Adding arms
Some minor moves this week so far: Blue Jays agreed to terms on a Minor League deal with Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi and today claimed lefty Brian Burres off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Nothing too extravagant, but Toronto keeps adding more arms to the mix for rotation and bullpen jobs. Both Takahashi and Burres have experience as a starter and as a reliever. Today, catcher Curtis Thigpen was designated for assignment to clear room on the roster for Burres.
Here's a scouting report of Takahashi from NBPTracker.com:
"Takahashi has a fairly straightforward delivery with a high kick. ... Takahashi throws a fastball, slider, sinker and curve, but I have also have a photo that clearly shows him throwing a circle change. Based on his walk numbers over the years I'd say his control isn't phenomenal, but he is capable of keeping the ball down.
Here's a clip from youtube:
Takahashi is an important signing indirectly because the way I see it a 40 year old vereran paves the way for other Japanese players to consider Toronto. On the plus side we should have the best 4-A squad in Baseball.
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It looks like Kevin Millar will be a Blue Jay,
Where does that leave Overbay.
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I would like to ask all of you how many wins do you think the Jays will win this year. I say 72 with luck.
9 more days to go I can't wait to see how many of the hasbeens make it,I think maybe only one,but I dont know who.
GSUMNER What do you think.
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Garry, I believe Millar will be signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training . I hope youand your wife are doing well and you had a nice holiday.
I am a bad canuck in that I am not fond of hockey nor do I follow much football . I love baseball, all baseball and I will still go to as many games as I can for the sheer enjoyment of watching the Jays play , along with all the teams they play against . Now I wonder where my invitation to spring training is afterall I did volunteer for lockeroom duty . Hope everyone is healthy and happy ...take care
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Garry
It's hard to tell. Looking at how this was handled in the past, quite a few of them might be up here and young guys sent down or not given a chance. Remember, Reed Johnson last year and the trade of Diaz for Bautista? Now JP trys to justify his trade for Bautista by re-signing him for $2.4 million. JP does a lot to justify his dump decisions, so time will tell.
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