10:48pm: The Blue Jays have declined the option on Olivo, according to a team press release. Toronto will be responsible for paying Olivo's $500K buyout and the catcher is now a Type B free agent.
9:15pm: The Rockies have traded catcher Miguel Olivo to the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, according to a press release from Toronto.
The Blue Jays have until midnight to decide whether to exercise Olivo's $2.5MM option for 2011. The veteran is a Type B free agent, meaning that he could potentially net the Blue Jays a compensatory draft pick if they decline the option, offer arbitration, and see him decline to sign elsewhere. Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press tweets that the Blue Jays could potentially wind up with eight picks inside of the top 50 selections in this year's draft. Toronto may get two picks for Scott Downs, two for Jason Frasor, and one each for John Buck, Kevin Gregg, and Olivo in addition to their own.
It would seem that the Blue Jays now have a glut of catchers as Olivo will join fellow backstops J.P. Arencibia and Jose Molina in Toronto. On the surface it doesn't seem as though there is a spot left for Buck, whom GM Alex Anthopoulos told could still have a place in Toronto.
Just short of the deadline, Colorado informed Olivo that they would not pick up his option for 2011, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck reported yesterday that the Rockies were likely to wait until the eleventh hour to make a decision on Olivo to give themselves time to make a trade. Even if they had decided to exercise the catcher's option, he reportedly wouldn't have returned to Colorado as they planned to trade him either way.
The move clears the way for Chris Iannetta behind the plate though Renck writes that the Rockies will bring in competition. By trading Olivo, the Rockies avoid having to pay the veteran a $500K buyout.
Whoa. Didn’t see this one coming. #theregoestheJPera
They’re just gearing up for Rasmus.
I’m not going to say I agree with that, but thats a really, really good point. Especially with the catching depth in the system…
The reason I said I dont know if I agree with that, is because I don’t think Rasmus is going anywhere, but What about Matt Kemp or B.J. Upton to the Jays for some package centered around J.P.?
Maybe J.P., Drew Permisson, Joel Carreno, and Drew Hutchinson for Upton or Kemp?
I was actually being sarcastic, but when you really think about it, it actually could make some sense.
Either way, good move by AA.
It’s either…
1. A draft pick, and we all know how that turned out for the Jays in the recent draft…Pretty darn awesome…
2. Or a J.P. Arencibia trade while his value is as high as it is.
I’d stay away from Upton, but Kemp utalizes his tools a little better. Only issue is 170 strikeouts *cough*.
I hate to change the subject to Kemp, but all of these Dodgers players, in my opinion, are rated too high by management and given crazy comparisons and expectations which is why some of them struggle. And I am really talking about Kemp, Loney, and Martin…Imagine the pressureless situation in Toronto + Kemp? That would be awesome for he and the Jays…Much like Yunel not hearing “you don’t try hard enough or whatever and look what he did? Brandon Morrow and his expectations? Goes to Toronto and pitches great. You know?
The player comes in and is given the opportunity to play their game without much scrutiny.
If Escobar did that behind-the-back flip force out in a Braves uniform, Cox would have had a stroke out of anger!
I actually haven’t heard any comparisons to Kemp, but he should be a .850 25 SB player with adequate OF defense. Dodgers would be selling low on him too, which helps.
All of the talk from Colleti kind of ruined Kemp’s season. I’m just being honest. He came out of the gates hitting until mid-april when he made several bad plays and heard it from Colleti and then on ESPN, MLBN, and everywhere else. What does that do to a player?
Toronto is pressureless and fun. I could see him thriving there.
Not gonna happen. Kemp has a solid relationship with Mattingly from what I understand, and there’s no way the Dodgers sell that low on him. Arencibia is a solid prospect, but that swap does nothing to improve an offense that isn’t very good to begin with.
Not gonna happen. Kemp has a solid relationship with Mattingly from what I understand, and there’s no way the Dodgers sell that low on him. Arencibia is a solid prospect, but that swap does nothing to improve an offense that isn’t very good to begin with.
toronto wont be so pressureless as the jays continue to improve. the city is so starved for a decent sports team that they will likely jump all over any of their teams who look like they have a ghost of a chance of making the playoffs. and their media can be nasty.
look what happened with Alex Rios. As soon as He LEFT Toronto, he got good
No he didn’t. He was still crap with CWS for the rest of season and then had a good year after a fresh start to the season.
