The Blue Jays desperately need to shore up their pitching staff. They were unsuccessful in their attempt to re-sign free agent LHP Ted Lilly. They filled a big hole at DH by signing veteran Frank Thomas to a two-year deal.
ARRIVALS: DH Frank Thomas (free agent from A's), SS Royce Clayton (free agent from Reds), OF Matt Stairs (free agent from Tigers), INF Jason Smith (Rule 5 acquisition from Cubs), RHP Geremi Gonzalez (minor league free agent from Brewers).
DEPARTURES: OF Frank Catalanotto (free agent, signed with Rangers), RHP Justin Speier (free agent, signed with Angels), C Bengie Molina (free agent, signed with Giants), LHP Ted Lilly (free agent, signed with Cubs).
BIGGEST NEEDS: One or two more middle-of-the rotation starters who can take some of the load off youngsters such as LHP Gustavo Chacin and RHP Shaun Marcum.
FREE AGENTS: All of the Jays' free agents have been spoken for. The team re-signed C Gregg Zaun to a two-year, $7.2 million deal. Speier signed with the Angels, Lilly signed with the Cubs, Catalanotto signed with the Rangers and Molina went to the Giants.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: 1B Lyle Overbay, OF Reed Johnson, OF Alex Rios, LHP Scott Downs, RHP Jason Frasor.
IN LIMBO: No one at this time.
PROSPECT WATCH: The Jays saw enough of OF Adam Lind this September that they know he can help them offensively next year if they have a spot for him. Lind hit .357 with a slugging percentage of .554 in the month. The problem is finding a position for him. Lind hit .319 at Double-A New Hampshire this season with a team high 19 homers and 71 RBIs.
Also expected to make a push for a bigger role next year is former first-round pick (33rd in 2000) Dustin McGowan. The right-hander headed to the Arizona Fall League and with a very good spring training could push his way into the rotation next season depending on what J.P. Ricciardi is able to bring into the system.
The third prospect to watch is C Curtis Thigpen, a second-round pick in 2004. Thigpen made progress this season while catching for the bulk of the year at Triple-A Syracuse.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Reed Johnson has a suspected stress fracture in his lower right leg but should be OK by spring training.
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