Tuesday Bantering: Blue Jays Notes

We’ve hit the fun time of the off-season where there is almost nothing for news.

The Jays pitchers and catchers report on the 11th, so at least we’ll start hearing about who is in the best shape of their lives soon. Actually, we don’t hear that much anymore as we’ve all made fun of it enough that no one says it anymore.

The Jays announced that a statue honouring the 1992 and 1993 World Series winners, and Joe Carter in particular, will be installed in front of Rogers Centre. The Ted Rogers statue is moving to another location within the Rogers’ corporate world. Hopefully, they will add a plaque honouring his decision to overcharge us all on cell phones. As long as we don’t have to see it anymore, I’ll be happy.

And there was mention that the team will start honouring past players and events more than they have in the past.

Keegan Matheson has a list of Blue Jays who have the most at stake during spring training. His list:

• The potential extra outfielders: Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw and Joey Loperfido. Considering there isn’t room on the roster for all four, he’s right that they will have to show well. I’d guess that they will lean heavily on their defensive abilities to make the final choices, but hitting well in spring training games won’t hurt their chances.

• RJ Schreck: Considering the four listed above, Schreck will want to show well to be a possible call during the season. If he does well he could move ahead of Lukes and Loperfido on the depth charts.

• Leo Jiménez: He is out of options and would likely be quickly grabbed if he were on waivers. He could make a good utility infielder, but we are fairly deep in options for that job.

• Spencer Miles: He and Angel Bastardo are Rule 5 guys and would have to be kept on the active roster if the team wants to keep them. There is no chance they would keep both. But one could get a spot at the back of the bullpen.

• Brandon Valenzuela: Keegan figures he is number three on the catcher depth chart, and would be in position to make the team when a catcher goes on the IL. Catchers tend to get hurt, so showing well would make him the first call if someone is needed.

There is some non-Jays baseball news:

• The Mariners traded for Brendan Donovan, part of a three-team trade. Donovan was an All-Star last year, and hit .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs in 118 games. He can play all over the field, but will likely play third for the M’s.

• The Mariners send Ben Williamson to the Rays. And prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete, plus a competitive balance draft pick to the Cardinals.

• The Rays send prospect Colton Ledbetter and a competitive balance pick to the Cardinals.

• The Angels signed Jeimer Candelario

And the Rays want $1.15 billion from taxpayers to build a new baseball park. I hate that sports teams can get billions from governments, so they can make billions off of us. And, of course, we are building a hockey rink in Calgary for the owners of the Flames, who could build the arena with money they find in their couches. But, build a water system that works? Nah, can’t have that.