Never thought we’d see Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos able to trade the untradeable Vernon Wells contract.
I have to be honest with you, faithful readers; I sure didn't see this one coming. After finishing up the dishes, I flipped on the computer and this news jumped off the screen:
REPORT: BLUE JAYS DEAL WELLS FOR NAPOLI
Never did I ever think that Alex Anthopoulos was going to find any team to take the bloated remaining years on Vernon Wells' contract -- $23 million this season, and $21 million a season 2012-14. It didn't matter how much massaging of the roster he attempted, trading what already is for what might be, that Wells contract -- bestowed upon him by J.P. Ricciardi after his monster 2006 season (.303, 32 HR, 106 RBI, .899 OPS). Originally, the deal was back-loaded, the thinking being that money would be needed to bring in other pieces of the puzzle from 2006-10, the years when Ricciardi believed the Jays would contend. So much for the best laid plans.
Newest Toronto Blue Jay Mike Napoli joins Andrew Krystal Monday morning at 8:20 a.m. on Sportsnet Radio The FAN 590
Wells had quite a run with the Blue Jays organization. Drafted fifth overall in the 1997 June draft -- the same first round as J.D. Drew, Troy Glaus and Jayson Werth -- he fast-tracked through the system, making it to the majors at just 20; although he yo-yoed between Syracuse and Toronto before arriving for good in 2002, driving in exactly 100 runs in his first full MLB season.
But it was in the 2003 season that everyone saw what all the fuss was about. Wells led the majors with 215 hits that season, tied for the AL lead with 49 doubles to go with 33 HRs and 117 RBIs. Unfortunately, two other Blue Jays somehow overshadowed Wells' great season: Carlos Delgado blasted 42 HRs and drove in an MLB-best 145 RBIs while Roy Halladay had his breakout campaign, going 22-7 to win his first Cy Young award.
But Wells was never one to crave the spotlight; in fact he was happiest being just one of the guys. It was something that really started to grate on Blue Jays fans; it appeared that Wells seemed to lack the fire that most expected of him. And as the injuries started to mount over the years, with his effectiveness suffering, the fans grumbled.
Whether it was a pop-up with runners in scoring position, or flailing at the curve low and away, the fans never completely bought into Vernon Wells. Even after it was revealed that he played through injuries to his shoulder or wrist, or was slowed by calf and hamstring problems, the ticket buyers still let him have it. And that's too bad.
Few players, if any, came through the Blue Jays organization and gave more back to the community than Wells. Whether it was in Toronto, or his hometown of Arlington, Texas, his foundation was involved in building houses for those less fortunate, or giving kids a chance to better themselves through baseball. For that he should be commended. The fact that he was the recipient of the 2010 Branch Rickey Award, recognizing professionals in Major League Baseball for exceptional community service, is all that you need to know about Vernon Wells, the man.
We live on the now, though, and it was unfortunate for Wells that all that anybody wanted to walk about was "The Contract." And it was the $86 million still left to be earned that had to be moved if the Jays were to sign Major League Home Run Champion Jose Bautista to a multi-year deal. Subtracting $23 million while adding the combined salaries of Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera, two veteran players and not prospects, pegged at around $11 million, gives the Jays an extra $12 mil to throw Bautista's way.
And until we hear differently, it appears the Jays won't be sending a load of cash to Anaheim. The fact that no prospects were involved and the Jays were taking eight figures worth of salary back will one day prove to be a coup for Anthopoulos.
Napoli led the Angels with 26 home runs last season while Rivera is just a year removed from a career-best 25 HRs season in '09. These are not just a couple of castoffs. Napoli can catch, play first or DH, while Rivera can play solid corner outfield defence. I would expect he'll be in right, with Rajai Davis shifting over to take Wells' spot in centre and Travis Snider stays in left.
So, the Vernon Wells era comes to an end with the Blue Jays. He sits in the top five of just about every meaningful offensive category in franchise history, was a winner of three Gold Gloves and represented the Jays in three all-star games. Quite simply, he was one of the best players to ever come out of the franchise's farm system.
The fact that Anthopoulos was able to shed that contract, not have to send much, if any, money with him, and bring back useful players in return made this a very enjoyable Friday night (despite the minus-20 degree Celsius wind howling outside my office window.)
