Blue Jays' Anthopoulos says Barajas 'unlikely' to return

TORONTO -- Marco Scutaro's days with the Toronto Blue Jays are all but officially over and catcher Rod Barajas is pretty much set to follow the shortstop out the door.

Shortly after signing Alex Gonzalez to a US$2.75-million, one-year deal plus an option to fill one of his team's perennial headache positions Thursday, general manager Alex Anthopoulos revealed that he'll need a new stopgap to work behind the plate until prospect J.P. Arencibia is ready for the big leagues.

The chances of the well-liked Barajas, a free agent like Scutaro, re-signing with the club were "unlikely" he said, adding that the search was on for a replacement.

The agents for both Barajas and Scutaro told Anthopoulos the only way they'd be returning would be if they chose to accept arbitration from the club, something the Blue Jays must offer in order to receive compensatory draft picks once they depart.

The Jays intend to do that, but both are expected to decline the offer and do better on the open market, leaving the rookie GM with three extra draft picks, a major hole to patch over at catcher and no leadoff hitter.
busy last couple of days for the Jays

this a bigger article, there's more stuff in the link, talks about the Gonzalez signing a bit and the market for Scutaro