Blue Jays: Players who could be dropped before Opening Day

After the signing of Yusei Kikuchi becoming official and the reported Major League deal for Andrew Vasquez from Sportnet’s Shi Davidi, the Toronto Blue Jays now have a full 40-man roster. Including Kikuchi and Vasquez, the current breakdown is:

• 24 Pitchers
• 4 Catchers
• 7 Infielders
• 5 Outfielders

Prior to the lockout, the Blue Jays added four prospects to the 40-man in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft: INF Leo Jimenez, RHP Bowden Francis, RHP Hagen Danner, and LHP Zach Logue. This made sense at the time but now that the draft has been cancelled after the layoff this offseason, these additions are now taking up space and each player who does not make the Opening Day roster must use a Minor-League option (with each player most likely beginning the year in the Minors).

With a full roster, the Blue Jays can add players on MLB deals but someone from the current roster must be Designated for Assignment, therefore being exposed to waivers before either being released or optioned to the minors. The most recent example for the Jays is Shaun Anderson, who was picked up via waivers from the San Diego Padres in late November but was DFA’d prior to the lockout, passing through waivers and being sent outright to Buffalo.

With the Blue Jays looking to improve before Opening Day, any Major League transactions will require a player from the current roster to be designated for assignment from the current 40-man roster.

If the Blue Jays wish to add any more players via free agency or trade (without losing anyone from the current 40-man roster), someone from the current roster will have to be DFA’d to make room. Let’s take a look at some players who could be removed from the 40-man roster before Opening Day rolls around on April 8th.