Okha to the Jays...

[Gary Armida]

According to ESPN news, Okha signed a one year deal with the Jays. Decent pickup IMO.

[dieselboy]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

So this is there alternative to not prying Scott Oslen...

Switching leagues could help. So who makes up the back end of that rotation? Halladay and Burnett, then who? Okha, Chacin, and Thomson? What about Marcum and Taub?

[Spear]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

They are saying the deal is around the 1 million range, so its a cheap little deal. Ohka apparently took less money to come to Toronto, since he wants to play well and hopefully get a bigger deal next year. There wont be any shortage of run support for him in Toronto, and I think Jays' fans can end their worries of Rios being traded this offseason.

The only secure spots in the rotation are Halladay, Burnett, and Chacin.

Heading into spring training: Ohka, Thomson, Marcum, Janssen, Taubenheim, and Dustin McGowan will be fighting for the last two spots in the rotation. (Probably in that order as well). The idea is for them to hopefully catch "lightning in the bottle" with at least one or two of these guys and get some innings/wins out of two of them.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6400990 - Link to the signing.

[SPTO]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

That's basically it...I don't really like the signing but if Ohka can eat up some innings and give the Jays 10 wins i'd be happy.

[rsox]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Apparently no one wants to sign with Pittsburgh, first Brian Lawrence and Trot Nixon and now Ohka turns down a 2 year contract to sign a 1 year deal with Toronto.
It's sad when the Pirates can't even buy injury prone players.

[mjb2124]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Apparently no one wants to sign with Pittsburgh, first Brian Lawrence and Trot Nixon and now Ohka turns down a 2 year contract to sign a 1 year deal with Toronto.
It's sad when the Pirates can't even buy injury prone players.

I couldn't be happier either. I can't believe Littlefield was going after these guys (and now Tony Armas Jr). I think the Pirates need another bat, but not Trot Nixon or another starting pitcher. They have enough AAAA fodder to fill the roles Nixon, Lawrence and Ohka would fill.

Although I've heard some conflicting reports all around about what went down on this deal. The papers around here sound like the Pirates pulled out of this deal.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Declinging K rate ... check
Rising BB rate ... check
Coming off a serious injury ..... check

If Marcum out performs Okha in ST, I hope he doesn't lose a rotation spot just because Okha has a bigger salary.

His agent said he wanted to prove he could pitch in a tough division so he could get a big payday next off-season. If this is really the case, he should have just signed with a NL team so his ERA would be lower.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Declinging K rate ... check
Rising BB rate ... check
Coming off a serious injury ..... check

If Marcum out performs Okha in ST, I hope he doesn't lose a rotation spot just because Okha has a bigger salary.

His agent said he wanted to prove he could pitch in a tough division so he could get a big payday next off-season. If this is really the case, he should have just signed with a NL team so his ERA would be lower.

Having done a bit more reading on him and his injury, it seems that he is still hurt and is pitching through his issues. It is a low risk signing though...Maybe 1 yr, new league he does well being so unfamiliar.

[rsox]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Having done a bit more reading on him and his injury, it seems that he is still hurt and is pitching through his issues. It is a low risk signing though...Maybe 1 yr, new league he does well being so unfamiliar.

Ohka has pitched in the AL before. He was 6-13 with a 4.61 ERA in 33 games (25 starts) with the Red Sox from 1999-2001. However, he has gone 5-2 against the AL in interleague play since then.

[SPTO]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Ohka has pitched in the AL before. He was 6-13 with a 4.61 ERA in 33 games (25 starts) with the Red Sox from 1999-2001. However, he has gone 5-2 against the AL in interleague play since then.

Those stats are why i'm so meh on Ohka. I don't think he has the stuff to pitch in the AL East and I have a feeling those interleague stats are a mirage.

[Gary Armida]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Ohka has pitched in the AL before. He was 6-13 with a 4.61 ERA in 33 games (25 starts) with the Red Sox from 1999-2001. However, he has gone 5-2 against the AL in interleague play since then.

I forgot about his early stuff, good call. Still kind of a new league. 7-8 years ago...different pitcher, different hitters. I still don't really like his chances.

[rsox]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Those stats are why i'm so meh on Ohka. I don't think he has the stuff to pitch in the AL East and I have a feeling those interleague stats are a mirage.

Interestingly, 3 of his 5 interleague Wins came against the Blue Jays.

[SPTO]

Re: Okha to the Jays...

Interestingly, 3 of his 5 interleague Wins came against the Blue Jays.

Ah the old "if he can beat us just imagine what he can do to other teams" kind of signing then. I didn't pay too much attention to the Jays' interleague schedule other then the Mets series.