Jays sign Kevin Gregg

The Jays announced early Friday that 31-year-old reliever Kevin Gregg has passed his physical and has agreed to terms on a one-year contract for $2.75 million. In addition, there are club options for one more season ($4.5 million) or two years ($8.75 million). It seems like an unnecessary personnel move for a team that is already deep in iffy closers like Jason Frasor, Scott Downs and Jeremy Accardo.

Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA with 23 saves in 30 opportunities for the Cubs in 2009. He appeared in 72 games, losing the closing role in mid-season to Carlos Marmol. 

It's not the amount of money for Gregg that seems questionable, it's more the addition of another pitcher whose value in 2010 to the task of assembling an improved, fan-satisfying on-field product seems minimal when compared to others already on hand that could do basically the same job. 

Perhaps the club option years tagged onto the deal are the keys for GM Alex Anthopoulos. One bonus is that the addition of a veteran arm like Gregg for less money than Downs ($4M) and basically the same salary as Frasor ($2.65M) allows the 32-year-old GM to explore trade options for either of those bullpen guys to help the team build in other areas. In that way it makes sense, but in strict terms of adding wins to the balance sheet in 2010, it makes no difference.

However -- and here's where A.A. may be hedging his bets -- looking ahead to 2011 the Jays can gauge as this season unfolds whether they have any chance at all of contending in the AL East 2011. If they do, they can pick up the Gregg option for one year or two and then try to upgrade their closer, using Gregg in his proper setup role. Fact is he is not a true closer for a true contender.

In terms of the Jays' option years on the contract, it's the same situation as when the club signed catcher Bengie Molina back in 2006. They gave him a one-year deal plus a ridiculous option that they knew they were unlikely to pick up, but it's like throwing a bone to the agent and the player. The agent can point to the total number and show his client he's looking out for him, while the player can tell himself that he's a cut above all the other unsigned free agents still looking for a job in early February.  

The Jays' bullpen has room for seven men on opening day. Here is a list of 15 invited-to-camp relievers with major-league experience. Accardo, Shawn Camp, Jesse Carlson (L), Downs (L), Frasor, Gregg, Dirk Hayhurst (DL), Sean Henn (L), Casey Janssen, Josh Roenicke, Brian Tallet (L), Merkin Valdez, Lance Broadway, Willie Collazo and Steven Register. Downs is the only one there making more than $3 million. Oh check that. I forgot about B.J. Ryan's big gulp $10 million deal for one more year of doing nothing.

That will be a battle worth watching at training camp with remaining player options playing a huge role. If other major league teams find they are a little short of bodies out in the bullpen as the spring unfolds, they have Alex's number. Not all of these guys are Vegas bound if they don't open with the Jays. It also looks like Tallet will be given a shot at winning a starting job at the back-end of the rotation. 

   

Comments

[Dave]

The more resources they bring in the better. They have a number of arms that look valuable from affar. This option gives the Jays another option to deal from a strength.

If Gregg dissappoints then at least they haven't wasted B.J. Ryan type money. If Gregg impresses, the Jays could at the very least get a pick out of it.

Good move. Now if we could some how improve 3rd and the field.

[dubdub]

Why would you mention what Ryan makes? There is no salary cap in baseball and its a non-issue and also not your money. Seemed a little out of place based on the rest of the article. We know you never liked JP but seriously give it up.

[Nesan Thambi]

I don't think this is a bad move by AA. Downs and Frasor are entering to FA at the end of this season. They are not legitimate closers but Gregg has a closer stuff with 96M fast ball. Eventhough his stats were not that impressive, there is always a possibility that he can be effecive. And also AA can find suiters for Frasor and Downs. Probably AA may be able to get a good SS prospect from Cubs or ther teams by trading Frasor/Downs.

[ramanaa88]

and the fact that gregg was blowing saves in the NL, .........................dude is going to get eaten alive

[whydoibother]

i think Richard is right..this deal only makes sense if AA plans to move some arms in the bullpen to acquire some more young talent...i'll wait for the other shoe to drop

[BDizzle]

Richard, you are too old school to have figured it out, so I'll spell it out for you: DRAFT PICKS. Gregg was a type A free agent, meaning he would have netted the cubs an extra first round pick had they offered him arbitration, which they did not. So the Jays picked up a guy, who has a shot at picking up 30 saves for a non-contending team. If he accomplishes that with a half decent ERA, he will remain a type A, and then if the Jays decline his option years, but offer him arbitration, they would acquire a first rounder if another team signed him.

Similar situation for John Buck. Buck was brought in on a 1 year deal to put up Barajas (.240, 15-18 HR power) type numbers, which would likely make him a type B free agent next year, which could garner the Jays another pick as well.

Think of it as buying picks if you will...