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Jays Minors Transactions Review: July ’10 to Feb ’11

By Editorial Staff

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With Spring Training kicking off this week, I thought it would be important and interesting to take a look at the last minor league transactions completed by the Jays. In order to get the best feel for what came and went in the minors, I’ll simply include the additions and subtractions from the Jays affiliates. The time period covered below is end of July 2010 to the last week, which I believe gives us a pretty decent review of changes made to the depth charts, some of which may have been missed by Jays fans.

Also, now that we will have covered the latest and greats of the minors transactions over the last 9 months, we will also be updating all Jays minors transactions in our new “Jays Minors Transactions” page, so check back there from time to time if you’re curious about what’s happening in the Jays affiliates and depth chart.

End of July 2010

RHP Bubbie Buzachero – Traded – 5’10” 180 lbs, 29 years old

  • Bubbie was traded to the Houston Astros for cash considerations.

2B Christian Frias – Signed – 5’10” 170 lbs, 21 years old

  • A non-drafted free agent out of Rio Grando, Ohio. He played 3 games in the GCL in 2010, getting only 3 ABs. He hails from Puerto Rico and may being 2011 in the GCL once again.

OF Concepcion Rodriguez – Signed – 6’2″ 205 lbs, 24 years old

  • He spent most of 2010 in AA, but did have a stint in Dunedin, and his AA time was split between the Braves affiliate in Mississippi and New Hampshire. Overall, he hit no HRs in 242 ABs and only had 10 doubles while earning a .250/.365/.318 line.

August 2010

LHP Zack Breault – Signed – 6’6″ 195 lbs, 20 years old

  • He earned a spot on the Jays after a workout in Rogers Center. He had been playing semi-pro for the Bryan College Lions. In 11 GS, Breault won 5 starts, had a 3.93 ERA in 71 IP and walked 29 while keeping opponents to a .270 average. He averaged just over 1 K per inning. In High School, Breault was also part of 2 Canadian National Championship teams. After signing, Breault spent some time in the instructional league for the Jays. It’ll be interesting to see where he begins the 2011 season.

RHP Jamie Vermilyea – Signed, and later Re-Signed – 6’4″ 190 lbs, 29 years old

  • Vermilyea is from Mexico, was drafted in the 9th rd of the 2003 draft y the Jays, and has developed into a  ground-ball out pitcher. He did get a cup of coffee with the Jays in 2007 (6 IP, o BB, 2 Ks, and a 0.00 ERA), but spent 2009 in Italy and 2010 in Hawaii. He’s a wild card for a 2011 appearance should the Jays need him.

September 2010

1B Brian Dopirak – Granted Free Agency – 6’4″ 225 lbs, 27 years old

  • Was later picked up by the Houston Astros, recreating the 2010 depth chart of the 2010 Jays with Brett Wallace in the majors and Dopirak in AAA.

1B Mike Jacobs – Granted Free Agency – 6’3″ 215 lbs, 30 years old

2B Jacinto Cipriota – Signed – 5’11” 180 lbs, 20 years old

  • One of a rare bread of Argentinian baseball players, Cipriota was last with the TB Rays, was realeased by them in March of 2010, and played for their GCL club in 2008 and 2009. I translated this article about him, with a nice picture of him in a Jays uniform, from Spanish to English. He was apparently scouted hard by Costa Mamaro while playing in the Dominican Republic in July of 2010 and was supposed to play in the DSL for the Jays, but administrative issues delayed his eligibility  and he was left no choice but to wait until instructional league play in October of 2010 before making his Jays organizational debut.

October 2010

2B/3B Jarrett Hoffpauir – Claimed off Waivers by SD – 5’9″ 190 lbs, 27 years old

  • He was a great utility role type player who did manage to earn 34 ABs with the Jays in 2010, but did poorly during that short time (.206/.250/.235). He’s really what is called a AAAA player as he has nothing left to learn in AAA, but still hasn’t proven he can hack it in MLB. His AAA stats in LV were 26 doubles, 6 triples, and 16 HRs in 431 ABs, with a .295/.376/.494 line and 8 SBs. It’s also impressive that this small framed 2B drove in 73 RBIs for Vegas. He should do well for SD and may get a chance to be on their bench in 2011 with a strong spring.

2B Callix Crabbe – Re-Signed – 5’7″ 185 lbs, 27 years old

  • He got over 30 ABs in the majors with SD in 2008, but has since been in the minors. He spent most of 2010 in New Hampshire, playing 5 positions and getting 21 extra base hits in 285 ABs while earning a .225/.310/.330 line there. He also got a short stint in Las Vegas and may begin 2011 there if he has a strong spring.

