3:25pm: Shoemaker will earn an additional $250K if he gets to 150, 160, 170 or 180 innings, Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets.
12:20pm: The Blue Jays have announced the signing.
10:24am: Shoemaker can earn an additional $1MM via incentives, Passan tweets, which would push his 2019 earnings up into the same range as his previous arbitration projection.
9:50am: The contract will pay Shoemaker $3.5MM, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
9:25am: Shoemaker’s guarantee falls in the $3MM to $3.5MM range, tweets MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.
8:51am: The Blue Jays are in agreement on a one-year, Major League contract with free-agent righty Matt Shoemaker, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Toronto has an open spot on the 40-man roster, so a corresponding roster move won’t be necessary. Shoemaker is represented by ISE Baseball.
Shoemaker, 32, was a late addition to the free-agent market on Nov. 30 after the Angels decided to non-tender the oft-injured righty rather than pay him a projected $4.3MM salary in arbitration.Because of that non-tender, he ht the open market with four years, 166 days of Major League service time under his belt, meaning he’ll be controllable through the 2020 season, via arbitration, if he can reestablish himself in Toronto.
A series of forearm strains torpedoed Shoemaker’s 2017-18 seasons, limiting him to just 108 2/3 innings over that two-year span. He wasn’t especially effective in that time, either, pitching to a combined 4.64 ERA (4.62 FIP) with 8.4 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and an ugly 1.5 HR/9 mark.
That said, there’s also reason for optimism with Shoemaker. Though his 4.94 ERA in 31 innings this past season won’t impress anyone, he averaged a career-high 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings in that brief span and recorded a career-best 13.6 percent swinging-strike rate, as well. Perhaps there’s some small-sample noise at play there, but Shoemaker’s splitter was a demonstrably more effective pitch in his limited time on the mound in his final season with the Halos.
It’s also worth noting, of course, that Shoemaker was a solid mid-rotation starter for the Angels from 2013-16, working to a combined 3.75 ERA (3.76 FIP) with averages of eight strikeouts, 1.9 walks and 1.2 home runs per nine innings pitched.
Shoemaker figures to slot into a rotation that also includes Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez and Ryan Borucki, with right-hander Sean Reid-Foley and southpaw Thomas Pannone vying for the fifth spot in new skipper Charlie Montoyo’s starting five.
good signing for Toronto, can flip him at the deadline
You make it seem like he’s going to be good bro lmao
You used bro and lmao in the same post. Remember that.
Oh relax here comes the old guys, the Brian McCann’s of the world.
Bobby Bonilla might’ve been a better comp
Repeated forearm strain = TJ surgery candidate.
The only question is when.
Hope he makes it past 75 innings.
Last year he had an exploratory surgery done which revealed a tear running along a ligament which wasn’t seen on any scans.
They repaired that tear and the dr is confident the problem is fixed.
Not only does Jimmer pretend to be a scout he now pretends to moonlight as a doctor.
Yes, Dr Jimmer is in the house.
Does anyone recall how accurate Dr Jimmer was last year calling Aaron Sanchez finger injury as not healed and that he’d be useless in the rotation?
Kind of, but you are so negative about everything Blue Jays that it got lost in the gigantic pile of crap that is made up of your other comments.
A broken clock is right twice a day. So you’re still only half as accurate.
50%? Don’t give that much credit.
I’ am postive about many things BlueJays, perhaps you are making assumptions and not reading all my posts.
Vlad Jr will be a star. Nate Pearson barring injury will be a star. They would like to extend Justin Smoak because he is a favourite of a high ranking executive. Gurriel Jr will be very good to star-like.
I’m positive Mckinney will end up a platoon player.
There will likely be signifcant front office changes by the end of spring training.
One of Stroman or Sanchez will have a lights out year this year, the other not so much.
When there is real positive stuff to comment on or report for the Jays I will do that, but not just the fake RA-RA of signing or trading for guys that they have no business signing.
What kind of prediction is one of Stroman Sanchez will be lights out but I’m not going to name which one and the other will be crap? That’s the one if the most ludicrous predictions I’ve ever read?
