Jays sign Mathis to extension, 2y/$3m total + option

[dagger]

Shi Davidi ‏@ShiDavidi
Blue Jays sign Jeff Mathis to $3m, two-yr extension with option for $1.5m

One has to think that if d'Arnaud is ready next season, JPA is trade fodder.

It seems as if AA wants to have the shortest possible list of trade/free agent issues to deal with.

And other catching news - for this season.

http://thestar.blogs.com/baseball/

Yorvit Torrealba possibly headed to Blue Jays: Griffin

In a report on Tuesday in the Fort Woth Star-Telegram by Drew Davison, the 34-year-old catcher Yorvit Torrealba, released by the Texas Rangers on August 8, appears headed to the Blue Jays to back up Jeff Mathis for the final two months of the regular season.

Torrealba became expendable with the Rangers after they traded for Cubs' catcher Geovany Soto. Starter Mike Napoli, a free agent followeing the season, has been having trouble staying healthy and is struggling with the bat. He is currently on the DL.

Torrealba, in his second season with the Rangers, was batting .236, with a .302 on-base average and a .342 slugging percentage. He had been designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was released by the Rangers. The 5-11, 200 lbs. Venezuelan catcher was earning $3.25 million in Texas, so any team that had selected him off waivers a week ago would have been responsible for the remainder of that contract. By waiting until he was released and became a free agent, teams can pay him the equivalent of the major-league minimum, pro-rated for the final 45-50 games.

The Jays on July 25 handed over the starting catcher duties to veteran Jeff Mathis, who had been signed to back up J.P. Arencibia in the off-season. Ascending into the backup role behind Mathis was minor-leaguer Yan Gomes. The 25-year-old Brazilian born Gomes has struggled at times defensively and is better served as a utility man, with the ability to be a third catcher. He has also played first base, third base and left field for the Jays.

Since taking over from Arencibia, Mathis has played well defensively, but has batted .164, in 16 games, with a .190 on-base average, a .273 slugging percentage and a .463 OPS. The Jays are 7-12 in the 19 games without Arencibia, into Tuesday night vs. the White Sox.

Any deal with the Jays for the remainder of the season had not been been finalized, but as a free agent, with an expiring contract in Texas, money is not an issue for the player. It's simply how many teams are looking at Torrealba and where does he want to play.

[s e n s i]

while atrocious at the plate, i'm perfectly fine with mathis as the permanent back-up.

jpa is a goner this winter for sure

[spykelee]

it would seem somebody is trade fodder for sure. No way we give Mathis a multi year if he's not planning to stick around.

[YogiStewart]

i wouldn't assume JPA's on his way out. i mean, it makes sense (he can't hit for average and calls an OK, not amazing, game) but would you rather have the bird in your hand or....?

I'd think TDA has more trade value as of now. don't you?

[mikero]

He's a pretty decent backup.

Makes sense to have a veteran catcher to teach TDA and help with the Jays younger pitchers.

[JoeyBats]

Loving this deal, good bye JPA Time for the TDA era to begin

[baulderdash77]

I actually think they're going to trade TDA. JPA is a known quantity and he's still improving. TDA still has that "top prospect" label that we can package as part of a deal for a starting pitcher.

I like the deal for Mathis. 2+1 years on the same salary as he's making this year. Cost control and years of control for a known quantity backup.

[EventHorizon]

JPA is an above average player at his position. I wouldn't call him fodder and I am confident we could get a decent return for him, i.e. Eric Hosmer from KC who is average or below average at 1B.

[baulderdash77]

No but a trade centered on TDA with 2 of our Lansing 3 or Robert Osuna can likely get us a 1A or a 1B starter. That would address the team's weaknesses more than any other move.

[Santoki]

Hmm...I'm happy to keep JPA if it means netting us a 1A or 1B guy, but what kind of realistic value can JPA net us in the trade market?

[Randle McMurphy]

There's nothing wrong with extending Mathis. He's a fine backup C. But just like JMac's last contract, why does it have to be two years?

And I don't think this means JPA is gone at all. It would surprise me quite a bit if the Jays trusted D'Arnaud to be the full-time starter immediately going into next year, especially after this significant injury.

[CapeCrusader]

Either way it gives AA more flexibility in the offseason.

[YogiStewart]

@Wilnerness590

9.9 @Conner_87: @Wilnerness590 On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest what are the chances that JPA returns this year?

[Michael Bradley]

Yeah I find it hard to believe that TDA will start at catcher next season after suffering an injury setback this season. JPA is not arbitration eligible yet (i.e. he will be dirt cheap) and there is no rush as far as TDA is concerned. Re-signing Mathis likely has nothing to do with the JPA/TDA debate. I'm not sure why they needed to extend him for two years given how bad his bat is, but whatever.

[Sifu]

oh crap. There goes AA's off-season budget

[kwamebargnani]

Good deal.

[Nolan]

JPA is an above average player at his position. I wouldn't call him fodder and I am confident we could get a decent return for him, i.e. Eric Hosmer from KC who is average or below average at 1B.

There's no way KC's giving us Hosmer for JPA, not a chance.

[SharoneWright]

I thought this could mean JPA's exit as well...

But tbh, I don't think there are any tealeaves to read here - I think its simply a case where AA got value and locked up the asset. Maybe it's even Mathis who ultimately goes in a smaller deal...

[Relentless88]

I like Mathis. He's a solid backup catcher. I think AA would want to get a look at TDA in the majors before committing to him. JPA will eventually get traded, but I don't think it'll be this winter.

[diddykong]

I like Mathis. He's a solid backup catcher. I think AA would want to get a look at TDA in the majors before committing to him. JPA will eventually get traded, but I don't think it'll be this winter.

don't think AA can wait that long, i has to address some holes in the team, and JPA is a valuable piece to get them those players. I think with the signing of mathis, ends those one year deals they have been giving to backup catchers and have someone there for the long run. he can help out TDA defense out.