"There will no doubt be a million one-liners about Omar Vizquel’s advanced baseball age, approaching 45 years old in April, but there can be no down-side risk to the Jays’ signing on Monday of the potential future Hall of Fame shortstop to a one-year, minor-league, non-guaranteed deal with an invitation to spring training.

Years ago in Cleveland, Vizquel was mentor to a young minor-league infielder named John McDonald. For three seasons, the slick-fielding Venezuelan with 11 Gold Gloves to his credit teamed with former Jays second baseman and current Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar to form the best double-play combination in baseball and perhaps in major-league history.

Johnny Mac, who inherited the Gold Glove qualities of his teacher, constantly raved during his own Jays’ tenure about the positive influence the veteran Vizquel had on his development. Now, Vizquel, at least for the length of this spring training, will have a chance to influence the career of the Jays’ 22-year-old Cuban prospect Adeiny Hechavarria."