Shoemaker … a name more ‘fitting’ for the St. Louis Browns.
Congrats MLBTR.
Haven’t seem Heywood.
Reminds me of Mike Fiers last year.
Good signing, only if he can be a #3 at minimum and have some value at the deadline
If he pitches like a #5 no one will give us more than a lotto pick.
Sometimes the lottery hits.
But theres a reason the lottery is labeled the “stupid tax”
I’d be happy with 75 innings from Shoemaker.
Atkins gotta go.
Assuming the dollars are slightly below his arb estimate. Best of luck Shoey
He may not be good but his beard is glorious.
Good signing, hopefully he can stay healthy
Nice buy low option
If the Shoemaker fits, …
this is the kind of signing I’ve been waiting for Toronto to make. Hopefully we get one more arm for the rotation and a couple bullpen arms with the aim to flip some of them at the deadline for more prospects
Agreed. They should be all over guys like this. I’m hoping Pomeranz is next.
yes please
Agreed, hope they sign 20 of these guys and 2 work out. They can release the rest.
Sadly, Shoemaker doesn’t project well though. He is likely to get lit up in Toronto.
Clean up that beard off and you should gather 10 miles in your fast ball!
^ You’ve been drinking this morning since yesterday
Let’s have a drink before we go out drinking.
This is a good signing. Low risk. Maybe a few more of these types for the jays in the coming weeks
Any word on Stroman still being traded?
Yeah, word is no GM is willing to give up anything of value for his bad year and crappy attitude.
Where are you getting the crappy attitude from? I don’t see how a team first great PR guy = crappy attitude.
Ever heard of this wacky thing called social media??
Take a quick peak at some of the things he’s had to say about teammates, coaches, ownership…
…a real “team first” attitude.
Post some links…I wanna see
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j…
The only negative I have ever seen him post was when Sanchez was switching to Boras and around here that is a positive. I would like to see the links you have. He is the first to welcome new team mates and is consistently posting about Toronto as a whole, even other Toronto Sports teams.
He’s a true competitor, why are you knocking him for wanting to win and being frustrated for losing?
Ok thanks. He did take credit for his poor performance but crapping on the rest of the team unwarranted even if true.
Time for a change of scenery.
A true competitor doesn’t throw his teammates under the bus.
They say Sanchez has a ‘blistering’ fastball.
It seems like we’re quicker to call out black players for their “attitude.” First Sabathia, then Puig, now Stroman, and without much factual basis.
I was thinking the same thing. If he’s white he has “heart” and is a “vocal leader”; if not, he has an attitude.
What a crock. Case in point: papelbon.
I like how you have to comment on his race because it somehow determines anything to do with others judgement especially in the MLB when some of the best players in history are black. Get that bigot tone out of here, Storman has been a cancer for years. You can’t have a somewhat bipolar presence in a club house that is rebuilding, that makes it worse
Crappy things he has to say? Who are you talking about, Atkins?
I think he gets moved, with all the arbitration BS I think the team wants a change. Although I am a Stroman fan, I do see him being moved, with pillar the top of the trade list, followed by stroman and then smoak.
I would move Smoak or Pillar now but Stroman is buy low. They need the arm as well. Hopefully he pitches well, and Sanchez, and they get more for one or both at the deadline. If the return isn’t decent, they are still controllable and fairly inexpensive. No rush because they don’t have anyone coming up to take the spots without rushing them
Jays dragged their heels on Smoak and will have a difficult time dealing him. It means Tellez will be in Buffalo which is a waste of time.
Trim, I am told that Smoak is a personal favourite of a prominent Jays executive and would rather extend him than trade him.
^Tinnish, or LaCava?
So then what’s the point of keeping Tellez?
And, why would an executive’s love for a player hinder the future of the franchise? If Smoak were to be traded for 3 minor league players, and 1 happens to be a star, who cares about personal feelings?
They’re not dragging their feet. Your perception of Smoak’s trade value is not steeped in reality.
