Jays Sign Shannon Stewart to Minor League Deal

[jalenrose#5]

Shannon Stewart is back where his career began - with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Stewart agreed on Saturday afternoon to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training and is expected to join the Blue Jays in a matter of days.

Shannon's Back

Hmmm...strange...seeing as how we have reed/stairs/lind already

[risktaker91]

I like him a lot, but it doesn't make much sense. I expect Lind to start in AAA and Johnson and Stewart to platoon left field. Stairs will probably backup the outfield and maybe some DH.

We've got too much depth...

Infield: Overbay/Rolen/Eckstein/Hill/McDonald/Scutaro
Outfield: Rios/Wells/Johnson/Stewart/Lind/Stairs
Catching: Zaun/Barajas/Fasano?

[youreachiteach]

I like him a lot, but it doesn't make much sense. I expect Lind to start in AAA and Johnson and Stewart to platoon left field. Stairs will probably backup the outfield and maybe some DH.

We've got too much depth...

Infield: Overbay/Rolen/Eckstein/Hill/McDonald/Scutaro
Outfield: Rios/Wells/Johnson/Stewart/Lind/Stairs
Catching: Zaun/Barajas/Fasano?

Ahhh, but it does, especially if the Birds are trying to cover for Overbay in case his hand is bad, or just to make sure that Thomas doesn't drop off the face of the map. Stairs will be great insurance for those problems.

Lind and Fasano know they are going to triple a--that's a given. But what a benefit to be able to call them up in case the BACKUPS get hurt.

Stairs I think gives Thomas a blow (a smart move being as he's almost 100 years old), a pinch hitter and provides insurance for Overbay at first.

Which, to be honest, is where Stairs should be given his advanced age.

Now we can play Stewart as the leadoff hitter against righthanders and Johnson/Eckstein vs. lefties.

Our major problems last year were:

1.) Lack of depth on offence and in positional players
2.) Speed
3.) Agressive attitude/leadoff play/Intelligent moving of runners/hitting the other way.

This year we have:

1.) Covered every conceivable injury at any position at least adequately and in some cases fantastically--including pitchers!

2.) Acquired Rolen, Eckstein, Stewart, Scutaro to go along with Rios, Wells and Johnson--the only slowpoke now being the catcher, DH, and at first base (which is EXACTLY where the slow people are everywhere).

3.) Got rid of the useless Glaus for a player who will at least defend top notch regardless of his injury. Have now THREE competent leadoff hitters in Stewart, Johnson and Eckstein. We have the hitting coach from the Yankees who will be stressing--guess what---hitting the other way.

I am very impressed.

[OldNo7]

Its about time we signed someone decent to one of these 'minor league deals' that every other team seems to. Last year we signed scrubs, this year you see teams signing semi-starters/good role players. Glad we could get one. Nothing wrong with depth and insurance. Also provides a little internal-competition for Lind to step it up.

[raps4life~]

Good signing. The guy hit .290 last season in 150 games and is still a decent player.

[risktaker91]

Its about time we signed someone decent to one of these 'minor league deals' that every other team seems to. Last year we signed scrubs, this year you see teams signing semi-starters/good role players. Glad we could get one. Nothing wrong with depth and insurance. Also provides a little internal-competition for Lind to step it up.

I actually like Stewart starting in LF ahead of Johnson and Stairs. I'm not sure how this gets organized.

[OldNo7]

I dont know about that...if Reed is fully healthy, I am sure he is a big defensive upgrade over Stewart at this age and time in his career.

[TR50]

i like this signing, stewart is solid and its not a deal we can shake our heads on...

[arrpy]

I give JP the thumbs up on this signing. Gives us some more depth, that we need.

[Schad]

Shannon is still a solid batter, and is excellent insurance if Reed Johnson's insane 2006 campaign was indeed a fluke. I'd expect him to get at-bats as a DH, as well, when Frank Thomas inevitably ends up on the DL.

He's as awful as ever in the outfield, though. Might have the worst arm in the bigs, which is saying something considering that Johnny Damon is still kicking around.

[Mak]

Nice! Hopefully he does well enough in spring training to get a spot. Nice back up if someone gets injured.

[BoBBo!]

Maybe it's the nostalgic side in me, but I'm warm to this move.

Stewart was and remains a very good contact hitter. He has great discipline at bat and decent speed on the basepaths.

He does, however, have the worst arm in the game. IIRC, he suffered a nasty rotator cuff injury to this right shoulder prior to the bigs and he's never been able to throw a baseball the same.

All-in-all, I think it's a savvy move. He's an inexpensive, insurance platoon LF/DH/PH.

Welcome back Shannon!

[stro4swift]

It is indeed great to see him back with the Jays, whether he plays or not. You can never have too much depth...

Good luck Shannon!

[gold0259]

I hope it works out for you guys, I was really suprised to see Stewart settle for a turf team considering his legs, As you know he did not fair very well health wise in Minny because of the turf, but he did well on grass in the oak last year so we shall see. The guy can still hit 300 has no arm though

[risktaker91]

I hope it works out for you guys, I was really suprised to see Stewart settle for a turf team considering his legs, As you know he did not fair very well health wise in Minny because of the turf, but he did well on grass in the oak last year so we shall see. The guy can still hit 300 has no arm though

Yeah his arm's as bas Johnny Damon.

[squeekysneakers]

I think with the spring he has had, he is almost a lock as our back up outfielder...even though I wouldn't have minded giving Buck Coates a shot or Lind for that matter. I think he may replace Reed before the end of the season. He just seems a little more consistent at the plate. And as for his arm...With his speed he'll catch up to a lot of balls that Stairs wouldn't be able to.

I like the pick up and it may actually be one Moneyball pick up that works out for us.