OF Adam Loewen – Re-Signed – 6’5″ 235 lbs, 26 years old

  • Also played in New Hampshire in 2010 and did extremely well in the Arizona Fall League in 2010, leading the league in HRs. Loewen surprised many by hitting 47 extra base hits (31 DB/3 TR/13 HR) and stealing 17 bases in AA last season, while also keeping a decent .246/.351/.412 line. Could have a shot at making the AAA Las Vegas club in 2011, and his time to prove himself is 2011, particularly if he gets a shot in The Show.

OF Dan Perales – Re-Signed – 6’0″ 195 lbs, 25 years old

  • Drafted in the 22nd rd of the 2006 draft by the DBacks. Played from Dunedin all of the way through Las Vegas in 2010, and will likely remain in AAA in 2011. He managed 24 doubles, 4 triples, 16 HRs, 12 SB (getting caught only once), and holding a .260/.306/.451 line. Interestingly, he hits from the left side of the plate (something the current Jays lineup and bench has little of) and played mostly in CF in 2010. It’s possible that a strong spring could earn him a look on the Jays bench at some point in 2011.

LHP Sean Henn – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 6’3″ 235 lbs, 29 years old

  • The lefty remains part of a long list of call-up candidates in Las Vegas.

RHP Wes Etheridge – Signed – 6’1″ 185 lbs, 26 years old

  • Was drafted in the 12 rd of the 2007 draft by the Brewers and was a team mate of Vermilyea in Hawaii in 2010. He did well while throwing there, earning the following stats: 10-1 / 92 IP / 1.76 ERA / 18 BB / 86 Ks. Previously, in 2008, he had thrown in LoA for the Brew Crew, earning a 1.171 whip over 35 IP.

RHP Steve Raburn – Signed – 6’5″ 215 lbs, 25 years old

  • Raburn worked in the Independent league in 2010, getting 2 saves in 14 innings of work, allowing only 8 hits and 4 walks to go along with 13 Ks. His ERA stood at 1.29 and he had a 0.857 whip, although the sample size is tiny.

RHP Lance Broadway – Granted Free Agency – 6’3″ 195 lbs, 27 years old

  • He has yet to sign with another club as of today.

RHP Clint Everts – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 6’2″ 195 lbs

  • Was rated as high as #58 prospect in all of MLB by Baseball America in 2004. Spent all of 2010 in AA, threw 74 innings and ended up with an ugly 5.59 ERA with a 1.757 whip. He allowed 82 hits, 46 walks, and struck out 67 while also earning 2 saves.

RHP Dirk Hayhurst – Granted Free Agency

  • The fan favorite of the Jays fans, creator of the Garfoose, and author of The Bullpen Gospels, he has quickly found a new home after being let go by the Jays as he has signed with the TB Rays. If you don’t follow his tweets, well, you should! They’re always entertaining and his book is definitely worth reading.

RHP Steven Register – Granted Free Agency – 6’1″ 170 lbs, 27 years old

  • Threw 82 innings in Las Vegas in 2010, ending up with a 5.27 ERA and 1.500 whip.

RHP Merkin Valdez – Granted Free Agency – 6’3″ 170 lbs, 29 years old

  • One of the more intriguing minor league signings of 2010 turned out to be a big bust. He ended up with a 7.91 ERA and 2.034 whip on the season in Las Vegas over 58 innings of work.

LHP Willie Collazo – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 5’8″ 18- lbs

  • Threw shortly for LV in 2010, and does hold some promise as a possible call-up if the Jays need a lefty specialist at some point in 2011. He may be a better option at this point than fellow LHR Rommie Lewis.

LHP Zach Jackson – Granted Free Agency – 6’5″ 220 lbs, 27 years old

  • I really thought the Jays may have a chance to turn things around for Jackson by placing him in the pen, but he never took to the role. His ERA remained high at 5.64 and his whip actually got worse, hitting a career high of 1.832 in 2010. If there’s no injury issue present with Jackson, there’s definitely a confidence issue.

C Raul Chavez – Granted Free Agency – 5’11” 175 lbs, 37 years old

  • Spent 2010 in Las Vegas, but Brian Jeroloman will likely to take over there.

C Jonathan Jaspe – Granted Free Agency – 5’9″ 105 lbs, 25 years old

  • In another system, Jaspe may have been able to stay on for 2011, but the Jays have way too many catchers demanding playing time in LoA/HiA/AA to keep Jaspe around. A combination of Matt Liuzza, Yan Gomes, A.J. Jimenez, and/or Travis d’Arnaud should be in HiA/AA for 2011, leaving no room for him there.

