Best and worst Blue Jays signings

BY ERIC BRANDT - FAN FUEL BLOGGER

Over the years the Blue Jays have made a number of good and bad free agent signings.

Let's take a look at some of the best and worst in franchise history.

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THE 5 BEST SIGNINGS

1. Dave Winfield - Signed with the Blue Jays on December 19, 1991. The 40-year-old Winfield provided the Blue Jays with veteran leadership that would lead the Jays to their first World Series win in 1992. Winfield came to the jays as an established hitter and finished fifth in MVP voting in the 1992 season. The Hall of Famer was a key piece to the 1992 team, and for that reason he may be the Blue Jays greatest signing ever.

2. Paul Molitor - A key addition to the Blue Jays squad in 1993, Molitor came to Toronto after a 15 year career in Milwaukee with the Brewers. Mostly used as a DH in the 1993 season, Molitor also won a Silver Slugger award that year for being the best hitter at his position. Molitor had 21 HR along with 111 RBIs to go with his stunning .332 AVG (and a World Series MVP award) making him one of the Blue Jays greatest free agent signings of all time.

3. Jack Morris - Was signed following the 1991 season and his famous 10-inning complete game shutout in game seven of the World Series, and was an innings eater for the '92 Blue Jays. He threw 240 innings to go along with his impressive 21-6 record. Morris provided the Blue Jays with yet another solid pitcher to add to their dream team. He finished fifth in Cy Young award voting and proved that he was another solid free agent signing for the club.

4. Roger Clemens - Following a 13 year career with the Boston Red Sox, Clemens jumped ship to the Toronto Blue Jays organization in time for the 1997 season. Clemens was stellar during his two seasons in Toronto winning the CY Young award in both years. Unfortunately, Clemens left the Blue Jays and opted out of his contract after two seasons in Toronto and signed with the New York Yankees. Although his time here was short, Clemens was a great addition to the team - rumoured injections at the SkyDome hotel aside.

5. Scott Downs - Signed by the Blue Jays on December 16, 2004, Scott Downs developed into one of the best lefthanded relievers during his time as a Blue Jay. Downs pitched for six seasons in Toronto posting a 3.13 ERA as a member of the club. He was signed by the Las Angeles Angels in December, 2010. The Blue Jays received a compensation pick from the Angels and used it to draft Jacob Anderson (35th overall) in the 2011 MLB first year players draft.

THE 5 WORST SIGNINGS

1. B.J. Ryan - On November 28, 2005, B.J. Ryan signed a five-year $47 million contract with the Blue Jays. Ryan was a coveted free agent at the time of the signing and provided the Blue Jays with two good seasons. Ryan was released by Toronto in July, 2009 after going 2-4 in save opportunities to start that season. Two good seasons at the cost of $47 million makes BJ Ryan one of the worst signings in team history.

2. A.J. Burnett - Possibly one of the most overrated players in the game, Burnett signed a five-year $55 million contract with the Blue Jays about a week after B.J. Ryan in 2005. After two disappointing seasons in a row to start his Blue Jay career, Burnett had a bounce back year in 2008. Following the end of the season Burnett exercised his option and became a free agent. Shortly after, he signed a monster five-year $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees.

3. Erik Hanson - Signed by Blue Jays after a strong 15 win season in 1995 with the Boston Red Sox. Hanson was a complete bust with the Jays after signing a three-year $9.4 million deal. Hanson went 13-17 with 5.41 ERA in his first season and had very limited opportunity in the following two years (ERAs of 7.80 and 6.24 respectively), making him one of the worst free agent signings in team history.

4. Ken Dayley - The lefthanded relief specialist was coming off a six solid seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals when the Blue Jays signed the 31-year-old to a three-year, $6.3 million deal. Dayley would only pitch in 10 games over the three years as he suffered from vertigo.

5. Corey Koskie - After a solid career with the Twins, Canadian Corey Koskie signed a three-year $17.5 million contract with the Blue Jays following the 2004 season. Koskie played one year in Toronto where he hit 11 HR (after 25 in 2004) and drove in 36 runs. Koskie was traded to the Brewers after one year at the Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays were forced to pick up part of his contract.

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