Griffin: Jays offer arbitration to four of their own free agents

The Blue Jays, taking advantage of MLB's final opportunity for a draft-choice bonanza under the old compensation system for Type A and B free agents, saw GM Alex Anthopoulos, at midnight Wednesday, offer arbitration to four of their own ranked free agents, righthanded relief pitchers Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch; second baseman Kelly Johnson and catcher Jose Molina. The only Jays' 2011 free-agent not to be offered arbitration was veteran righthander Shawn Camp. Johnson had been ranked as a Type A, while the others, including Camp, were Type B under the old Elias system, that is being scrapped. 

The clear winner moving forward among the Jays' group of five free agents, after the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed, is Johnson. The 29-year-old veteran had done enough statistically to finish the season with Type A status using a strong Jays performance in the stretch-drive, after being acquired from the Diamondbacks in August.

Any team that had signed Johnson as a free agent, under the old rules, would have been forced to surrender its first or second round pick in the June '12 amateur draft. It would have surely acted as a deterrent for interested teams hesitant to negotiate for a player that does not really rank as one of the elite at his position. Under the new CBA rules, Johnson is more likely to receive a multi-year offer, given no draft choice penalty. 

Johnson earned $5.85 million in 2011. If he now proceeds to sign with another team the Jays would still receive two supplemental picks, but they will fall between the first and second rounds. The signing team, meanwhile, will retain all of its own choices.

Was Johnson worried? On the season's final weekend in Chicago with the Jays facing the White Sox, he had expressed concern at his potential Type A status, jokingly suggesting that "maybe I should go hitless this weekend." Under the new CBA, it's problem solved. There is now little chance he will accept Jays' one-year arbitration, which does not preclude the Jays being interested in inking Johnson to a multi-year deal themselves. 

Francisco earned $4.0 million in 2011. Jon Rauch, who finished the season on the disabled list, earned $3.75 million and when the Jays declined his option, he made another $250,000. Molina earned $1.0 million in his second season as the Jays' backup catcher.

But the most interesting situation surrounds Camp. The 36-year-old righthander earned $2.25 million in 2012 and would stand to receive an increase in arbitration. However coming off a down season, the groundball specialist is a solid, contributing professional still with some real value for the Jays. They may yet be interested in signing the veteran who would fit nicely into a rebuilt Toronto bullpen, but not at that salary. The Jays could likely begin any negotiations with Camp following the Rule 5 Draft on December 8.

If the Jays were to lose all four free agents offered arbitration this winter, combined with the compensation for last year's unsigned No. 1 pick Tyler Beede and with their own first and second round picks, they stand to be able to collect eight prospects in June 2012.

The Jays' current roster, after claiming catcher Brian Jeroloman off of waivers back from the Pirates who had claimed him from them earlier, currently stands at 39.  

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gerard Riendeau]

Our good Alex will have another occasion to explain to us that was the Jays have done is nothing short of miraculous, that it is part of the process , long term strategy and so on an so on... He and Beeston remind me of Gord Stellick and Harold Ballard.Could anybody tell me who was not a game changer at the beginning of last season and how many of those are left. Toronto has become Alex's dream: the farm club for all MLB.Remember, he wqnts to establish a good rapport with his peers? He has done that: but he is a major league sucker. Oh, well!!Toronto is patient. But remember, everyone in Ontario has now visited Rogers Centre once...

[Scot P]

I think that under the transition rules for this draft, for Kelly Johnson, we get a sandwich pick plus a first round pick immediately ahead of the team that signs him. If the team that signs him has a protected pick, we get a sandwich pick plus a pick ahead of that team's second round selection.

They will need to draft these transition rules carefully, to avoid us arguing that we can resign Johnson and then get a pick immediately ahead of ourselves in the first round...

[Paul]

I don't believe your facts are correct. You say "the Jays would still receive two supplemental picks, but they will fall between the first and second rounds."

All other reports that I have seen state that the team that loses these players after offering arbitration will obtain first round picks in the slot before the signing team plus a supplementary draft pick for a total of two selections. Will you please confirm because I am now second guessing which is correct.

I am also wondering which picks are protected. I have read something about only the top 10 picks going forward are protected but it used to be the top 15. If only the top 10 picks then is it possible for the Jays to obtain the 12th overall pick if Oakland signs Johnson (Oak finsished 11th last from the bottom in 2011) - thanks.

[Steven]

Thanks for your insight , however, what would be interesting is applying last year draft and show with the new slotting dollar increased values ( 50%) as stated by Jim callis.

The Jays should comfortably continue drafting well and probably not sign a combination of their number 1 and sandwich pick , which they can roll forward to next year. Allowing AA's wave theory of the minor league draftees to continue

Appreciate your insights about this philosophy.

Steven