Talks between the Blue Jays and free agent first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce have begun to gain traction, reports ESPN’s Buster Olney (on Twitter). The two sides are progressing toward a deal, Olney adds.
Pearce, 33, underwent forearm surgery in September that was said to come with a four to six month recovery timeline, but he’s been quite productive for the bulk of the past four seasons when healthy. Dating back to 2013, Pearce has slashed a robust .266/.348/.485 with an average of 27 homers per 162 games played. He’s been especially productive against southpaws in that time, batting .272/.359/.523 in 418 plate appearances.
Of course, the greater question for Jays fans would be whether the addition of Pearce would close the door on a reunion with longtime cornerstone Edwin Encarnacion. Toronto has already inked Kendrys Morales to a three-year, $33MM deal this winter, and with Pearce potentially joining Justin Smoak in the mix at first base, it could further limit the urgency to extend a lucrative offer for Encarnacion. Then again, Pearce does have extensive experience on the outfield grass, and the Jays do have a need in the corners, so it’s not impossible to see a scenario in which both right-handed sluggers suit up with the Jays in 2017.
Wow I like how it went from the Orioles being interested in Saunders to Blue Jays interested in Pearce.
Get rid of smoak and the problem is solved. Play Pearce in left and the occasional 1st/dh. Team gets better even if they don’t sign him and just get rid of smoak so it’s a win win
Pearce can be used as a Ben Zobrist in LF, RF besides 1B, 2B, 3B !!!
Edwin should still have a play to come over a play 1B for us !!!
Smoak is a bench player and at $4 M is a hefty price tag !!! I tell you something !!!!
We sign Edwin to play 1B
Pearce takes over Smoak role
We trade Smoak and allocate this $4M in a bullpen arm like Reed or Manship !!!!
won’t happen. everyone knew the Jays were nuts for extending smoak at that dollar figure last summer. why would someone want that contract. Jays should just eat the salary and send smoak down. if someone claims great (though no one will) and you still have him in the organization in case you end up with a need.