Actually, Rios was still offensively garbage in 2010. His May OPS was 1.106, when in the other months his OPS’s were .796, .760, .735, .712, .645. He’s still useless and overpaid as of right now.
Not really. His 2010 season was pretty similar to his 2008 season. The Blue Jays gave him that contract expecting him to be as good or better then he was in 06 and 07.
look what happened with Alex Rios. As soon as He LEFT Toronto, he got good
toronto wont be so pressureless as the jays continue to improve. the city is so starved for a decent sports team that they will likely jump all over any of their teams who look like they have a ghost of a chance of making the playoffs. and their media can be nasty.
All of the talk from Colleti kind of ruined Kemp’s season. I’m just being honest. He came out of the gates hitting until mid-april when he made several bad plays and heard it from Colleti and then on ESPN, MLBN, and everywhere else. What does that do to a player?
Toronto is pressureless and fun. I could see him thriving there.
more likely kemp or rasmus i highly doubt they trade one of their top prospects who has huge potential in their own division/ i doubt the rays would trade upton in the division on the off chance that he decides he is going to play like he wants to again
Not sure man each player has a different “if” about him. We’ll see but I expect the Jays to just get a draft pick and send Emaus or cash or something like that over to the Rox in 1 hour and 34 minutes.
upton is a free agent after next season, he will play hard this year so he can get a fat contract
It would not surprise me to see Kemp moved this winter, especially involving any team that misses out on Crawford
Amen to that. Keep an eye on Chris Young as well.
Amen to that. Keep an eye on Chris Young as well.
I’m confused. Can’t the Jays still decline Olivo’s option and get the Type B compensation?? Did Anthopoulos just figure out a way to trade for a draft pick? Or is JP Arencibia on the move?
That’s what I was thinking as well.
According to Jordan Bastian: “Jays have until midnight to pick up or decline Olivo’s option. He’s a Type B, so declining would make him worth an extra draft pick.”
So you’re right. Either, or.
Thanks dude. It’s kind of like in the NHL where a soon-to-be free agent is traded for a draft pick.
Yeah that would be wacky. I doubt it would happen though, seems like it would strain the relationship with Colorado as a future trading partner, unless AA and the Colorado GM(blanking on a name) already decided on essentially a money for pick type deal. Still, that’s just spitballing.
How would that strain the relationship? Colorado certainly knows that the Jays have several catching candidates and they are/were well aware that Olivo could net a pick.
First trade surprise of the offseason? Nice
Why would they do this move unless he is geared to be the back up for arencibia/ in case he is not fully ready yet….or could they really be making a move for rasmus or another player?
they were thrown in on olivo rumors a lot last year too.. hmmm, if only we had access to AA’s thought process lol… its gonna be an eventful off season
The Jays can still decline the option and get a draft pick. (He’s a Type B)
Shrewd move by AA.
If this works out, he just traded cash or a middling player (PTBNL) for a prospect and I do not doubt the Jays scouting department
The more info comes out, the more of a fleecing this looks like. The Blue Jays just essentially bought a supplemental pick in an incredibly strong draft class for what likely amounts to peanuts.
Anyone else surprised by the fact that the blue jays and Rockies were the first trade partners of the mlb off season…
Not really jwsox, A.A has mentioned he’s wants to work the trade route.
So Rockies are giving away a good chance at a sandwich round pick to save $500k?
It was looking unlikely they were going to offer arbitration.
The only way Olivo nets a draft pick is if he declines the arbitration offer from Colorado. The Rockies must have been convinced that Olivo would have accepted it. In which case they would have to buy out his option for 500k and let him go. This way, they got $X from the Jays and Toronto takes the risk of him accepting.
Good the the Rockies. They save 500K and get something back for a player who was not going to be playing here next year anyway.
Wouldn’t have declining his option + offering arbitration and gaining a draft pick been better though?
I wonder if that’s what AA has in mind here with this deal….
it was unlikely they would offer arbitration.