Agreed, Smoak should be traded for as much as the Jays can get. When I hear about he is a favourite and personal feelings are involved, people wonder why I am negative so much.
They need to tank it bigtime now and that says trade Smoak now.
I like tellez, but he has lots of options and I have already read from another source the plan is to keep Tellez in the minors for a bit. I hope Tellez doesn’t give them that option by winning an job out of spring training and forcing them to trade/release Morales, or Martin or Smoak.
^First to ColossusOfClouds….You have no clue what perception I/we have for Smoak. He is a guy that needs to be traded to open the door for Tellez and Vlad. Yes, Vlad. Considering Seattle wants to deal Edwin and feel confident they can do so, that alone should concern every Jays fan on Atkins’ inability to move Smoak who makes less than Edwin, fields better than Edwin and is coming off a better 2018.
Jimmer….Unfortunately I don’t see Morales being released. He will stay to mentor Vlad, and all I see is a broken vet who cost himself a great career because of a walkoff grand slam. Morales is not the guy I want around Vlad. I’d rather have Tulowitzki. At least he could teach him how to field. I also believe Tellez could tear it up in Spring and will be in AAA so long as Smoak and Morales are around.
Jimmer you make up the most outlandish bizarre rumours. Please seek help for your illness.
Best days are ahead for Smoaky the Bear.
But if he makes an error, please don’t call it a Boo-Boo.
Once Manny and Bryce sign the dominos will fall and the Jays will move bodies in the field for arms. Pillar, Smoak, Martin…gone.
Until then, this is not a bad stop gap move at all. The man looks like a lumberjack if you gave him some flannel. Fan favorite in no time a la Kawasaki.
Paul Bunyan…. or a woman from northern Maine.
LMAO….my wife, whose from northern Maine, is doing so also….does look a bit like her aunt…..
I was told years ago the only difference between a woman from the County & a moose was the woman wore flannel.
M/Y/RS;
That’s not very respectful to flannel.
So many teams are trying to decide if they want Manny, Bryce or Russell Martin. I’m starting to think that Bryce won’t sign until Martin is traded. That’s whats holding up the dominoes.
Right church, wrong pew….it’s the Blake Swihart market that’s holding up Manny/Harper……
Typical of the new “cheep cheep” Jays. Hope he can come back but would rather have seen them sign Harvey, Fiers or Cahill to the exact deals they got more upside with those guys and better possible return at the deadline. Send Russ Martin to LA for Homer and something in a bad contract swap. Martin deserves a chance to win, LA can use some salary space and Jays get a little something now and maybe later for Homer. Homer can pitch out of the pen if he has to or the Jays just “Tulo” him too if he sucks
Those guys aren’t exactly chomping at the bit to sign with a 100 loss team.
Grow up Peter pan.
Well I wouldn’t call Texas a contender and none of them are studs. All looking for jobs and maximum dollars. I agree with thelastone, one year and club option, but any of them could be a trade chip at the deadline and the Jays just need a viable inning eater or two for now.
100 loss team? You’ve had one too many cold beers, champ.
if he is healthy he will pitch well. particularly in more moist areas.
I would t give any of those guys the two year deals.. makes no sense.. 1 year only, with club options
No homer Bailey.. I was saying before the kemp trade that trading russel Martin for Matt Kemp straight up would have been a decent move
Jays don’t need Kemp. It’s a contract swap in Baileys case but I wouldnt take the 28m still owed to him this year and next for Martins 20M this year without a prospect in the deal. Jays could also take Barnes back to free up more $ for LA and a possible Harper signing. Bailey may never pitch an inning for the Jays. They could just “Tulo” him too but they can give him a look in ST.
A flaw in that strategy is Homer was released by the Dodgers. If they wanted the Jays could sign him for the league minimum.
Was he released? I don’t think so yet? But if/when he is released I think someone will pick him up fairly quickly for the minimum
that’s a brilliant move, sending Martin for Homer. with cash and or other players involved to offset. LA needs to replace their catcher and Martin would be perfect fit. while T.O eats their bad contract and maybe a fringe prospect comes to Jay’s.
