Mathis got a decent deal, AA will work something out, and catching is the least of our boy’s worries. We need starting pitching depth.

Too soon?

And, the Jays clearly feel there’s value in potentially overpaying a guy on a small-bill long-term contract, in cases where the player in question is a guy the staff likes, the coaches like, and the clubhouse likes. On the upside, the Jays now have the catcher position set for the next three years – no small thing – and what may be the best two catching trade chips on the market. They have a guy they can trust with their young pitchers, who can help mentor their catching prospect, who is solid defensively (underrated, in fact), and who may even have a better offensive horizon than people give him credit for (see Baseball Prospectus’ article by Ben Lindbergh on Aug 2 making that case).

If you wind up eating it, so what? You blow a few hundred thousand a year, and you still get some upside – good will in the organization, clubhouse loyalty, signaling to veteran players who are a gamble or prospects that don’t necessarily project as All-Stars that Toronto is a good org to play for, etc.

Frankly it’s kind of an interesting model. Overpay on those 400k-2 mil guys, value long-term club control, stay away from the monster contracts – it’s really not a bad idea at all. They could blow that money and effort on say retaining a Shawn Marcum or Alex Rios type, or they could have 20 potential H. Alvarezs, Villaneuvas, Encarnacions, Perezes, Bautistas, etc. Sure you’ll lose more often than you win – but then you look up and you have a contending young team on the cheap under control for years and the flexibility to suddenly overpay on the final few pieces you need, like starting pitching.

The Jays could have traded Arencibia, promoted D’Arnaud, and signed a veteran backup catcher on a 1 year deal for similar $$’s who would have easily outproduced and provided similar or greater defence compared to Mathis.

I understand the concept of trading from depth. However, Jeff Mathis should in no way, shape or form be considered QUALITY depth. The Jays could have traded Arencibia and still signed a veteran catcher in free agency. Or they could have waited in FA for Mathis to have no leverage and sign him to a one year deal. Signing him for 2 years when he has no leverage and there are significantly better options makes no sense.

I don’t get the thought process or urgency for extending Mathis. Between this and the Snider trade I’m lost as to what AA was thinking.