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Matt Stairs returned to the Blue Jays fold for two more years.
It doesn't look as if Reed Johnson will be afforded the same luxury.
Stairs, who turns 40 in February, yesterday agreed to a two-year deal worth $3.25 million US -- one that pays him $2.25 million in 2008 and $1 million in '09.
General manager J.P. Ricciardi said Stairs will share left field on a platoon basis with Johnson in '08 and then be a utility/role player in '09, which explains the way his contract is structured.
Johnson, who is arbitration eligible, earned $3.075 million this year to be the everyday left fielder. Ricciardi said he wants to bring Johnson back for '08 in a reduced role but beyond that was vague.
"Reed (who bats right) will get the majority of playing time but Matt (who bats left) will get playing time too," Ricciardi said of the platoon plans. "It will be like when we had (Frank) Catalanotto."
Johnson suffered through a miserable season this year, missing three months due to back surgery and upon his return never found his groove. In 79 games, he hit .236 with two homers and 14 RBIs. In 2008 he will need to prove he is completely healthy and can be productive as Adam Lind is waiting in the wings to take over his job.
Lind, who like Stairs bats left, will spend '08 at triple-A Syracuse.
PLAN FOR FUTURE
"We're not looking to trade these guys, especially Lind," Ricciardi said of his left fielders. "He's going to be our outfielder in the future at some point.
"In Reed's case we like the fact he's a dirtbag, he plays hard. We hope he'll bounce back and be the player he was the year before."
In explaining Stairs contract, Ricciardi said he hopes Stairs will "be productive next year.
"We'll find a place for Lind to play the following year."
It could be as the everyday left fielder.
Stairs, meanwhile, who hit .289 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs, is excited about returning to the Jays.
"I'm glad it's over with and I'm glad to be back," he said. "When they offered me a two-year deal it was hard to say no."