Wells believes Blue Jays could make exception to five-year rule

Vernon Wells, who once signed a seven-year contract in Toronto, believes the Blue Jays could make an exception to their current policy of giving out nothing longer than a five-year deal. Maybe Joey Votto, a Canadian, could be the exception.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Blue Jays say they won't give out another contract of more than five years.

Vernon Wells isn't convinced.

Wells, of course, signed one of the last truly long-term contracts that the Blue Jays handed out, a seven-year, $126 million deal signed in December 2006. Since then, Paul Beeston returned as club president and decreed that there would be no deals of six years or more.

"I think there could be an exception to the rule," Wells said Tuesday morning in the Angels clubhouse. "They have the resources to do what they want, but they're very calculated."

So could that exception be a first baseman, maybe a Canadian first baseman who can become a free agent in a couple years?

Yes, Joey Votto. As CBSSports.com Jon Heyman wrote this week, Votto is strongly suggesting that it will take more than a five-year deal for him to sign.

Wells, who was traded from the Blue Jays to the Angels before last season, just smiled.

"There are exceptions to the rule," he said.

We'll see.