No different than the Single A Farm Club in Vancouver, the Blue Jays are looking to get a stronger roster for the 2015 season.
It seems that this might just mean that Adam Lind could be the odd man out, which plays high on the roster.
The Blue Jays moved Lind to the Brewers for pitcher (RH) Marco Estrada, ending the first baseman/DH long run.
If a trade was not in the cards they planned to decline his (Lind’s) $7.5-million (US) option.
It looks as though Edwin Encarnacion is slated to become the Blue Jays’ regular first baseman, freeing the club to rotate players at the DH.
In a shock to some Seattle placed Justin Smoak on waivers and should provide added depth in both areas.
Lind, a third-round pick in 2004, has been in the majors on a consistent basis since 2007.
The 31-year-old lefty hit .273 with 146 home runs and 519 RBIs over his career with the Blue Jays and won a Silver Slugger award in 2009.
Lind fills an area of need for the Brewers, who have been weak at first base since losing Prince Fielder to free agency before the 2012 season.
He made $3,365,500 last season, is eligible for salary arbitration and can become a free agent.
In seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and Brewers, Estrada has a 23-26 record with a 4.23 earned-run average.
In 39 appearances in 2014, which included 18 starts he went 7-6 with a 4.36 ERA.
Alex Anthopoulos expects that versatility can continue in Toronto, where the rotation already seems to be set.
The Blue Jays managed to pick up the $6.7-million contract option on left-hander J.A. Happ, who quite possibly will return to the rotation along with R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Marcus Stroman and Drew Hutchison.
Aaron Sanchez, the organization’s top prospect who spent some time in the bullpen in 2014, will be stretched out to start in spring training as well, Anthopoulos said.
The presence of Sanchez as well as Estrada will give the Blue Jays more pitching depth, considering they refuse the options of Dustin McGowan, Brandon Morrow and Sergio Santos.
It’s obvious that Anthopoulos has some work to do this off-season to re-make the bullpen stronger.
The team extended a $15.3-million qualifying offer to Melky Cabrera, and though Anthopoulos said he’d like to keep the veteran outfielder.
By extending the qualifying offer, the Blue Jays ensure they would receive draft-pick compensation if Cabrera signs elsewhere.
As expected, the Blue Jays declined a $3.65-million option on Smoak, but the former blue-chip prospect remains under team control.
They also picked up catcher Josh Thole’s $1.75-million option and reinstated third baseman Langley’s Brett Lawrie, infielder Maicer Izturis, Chad Jenkins (RH) and outfielder Andy Dirks from the 60-day disabled list, thus moving them to the 40-man roster.
Freeing up some of the $7.5 million that Lind would have made gives the Blue Jays a bit more money to work with.
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