The Blue Jays have claimed infielder Breyvic Valera off waivers from the Padres, per an announcement from both teams. In addition to Valera, the Jays announced that they’ve added right-hander Bryan Baker, outfielder Josh Palacios and infielder/outfielder Patrick Kivlehan to their 60-man player pool.
Valera, 28, was carried on the Blue Jays’ roster for most of the offseason but was lost to the Padres on a waiver claim back in February. He spent time with both the Jays and Yankees in 2019, though he appeared in just 17 games and took just 52 plate appearances. Overall, Valera has appeared in the Majors with five teams but played in just 54 games, hitting .223/.294/.298 in 138 trips to the plate.
Lack of MLB track record aside, the switch-hitting Valera is the owner of a .302/.374/.442 slash in 1550 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. Coupled with his defensive versatility –he’s played second base, third base and all three outfield positions — it’s easy to see why so many clubs have been intrigued by his skill set and taken brief looks at him. He’s out of minor league options, though, so the Jays will have to either carry him on the roster to open the season or else once again place him on waivers.
Turning to the three players added to the 60-man pool today, it’s feasible that any of the bunch could emerge as an MLB option. Kivlehan, 30, has logged 132 games in the Majors and tallied 242 plate appearances — albeit with a lackluster .208/.302/.401 slash in that time. Palacios, 25 later this month, spent the 2019 season in Double-A and turned in a .266/.371/.416 slash in a very pitcher-friendly setting. The 25-year-old Baker split last season between the Jays’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, pitching to a 3.17 ERA with 11.8 K/9 in 54 innings. Baker, however, also averaged six walks per nine frames and piled up 10 wild pitches, illustrating that control is an issue for him.
Toronto originally announced a player pool with 58 names, so the addition of these four will put them over the limit. However, as Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi tweets, a team can exceed 60 players if exceptions need to be made due to positive COVID-19 tests. It’s likely, then, that the Jays either have had additional positives in the organization that will remove some players from the 60-man pool or that additional transactions are coming today. Notably, the MLB.com transactions page does list Brandon Drury, Elvis Luciano, Hector Perez and Jonathan Davis as players to have been recently placed on the 10-day injured list with no reason given, though it’s not clear there’s any correlation to today’s moves.
Valera is a good role player. Should provide some good depth.
He is an awful player and crossed eyed?
Lol the Pads just claimed Valera off waivers from Toronto in February.
Could be nothing but I don’t like how this looks for when it comes to signing Martin. Thought one of those spots were gonna be reserved for him.
Guess it depends how many players have tested positive for COVID.
and guys like Kivlehan and Valera are expendable anyways, so its not like they cant open a spot for him later.
So the 60 man is just like the 40 man where you can replace players? I thought it was kind of you filled it up and then that’s that.
Looks like the 60 man roster is just a bait and switch… they can do whatever they want with it. What’s the sense in even having the thing.
Not quite. You can still add players but if you remove them, they have to go to the IL or be exposed to waivers. And 274 other details.
MLB has an FAQ about it.
They can sign Martin and not put him on the 60 man. Therefore, these moves have no impact on their ability to sign Martin
It’d be nice if he could be part of the organizations workouts and under the coaches instruction instead of just having a year of development on his own.
I’ve had serious doubts about him signing from the moment they showed his reaction to being drafted. The kid was expecting to go 1-2 overall and no doubt had his sight set on the money associated with one of the top two picks, if not more which is something Boras is known for. Something else Boras has a history of, is having his clients re-enter the draft if the money isn’t good enough. J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Texiera(?) are a few off the top of my head but I’m sure there are more. I think it would be pretty easy for Martin to go 1st overall next year. I wonder, between now and the 2021 draft, how much amateur baseball will be played and how much scouting will be done? I’m sure there will be some but I doubt it will be at the normal level. I think that only helps Martin.
No love lost between Boras and Toronto either.
I think that’s all past when Jays signed Ryu a Boras client.
Good point goaileguy.
Ya I’m a little scared he wants second overall money and that’s something we won’t be able to provide.
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t there a rule that once you hired an agent as an NCAA athlete in baseball you are not allowed back to college baseball? I am not sure if he would be eligible for the 2021 draft if that happens to be the case. Please correct me if I misread something
Eligible for the 2021 draft, not eligible to return to NCAA. Martin would have to find an Indy league, if a league is operating and taking players.
Martin was a Junior this year and with the 5th year thing he would have been able to go back regardless
Teixeira was drafted in the first round by Texas and signed. He didn’t sign out of high school when Boston drafted him in the 9th round. Different situation. Martin will sign. No one will be giving top of the draft money next year to a senior, any senior. Also, Atkins has never failed to sign a high pick.
Martin is not gonna turn down $6-7M guaranteed dollars during a pandemic with no dev leagues playing to fight for an extra $1M or 2 by hopefully being a top 2 pick next year. Zero chance. This is Boras posturing for the most cash he can get. He’ll sign in August after dragging this out.
Saw Davis, Drury, Luciano and Perez were put on the 10-day DL. Assuming this puts them back under?
Jonathan Davis, not Diaz Steve
Yikes — thank you.
i mean, at least you got the team and first name right. that’s gotta be worth something.
Jonathan Diaz did at least play with the Blue Jays in 2015, so it’s an understandable mistake.
Perez, Luciano, and Drury all dealt with injuries last year, so that may have to do with their placements.
What injury did Drury deal with last season? his last trip to the IL (as far as i can find) was in 2018, he played in 120 games last season in a part time role and had 477 PA’s. Please clarify the injury for me, thanks.
perhaps i was thinking of 2018, my mistake
Drury had that blurred vision in 2018.
However, based upon how terrible he was at the plate in 2019, he may not have got rid of it.
Breyvic Valera gets my vote for Best Game of Thrones name.
“Breyvic has slain the Pin Stripe Walkers with his Club of Ash! He hath lofted their fearsome ball of death over the Wall, a gift to the bleacherlings. Fetch him some Meade and the seeds from the Flower of Sun!”
Perfect! I wish the app had upvotes because I’d give you one!
Jays and Rays will co-own the division for years to come.