The Jays are reportedly looking into Russell Branyan as a possible signing for 2010. Branyan, who ranks with the elite sluggers in the game for home runs per at bats, is a typical power hitter with high strike out rates along with a terrific slugging and OBP. He walks a lot, hits a ton of home runs, and would make a perfect platoon partner for Bautista as he crushes right handed pitching to the line of .267/.363/.542.
Branyan is doubly valuable as he plays a decent left/right field, first base, and an acceptable third. His defensive flexibility would make him a useful roleplayer as he can provide both power and depth from the bench if necessary. Assuming the Jays end up going into 2010 with a bench of Chavez, McDonald, Ruiz and a platoon of Bautista/Branyan, they would have a power option for pinch hitting from both sides of the plate.
Branyan is holding out for a multi-year deal, something clubs have been reluctant to offer with the belief that the back injury that hampered him in 2009 is not a thing of the past. If the Jays believe him to be healthy, Branyan could be signed for an affordable multiyear deal, even if he ends up a full time bench player by the end of it.
