Blue Jays Release Catcher A.J. Jimenez

Last week, the Blue Jays designated catcher A.J. Jimenez for assignment in order to make room on their 40-man roster for their offseason signings. Now that he’s cleared through waivers, the Jays have apparently decided to cut ties with the soon-to-be 27-year-old. 

With the Jays signing Jarrod Saltalamacchia as a free agent and snagging Juan Graterol off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels (coupled with their apparent high opinion on prospect Reese McGuire), it was very obvious that Jimenez’s time with the organization was coming to an end. 

There was a I time (I think?) when there was some hope that Jimenez could be the catcher of the future. Was that because there simply wasn’t anybody else in the system? Or because the Jays had spent so many years with poor catchers on their roster? Or was it because Jimenez actually showed signs of upside?

I honestly can’t tell you! Jimenez never impressed with the bat in the minors, and was largely heralded as a glove-only guy behind the plate. I mean, that’s kind of the standard for backup catchers, but he never produced an on-base percentage higher than .300 in part of four go arounds at Triple-A, meaning this guy could make Josh Thole look like Barry Bonds. 

Anyways, best of luck to A.J., the catcher of the future that never was.