3B Shawn Bowman – Granted Free Agency – 25 years old

SS Manny Mayorson – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 5’9″ 195 lbs, 27 years old

  • The pesky infielder had a surprising amount of power in 2010, not the HR type as he only had 1, but he hit a double close to every 10 ABs with 15 in 165 ABs in AAA Las Vegas. He also managed a great .324/.368/.407 line between AA and AAA, while adding 19 steals (not caught once). He played all over the infield in 2010 (39 games at SS, 12 games at 3B, 30 games at 2B, 7 games at 1B), and so will be included amongst the many players vying for a utility bench role with the Jays in 2011.

SS Jesus Merchan – Granted Free Agency – 5’11” 180 lbs, 29 years old

  • The Jays let him walk despite his nice line of .315/.368/.443 in AAA Las Vegas last season. With Mayorson doing so well in AAA at a younger age, there really was little room or use for the two, and Merchan does lack power and speed, while Mayorson at least provides the latter.

OF Jason Lane – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 6’2″ 225 lbs, 34 years old

  • The aging Lane managed 334 ABs in 2010 and only clubbed 9 HRs. However, he held a decent line of .275/.362/.419, and also added 21 doubles in that short time. He hasn’t been in The Show since 2007 and is unlikely to get there with the Jays without a barrage of injuries.

OF Chris Lubanski – Granted Free Agency – 6’3″ 225 lbs, 25 years old

  • One of the more interesting additions of the 2010 season for Las Vegas, he did as well as I expected there but never did get a look in the majors for some reason. He had 47 extra base hits (24 DB, 6 TR, 17 HR), an impressive .293/.361/.528 line, and only made 2 errors all season long. He has since signed with the Florida Marlins and will likely get a look at some point in 2011. At only 25 years old, he has plenty of time to show he can be at least a good 4th outfielder.

OF Ricardo Nanita – Granted Free Agency, Later Re-Signed – 6’0″ 205 lbs, 29 years old

  • Played only 6 games in New Hampshire after being signed out of Mexico. While in Mexico, he managed 6 HRs and 16 doubles in 226 ABs, and had a .341/.401/.491 line. In his 6 games in New Hampshire, Nanita hit 3 doubles in 21 ABs, and had a .238/.227/.381 line.

OF Welinton Ramirez – Granted Free Agency – 6’0″ 205 lbs, 23 years old

  • Spent 2010 in Dunedin, stole 12 bases, hit 25 doubles, 9 HRs, and held a .237/.271/.373 line.

OF Aaron Mathews – Granted Free Agency – 5’10” 215 lbs, 28 years old

  • Played in 88 games for Las Vegas in 2010, ended up with a .330/.380/.523 line, 26 doubles, 11 HRs, and 3 SB.

RHP B.J. LaMura – Re-Signed – 6’1″ 200 lbs, 30 years old

  • Spent the majority of his time in New Hampshire in 2010, starter 15 games there and was a reliever for 15 others. On the season, he threw 105.1 innings, struck out 96, and maintained a decent 3.67 ERA and 1.196 whip.

C Joseph Bowen – Re-Signed – 6’1″ 190, 23 years old

  • Played in 21 games for SS Auburn in 2010 and ended up with a .176/.246/.294 line.

November 2010

LHP Mike Hinckley – Signed – 6’3″ 195 lbs, 28 years old

  • Something that may peak your interest in this signing? He was drafted by the Expos (when Anthopoulos worked there) in 2001, in the 3rd rd. He’s had 2 cup of coffees in the majors, both with the Nats, in 2008 and 2009 with mixed results (much better in ’08 than in ’09). He was also ranked as high as #29 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospect list in 2005, so he was definitely a top-rated prospect at some point. He threw in AA and AAA for the Orioles in 2010 and may start 2011 in Las Vegas for the Jays.

RHP Zach Anderson – Released – 6’0″ 195 lbs, 24 years old

  • The 29th rd pick of the 2009 draft was a long shot to make it far with the Jays from the start. He did manage a mediocre 3.27 ERA in 33 LoA innings, but his 1.576 whip pointed to his ineffectiveness at the level despite being old for the level.

RHP Chris Enourato – Released – 6’1″ 210 lbs, 23 years old

  • He pitched in the GCL in 2010 and had a 6.50 ERA and 1.667 whip over 18 innings of work.

OF Dewayne Wise – Elected for Free Agency – 6’1 180 lbs, 32 years old

C C.J. Ebarb – Released – 6’0″ 205 lbs, 27 years old

  • His last listed stats are from the 2009 season.

1B Manuel Rodriguez – Released – 6’2″ 225 lbs, 26 years old

  • His last listed stats are from the 2009 season.

RHP Trystan Magnuson – Traded to Oakland – 6’7″ 210 lbs, 25 years old

  • The Canadian giant RP takes his 2.58 ERA and 1.091 whip AA show to Oakland in 2011.

RHP Danny Farquhar – Traded to Oakland – 5’11” 180 lbs, 23 years old

  • He saved 17 games for New Hampshire in 2010 and will now try to earn to earn a spot in a very competitive A’s pen at some point in 2011 or 2012.

