In a surprise move made this morning the Toronto Blue Jays have nabbed free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez away from their division rival Boston Red Sox.

The Blue Jays signed the veteran shortstop to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million for 2010 with a club option for $2.5 million in 2011.

Gonzalez spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox.

Gonzalez, acquired August 14th 2009 by Boston was exactly what the Sox needed at shortstop, as the defensive minded Gonzalez played solid defense at the position while hitting .284 with 5HR & 15RBI in 148 at bats.

Gonzalez is a career .247 hitter with 114HR & 521RBI over 1229 career games spent with the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox & Cincinnati Reds.

The addition of Gonzalez pretty much spells the end of Marco Scutaro as the Jays starting shortstop, as Scutaro is most likely to depart to another team via free agency.

In the last two days the Jays have signed both Gonzalez and re-signed fan favourite John McDonald at the shortstop position.

McDonald will now fill the back up role he has been accustomed to throughout his tenure in a Jays uniform.