Not if the Rockies felt there was a chance he could accept arb. and it depends on the PTBNL.
Lol… good move I suppose depending on PTBNL.
Man AA keeps catching us off guard.
considering the buy out cost, I’m guessing there isn’t much going the other direction. I’ll bet a box of donuts AA just bought a draft pick
if its PTBNL or cash, the player will be just some middling prospect whos been stuck in the minors and hasnt put up pretty numbers
thats usually how those players stack up when their names are finally announced
if its PTBNL or cash, the player will be just some middling prospect whos been stuck in the minors and hasnt put up pretty numbers
thats usually how those players stack up when their names are finally announced
Dude’s got to have dirt on the rest of the MLB, first the Gonzalez trade, now this?
I’m expecting to see the Sox trade Jose Iglesias and cash for Vernon Wells in the next week at this pace.
Don’t forget the Morrow trade, that was a steal as well.
Best thing about this trade? We’ll know AA’s intentions within an hour and a half.
Speak for yourself, Spanny needs his beauty sleep.
Love the first-person talk. 🙂
vtadave needs sleep too.
Good night Dave. Get to bed.
Just Keeping it real.
Good night Dave. Get to bed.
Just Keeping it real.
Love the first-person talk. 🙂
vtadave needs sleep too.
One thing I wonder, though – would Olivo reject arbitration? Do you think he could find a deal better than 1-year/$2.5M through free agency? I mean, he had a decent year, but I don’t think teams will be running to his door with contracts.
I think a starting job will play a factor here.
Good point
You had a better point. Thanks Diz
Good point
Not the end of the world if he accepts though. I don’t think that AA thinks every one of his free agents to be will decline arbitration but he’s hedging his bets by stock piling them.
and keep in mind that if Olivo AND Buck accept arb, the Jays would have 4 catchers on their roster.
I don’t think that a catcher coming off a career year (and all star) will simply accept a one year deal…
Literally no chances Buck accepts arb considering he had a great year and could get more money and a multi-year deal on the open market. He is also a Type B instead of A and makes him one attractive option.
and possibly guarantee himself a starting job somewhere.
and keep in mind that if Olivo AND Buck accept arb, the Jays would have 4 catchers on their roster.
Tracy Ringolsby is reporting that the Marlins have interest in Olivo, but were waiting for the Rockies to decline his option/release him. Could AA eat part of the cost of the option and flip Olivo to the Marlins? Just a thought.
Along with Zach Stewart for Leo Nunez?
I was thinking the Jays might be able to grab Andrew Miller away from them, who is out of options with the Marlins. But I’m not sure if he’d cost more than Olivo and some cash. Nunez would be very interesting, and I don’t think it would take adding Stewart to grab him.
A la Ronny Paulino remember? Yeah Miller would be a good idea.
A la Ronny Paulino remember? Yeah Miller would be a good idea.
Well whatever the case…Something big might happen within the hour. Be prepared!
I would not give up a potential #2 starter for a closer.
Such an overrated position.
Why would the Jays traded a superior arm in Stewart for Nunez?
Zach Stewart isn’t a superior arm and Nunez is much better than everyone makes him.
Why would the Jays traded a superior arm in Stewart for Nunez?
This is confusing, you have to think another catcher trade will follow.
This is confusing, you have to think another catcher trade will follow.
They could want Olivo to mentor Jp then trade Olivo like the Giants did with Molina. JP would probably start the season as1b/backup catcher.
Jose Molina is already there.
maybe molina will be used to fill the hole at third
Jose Molina is already there.
They could want Olivo to mentor Jp then trade Olivo like the Giants did with Molina. JP would probably start the season as1b/backup catcher.
I think this is a backup plan in case JPA somehow regresses a bit next year with a full season in the bigs. They possibly get draft picks from Buck, and get another catcher who has some pop in his bat to replace Buck to keep the catching tandem solid.
As a Rockies fan the timing of this confuses me.
It is my understanding that O’Dowd has interest in trading for Mike Napoli and/or pursuing Victor Martinez via free agency. My question is, what happens if you don’t land either of those guys? Now you’re heading into the season with Chris Iannetta as your #1 catcher and pretty much nobody wirth mentioning in back of him.
