Despite a poor spring, Shannon Stewart will be a starting outfielder for the Jays this year. They even cut Reed Johnson. Really, can a Stewart batting title be far away?

I had to laugh when I read that in your preview... actiung like you predicted Stewart would win the batting title once five years ago. You must have predicted it every season from 2000-2005.

By the way, is Reed Johnson still on fire?

So Reed Johnson is now a Cub, and the Tigers certainly could have used him with Curtis Granderson on the DL. I have to wonder why the Jays didn't try to trade him. They had just given him $750,000 a few weeks ago.

The rumors I read say they tried but had no takers. Worked out well for him as he gets $1.3 M from the Cubs.

So if the Cubs had parted with a minor prospect, they'd have saved $550,000, Johnson would have lost $1.3 million, and Toronto would have saved $750,000. Granted, this is nothing compared to a Mike Hampton or GMJ signing, but I will never get used to how apparently casually GMs throw around hughe sums of money.

Actually I believe the Jays only owe him a prorated portion of that $750,000 (1/4th I believe) so they won't do too badly. And Johnson gets that prorated portion PLUS the $1.3 M from Chicago. He's sitting pretty right about now.

The only question is whether or not the Cubs would have been better off trading a prospect and owing the 750 or holding onto the prospect and paying the extra half million +.

Not necessarily. Jim Hendry said that there were "four or five" other clubs looking to sign him, meaning A) The Blue Jays really should have gotten something from him, and B) The Cubs took a risk by waiting for him to be released.

Of course, Johnson also says that the Cubs were his first choice. It isn't just resources that makes Hendry's job easier than Neil Huntington's.

Yeah, what's Cano hitting, Tony?

lol....

The Toronto Blue Jays have just gone 31 straight innings without scoring a run against the Cleveland Indians.