The Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury, agreeing to a one-year, $2.05MM deal for the 2020 season, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets.
MLBTR projected Drury for a $2.5MM arb figure, so he’ll get a significantly smaller raise than expected over his $1.3MM salary from the 2019 season. Then again, Drury did little to enhance his value after a sub-replacement level (-0.6 fWAR, -0.2 bWAR) 2019 campaign that saw him hit only .218/.262/.380 with 15 home runs over 447 plate appearances. This makes it consecutive negative-WAR seasons for Drury, following an abbreviated 26-game year with the Jays and Yankees in 2018.
Drury will now be fighting to keep a superutility role next year, hoping that his versatility can keep him on the roster long enough to revive his bat. Drury spent most of his time at third base prior to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s promotion, and also saw action at second base, first base, both corner outfield slots, and five games at shortstop.
Ken Giles and Matt Shoemaker are Toronto’s two remaining arbitration-eligible players, as per MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker. Teams have until 11am tomorrow to exchange figures with their arb-eligibles. Giles is projected for an $8.4MM deal, and Shoemaker for a $3.8MM salary.
Definitely thought this cat would be a better ball player than he’s turned out so far
you can have him back if you like
It keeps the HOT HOT and the cool cool the new MCDLT
is he involved in the Liberatore trade?
It pays fairly well to be a jack-of-all-trades …because he is certainly master-of-none
It also pays well to jack off all as a trade
Drury’s natural position is 3rd base. If he were allowed to master it, he would be better at the plate as well.
Unfortunately the Jays have a 1st basemen currently playing 3rd base.
He played 65 games at 3B. How does the fact that he needs to play a few other positions excuse his poor hitting?
It seems his real issue is attitude. He seems really down on himself most of the time.
The first baseman you are thinking of has never actually played that position professionally. Besides nobody is questioning his defence, it is very good.. However, the Jays have had several guys in recent years with great defence, but their hitting was poor, but they didn’t make 2.5 m per year.
This guy reminds me of Kelly Johnson, can play all over the diamond, has power to all fields, but rarely connects. Would love to see him turn it around for his own sake and that of the team..
The best position for Drury is any other place other than the Blue Jays! Not that he’s the only one however!
Brandon Drury has played multiple positions since rookie ball.
https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brandon-drury/11615/stats?position=2B/3B/OF#fielding
Hot Air isn’t hard to come by around here!
Drury signed to platoon with Travis Shaw, as well as super utility & injury insurance. His hold on a roster spot will be precarious all season long…unless he finds the bat that he used to hit .300 a few years ago…
Drury has never hit .300
in the majors…..
In fact Brandon Drury was never a good baseball player. He’s been one of the most talked about 1 WAR player I’ve ever seen.
Shaw is an absolute BEAST!!!!
At killing rallies. Dude’s awful.
How the heck does he get that much of a raise -yikes. He was brutal .
If Shaw is the DH (let’s play hypothetical), and Drury is on the bench, the next 3 bench players would be McGuire (catcher), a backup SS (Valera/Espinal) and 1 outfielder to make 13 position players. With the team carrying outfielders with no options there must be a move somewhere down the line. McKinney and Davis are in AAA. Could mean Tellez goes to Buffalo if none of the OFs are dealt. Doubtful Teoscar is demoted. That puts Shaw at 1B.
Drury had a few mental lapses and would have racked up more if he played regularly. Reportedly he works very hard to improve. Seems his problem is from the eyes up. Maybe a vet could have mentored him.
I understand the need for depth, but why Drury wasn’t non tendered and how he can possibly make $2mil is beyond me. He has a bit of pop. But everything else is too far below MLB caliber.
I guess they figure they need Drury because Vladdy is the worst 3rb bagger they’ve ever seen…. anybody’s ever seen probably.
You’re….a tool
Awe common!! I wanted to see Drury’s argument in arbitration. Did the Jays actually think they were going to lose?
50% increase in pay for sucking.
I don’t get the hate for this guy. He’s put together great seasons in Arizona as a young player and he is literally one adjustment away from being a productive big league hitter and above average infielder.
Someone was clamoring for the Jays to sign Scooter Gennett. Well we may already have him. And with superior defence.