NASHVILLE -- The best thing about Buck Coats is that the Blue Jays say he can play everywhere.
"His best position is centre field, but he can play infield too," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said.
The worst thing about Coats, obtained yesterday from the Cincinnati Reds, might be his nickname, which for most of the season was "Buck-90" ... as in his average.
The second worst thing might be his fielding. Coats, an 18th-round draft pick in 2000, has committed 130 errors since turning pro.
The most he made was when he played shortstop: 51 at single-A Lansing in 2003, 29 at single-A Daytona in 2004 and 33 at double-A West Tennessee.
He's been an outfielder since 2006 and has committed just two clanks.
The Jays will give up a player to be named later or cash considerations. It will be the former if that player clears today's Rule V draft.
Coates hit .167 with the Chicago Cubs in 2006 and this season with the Reds he batted .206 in 34 at-bats. The left-handed batter hit .308 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs and in 127 games at triple-A Iowa.
NO BONUS?
The Baseball Writers' Association of America passed a resolution of intent to no longer allow players to receive bonuses for winning the most valuable player, Cy Young or rookie awards starting in 2013.
What caused the stir was Boston Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling having a clause in his agreement which will pay him $1 million US if he receives even a single third-place vote for the Cy Young Award. Schilling joked that he would buy a writer a new car if he had a bad season.
GETTING CLOSE
Pitcher Aaron Cook and the Colorado Rockies were near an agreement on a three-year contract worth $30 million.
Cook was 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 25 starts last season for the Rockies.
TRADE COMPLETED
The mega trade between Detroit and the Marlins that featured Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera moving to the Tigers was finalized yesterday after the exchange of medical records.
The Marlins received a package of six players, including two highly rated prospects: left-hander Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.
SIGN 'EM UP
The Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent David Riske to a three-year, $13-million contact. Riske will be Milwaukee's new closer after going 1-4 with a 2.45 ERA and four saves for the Kansas City Royals. He has 20 career saves.
AWARD WINNER
The late Larry Whiteside, one of the first African-American ball scribes, was named the winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner.
Whiteside, who worked at the Milwaukee Journal and the Boston Globe, covered baseball from the 1970s until his death.
