For a fleeting moment on Friday when I saw that the New York Yankees had designated Vernon Wells for assignment, I wondered if the Blue Jays would take him back or even want him back. After all, the Jays are looking for a right-hand hitting platoon partner for Adam Lind. Wells fits the bill in that department, but outside of a solid six weeks or so sto tart with the Yankees last season, his numbers over the past two years with the Los Angeles Angels and in New York have been in serious decline. Consider this, though: Last season Wells hit .281 against the Jays with three home runs and 10 runs batted in. At Rogers Centre, he batted .357 with two homers and six runs batted in. Granted, both are extremely small sample sizes, but the pride he showed facing his original team has to count for something. Then, there is, of course, the economics. Of the $21 mill. Wells is owed in the final year of his contract, the Angels are responsible for $18.6 mill. Its possible, then, that after the Yankees share is factored in, a team could get Vernon Wells for $500,000 for this season. He has said in the recent past, he will retire after this contract is up, so there isnt a major risk involved. In fact, its the same situation the Blue Jays found themselves in with lefty reliever Darren Oliver last season and now Oliver has retired. The Blue Jays are hoping that after back surgery Melky Cabrera will return to form and play left field, but Wells would offer insurance in left and, as mentioned earlier, could split the DH duties with Adam Lind. I dont know that it will happen, and actually doubt that it will, but there is another angle to consider and thats the Blue Jays history of bringing back veterans over the years. I havent done an in depth study on this, but I doubt any team in baseball has brought back more franchise veterans than the Blue Jays have. Just consider some of the names. Alfredo Griffin, the Blue Jays shortstop in the late 70s and early 80s, was traded away to the Oakland Athletics for would-be closer Bill Caudill. Griffin was brought back as a free agent and collected World Series rings with the club in 92 and 93 as a utility infielder. Tony Fernandez, who succeeded Griffin at short, was dealt to the San Diego Padres along with Fred McGriff in the franchise changing-deal for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. Fernandez was brought back in a trade in time to play for the World Series winners in 1993. Dave Stieb, the franchises first ace, was out of the game for four years when the Jays brought him back for a comeback in 1998 that lasted through the end of the season. Stieb went 1-2 with a couple of saves at age 40 in a swing role, before ultimately retiring for a second and final time. Pat Borders, stalwart catcher and MVP of the 92 World Series, returned as a free agent for a brief stint in 1999 and actually added one more homer to his Blue Jays resume. And there were others, Pat Hentgen returned as a pitcher and later as a coach. Lloyd Moseby returned as a coach, as did Pete Walker, who pitched for the team and is now the pitching coach. It goes even higher up the ladder than that. Cito Gaston, who managed the Jays to both of their World Series titles and then was fired late in the 1997 season, came back as a hitting coach under Jim Fregosi and then managed the team again for two-plus seasons. John Gibbons, too, has managed the team twice and Paul Beeston has been with the Blue Jays on two separate occasions sandwiched around a brief time working in the commisioners office. All of this doesnt even include the rollercoaster journeys of lefty David Wells and the "Beeg Mon" Rico Carty, who both played for the Jays multiple times The Jays have already brought back one storied veteran this season in Roy Halladay, who signed with the club for a day in the off-season so he could officially retire with the team that drafted him and helped forge his career. I dont know what, if anything, Vernon Wells has left, but at worst he is a very cheap risk and, at best, another classy Blue Jays veteran who would look good ending his career in Toronto. Players can begin filing for arbitration on Tuesday. The Blue Jays have three players eligible in lefty reliever Brett Cecil, swing starter Esmil Rogers and outfielder Colby Rasmus. Rasmuss situation is the most interesting, since he is going into his final season before he can become an unrestricted free agent. GM Alex Anthopoulos appears willing to let this one play off well into the season before deciding on whether or not to re-sign Rasmus to a long-term deal. Based on what the Blue Jays have done the last two seasons, that is probably the right decision. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . Neil Schwartz confirmed the deal to The Associated Press. Tennessee has declined comment on any deals until the team is able to sign veterans Friday afternoon. