Timmy Was Here All The Time

Second baseman Roberto Alomar, who played five seasons in the prime of his career with the Jays (1991-95), finished an agonizing eight votes shy of Hall of Fame induction. Had he been elected, Alomar would have been the first player elected to Cooperstown to enter as a Blue Jay, which was his wish.

“I feel disappointed, but next year hopefully I make it in,” Alomar said. “At least I was close.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Paul Beeston, meanwhile, the Jays’ president, was baffled by the vote.

“I was surprised and disappointed,” Beeston said. “I guess you would have to say it’s a fair vote, but it’s incomprehensible (that he didn’t make it).”

In his five seasons in a Jays uniform, all of them as an All-Star, Alomar led the club to World Series titles in 1992 and ’93 while hitting a collective .307 with 55 home runs, 342 RBI and 206 stolen bases.

“I don’t know if second base can be played any better,” Beeston said. “He only spent five years here, but they were five of the greatest years anybody would want to see someone play.”

For Alomar, as it has been with the Jays the last decade, it’s wait until next year.

NOTES, QUOTES

—According to media reports, the Jays, along with the Los Angeles Angels, are leading the chase to land free agent Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, a left-handed power pitcher, worked out for the Jays at their Dunedin, Fla., spring training site. Chapman, who is represented by Randy and Alan Hendricks, reportedly turned down a $13 million offer from the Florida Marlins. Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is trying to negotiate the deal while on his Hawaiian honeymoon.

• 3B Edwin Encarnacion(notes) suffered burns to his face in a fireworks accident while apparently celebrating the New Year in his native Dominican Republic. According to his fiancee, Jennifer Pena, Encarnacion’s injuries do not require surgery. Encarnacion, who was acquired in a trade with Cincinnati last year, hit .240 with eight homers and 23 RBI in 42 games with the Jays.

• SS Brian Bocock(notes), 24, was claimed on waivers from the San Francisco Giants. A ninth-round draft pick by the Giants in 2006, Bocock split the 2009 season between Class A San Jose and Class AA Connecticut, combining for a .230 average with three home runs, 26 doubles and 51 RBI.

• RHP Brian Wolfe(notes), who became a free agent after he refused a minor league assignment by the Jays in December, has signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters. Wolfe, who had an up-and-down career with the Jays, was 2-2 with an 8.22 ERA in 14 appearances last season.

• LHP Brian Tallet(notes), even though he earned plenty of praise from manager Cito Gaston after moving into a starting role on an emergency basis last season, appears to be headed for the bullpen in 2010. Because of the high number of injuries to the rotation in 2009, Tallet spent most of the season in a starting role after being bumped from long relief. As a starter, Tallet was 7-8 with a 5.41 ERA over 25 starts. Because of the addition of RHP Brandon Morrow(notes), the return to health of RHP Shaun Marcum(notes), and the number of young pitchers who had major league experience in 2009, Tallet will move back to his long relief role. “The fact that he’s able to do both roles brings value to us,” GM Alex Anthopoulos said of Tallet.

By The Numbers:   0—The number of players who represent the Blue Jays in the Hall of Fame.

Quote To Note:   “I was surprised and disappointed.”—The reaction of Jays president Paul Beeston to the news that 2B Roberto Alomar fell eight votes shy of induction into the Hall of Fame.

ROSTER REPORT

The Blue Jays began the offseason with plenty of change. Paul Beeston removed “interim” from his title to become team president and CEO. General manager J.P. Ricciardi was replaced by his former assistant, Alex Anthopoulos, 32. Anthopoulos subsequently dealt RHP Roy Halladay(notes) for prospects, likely kicking off a rebuilding year.

Biggest Needs:   The Jays have a big hole at the No. 1 spot in the rotation after dealing Halladay.

Arrivals:   RHP Brandon Morrow (trade with Mariners), OF Joey Gathright(notes) (minor league free agent from Red Sox), LHP Sean Henn(notes) (claimed off waivers from Orioles), INF Jarrett Hoffpauir(notes) (claimed off waivers from Cardinals), INF Mike McCoy(notes) (claimed off waivers from Rockies), SS Alex Gonzalez (free agent from Red Sox), C John Buck(notes) (free agent from Royals), 3B/1B Brett Wallace(notes) (trade with Phillies/A’s).

Departures:   RHP Brandon League(notes) (traded to Mariners), SS Marco Scutaro(notes) (free agent, signed with Red Sox), INF Joe Inglett(notes) (waiver claim by Rangers), RHP Roy Halladay (traded to Phillies).

Free Agents:   C Rod Barajas(notes), DH/INF Kevin Millar(notes).

The Jays probably will not pursue Barajas because they think that J.P. Arencibia may be ready to be promoted next season following the All-Star break. They might be willing to go with backup Raul Chavez(notes) and a cheaper alternative than Barajas. They have zero interest in Millar.

Arbitration-eligible:   RHP Jeremy Accardo(notes), RHP Shawn Camp(notes), RHP Jason Frasor(notes), RHP Casey Janssen(notes), RHP Shaun Marcum, LHP Brian Tallet.