Blue Jays sign Joey Gathright

youngLion · Post #1 » by **youngLion** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:45 pm

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/b ... right.html

Presumably he'll be a fourth outfielder and play centre when Vernon is injured or DHing. Thoughts?

jim todd · Post #2 » by **jim todd** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:01 pm

well he swings from the left side, which is nice. zero power. if he miraculously started hitting, he's got the tools to be an occasional fill-in for the leadoff position. as a fourth outfielder at minimal cost he should be fine. decent move as long as cito doesn't have him stealing at-bats from any of the young guys that need to develop.

kelso · Post #3 » by **kelso** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:17 pm

I don't understand this signing at all. Unless this is a move made to accommodate another move, we need to be focusing on a lot more then adding depth outfielders with no power and basically average-at-best everywhere else.

satyr9 · Post #4 » by **satyr9** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:56 pm

A real pinch runner on the bench? Sounds like a plan to me, but I'm with Jim Todd about AB stealing. He's a niche player and has a bit of value as long as you use him for what he's good at. If Lind/Wells/Snider is the OF next year he's probably gonna be a defensive replacement and/or pinch runner pretty freaking often.

Post #5 » by **Schad** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:00 pm

We'll have to wait and see whether it's a major league deal or not, because I don't see any indication in the article. If it's a minor league deal, he's basically just a replacement for Buck Coats, who signed with Kansas City.

rarefind · Post #6 » by **rarefind** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:09 pm

lol at this being completely shot down by his representatives.

Post #7 » by **Morris_Shatford** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 3:22 pm

IIRC Gathright used to be a track star,
He was kicked around as Carl Crawford Version 2.0 in his youth with the Rays,

But its been a while, I have no idea how his wheels are anymore but his hitting ranges from terrible to awful so assuming he makes the roster he will be your designated pinch runner.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #8 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:29 pm

This signing could end up paying huge dividends. Gathright use to be one of the better prospects within the Rays organization. If he can get his bat going, I don't care who he steals playing time from.

But, they're all big If's.

Hoopstarr · Post #9 » by **Hoopstarr** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:25 pm

Let's just hope he's a 4th OF and pinch runner, because if he's the answer for the lead off spot, it's about to get ugly. Career .630 OPS ugly.

Post #10 » by **Nolan** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:50 pm

Not a bad signing, he could be a decent player off the bench for us with his speed.

Relentless88 · Post #11 » by **Relentless88** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:37 pm

I've always liked his speed, of course no power. He is capable of hitting .300 and stealing a lot of bases, something we could really use on the bench.

EDIT: I think this was a false report...

zilby · Post #12 » by **zilby** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:38 pm

pinch runner for next season.