MLBBlue Jays should continue bargain hunting

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Despite clamouring from their increasingly impatient fan base, the Toronto Blue Jays won't be fielding a team that includes Yu Darvish, Jonathan Papelbon or Prince Fielder in 2012.

And though he's inked veteran relief pitchers Darren Oliver, Francisco Cordero and infielder Omar Vizquel to short-team deals in recent weeks, general manager Alex Anthopoulos, for the most part, has stuck to his plan of stockpiling and nurturing young talent over signing quick-fix, big-name free agents.

With full seasons from third baseman Brett Lawrie, centre-fielder Colby Rasmus and second baseman Kelly Johnson, as well as the additions of Oliver, Cordero and Sergio Santos to the bullpen, the Jays should be marginally better in 2012.

But even with less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin, Fla., for spring training, the Jays could still add players that may propel them closer to wild card contention. Although admittedly with the Los Angeles Angels landing Albert Pujols and the Detroit Tigers agreeing to a deal with Prince Fielder, the Jays' post-season chances appear to be slimmer.

With the season fast approaching, Anthopoulos should continue his bargain hunting and there are still free agents available that would settle for short-term, cut-rate contracts that could enhance the Jays' rotation and their bench.

If Anthopoulos signed one or two of the following free agents (ranked in order of most beneficial to least beneficial to the Jays), he would enhance his team's post-season chances in 2012:

Roy Oswalt

Reports indicate this longtime Houston Astros ace is willing to accept a one-year, $8-million US deal. With the Red Sox reportedly in hot pursuit of Oswalt, the Jays should act quickly to ink the two-time, 20-game winner whose velocity returned late last season after his return from a back injury.

A three-time all-star who has made 13 post-season starts, Oswalt owns a 3.21 career earned-run average and has pitched at least 180 innings in seven of his last eight seasons. The 34-year-old right-hander, who averages more than three times as many strikeouts as walks, could be the  veteran, top-of-the-rotation presence that the Jays need.

And Oswalt's reported $8-million price tag is far more appealing than the five-year, $60-million deal that the less reliable Edwin Jackson is reportedly coveting.

Carlos Guillen

A versatile player coming off three injury plagued campaigns, Guillen is likely available for a one-year, low base salary, incentive-laden deal. The switch-hitting Venezuelan boasts a career .355 on-base percentage (OBP), has hit over .300 three times and can play first base, second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield.

While he's not particularly strong defensively, Guillen would give the Jays a solid bat off the bench - something they sorely lacked in 2011 - and could spell many of the regulars. And who would you rather have pinch-hitting in the late innings Guillen or Vizquel?

Rich Harden

For two years now, I've been telling anyone that will listen that this hard-throwing Canadian could be the next Kerry Wood or John Smoltz. The fragile right-hander is coming off two more injury ravaged seasons as a starter, but he still struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings in 2011.

Word is the Victoria native still wants to be a starter. Perhaps the best course of action would be to sign him to a one-year, low base salary, incentive-laden deal with the goal of eking out a combined 35 starts from Harden and Dustin McGowan, another oft-injured right-hander.

At some point in the season, the Jays would also have the opportunity to try him as a reliever.

Eric Chavez

After playing only 64 games from 2008 to 2010 due to back and shoulder woes, Chavez was primarily a bench player for the Yankees last season who saw action at both third base and first base. A six-time Gold Glover who averaged more than 25 home runs a season from 2000 to 2006, the 34-year-old Chavez, on a one-year, $1 to $2 million deal, could represent a dangerous bat off the bench and serve as a late-inning defensive  replacement for first baseman Adam Lind or Lawrie.

Vladimir Guerrero

Yes, the Jays already have Edwin Encarnacion as their designated hitter and Guerrero is clearly in the twilight of his career, but Vlad the Impaler is still a more dangerous hitter than Encarnacion, especially at the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. Signing this former Expo to a one-year deal for $2 to $3 million wouldn't necessarily mean less playing time for Encarnacion.

Against left-handed pitchers, Encarnacion could play first base or even left field, while Guerrero could serve as the DH. And if Lind continues to struggle offensively, Encarnacion could see regular duty at first base.

It's also important to keep in mind that Guerrero has hit .359, clubbed 12 homers and owns a 1.011 OPS (on-base plugging slugging percentage) in 58 games at the Rogers Centre. And when he's not starting, Guerrero, even with deteriorating skills, would represent a feared bat off the bench.

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