Blue Jays Roster Getting Closer: Drabek, Barnes Off the 40-Man

Jay Blue
Kyle Drabek
Kyle Drabek

Following a rain-shortened victory by the Blue Jays over the Tigers at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Friday afternoon, the Jays’ front office appeared to be in full swing, getting their ducks in a row to start the season.

 

 

The first piece of news to come from the Blue Jays’ beat writers was that Kyle Drabek was seen packing his bags and shaking his teammates’ hands before leaving the clubhouse. Jon Morosi reported that he was lost on a waiver claim to the Chicago White Sox. Drabek, of course, was one of the three players who the Blue Jays got in the trade that sent Roy Halladay to the Phillies. Drabek struggled mightily in the major leagues (after a Pitcher of the Year performance in Double-A for New Hampshire) and had to go through a second Tommy John Surgery and rehab in 2012/13.

 

 

The Blue Jays also announced that lefty Scott Barnes had cleared waivers and was sent to Buffalo outright.    

 

A third piece of news was that Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro were asked to head into John Gibbons‘s office together, presumably to learn that they were going to make the team and would be added to the 40-man roster.

 


While there are other possible scenarios, this is clearly the most likely and, along with Marcus Stroman about to be moved to the 60-day DL, there will now be room for Castro, Osuna and, likely, Devon Travis on the 40-man roster.

 

How does this make the roster look? Probably like this:

 

Starting Rotation

 

Drew Hutchison
R.A. Dickey
Mark Buehrle
Aaron Sanchez
Daniel Norris

 

Bullpen

 

Brett Cecil
Aaron Loup
Todd Redmond
Miguel Castro
Roberto Osuna
Marco Estrada

One of: Colt Hynes, Liam Hendriks, Jeff Francis

Note: Francis would need to be added to 40-man roster, Hendriks is out of options and would need to clear waivers to be demoted.

 

Catcher

 

Russell Martin
Dioner Navarro
Josh Thole

 

Infield

 

Edwin Encarnacion
Devon Travis
Ryan Goins
Jose Reyes
Justin Smoak
Josh Donaldson
Danny Valencia

 

Outfield

 

Jose Bautista
Dalton Pompey
Kevin Pillar

 

Note: If Navarro is traded or Thole is sent down, it might clear the way for another outfielder (likely Caleb Gindl) until Michael Saunders‘ return.

 

Still, if this is the final configuration, where is Steve Tolleson going to start the season? I can’t see the Jays putting him through waivers without being selected so someone like Thole or Goins will probably head to the minors.

 

DL

 

Michael Saunders
Maicer Izturis
Marcus Stroman (60-day)

 

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