RHP Winston Abreu – Signed – 6’2″ 170 lbs, 33 years old

  • Getting 82 Ks in only 55 innings in AAA while maintaining a 2.28 ERA, 1.012 whip, and saving 23 games has to earn you a spot somewhere in MLB……doesn’t it? Am I missing something here? Look for the Jays to give him a shot at some point in 2011, particularly if they fall out of the standings and start trading some of their veteran relievers.

December 2010

2B Brett Lawrie – Acquired from the Brewers – 5’0″ 213 lbs, 21 years old

  • The current favorite to become either a well above-average offensive 2B, or the 3B of the future for the Jays. If he can make either one of those things happen in the near future, he’ll be well worth trading Shaun Marcum for. As a potential all star and Canadian, he very well may be the most marketable Toronto Blue Jays player of all time once all is said and done.

2B Jonathan Fernandez – Released – 6’0″ 175 lbs, 23 years old

  • Made it as far as Lansing, but never managed to hit at all.

2B Brad Emaus – Chosen in Rule 5 Draft by the Mets – 6’0″ 200 lbs, 24 years old

  • Pretty chocked that the Jays let him go for nothing. It’s really the only thing that Alex Anthopoulos has done that I’m entirely in disagreement with thus far. He had 50 extra base hits in 445 ABs, a .290/.397/.476 line and 13 SBs in 2010 while playing an excellent 2B (struggled at 3B). With the roster being what it is today, he could have fit in at 2B, with Aaron Hill moving to 3B and Jose Bautista headed back to RF. His bat would have played up big time at 2B. Look for him to earn the 2B role in New York in 2011.

RHP Brian Stokes – Signed – 6’1″ 210 lbs, 31 years old

  • With over 200 innings in the majors, Stokes does have a lot of experience, but the results have been mixed. If he can find his 2008 form (3.58 ERA, 1.290 whip), he’ll become a nice asset as depth for the Jays.

OF Corey Patterson – Signed – 5’10” 180 lbs, 31 years old

  • Can still be an asset as a bench OF and spot replacement. He gives teams good ABs, can still steal a good amount of bases, and was an excellent depth addition made by Alex Anthopoulos this off season.

RP – Jeremy Accardo – Opted for free agency – 6’2″ 190 lbs, 29 years old

  • Although he proved he could close in MLB with the Jays in 2007 (30 saves), Accardo really lost his touch once the Jays gave the ball to B.J. Ryan the following season. His stats have gotten progressively worse, and he has since signed on with the division rival Orioles.

January 2011

RHP Chad Cordero – Signed – 6’0″ 195 lbs, 28 years old

  • The Chief will try to continue his push to return to form and is one of the best depth additions made to the Jays pen this off season. If he can regain his old form, or close to it, he could very well become the Jays closer by the end of 2011. With 128 major league saves to his credit already, he’s more than up to the pressure of the role.

LHP Wil Ledezma – Claimed off waivers from Pirates – 6’4″ 225 lbs, 30 years old

  • Struggled with the Pirates in 2010 in the majors, but was lights out in AAA with a 0.94 ERA and 1.017 whip (8 saves).

C Tim Mahler – Signed – 6’3″ 190 lbs,

  • An Orlando native (son of MLB pitcher Rick Mahler) who was a non-drafted free agent and played for Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma in 2010. Write up on him available here.

OF Joey Hage – Signed – 6’0″ 180 lbs, 21 years old

  • I couldn’t find any 2010 stats or information about Hage for that season, but do know that he was last with the Cardinals in 2009 and his stats from that season are available here.

February 2011

RHP Mike MacDonald – Signed – 6’1″ 215 lbs, 29 years old

  • Write up on the addition available here.

1B Ryan Shealy – Signed – 6’5″ 240, 31 years old

  • Big fan of this addition for depth purposes and possibly for the bench. Write up on the addition available here.

3B Craig Stansberry – Signed – 6’0″ 185 lbs, 28 years old

  • Write up on the addition available here.

OF Leonard Davis – Signed – 5’10” 215 lbs, 27 years old

  • Write up on the addition available here.

LHP Michael Kelly – Released – 6’5″ 195 lbs, 24 years old

  • Write up on the addition available here.

LHP Chuck Huggins – Voluntarily Retired – 6’0″ 185 lbs, 24 years old

  • Write up on the addition available here.

2B Raul Barron – Reinstated from Inactive List – 5’10” 180 lbs, 24 years old

  • Spent most of 2010 on inactive list while playing only 33 games for Dunedin. He hit 2 HRs and 6 doubles in 122 ABs, held a .254/.306/.352 line, and stole 9 bases for the season.

– MG

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