Often injured guys like this should maybe be put in the bullpen,obviously he can’t handle the Starter workload without getting hurt?
he has been horrible out of pen. just hope he is healthy now. when healthy he is much better.
Why is there this narrative that pitching out of the pen is better for your arm than being a SP?
Should affect their cleat sales.
Happy for the guy. He almost died when Kyle Seager domed him a few years ago.
Those ballparks in that division do not bode well for Shoemaker. I don’t believe he made a wise move.
isn’t dry areas are worse for him and his splitter?
I don’t know if that will help. He’s a good guy, I hope it works out for him.
Yeah the AL east isn’t a pitchers paradise.. hope he’s recovered from those injuries
I don’t get this one, aside from short-term, cheap..
(For the moment, I’m going to ignore the health track-record, or lack thereof.)
I question the wisdom of bringing a guy who basically gives up a home-run/start in the AL West into the bandboxes of the AL East.
His ’18 #s suggest he won’t be a liability but the sample size is so small, it’s hard to have confidence in that. Hope I’m wrong but I don’t like this.
Kodion, your gut is correct on this one. There is no wisdom in this signing. None.
The Jays are “hoping” his arm comes back and he can be the 2+ war pitcher he was a few years ago. Someone said it above, lottery ticket signing.
I will add he can look outstanding at times but consistency and injuires make it very high risk. Its a waste of time signing.
The “wisdom” is that, even if you’re not a contender, you need more than two starting pitchers. Better to fill a rotation spot with a guy like him than rush someone to the majors.
Eastern Michigan University Alumni alert! (not many of us to speak of)
Congrats Matt, all of SE Michigan and your EMU Eagle family is proud of you
Go Eagles!
Low risk, for 3.5m and if he rebounds there is another year of control. The jays have very little starter depth and need prob another one or two of these same signings
Wow, good price here. Wish the A’s made a play for him at 3.5-4.5m with an extra year of control. Would have been just like Fiers.
Good move by TOR here. Guy has a sub 4 FIP and 2 of his 3 full seasons were sub 3.5.. The risk / reward ratio here is tremendous. Well done.
no, just no.
Nice guy. Unimpressive pitcher. Never know what type of start he will provide.
Look out Boston
Don’t have many expectations aside from him hopefully being an innings eater. Anything to avoid another Garcia/Biagini disaster this year.
It;’s nice to see Atkins working hard to improve the Jays MLB level club with quality free agent signings and good trades. Sarcasm heavy.
Just tank already and trade everyone not nailed down away for as near ready prospects as the Jays can get. Enough of this regular Atkins nonsense…
Downvotes are also heavy
Jimmer it’s all about dragging the process. Atkins will lose out again on Smoak. That deal should have been made, at the latest, a month ago. Should have been done in July. But if they drag this along they can keep their jobs longer. AA did it. Ricciardi did it. The playbook works with Rogers.
Rogers were the ones that told them they couldn’t rebuild coming off 2017.
100% right on. Shapiro said they would comete “for the fans” So they missed out on Donaldson for Flaherty because Rogers wanted the ticket sales.
^Iver, one does not have anything to do with the other. Not sure why you are mentioning 2017. Because the team was not committed to being a contender after 2017, so that is all crap. To say they tried to win is beyond ignorant.
Jimmer this is your alt account, please get back to your main where you pretend to be a scout.
^Sorry to burst your little bubble Iver but as the saying goes, “seldom right and wrong again”.
If you learn to read in the not-so-distant future you’d see a difference between Jimmer and TrimReaper. Two different people with two different perspectives. Sorry to disappoint you but I won’t bully Jimmer the way you and other inept Jays fans do on this site.
Implying the Jays sought to compete in 2017. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Go tell your friends the Leafs are winning the Stanley Cup like you have every September since the 1970’s.
Oh this is what you’re hurt about.
This is the tank.
Signing depth pitching is part of the plan. Holding onto Stroman, Sanchez, and Smoak for a while will not prevent the tank either.
