The Blue Jays have acquired 25-year old lefty swinging 2B Luis Valbuena from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Valbuena played in 17 games for the Indians last year and he was 9 for 43 (.209 avg, .506 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 229 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 166 of 735 (.226 avg, .630 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 13 homers, 57 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Valbuena will have a good shot of making the Blue Jays’ roster in 2012 if he has a solid spring.

The Blue Jays have claimed 26-year old righty swinging catcher Brian Jeroloman off waivers from the Pirates, who recently claimed him off waivers from the Blue Jays. Jeroloman played in 79 games in AAA-ball for the Blue Jays last year and he was 65 of 271 (.240 avg, .631 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 2 homers, 26 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 516 games in his first 6 years in the minors with the Blue Jays and he is 399 for 1,631 (.245 avg, .725 OPS) with 201 runs scored, 26 homers, 192 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He will likely start the 2012 season in AAA for the Blue Jays.

UPDATE: (12/8/2011) - The Blue Jays have designated Ben Jeroloman for assignment to make room on the roster for Kelly Johnson.

31-year old righty swinging RF/3B Jose Bautista finished 3rd in the voting for the A.L. MVP Award in 2011. He played in 149 games for the Blue Jays last year and he was 155 for 513 (.302 avg, 1.056 OPS) with 105 runs scored, 43 homers, 103 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Bautista also walked a stunning 132 times last year as teams were terrified to pitch to him. He has now played in 885 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 721 of 2,836 (.254 avg, .843 OPS) with 455 runs scored, 156 homers, 438 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. Bautista seems to just get better for the Blue Jays, so don’t be surprised if he eventually wins an MVP in the near future.

The Blue Jays will be looking to get some bang for their bucks in free agency. Here is the trio of free agents I would sign if running the Blue Jays:

1. Francisco Rodriguez - The Blue Jays need a closer and Francisco Rodriguez is still a really good pitcher. I think K-Rod would be a perfect fit at the back end of games for the Jays, giving the fans a reason to stay until the game is over.

2. Edwin Jackson - The Blue Jays actually had Jackson for a little bit last year, but he never pitched for them as he was traded to St. Louis as part of the huge Colby Rasmus deal. Jackson has the kind of arm and know how to pitch solid ball in the A.L. East.

3. Kelly Shoppach - The Blue Jays could use a new backup catcher with Jose Molina poised to sign with the Rays. Shoppach has a big time throwing arm and a lot of power when he makes contact with the ball.

The Blue Jays have claimed 26-year old righty reliever Andrew Carpenter off waivers from the Padres. Carpenter pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Phillies & Padres last year and he was 0-0 with a 7.98 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. He also pitched in 34 games (1 start) in AAA-ball last year and he was 5-1 with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Carpenter has now pitched in 17 games (1 start) in parts of four years in the majors and he is 1-1 with a 8.51 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. Based on how well Carpenter pitched in AAA last year, this is a solid gamble for the Blue Jays.