On Toronto’s end, if they decline the option and then offer arbitration in an effort to get the compensatory pick, what if he accepts arbitration? At the very worst he would get something similar to the $2.5 million he made last year, and would likely get a smallish raise to around $3 million.
This deal really doesn’t make any sense to me.
I don’t see much risk from the Jays end though – they should be able to trade/give-away Olivo (or Molina if they’d prefer) at that salary.
I suppose that’s why it didn’t make any sense for me from the Rockies’ end of things. At $2.5 million, based on what Olivo offers at and behind the plate, you’d think they would have kept him by picking up the option and THEN traded him if they acquired Martinez or Napoli.
I guess we’ll know the Jays’ intentions shortly, eh?
Yeah, it’s true… should be an interesting next 15 minutes or so. It really doesn’t make sense from the Rockies perspective to me. Perhaps there’s a decent prospect going back to them, but I can’t imagine, if it’s cash they’re getting, that it would be that much, as anything over $1M needs to be approved by the Commissioners office, which we haven’t heard has taken place. I can’t imagine the Rockies would give up a draft pick though just to save $500K on the buyout, or something like that. Very interesting stuff.
Yeah, it’s true… should be an interesting next 15 minutes or so. It really doesn’t make sense from the Rockies perspective to me. Perhaps there’s a decent prospect going back to them, but I can’t imagine, if it’s cash they’re getting, that it would be that much, as anything over $1M needs to be approved by the Commissioners office, which we haven’t heard has taken place. I can’t imagine the Rockies would give up a draft pick though just to save $500K on the buyout, or something like that. Very interesting stuff.
I don’t see much risk from the Jays end though – they should be able to trade/give-away Olivo (or Molina if they’d prefer) at that salary.
As a Rockies fan the timing of this confuses me.
It is my understanding that O’Dowd has interest in trading for Mike Napoli and/or pursuing Victor Martinez via free agency. My question is, what happens if you don’t land either of those guys? Now you’re heading into the season with Chris Iannetta as your #1 catcher and pretty much nobody wirth mentioning in back of him.
On Toronto’s end, if they decline the option and then offer arbitration in an effort to get the compensatory pick, what if he accepts arbitration? At the very worst he would get something similar to the $2.5 million he made last year, and would likely get a smallish raise to around $3 million.
This deal really doesn’t make any sense to me.
rather have him then russel martin
You guys smell that?
Smells like they’re setting up for all that interest in Mike Napoli.
You guys smell that?
Smells like they’re setting up for all that interest in Mike Napoli.
Anthopolous is the most exciting GM in baseball. Dude is already making crazy moves; esp. if he just sent cash to COL only to decline Olivo’s option and take the pick. Or maybe JP Arencibia is on the move.
“jays just declined the option on Olivo making him a free agent. That puts Buck back in the running for a possible deal” – sportsnetberry
Still hasn’t shown any results yet. He’s going to need to do a lot more than collect a whole bunch of picks, which could easily bust, to succeed in the AL East.
Still hasn’t shown any results yet. He’s going to need to do a lot more than collect a whole bunch of picks, which could easily bust, to succeed in the AL East.
And make ridiculously one-sided trades like League for Morrow or Gonzalez for Escobar? Can’t expect results in AL East in 8 months. Like I said, most exciting GM; didn’t say most successful yet.
i still can’t get over the morrow trade.
“And make ridiculously one-sided trades like League for Morrow…”
Yeah, um…not as one-sided as you think, reallly.
First of all, it was Morrow for Brandon League and a prospect named Johermyn Chavez, who has some value as well.
Secondly, don’t think that Morrow’s good 2010 season makes him a future stud in the Jays rotation for the next 3-6 years. There are significant red flags attached to him still, and he could easily bottom out in the next 2-3 years just as easily as he could rise to the top of the rotation.
Just keep that in mind. 😉
morrow already logged more quality innings for the jays than league will ever log for the mariners…. and league can easily bottom out… I dont get your point
My point? I thought it was obvious, but my point is this:
Does the trade analysis end after 1 year of data? Of course not. What if the M’s trade Brandon League this offseason for a prospect who, in the future, puts up 4 consecutive seasons of 3 WAR or better in the majors for them? What if Johermyn Chavez puts up several good seasons in the majors of between 1-2 WAR, which is certainly possible. What if Brandon Morrow gets injured and has to have Tommy John surgery next June and never again puts up a season above 1 WAR?
