The Blue Jays have exercised their 2009 option on catcher Rod Barajas worth $2.5 million bucks. The 33-year old righty swinging Rod Barajas played in 104 games for the Blue Jays in 2008 and he was 87 for 349 (.249 avg, .704 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 11 homers and 49 RBIs. Barajas has now played in 688 games in his major league career and he is 504 for 2,092 (.241 avg, .698 OPS) with 256 runs scored, 73 homers and 284 RBIs. Look for Barajas to maybe get the most playing time of his career in 2009 as the Blue Jays will probably let Gregg Zaun just walk away as a free agent.

The Blue Jays have designated 30-year old righty swinging Kevin Mench for assignment. Mench played in 51 games for the Blue Jays last season and he was 28 for 115 (.243 avg, .678 OPS) with 18 runs scored and 10 RBIs. Mench has been a very overrated player for a long, long time and the Blue Jays won’t miss him one bit. Mench has played in 702 games in his major league career and he is 629 for 2,335 (.269 avg, .786 OPS) with 309 runs scored, 89 homers and 330 RBIs.

UPDATE: Kevin Mench has signed a 1-year, $2 million dollar contract to play professionally in Japan in 2009.

The Blue Jays have claimed 28-year old righty starting pitcher Bryan Bullington off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. He pitched in 3 games (2 starts) for the Indians last season and he was 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Bullington has now pitched in 9 games (5 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-5 with a 5.45 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Bullington was once a very highly thought of prospect so it was a good gamble for the Blue Jays when you consider the cost to acquire him.

The Blue Jays have signed 24-year old lefty swinging outfielder Adam Loewen. Loewen only has two at bats in his major league career without a hit. He’s converting to the outfield to avoid having more surgery on his left arm. He pitched in 7 games (4 starts) for the Orioles last season and he was 0-2 with a 8.02 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. He has pitched in 35 games (29 starts) in his major league career and he is 8-8 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. The Blue Jays probably just gave Loewen a chance because he’s a Canadian. Don’t expect him to be the next Rick Ankiel.

The Toronto Blue Jays keep collecting lefty pitchers and that’s a good thing. The latest lefty added to the Blue Jays’ expanding bullpen in 27-year old Dirk Hayhurst claimed off waivers from the Padres. Hayhurst had a rough time in San Diego last season as he pitched in 10 games (3 starts) in which he was 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP. He allowed a whopping 27 hits and also walked 10 batters in only 16.2 innings pitched for the Padres. But, Hayhurst was pretty impressive in AAA ball last season and the Blue Jays’ were no doubt impressed with him. Hayhurst pitched in 46 games (2 starts) in AAA ball last season and he was 2-3 with 2 saves, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Hayhurst also whiffed 98 batters in only 84 innings in AAA which impressed the Blue Jays’ brass. This was a good gamble for the Blue Jays as you can never have too many decent lefties on your pitching staff.