Blue Jays Lose A Pair To Waiver Wire

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Scott Cousins is taking his donut onto Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Alex Anthopoulos has been aggressive on the waiver wires during the early weeks of the offseason. That has lead to some tight decisions on current players holding down roster spots, and inevitably falling back onto the new additions as teams were forces to activate players from the 60-day disabled list.

Outfielder Scott Cousins, claimed on October 17th from the Florida Marlins, and David Herndon, claimed on October 24th from the Phillies, are two such players. Cousins and Herndon were both designated for assignment on Halloween in order to add Scott Maine, another waiver claim. The Blue Jays had hoped to sneak both through in order to create depth at Triple-A Buffalo.

Unfortunately, Toronto lost both in the waiver wire gamble.

Cousins was awarded on Tuesday to the Seattle Mariners, while the Yankees were granted the waiver claim to Herndon.

The Cousins claim was curious at best at the time, so losing him to Seattle was not a major detriment. Herndon on the other hand, was an intriguing selection and ultimately a tougher loss.

Herdon was not slated to return to game action until mid-season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the former Rule-5 selection was coming off of two solid seasons out of the Philadelphia bullpen before his elbow injury cost him the second half of 2012. The Blue Jays were hoping to wait out his recovery time and then use him as bullpen depth down the stretch. Now that luxury will fall to the Yankees.

Toronto will continue forward into the General Managers Meetings, which start Wednesday, with an open slot on the 40-man roster.