All of these things could happen, but you’ve apparently decided that the pros and cons of the trade are over and done with for the purposes of judging winners and losers.
What if my beard were made of green spinach? If you’re holding out for TJ surgery to justify this as a good trade, that says it all. The value of a trade isn’t about what they might do unless they actually do it. Until League become the league’s best closer, the trade is judge on their value at the time of the trade, and Morrow’s value was clearly perceived by the league as higher than League’s. Therefore it was a bad trade based on the fact that they could have gotten more.
Yes, your inclusion of literally any and all possibilities is intriguing, but you’re sort of stretching a bit there. While it’s true that the merits of this trade won’t truly be fleshed out for a few years, the previous commenter is alluding to the fact that buying low on a player of Morrow’s potential outweighs the cost of a reliever of League’s making and an unknown minor league outfielder that repeated class A.
Anything can happen, but c’mon, let’s keep the argument in context here.
Anthopolous is the most exciting GM in baseball. Dude is already making crazy moves; esp. if he just sent cash to COL only to decline Olivo’s option and take the pick. Or maybe JP Arencibia is on the move.
Jordan Bastian confirms on Twitter that the Jays have declined Olivo’s option. They just bought themselves a draft pick. Unbelievable.
If Colorado is able to bring Olivo back for less than $2 million (the difference between the option and the buyout) then they might have just traded a compensatory pick for a cash savings, too. Hadn’t considered that angle.
Jordan Bastian confirms on Twitter that the Jays have declined Olivo’s option. They just bought themselves a draft pick. Unbelievable.
I’m rather excited for the jays off season I gotta say. The Farm system is piling up so fast. We’d be lookin pretty damn good right now if we would of got chapman also which we almost did.
I think we just saw our first nearly blatant draft pick trade. Great move for Toronto.
Why doesn’t this happen more often, if at all?
That’s a good question. Possibly one of those unwritten rules between GMs? I don’t quite understand Colorado’s reasoning behind this, unless they were afraid Olivo might accept arbitration and cost a lot of money, money they want to use on De La Rosa or someone like him.
I think we just saw our first nearly blatant draft pick trade. Great move for Toronto.
…Ok? I guess the Rockies didn’t want that draft pick. This was a confusing move. Dan O’Dowd could have just declined the option and net the draft pick. Does he not want it? I SO CONFUSED!!!!:(
On the other hand, I don’t really trust Ianetta with the job. They signed him to en extension, it’s just gonna create uncomfortable situation if they decide to go after another catcher, which they should. I think If they do, Ianetta will definetly get frustrated and ask for a trade. I don’t see why the Rockies can’t just go after V-Mart or Nap, and then trade Ianetta. Willin Rosario is pretty much looking like the Rox catcher of the future anyway.
The thing to keep in mind is that if the Rockies offered him arb, and he accepted, they were stuck with him because they couldn’t really make a case that he wasn’t good enough to at least be a back-up catcher in their organization.
The Blue Jays, however, can make that claim. If he accepts arb, they simply cut him at spring training (claiming that between Molina and Arencibia he wasn’t as good) and they only have to pay him a 1/6 of the contract.
Basically, its less of a risk for Toronto to offer him arb rather than Colorado.
…Ok? I guess the Rockies didn’t want that draft pick. This was a confusing move. Dan O’Dowd could have just declined the option and net the draft pick. Does he not want it? I SO CONFUSED!!!!:(
On the other hand, I don’t really trust Ianetta with the job. They signed him to en extension, it’s just gonna create uncomfortable situation if they decide to go after another catcher, which they should. I think If they do, Ianetta will definetly get frustrated and ask for a trade. I don’t see why the Rockies can’t just go after V-Mart or Nap, and then trade Ianetta. Willin Rosario is pretty much looking like the Rox catcher of the future anyway.
What would keep the Rox from re-signing Olivo?
Chris Iannetta
Technically, nothing is stopping them.
