays may not want to go much beyond $2.5 million. If the two sides can't settle on the money, Lo Duca could end up with the Nats.

risktaker91 · Post #17 » by **risktaker91** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 11:43 am

fame wrote:Doesn't look to good on the asking price right now

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said his dinner-hour meeting with Paul Lo Duca's agent failed to produce a signed contract.

Both sides seemingly want to get something done, but it looks like Lo Duca is asking for at least $5 million, while the Jays may not want to go much beyond $2.5 million. If the two sides can't settle on the money, Lo Duca could end up with the Nats.

I'm not against giving him 5 million...

Sign him JP!

asif9t9 · Post #18 » by **asif9t9** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 1:17 pm

The bottom line is whether or not this guy is our starting catcher. How far can we go with Zaun playing half the games? And at this age, is Lo Duca any better at throwing out runners? Point is, give him $2.5M so we have two Zauns. But if this guy wants $5M, then he's thinking he's a starter and that's probably trouble.

Post #19 » by **OldNo7** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 7:05 pm

He is way better with a bat than Zaun, but I havent followed his defence.

Apparently he called Gibbons directly in November to say how much he wanted to play here. Maybe he will sign for less if he wants to that bad.

SDM · Post #20 » by **SDM** » Thu Dec 6, 2007 10:41 pm

Lo Duca

.288/.340, 7/53

Zaun

.256/.350, 11/46

These are averages of their last two seasons... It's debatable as to whether Lo Duca is an upgrade.