Shoemaker is a solid pitcher who has been sidelined with a series of unfortunate injuries. His forearm issue was misdiagnosed and as a result mistreated for a long time. Then he took a line drive to the melon that took him out for another long period of time. Once he gets consistent time on the mound, he will be a good addition for the Jays. Plus his story on how he got to the majors is cool. If he is finally healthy, you will like his contribution.
Best of luck to a great guy who made it from undrafted to MLB. Hopefully the last surgery fixed his forearm.
But that division is a tough one to re establish a career. Tiny ball parks, good offfenses.
Good luck to you Shoe!!
Definitely rather have him than Matt Moore.
Mopping up energy.
Low risk with a minimal chance of high reward. Two scenarios:
– Shoemaker holds up and pitches mediocre
– Shoemaker pitches for less than two months, goes down to injury and either Reid-Foley, Pannone or Zeuch are called up. Possibly Pearson but that’s doubtful.
The rebuilding team’s approach. But let’s not expect much from Shoemaker.
Agreeed. 2 months is a lot to expect from Shoemaker, lol.
I would love to see Pearson up here getting mentored in the majors. He would be destroyed if it is too early for him though. That decision is all about his personality and how mature he is.
Pearson has to prove something in the minors before he’s up with the Jays. Since he hasn’t done that I consider him a longshot. More likely he’s up after the deadline.
Jimmerfkhead,,,,,give all of us a break, attacking a team going a direction in re-build is easy pickings on stop gap decisions,,,,,,get lost, leave, move on or at the very least , change your handle so we don’t know it’s you
There is never any reason to make it personal and call others names in these blogs. Please keep it polite and professional.
For the record, I called the rebuild time in these blogs after the playoffs in 2016 and correctly called the ptiching staff not to be competative each years since.
I will continue to call the good moves and bad moves as I see them.
An Elite Gm can turn around a MLB level club in one or two years like a Dombrowski or Cashman or Stearns.
As far as I can see and have been calling the Jays are already into year 3 of a rebuild and there are at least 3 more years to go at this rate. The Jays do not have an elite GM and i will call it so until there is a change.
Man jimmer you sure have a hate on for Atkins. And you can say he has to go as many times as like cause I don’t think anyone is listening.
Can’t be worse than Biagini, and cheaper too. There’s no risk and only upside with this signing. People need to realize that this is not a year the Jays will compete, they need guys just like this to bridge the gap to those competitive years.
I’m guessing the Halos know something us fans don’t know. In 2014, Shoe showed up and pitched like a #1. The guy has a devastating split and can make hitters look silly. He was a major reason that we even made the playoffs that year. Yes, his health hasn’t been there since and I’m guessing his health issues are still there otherwise re-signing him would have been a no brainer… I would think. If he comes out healthy you’ll have at least a number 3.
Wow.. a good signing by Atkins. A solid pitcher for a cheap price, didn’t think Atkins was smart enough.
If healthy, he can provide some value. Wish the Tigers would have signed him, though.
Yankees just sign Machado!!!!
Low risk, low cost. If he performs well enough, they can hold or flip if the young arms are beating down the door. If he doesn’t, it’s low cost and short term. No one (except vapid wannabe ‘scouts’ in comment sections) expects this to be a franchise signing – they need someone to fill in, little more.
Yes why pay $4.5 mill for Shoemaker when you can sign Cahill and/or Harvey and basically have the same pitcher except it is 5X what they signed for. Eppler is Clueless. I have a crystal ball and see Trout walking to the east and who could blame him.
Additional Incentive for Shoemaker. For every pair of cleats he repairs, $50.00 from the team. Also, no restriction on soliciting shoe repair jobs from any members of MLB teams.
Lol. Made my day.
Shave the beard, its a distraction.
Didn’t know this dude still played.
A pitcher that used to be good but got derailed by injuries, he sounds like a Blue Jay already.
Blue Jays are in a hopeless situation in that division. Full tear down and get all young studs. Maybe will take five years but that won’t win in that time anyways.