The Blue Jays have exercised their option on 1B/OF Adam Lind, Shi Davidi of SportsNet.ca tweets. The Jays will pay Lind $7.5MM for next season rather than a $1MM buyout. They’ll also have an option on his services for 2016 for $8MM or a $500K buyout.
Lind hit .321/.381/.479 in 318 plate appearances for the Jays last season, so picking up his option was probably an easy decision even though he’s a liability on defense and rarely hits against lefties. The move does not preclude a trade, however — Toronto recently claimed lefty first baseman Justin Smoak, potentially giving them another option at first and DH if they deal Lind. The Jays have reportedly already taken a number of calls on Lind this offseason.
Still curious what the Jays could get if they trade Lind. I can see him going to the Pirates, Brewers, or Royals but I honestly cannot think who they would give up to have him. Only prospects IMO.
Jays need bullpen help and a 2B/3B. I could see them landing a solid young bullpen arm in return.
That’s what I see them landing too.
One of Marcus Semien, Carlos Sanchez, Micah Johnson, Matt Davidson?
I’d be alright making a deal of Lind for Johnson and something. Unlikely the Jays would trade a proven asset for an unknown, especially since Johnson is not guaranteed to have a solid average at the major league level. Johnson would compete for the starting second base spot for the Jays and he also adds elite speed to their lineup.
Jays are in win now mode. And he is one of the best hitters in baseball against right handed pitching. I don’t see moving him making much sense unless we get a young second baseman or left fielder with some promise. Not saying they can get that for him, just that otherwise we might as well keep him.
You just can’t trade that bat for a bullpen piece. If that’s all you can get, keep him!