Post by #1 Jays Fan on Feb 24, 2008 21:14:29 GMT -5
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Shannon Stewart and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor league contract Sunday with an invitation to spring training.
The right-handed hitting outfielder spent last season with the Oakland Athletics, batting .290 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 146 games.
"We made him an offer during the winter but it just didn't go anywhere," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said.
Stewart, who turns 34 on Monday, was selected 19th overall by Toronto in the June 1992 draft and is a career .298 hitter with 566 RBIs, 193 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .362. Leg problems in recent years have slowed the once speedy Cincinnati native.
It's unclear how Stewart fits into the Blue Jays' plans. They have four outfielders -- Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson and Matt Stairs -- on the roster and prospect Adam Lind knocking on the door.
"He's a good player and was out there," Ricciardi said about Stewart. "He has always been a good hitter. We struggled last year against right-handed pitching and he hits right-handers good. A proven .300 hitter and we are just making up the best team we can be."
Stewart spent parts of eight seasons with Toronto before he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins for Bobby Kielty in 2003.
Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, batting .301 with 218 doubles, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.
"We'll see what he can do," manager John Gibbons said. "He's a good hitter."
Notes: LHP B.J. Ryan will throw a bullpen session Monday, then consult with the doctors who handled the ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow last May. Ryan isn't sure yet when he will face hitters. ... RHP A.J. Burnett faced hitters for the final time before his March 2 start against Cincinnati. "I feel great right now. The ball is coming out real clean," said Burnett, who was on the disabled list twice last season with a right shoulder strain. "I'm staying within myself and that is the key to staying healthy." ... 1B Lyle Overbay was sent home Sunday because of the stomach flu, Gibbons said.
The right-handed hitting outfielder spent last season with the Oakland Athletics, batting .290 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 146 games.
"We made him an offer during the winter but it just didn't go anywhere," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said.
Stewart, who turns 34 on Monday, was selected 19th overall by Toronto in the June 1992 draft and is a career .298 hitter with 566 RBIs, 193 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .362. Leg problems in recent years have slowed the once speedy Cincinnati native.
It's unclear how Stewart fits into the Blue Jays' plans. They have four outfielders -- Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson and Matt Stairs -- on the roster and prospect Adam Lind knocking on the door.
"He's a good player and was out there," Ricciardi said about Stewart. "He has always been a good hitter. We struggled last year against right-handed pitching and he hits right-handers good. A proven .300 hitter and we are just making up the best team we can be."
Stewart spent parts of eight seasons with Toronto before he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins for Bobby Kielty in 2003.
Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, batting .301 with 218 doubles, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.
"We'll see what he can do," manager John Gibbons said. "He's a good hitter."
Notes: LHP B.J. Ryan will throw a bullpen session Monday, then consult with the doctors who handled the ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow last May. Ryan isn't sure yet when he will face hitters. ... RHP A.J. Burnett faced hitters for the final time before his March 2 start against Cincinnati. "I feel great right now. The ball is coming out real clean," said Burnett, who was on the disabled list twice last season with a right shoulder strain. "I'm staying within myself and that is the key to staying healthy." ... 1B Lyle Overbay was sent home Sunday because of the stomach flu, Gibbons said.
