Music: {allcanada} Jays offer arbitration to five of six free agents

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

{allcanada} Jays offer arbitration to five of six free agents

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays offered arbitration to five of their six free agents ahead of Tuesday's midnight deadline, ensuring that they will receive compensatory draft picks should they sign elsewhere.

As Type A free agents set-up men Scott Downs and Jason Frasor will fetch the Blue Jays two choices apiece upon joining another club, while closer Kevin Gregg and catchers John Buck and Miguel Olivo will each bring back one pick under Type B status.

Buck's US$18-million, three-year deal with Florida has already put one of those potential selections in the hands of general manager Alex Anthopoulos and his army of scouts, with the possibility of six more to come if none of the players re-signs.

First baseman Lyle Overbay was not eligible for compensation and was the only Blue Jays free agent to be declined arbitration.

Teams had until midnight Tuesday to offer their free agents arbitration and had to do so in order to be eligible for the compensatory picks. Players have until Nov. 30 to accept.

The fate of Downs, Frasor, Gregg and Olivo is of vital importance to the Blue Jays, since if they all leave, the club would end up with eight picks, including their own, in the top 50 or so of the 2011 draft.

Such a bounty could provide a massive talent infusion into an already deep farm system and provide Anthopoulos with all kinds of flexibility in his dealings.

At the same time such an exodus would also drain the bullpen of its three most reliable arms from 2010 and leave the Blue Jays with only veteran backup Jose Molina and untested prospect J.P. Arencibia behind the plate.

How the Olivo talks play out will be keenly watched as the Blue Jays acquired him from the Colorado Rockies on Nov. 4 ahead of a deadline for exercising player options. Anthopoulos turned down his US$2.5 million option, opting instead for a $500,000 buyout, and should Olivo walk, the Blue Jays will have, in essence, bought a draft pick.

Anthopoulos also turned down options of $4.5-million for one year or for two years for a total of US$8.75-million on Gregg.

Being offered arbitration has hurt some Type A free agents in recent seasons, as suitors have been reluctant to part with their draft picks to sign a player. That in turn can drive down their price, although early indications suggest this off-season may be a more fruitful one for free agents.