The Blue Jays have signed shortstop David Eckstein to a 1 year, 4.5 million dollar contract. Eckstein played in 117 games last season for the Cardinals and he was 134 for 434 (.309 avg, .738 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 3 homers, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He has now played in 965 games in his major league career and he is 1,079 for 3,772 (.286 avg, .713 OPS) with 556 runs scored, 30 homers, 285 RBIs and 110 stolen bases. David Eckstein will likely be the Jays leadoff hitter next season and that will help the offense as they can use their power hitters in power positions in the lineup.

The Blue Jays have re-signed veteran catcher Sal Fasano to a minor league contract. The 36 year old played in 16 games last season for the Blue Jays and he was 8 for 45 (.178 avg, .540 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 412 games in his career and he is 233 for 1,063 (.219 avg, .687 OPS) with 131 runs scored, 47 homers and 134 RBIs. The Blue Jays will likely keep looking for another catcher to give Fasano competition for the backup job behind Greg Zaun.

The Blue Jays decided that they didn’t want Josh Towers on there team any more so they didn’t tender him a contract for the 2008 season making him an unrestricted free agent. Towers pitched in 25 games last season for the Blue Jays and he was 5-10 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He has now pitched in 137 games in his NFL career and he is 45-55 with 1 save, a 4.96 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. With starting pitching being so scarce in the majors Towers should find a job for the 2008 season.

The Blue Jays have acquired reserve outfielder Buck Coats from the Reds for either a player to be named later or cash. Last season for the Reds, Coats played in 20 games and he was 7 for 34 (.206 avg, .587 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Coats has now played in 38 games in his major league career and he is 10 for 52 (.192 avg, .578 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. Coats will likely be nothing more than a backup for the Blue Jays this season.