Jays Adding Depth with Recent Signings

InsideTheDome has learned that the Toronto Blue Jays are close to signing three minor league free agents, and are in negotiations with a handful of more players.

The Jays are close to signing right-handed pitcher Jeremi Gonzalez (also known as Geremi) to a minor league contract. The 31-year-old veteran pitched in the majors last year for two different clubs. He made three starts with the Mets before being traded to Milwaukee in May. He went 4-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 42 innings for the Brewers. He has a career 30-35 major league record with an ERA of 4.93.

Gonzalez was released by Milwaukee last month and sources tell us he’s expected to sign with Toronto. Gonzalez is currently pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League having tossed 7 1/3 innings without allowing a run.

The Jays are also close to inking Beau Kemp (Sebastian Kemp) to a minor league deal. Kemp turned 26-years-old two weeks ago and pitched for the Minnesota Twins organization this past season. In 49 games with Triple-A Rochester he went 7-4 with a 2.32 ERA. Kemp, a pure ground ball pitcher, was originally drafted by the Twins in the 31st round of the 2000 draft and has a career 19-18 record with a 2.64 ERA in 297 innings.

The third player the Jays are close to signing is Jeff Duncan. The 27-year-old was declared a free agent on October 15 after failing to reach a deal with the Dodgers. The speedy outfielder batted .299 with 6 home runs and 26 runs batted in for Triple-A Las Vegas this past season. Duncan is being targeted to replace speedy outfielder Wayne Lydon, who signed with the Washington Nationals last week.

More signings are expected this week, and when the deals become close to being finalize InsideTheDome will have the scoop.

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