Report: Blue Jays interested in Athletics catcher John Jaso
The Toronto Blue Jays already acquired a top starting catcher this offseason. Now, they're reportedly looking to secure a new backup.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports the Blue Jays are interested in Oakland Athletics catcher John Jaso, despite having three catchers already on the 40-man roster.
From the Chronicle:
According to two sources, the A’s are getting calls about their left-handed hitters, including Jaso, who was recently cleared for all activity after missing the end of the season with a concussion for the second year in a row. Toronto has some interest in Jaso as a potential backup for Russell Martin, and the A’s have inquired about Blue Jays left-hander Sean Nolin, sources said.
After inking Martin to a five-year, $82-million contract last week, the Blue Jays were rumored to be shopping backup Dioner Navarro.
Jaso's left-handed bat, however, hits righties better than the switch-hitting Navarro, and projects to make $3.3 million this winter in his third year of arbitration. The 31-year-old Jaso would also help mitigate the loss of Adam Lind, whose ability to hit right-handers has left Toronto with an area to address this offseason.
Navarro is under contract for next season at a cost of $5 million.
VS. RHP 2012-14 | PA | OPS | wOBA | wRC+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Jaso | 845 | .844 | .371 | 142 |
Dioner Navarro | 626 | .729 | .320 | 101 |
Nolin, 24, pitched to a 3.50 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings over 17 starts at Triple-A Buffalo in 2014. The left-hander made one appearance for the Blue Jays in relief last season.
The Blue Jays also roster 28-year-old Josh Thole, whose primary role is to serve as knuckeballer R.A. Dickey's personal catcher. Toronto exercised Thole's $1.75-million option earlier this month.