The Blue Jays have interest in free agent utilityman Steve Pearce, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Pearce played DH, first base, second base and both outfield spots in 2016, also briefly appearing at third. Rosenthal notes, though, that the Jays could be interested in the right-handed Pearce (a career .269/.353/.499 hitter against lefties) as a platoon partner for Justin Smoak at first base. Pearce could also give the Jays insurance policies at a number of positions, given the potential departures of Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Saunders and Jose Bautista to free agency.
Pearce underwent forearm surgery in September, and his recovery time then was estimated to be four to six months. Any team signing him would surely have interest in how he’s progressing toward a return, since it appears there’s a possibility the injury could delay the start of his season. Even so, Pearce’s versatility and productive bat (he hit .288/.374/.492 in 2016 for the Rays and Orioles) would make him a solid complementary piece for many teams. MLBTR ranked Pearce the 42nd-best free agent available this winter, projecting he would receive two years and $10MM.
Orioles need to get him back. Versatility helps, would play right, or platoon with Kim in left.
Why not Matt Holliday instead? Is it because he’s a Bora’s guy?
Nothing to do with Boras……Pearce is simply the better player at this point of their careers…..
I don’t think Holiday would sign in Toronto as he seems to want to still play in the field and the turf there would destroy his aging body. All the more unlikely now that they have signed a DH.
They have a dirt infield now.
Jays definitely need some versatility, and Pearce would offer a fair bit. If they can sign him for 2/10 that would pair up nicely with Smoak’s contract and give them a true platoon at 1B.
lol at 2/10 after how he hit last year
I know….but that’s what they projected him at in terms of salary. That being said, they also projected Morales at 2/26.
Yeah, 2/10 is a really lowball prediction. I’m thinking he gets something like 2/16-18.
I would like to him in an Indians uniform, especially if we don’t resign Napoli.
As a jays fan ive been wanted us to sign pearce. Great player can be like a zobrist type. Can help in many different roles. Hope we get him
I love to move to add Pearce.
With the durability questions we have and we’ll just anything that means less time for empty average smoak is a step in the correct direction.
Interesting platoon possibility. As a freshman, Justin Smoak replaced the just-graduated Steve Pearce at first base for the University of South Carolina.
“both outfield spots ”
I assert there are three outfield spots.
He’s talking about the corner outfield spots.
Will this guy ever lead the AL East or what
leave*
I see this more as a platoon with Saunders in lf who I can see coming back on a 2 yr deal. helps that he can also play some 1b or 2b as well with travis injuries piling up.
I think the Jays will use A platoon of Cabrera and Upton in LF. Saunders is gone.
Agreed, Saunders is gone. But Carrera won’t be a starter, even with a platoon. He’ll be put through waivers in the spring (out of options) and probably get picked up by someone.
Jays need two corner infielders with Upton as the best 4th outfielder in MLB. I just don’t know if Toronto trusts the AAA guys for 2017 or will grab cheap stopgaps such as Pearce and Rasmus.
Jays are also after Josh Reddick as an insurance policy if Bautista leaves
> both outfield spots
Huh?
As a jays fan, No to him or Reddick, don’t like extreme split guys, that’s not how you build a World Series roster, it’s how you build a 80 win team.
Earl weaver won many championships by employing extensive platoons. Of course, he didn’t have four-man benches to work with. It will be interesting to see – if rosters expand under the new CBA – how many teams just pile on more relievers and how many start taking advantage of platoons again.