Once again, the Jays won’t be heading to the arbitration table. They settled with their three remaining cases and signed Alex Rios, Reed Johnson and Scott Downs all to one year deals.
Reed Johnson, who had a breakout year in 2006 with a .319 batting average and 86 runs, signed for $3.075 million. It’ll be interesing to see what Johnson can do in 2007 when he gets a full season because earlier in the year, he was used mostly as a pinch runner.
Alex Rios also had a breakout season that was cut short because of a staph infection. Rios signed for $2.535 million and he belted 17 homeruns. He also has one of the best throwing arms in baseball. With Johnson in left, Rios in right and Vernon Wells in center, the Blue Jays sport one of the best young outfields in baseball.
The Jays also signed relief pitcher Scott Downs for $1.025 million. Downs is good but not great but he’s a lefty so that’s worth holding on to him. He did his job in 2006 and lefties hit only .232 against him.
