The Blue Jays have signed catcher Rod Barajas to a 1 year, $1.2 million dollar contract with a club option for the 2009 season. The 32-year old righty swinger will likely share time with Gregg Zaun behind the plate. Barajas played in 48 games last season for the Phillies and he was 28 for 122 (.230 avg, .745 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers and 10 RBIs. He has now played in 584 games in his major league career and he is 417 for 1,743 (.239 avg, .696 OPS) with 212 runs scored, 62 homers and 235 RBIs.

It will be interesting to see what the Blue Jays do with all of their extra infielders. Marco Scutaro and John McDonald are virtual locks to make the Blue Jays as the infield reserves. That leaves Joe Inglett, Russ Adams and Ray Olmedo likely without a major league job barring injury. The Jays are probably close to giving up on Adams because of their disappointment in his defensive play but he’s still young enough to turn things around. Inglett has had some success in the majors with the Cleveland Indians a couple of seasons ago but he spent all year in AAA in 2007. Olmedo is another all-field, no-hit type of shortstop. It’s possible that the Blue Jays will trade one or more of the infielders during Spring Training as long as the infielders that will make the team stay healthy.

The Blue Jays have traded Troy Glaus to the Cardinals for Scott Rolen. Both players must pass physicals tomorrow to make the trade official. Both Rolen and Glaus will likely benefit from a change of scenery. The 32-year old Rolen is an outstanding defender who has had some injury problems lately. Rolen only played in 112 games last season for the Cardinals and he was 104 for 392 (.265 avg, .729 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 8 homers and 58 RBIs. Rolen has now played in 1,505 games in his major league career and he is 1,558 for 5,498 (.283 avg, .879 OPS) with 954 runs scored, 261 homers, 1,012 RBIs and 104 stolen bases. Rolen will definately help tighten up the defense for the Blue Jays and he’s a better all around hitter when healthy than Troy Glaus despite Glaus’ edge in the power department.

The Blue Jays have signed 32-year old righty reliever Shawn Camp to a minor league contract. Camp pitched in 50 games last season for the Devil Rays and he was 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP. Camp has now pitched in 196 games in his major league career and he is 10-13 with 6 saves, a 5.27 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. The Blue Jays will be in deep trouble if Camp pitches for them before rosters expand next September.

The Blue Jays have signed lefty John Parrish and righty Lance Carter to minor league contracts. Parrish pitched in 53 games last season for the Orioles and Mariners and he is 2-2 with 5.71 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP. He has now pitched in 161 games (10 starts) in his major league career and he is 12-12 with 1 save, a 4.63 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Lance Carter last pitched in the majors in 2006 with the Dodgers. He has pitched in 181 games in his major league career and he is 13-12 with 29 saves, a 4.15 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.