Buffalo Boy's Blog

Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas will be the catchers for the Blue Jays this year barring injuries to either of the two. I was pleasantly surprised with the signing of Barajas as last year the Jays tried to sign him and negotiations fell through, this year, Rod showed no ill will toward the organization and after a season in Philly where he was under utilized, decided he would try the other organization that offered him a contract last year.

Zaun, is getting up there in age, he will be 36-37 years old this year and last year admittedly wasn't his best, with an injury that sidelined him for a month or so. Combined both have 10-20 home run power and put in the right situations should be able to combine for 60-80 RBI or more given a healthy season.

Barajas defensively gives the Blue Jays a bit more arm strength behind the plate something that they sorely lacked last year especially after Zaun came back off a hand injury that severely limited his throwing runners out.

Overall, the catching position is much improved with the addition of Barajas, it takes pressure off Zaun, adds depth at a position they have struggled to be deep at and allows them the luxury of having a veteran like Fasano in Syracuse ready for call up without tapping into the Thigpen/Diaz youngsters that are not quite ready yet.

This should be a strength for this team this year so keep an eye out for how they start and how Gibbons chooses to utilize them.