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Blue Jays: Top 10 International Free Agents

ByDavid Corcoran|
SEATTLE - AUGUST 13: Carlos Delgado #35 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Seattle Mariners during the game on August 13, 2003 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 13-6. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - AUGUST 13: Carlos Delgado #35 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Seattle Mariners during the game on August 13, 2003 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 13-6. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Tony Fernandez throws out Detroit Tigers Juan Encarnacion during the third inning in Detroit on 24 May 1999. AFP Photo/Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

2. Tony Fernandez
The late Tony Fernandez was an absolute magician for the Blue Jays over the span of two decades and 12 seasons in Toronto.  Fernandez was signed as a 17-year old in 1979 and excelled through the minors batting near the .300 mark over five seasons in the minor leagues.

Fernandez had a 17-year big league career that saw him have four different stints with the Blue Jays.  He won the Gold Glove Award four consecutive years in the late 1980s, as well being named to five All Star Games (four with Toronto).

Fernandez is currently third all-time in Offensive WAR and first in Defensive WAR in the Toronto history.  He is the all-time hits and triples leader and sits fifth in career batting average (.297). His name and #1 sits on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence at Rogers Centre.  Had he played his career with the New York Yankees, I strongly believe he would have received a stronger consideration for the Hall of Fame.

OAKLAND – JULY 20: Carlos Delgado #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during the MLB game against the Oakland A’s at the Network Associates Coliseum on July 20, 2004. The A’s defeated the Blue Jays in 14 innings, 1-0. (Photo by Don Smith/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
OAKLAND – JULY 20: Carlos Delgado #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during the MLB game against the Oakland A’s at the Network Associates Coliseum on July 20, 2004. The A’s defeated the Blue Jays in 14 innings, 1-0. (Photo by Don Smith/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

1. Carlos Delgado
The Blue Jays signed Carlos Delgado at the age of 16 from Puerto Rico in 1988.  It took some time for the Blue Jays to figure out where to play him, as he originally came up as a catcher, turned into outfielder, and finally settled at First Base.  Delgado is the All-Time Blue Jays home run leader with 336 and also has more home runs than any other Puerto Rican born player.  The fact Delgado is not in the Hall of Fame or received more consideration is one thing that is wrong in the major leagues.

Delgado is just one of six players in MLB history to have 10 consecutive seasons of 30+ home runs.  For a career, Delgado averaged 38 home runs, 120 RBI and a .280 average over a 162 game season.  His career season was 2003, when he hit 42 home runs and led the league in RBI with 145 and OPS with 1.019, yet finished second in MVP voting.

Delgado won three Silver Sluggers and played in just two All-Star Games over his career despite 473 home runs and 1,058 RBI.

Honorable Mentions: Adeiny Hechavarria and Henderson Alvarez

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