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/nhl-jerseys-china_chicago-blackhawks-jersey-china/ . Two people familiar with the talks say that the NFL and the locked out officials union met Sunday. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/ . Westlake had a hat trick as Canada downed the United States 4-1 in the final Saturday. "(Westlake) gets bigger as the games get bigger," said Canadian coach Mike Mondin. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/nike-nfl-jerseys-china_seattle-seahawks-jersey-china/ . -- No other trio of American golfers has qualified for more consecutive Ryder Cup teams than Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/ .K and Malcolm Subban, as this will mark the first official time the two brothers will play against each other. MONTREAL -- If this was the last time Saku Koivu laced up his skates in Montreal, it was exactly the way he imagined it. The former Canadiens captain, who played 13 years with the club before signing with Anaheim in 2009, received a standing ovation from the Bell Centre crowd after Montreals 4-1 victory over the Ducks on Thursday night. "It was emotional," said Koivu. "I had the whole building behind me. It was nice. A big thank you for that. I felt great before the game. And obviously at the end, that was amazing." Koivu hasnt announced his retirement, but theres speculation the 38-year-old will call it quits at the end of the season. If thats the case, Koivu wont ever skate again in the city he captained for a decade. "Its overwhelming to be there, to get that reaction from the fans. It just shows how passionate they are, and shows their appreciation. "You dont know how to react. You want to keep the focus on the game. And moments like that, its not easy. The emotions get the most out of you." This wasnt Koivus first return to Montreal since he left the city that drafted him in the first round in 1993. In January 2011, he beat his old team 4-3. Tonight, his new team couldnt find the win against an inspired Canadiens team. Montreal was up 2-0 at the end of the first period on goals by Michael Bournival and Tomas Plekanec. The Ducks came out firing in the second but couldnt beat Carey Price, who made 31 saves on the night. "We didnt let up," said captain Brian Gionta. "We knew they were going to have a push. We absorbed it and kept the momentum. "Big part is to continue to play our game and not open up. When the other team presses, you have to make sure you stick with your game plan." Gionta and Rene Bourque later scored for the Habs. Patrick Maroon scored a consolation goal for Anaheim. After relentless pressure by the Canadiens to start the game, Bournival scored his second of the year to put the Habs ahead 1-0 at 11:39 of the first period. Bournival tipped a blue-line shot from Nathan Beaulieu past Anaheim netminder Jonas ;Hiller.dddddddddddd The assist was Beaulieus first point in his fourth game this season. Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien had nothing but praise for Bournival. "The more he plays, the more confidence we have in his play," said Therrien. "Hes creating good plays with his intensity and his speed. He skates really well. He competes. "Its fun to see a young player, as the season goes on, even if its early in the season, whos making good decision and playing with a lot of confidence." Plekanec added to the Canadiens lead five minutes later. Bournival intercepted a missed clearance from Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf in the Anaheim zone and unselfishly dished the puck over to a wide-open Plekanec, who scored his fifth of the year. "When you respect the system, good things happen," said Bournival of the teams second goal. "I was well-positioned in my forechecking. Well definitely take a goal like that." Two quick penalties to Mathieu Perreault and Cam Fowler midway through the second period proved costly for Anaheim. Gionta struck mere seconds into the 5-on-3, tapping in the easy rebound after a Plekanec shot from behind the net rolled off Hillers arm. Maroon spoiled Prices shutout bid at 8:58 of the third, firing a wrist shot off the post and in past a sprawling Price to make it 3-1. Bourque added Montreals fourth of the night at 12:39. Fresh out of the penalty box, Bourque darted towards the net, took a pass from Plekanec and fired a backhanded shot past Hiller. Hiller made 21 saves on the night. Teemu Selanne, another NHL veteran, also played what could be his last game in Montreal tonight. The 43-year-old -- the oldest active player in the NHL -- is retiring at the end of the season and was kept off the score sheet. Notes: The Canadiens were still without Max Pacioretty, Brandon Prust and Daniel Briere on the night. All three forwards sustained injuries last week. ... Montreal welcomes the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. ... The Ducks are on a two-week, eight-game road trip that began with a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '