TORONTO - Let’s check the in-box first:
The Blue Jays finally finalized the signing of free-agent shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who arrived in Dunedin, Fla., on Tuesday.
And the out-box?
Well, no one yet.
But there are early season rumblings.
A quality crowd of scouts — big shooters — was on hand to see Ricky Romero face the Chicago White Sox last night. To name a few:
Like Ken Madeja, special assistant to Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. When Pat Gillick ran the M’s, he once called Madeja his best scout.
Like Paul Turco, senior adviser to GM Brian Sabean of the San Francisco Giants, who also want to move outfielder Fred Lewis to the Jays.
Like scout Russ Bove of the New York Mets.
Like scout Casey McKeon of the Washington Nationals.
Like scouts Dave Hollins and Howie Freiling of the Philadelphia Phillies.
What do all the teams have in common? A need for starting pitching, except for the Phillies who are in search of bullpen help.
Of course, we received the standard answer from one big shooter: “Just regular coverage, where else are you going to go in April and be assured of seeing games?”
The crowd reminded me of a winter meetings conversation at Indianapolis when an opposing GM asked: “Why trade Roy Halladay? They may get more in return for Ricky Romero. He’s younger and cheaper.”
Ken (Junior) Rosenthal of FOX Sports had right-hander Shaun Marcum, who earns $850,000 US being available this week. The last time Rosenthal was wrong was when he told his high school hoops coach that he’d “grow into a position” on the team.
“Alex has told us he’ll discuss anyone on the roster and beyond,” one scout said. “We haven’t heard anything aggressive on Marcum but I wouldn’t be surprised. They want young controllable pieces in return for anything they do.”
Hechavarria completed his entrance physicals and has begun some private English tutorials and should take the field later this week.
“He will start working out (Wednesday),” said Bart Hernandez, Hechavarria’s agent, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Hernandez said Hechavarria will be evaluated at the Jays extended spring at the Bobby Mattick Facility in Dunedin.
“Then, they’ll decide where he’ll be placed,” Hernandez said.
The Jays and Hernandez reached agreement on a four-year, $10-million deal March 14.
“It was a bit of a wait,” Hernandez said. “We had the visa issue (to work in the United States) to straighten out, he went to Florida on the weekend for his physical. I guess everything came back fine if the club made the announcement of the signing.
“He’s very happy to get his career going. It’s an exciting time for the team and an exciting time for the kid and hopefully he’ll get to Toronto quickly. He’s like a race horse, raring to go.”
Some Latin America scouts have compared Hechavarria to Alfredo Griffin. Others say he’ll hit major-league pitching but may face a position change, either to second or the outfield. Everyone we talked to in the past month said Hechavarria is a better prospect than Jose Iglesias, whom the Boston Red Sox signed to an $8.2-million deal.
Before the game, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez told legendary Chicago Tribune scribe Mark Gonzales that Hechavarria was a “strong hitter, who hits the ball to all fields.”
As for Romero, he took a no-hit bid into the eighth before Alex Rios hit a two-out, two-run homer. He struck out 12 in front of the big shooters.
What about you? we asked another scout ... you a big-shooter?
“I have the holster, but they didn’t give me any bullets,” the scout said jokingly.
Back to school
Anthopoulos was in Barstow, Calif., when the Jays were in Baltimore on the weekend to see 6-foot-3 high school right-hander Aaron Sanchez.
Sanchez has a fastball which sits between 90 to 92 m.p.h. and has touched 95. He is ranked in the first round (10th overall) by Perfect Game scouting service and has signed a letter of intent to attend Oregon. In 2009, he struck out 79 in 46 innings.
bob.elliott@sunmedia.ca
