http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=184554&hubname=mlb
TSN.ca Staff

11/16/2006 1:23:28 PM

The Toronto Blue Jays looking to fill a possible gap at the catcher position, have been approached by the agent for catcher Rod Barajas.

"We've talked to them and we like him," Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi tells the Toronto Sun at the baseball meetings going on in Florida.

"Originally, they wanted to talk to us about him. It was our first meeting and it was a good one. We definitely have some interest there."

Barajas hit .256 with 11 homers and 41 RBI's while appearing in 97 games with the Texas Rangers last season. In 2005, he hit a career high 21 homers and 60 RBI's while appearing in 120 games. He was sidelined for 10 games with back problems.

Gregg Clifton, Barajas' agent, says the Blue Jays are a good fit, though as many as four teams have contacted him regarding Barajas.

"We knew that both of Toronto catchers were free agents and we thought it would be a good fit. When we mentioned it to Rod he was very interested and considers it to be a good possibility. We didn't talk money today, it's still early in the process."

Clifton is reported to be asking for a minimum 2 year deal for Barajas, in the neighbourhood of his salary from last season at $3.2 million.