Wait, I thought Olivo has to reject arbitration for the Jays to get a pick…
Yep. That’s the fly in the ointment. If Olivo accepts arbitration, the Jays end up with no draft pick and an extra catcher.
Then they could trade him no?
Yes, they could trade him. But based on a $3 million salary (I think that’s a reasonable guesstimate) I wonder what they could get for him?
That is the lone plus to all of this I can see for the Rockies: They freed up some money to pursue Martinez or to take on Mike Napoli’s arbitration eligibility. Napoli made $3.6 million in 2010 and is coming off 20, 20, and 26 HR seasons the last three years. He’s going over $5 million for sure.
No, i don’t think you can trade a player if he accepts arbitration.
You can, only thing you can’t do is release him, Braves trading Soriano last year is an example of this.
What bigpup said is true. A player who accepts free agent salary arbitration is considered a signed player, and can then be traded(but I believe the player has to give their permission, since it’s still considered a free agent signing and “sign and trades” are forbidden under most circumstances in MLB, with a few exceptions.)
He does. That’s a potential sticking point in all of this to me from the Jays’ end of things: What if he accepts? He’s likely to get $3 million through arbitration.
I think that the Jays can tell Olivo that he’ll be taking a very, very minor role on the team and he will be almost forced to reject arb.
or just get the mounties to stop him at the boarder
That would be even better
This is like the Felipe Lopez deal…except without the PTBNL or cash. I think Olivo is more likely to accept arb that Lopez though.
Oh and for the record, there is no chance a team gives up a first round pick to sign Frasor. No chance. I actually think relievers shouldn’t apply to Type A status, its really unfair for them unless they are elite closers.
Type-A just shouldn’t apply to relievers period. It makes it more difficult for the pitcher to get a job, might diminish their salary, and it’s difficult for the teams to weigh their options.
i’ve been preaching that for years. . Type A status to relievers is the worst
Think of it this way, John Buck is almost guarenteed to get a 2-3 year deal, no? Olivo is only 2 years older than Buck.
Buck: -3.0 DRS, .802 OPS, 2.9 WAR
Olivo: 11 DRS, .765 OPS, 3.2 WAR
Olivo shouldn’t have a problem getting a 2 year deal worth more than what arbitration would provide. He’d be pretty wee-todd-idd to accept it.
What AA pulled off should be against the rules in the future. (I am a Yankees fan and my second favorite team is the Rockies so this pisses me off, but whatever). I just think that the player being traded for should have had some playing time in a Blue Jays uniform before the Blue Jays can get picks. Rightfully, it should be Colorado’s pick, but they traded his rights away or whatever… this is stupid, I hate AA and hope he fails.
AHAHAHAHAH typical yankees fan…. I bet if the yankees did this, it would be proof they are the best organization in the world, hang on to the top as hard as you can blue jays are a coming boiiiiiiii
This has to be the greatest comment I’ve read in a long time. If this was actually Rzepczynski, it would be even more hilarious.
Spending over 200 million on a payroll is what shouldn’t be allowed. Until then teams like the jays will have to rely on outsmarting the competition to build a winner. What AA did was just as cheap as the yanks signing cc, teixiera and Burnett.
I’m failing to see the part where AA held a gun to anyone’s head and said “give me this draft pick before I kill you and your family.”
What happened is the Jays gambled on a lottery ticket, the Rockies sold their draft pick to save 500k plus a player or cash to be named later. Fair deal. Stop whining.
hahahah what a whiney troll
suck it yankees fan. go buy another championship or something.
Can you tell a player straight up “If you accept, you will NOT play, and mess up your chances for 2012, so take this 500k and go?” Like, what are the rules on player intimidation?
I imagine if they worded it like that they’d probably be straining the relationship with that agent and possibly hurting their reputation with others, but there I imagine they’re doing essentially just that. Buck and Olivo probably both know damn well that if they accept arb, it’s going to be as a backup to JP Arencibia.
I’m sure they can imply that, but if they come out and blatantly said that there’s no way the players union wouldn’t go to war over it. They’d file a grievance an make sure the team in question would pay.
I still think there’s a reasonable chance (better than 50/50) that Olivo accepts arbitration. He would be in line for about $3 million in 2011 if he does.
