The Toronto Blue Jays just have not brought in enough players to make up the gap between them and the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. The Blue Jays have played it cheap on the checkbook bringing in players like Raul Chavez, Michael Barrett, Jason Lane and Randy Ruiz. None of those players are likely to make much of an impact in 2009 for the Jays. With all of the injuries in the starting rotation all the Blue Jays have done so far is bring in pitchers like Matt Clement, Bryan Bullington and Mike Maroth.

OFF-SEASON GRADE TO DATE: D-

The Blue Jays have signed 32-year old righty swinging outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league deal. He played in 110 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 93 for 400 (.233 avg, .775 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 18 homers and 60 RBIs. Lane has also played in 497 games in his major league career and he is 291 for 1,208 (.241 avg, .771 OPS) with 165 runs scored, 61 homers and 189 RBIs. Lane was once considered a can’t miss prospect in the Astros’ minor league system but he has only had one good season in the majors. Still, the Blue Jays aren’t spending much to get a look at him.

The Blue Jays have signed 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Mike Maroth to a minor league deal. He was 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP in AAA-ball last season. Maroth has also pitched in 161 games (150 starts) in his major league career and he is 50-67 with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Maroth is a long shot to help the Blue Jays at all in 2009 but the cost was cheap enough to give him a look in spring training.

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 32-year old righty swinging catcher Michael Barrett to a minor league contract. He played in 30 games with the Padres last season and he was 19 for 94 (.202 avg, .572 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Barrett has now played in 1,047 games in his major league career and he is 922 for 3,494 (.264 avg, .742 OPS) with 395 runs scored, 97 homers and 422 RBIs. This was a nice low risk signing for the Blue Jays as Barrett is a pretty good hitter.

The Blue Jays have signed 31-year old righty swinging 1B/DH Randy Ruiz to a minor league contract. He played in 22 games for the Twins last season and he was 17 for 62 (.274 avg, .693 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 1 homer and 17 RBIs. Ruiz also played in 111 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 133 for 416 (.320 avg, .902 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 17 homers and 68 RBIs. This was a good signing for the Blue Jays as Ruiz could help them off the bench with his bat.