Jays Notes: Tinoco, Rivera, Carlson, McCoy

Belated congratulations to Jose Bautista for winning a Silver Slugger award again this year and to Mel Didier for being recognized recently as one of baseball’s top scouts. Here are some additional Jays nuggets from today:

• The Jays signed 16-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Jesus Tinoco this morning, according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. Badler goes on to mention that the 6’3″, 198-pound Tinoco possesses a heavy fastball that already touches 91 mph and, in addition to being projected to be a power pitcher, he has an advanced feel on his mid-to-high 70s curveball. Tinoco is the third international youngster the Jays have signed who has trained with Ciro Barrios.
• 2011 leftover Juan Rivera inked a one-year, $4 million contract with the Dodgers today that includes a 2013 club option for the same amount with a 500k buyout. Didn’t see that coming.
• Hazel Mae is officially returning to Sportsnet after stints with NESN and ESPN, bringing back a wealth of experience with her. It’s a great move by Rogers, and it will be interesting to see if she gets involved with anything Jays-related next season.
• Adam Loewen thought to be outrighted off the Jays 40-man roster, was actually released according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star and is now free to sign with any other Major League club. While he is certainly a great story, there was simply no room for him in the Jays’ organization. The fact the Jays removed him from their 40-man not only creates more flexibility and helps with the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, but gives Loewen a much better chance to potentially sign on with another club and make it to the big leagues faster.
• Along with Loewen, Jesse Carlson was outrighted as well, so he too is free to sign with another club, though I hope he returns to the Jays. Having met Carlson multiple times in the past, it’s truly unfortunate that he was bitten with injuries as he’s a great guy. If he doesn’t return to the Jays organization, at least we’ll have the memories of him striking out the side with the bases loaded in 2008 and his run-in with the Yankees in 2010.
• In somewhat old news, John McDonald inked a two-year, $3 million contract to stay with the Diamondbacks. McDonald was a treat to watch these past few years and nobody will ever forget his emotional Father’s Day home run, but I’m relieved that he won’t be returning to the Jays next season. I wasn’t exactly a fan of the two-year deal that he just completed, let alone having him return on another one, and I think it’s healthy that fans will finally be able to move on. There’s no denying that Johnny Mac is a class act, though, and he recently showed that by calling Alex Anthopoulos prior to signing his contract with Arizona.
• Speaking of utility infielders, Mike McCoy was on the Fan 590 today with Eric Smith to discuss various topics, including starting pitching.

-JM

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