I suspect the Jays could trade him at that point, but I can’t see them receiving a prospect as good as what they could likely draft with that compensatory pick.
Definitely an educated roll of the dice. Bears watching how it plays out.
I think Olivo will want to control where he’s heading next year, seeing as he has a family and all, and thus will find a suitor for himself for around the same price (2.5-3 mill) in a weak free agent catcher market.
Everyone wins. The Rox save 500 K, Miguel gets to choose where he plays instead of being forced to play third fiddle in Toronto, and the Jays get their pick.
I think Olivo will want to control where he’s heading next year, seeing as he has a family and all, and thus will find a suitor for himself for around the same price (2.5-3 mill) in a weak free agent catcher market.
Everyone wins. The Rox save 500 K, Miguel gets to choose where he plays instead of being forced to play third fiddle in Toronto, and the Jays get their pick.
Not everyone wins here. Olivo has two choices now (assuming the Jays offer arby) and both of them suck.
1. He accepts and has to compete with J.P. Arencibia for a starting job.
2. He declines and has to find a job while fighting his type B status.
I feel like we should bring in some game theory into this or something.
Type B status really has no effect on him finding a job. It doesnt penalize the team signing him it just gives the team he leaves a sandwich pick.
Exactly. If all the other teams feel Olivo is bound to sign somewhere in the off-season, then the Blue Jays are guaranteed a sandwich pick, so that point is moot.
Olivo will be offered arb and will decline. The Jays already have Arencibia and their veteran mentor Molina. There are quite a few attractive places in need of a starting catcher like Chicago if they go away from Pierzynski, Texas if Molina does indeed retire, and Boston if Martinez elects to sign elsewhere.
Also there are quite a few places that he could go and be in the same situation that he was is this year. Brought in as a backup to a young catcher and he can be a starter if they falter. Teams like Florida, Milwaukee, San Diego, Cleveland, and the NY Mets just to name a few. He is good enough to be a starter but it all depends on what situation he feels fits him best.
Not to mention the Mariners, who consciously will try to avoid signing any Type A free agents because:
a. They already have a protected first round pick.
b. They probably want to protect their second round pick as well.
And in such a case, pursuing Type B free agents is all fine and good, because the signing team does not surrender any draft picks.
Oh, and to everyone in the responses above me: They’re not called “sandwhich” picks anymore. They’re called supplemental picks. Try to keep up, guys. :p
Rox didn’t want to offer him arbitration for risk of him accepting—trade him to the Jays for something, and let them take the risk.
Nice move for both sides.
Yeah had he been offered arb by COL he probably would have accepted because they really dont have an alternative beyond Iannetta who is pretty bleh. If the Jays offer it to him odds are he declines because there are no shortage of catching jobs that would pay him at least what he could get in arb and he would get more playing time. Texas comes to mind first expecially if Molina retires. Or he could even go back to Colorado (not sure if there is a rule preventing that like there is in the NBA)
WHAT?! Why would you give up a second round pick like that?? Better be getting a good player back…
Reminds me when Minaya traded Wagner for Chris Carter -_____-
There is no “second round pick”. It’s a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds of the draft.
And there’s not guarantee until we see the Jays offer arbitration and Olivo decline. And there’s a good chance that if the trade doesn’t happen, the Rockies offer him arbitration and he accepts.
Read before you post!
I agree. I think he accept with the Rockies because there is a better chance he gets a starter role while in Toronto, Arencibia is likely given the starter role and he has a back-up in Molina so Olivo playing time becomes very limited if he accepts the arbitration from the Jays.
It’s a strong draft and this is a solid move by AA. Imagine… 8 potential picks in the 1st round/supplemental.
F’ing brilliant move.
Get this guy John Daniels. He is the perfect C for this team.
Catchers that can actually swipe bags, play solid D, and throw out runners…. the antithesis of Bengie Molina… are the perfect Ron Washington player.
100% sure he will decline arbitration. there is a shortage of good catchers in the market. olivo can get a 2-3yr deal.
once again in AA we trust
after the winter meetings i think AA will make a deal hopefully for a leadoff batter and a veteran reliever.