Roster Move Roundup: Hoey, Coello, Carpenter, Jeroloman, Rasmus

Despite tonight’s non-tender deadline, today was a busy day in terms of transactions news and other notes, so here’s a rundown of everything that was released this afternoon:

• The Blue Jays claimed 6-foot-6 reliever Jim Hoey off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, as released on the Jays’ official site. Before returning to the Majors this year, Hoey hadn’t pitched at the big league level since 2007. In 24.2 innings for the Twins this past season, the right-hander compiled a 5.47 ERA/5.58 FIP with almost as many walks (13) as strikeouts (14).
• Traded to the Twins as part of the deal that sent shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Baltimore Orioles, Hoey appears to be the first one out the door if Alex Anthopoulos is able to find another reliever before the spring. Just with tonight’s non-tender deadline alone, that appears likely.

From Anthopoulos in Gregor Chisholm’s article on BlueJays.com: “He’s a guy that some of our scouts like and thought we should take a chance on,” Anthopoulos said. “[He’s] a guy with arm strength that has a developing split and a solid slider, and we’ll see if we can get the most out of him. But really, it was a low-risk move and we’ve been pretty aggressive this winter claiming guys on waivers to try to continue and build that depth.”

• To make room for Hoey on the 40-man roster, Drew Carpenter was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. Carpenter, 26, was claimed off waivers by the Jays in the middle of November from the San Diego Padres.
• Catcher Brian Jeroloman was also outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers from when he was designated for assignment last week.
• After acquiring outfielder Ben Francisco from the Philadelphia Phillies for Double-A left-handed reliever Frank Gailey, the Jays designated Jesse Chavez for assignment. With all of these moves, the Jays’ 40-man roster remains full.
•  One forgotten element of the trade that brought Colby Rasmus to Toronto was that the Jays were on the hook for three players to be named later or cash considerations. Thanks to Blue Jays beat reporter Gregor Chisholm once again, this time on his blog North of the Border, the Jays have finished the trade by sending cash to St. Louis:

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed to MLB.com on Monday night that cash considerations were sent to St. Louis to complete the trade. There will not be any players to be named later going to the Cardinals as part of the transaction.

• In an overlooked bit of news, the Jays signed right-handed reliever Robert Coello to a minor league contract on December 9. Coello last pitched in the Majors for the Red Sox in 2010, and spent the entire 2011 campaign in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system. The former 2004 20th round pick managed a 4.19 ERA in 116 innings split between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, appearing in 34 games while making 15 starts.
• Also last week, MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Red Sox signed former Jays left-handed reliever and personal favorite of mine, Jesse Carlson, last week to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. Carlson last pitched for the Jays in 2010, Derek Stykalo over at BoSox Injection feels that signing him is a good gamble for Boston.

-JM

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