The Blue Jays have signed Josh Fuentes to a minor league deal, per Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports (via Twitter). He has been issued an invitation to Major League camp, adds MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson (via Twitter).
Fuentes, 29, has spent the whole of his Major League career with the Rockies. He was largely a bit player until last season when he started 56 games at third base. Of course, third base in Colorado had previously been spoken for by Fuentes’ cousin, Nolan Arenado. Fuentes appeared in 32 games on the other side of the diamond at first base, though he was mostly inserted as a late game replacement.
Offensively, Fuentes struggled mightily in 2021, posting a lowly 48 wRC+ and .225/.257/.351 triple slash line. For his career, a total 443 plate appearances, Fuentes owns an acceptable 25.7 percent strikeout rate, too-low 3.4 percent walk rate, and below-average .134 isolated power mark.
There isn’t expected to be much in the way of playing time on the Blue Jays’ roster for a right-handed corner infielder – not with Matt Chapman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. locking down those spots. That said, there is some opportunity for a bench role in Toronto. Righties fill the lineup, however, so Fuentes will likely start behind non-roster invitees like Greg Bird or Gosuke Katoh in his effort to claim the final bench spot.
I did not know that he was a free agent. The cousin of Nolan Arenado.
Yeah, same haha. Thought he was still with the Rockies but apparently he became a free agent back in November, so was eligible for minor league FA I guess?
Had Fuentes been a cousin or son of Dick Monfort, he might have been named Director of Player Development by now instead of Sterling Monfort… or maybe even Assistant GM.
Yawn.
How did the White Sox not acquire him back when they were signing anyone associated with Manny Machado a few years back
Not a son, but at least if he fills in at 3B for a game the Blue Jays will have an “all relatives of famous players” infield.
AAA depth only. Maybe a sign that Bird may make the Jays
Very solid defender had 10 rds last year.
Girl bird never left the Rockies AAA last year. I think Fuentes has the upper hand