The Blue Jays have released first baseman Greg Bird from his minor league contract, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (Twitter link). Toronto gave “strong” consideration to carrying Bird on the roster, Nicholson-Smith adds, but ultimately the Jays will go in a different direction with their Opening Day 28-man roster.
Bird, 29, had a strong spring showing in Dunedin, hitting .261/.393/.565 with a pair of homers, a double, five walks and five strikeouts in 28 trips to the plate. That performance comes on the heels of a .267/.362/.532 batting line with 27 home runs in 461 plate appearances with the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate last season.
There’s never been too much doubt that Bird has the ability to hit. He was at one point viewed as a possible long-term option at first base for the Yankees, and understandably so after a .261/.343/.529 batting line and 11 home runs in 178 plate appearances as a rookie in 2015. Injuries, however, have taken their toll on Bird over the years and caused him to miss substantial amounts of time. Shoulder surgery wiped out his entire 2016 campaign, and when he returned in Spring Training the following year, Bird fouled a ball off his ankle that resulted in an injury which eventually required surgery. A year later, that same ankle required a second surgery, and in 2019, he developed plantar fasciitis in his other foot and missed the bulk of the season.
Bird’s huge rookie showing, his career .277/.365/.530 slash line in Triple-A, and this year’s brief but impressive spring performance with the Jays all serve as a reminder of the upside he has at the plate. It’s quite possible he’ll draw interest from another team in need of some help at first base and/or designated hitter. Nicholson-Smith does note that there’s some chance of the Jays re-signing Bird to a new minor league deal, but he’ll of course have the opportunity to talk to all 29 other clubs now as well.
Any team that does pick him up could technically control him not only for the 2022 season but also through 2023 via arbitration, though he’d first need to make the big league roster at some point and hold a spot through season’s end.
Bird has flown the coop.
His main issue has been health and if he’s really healthy is worth a take if you need a lefty first baseman. Two problems in addition to health may hamper his chances:. 1) he’s limited to just first base and 2) he did his damage in Yankee Stadium.
National league teams may take a shot for the first month as a DH/1b
He actually had a good spring.
Where to now? The Yankees? Yeah, let’s give the Bird to the Yanks.
I’d love to see his “park adjusted” stats as I recall he’s been a pull hitter who used the shirt right porch to his advantage.
I have long been a proponent of replacing the interlocking NY with an interlocking FU on our caps. I feel this would clarify my position in re the entire League.
I have no problem fostering a “screw everybody but us” mentality. That is merely just a reflection however.
No room on the Yankees as long as Rizzo remains healthy.
But Bird’s productive spring shows that he can still play… Maybe the Red Sox take a chance on him, considering that their primary 1st baseman Dalbec is a righty,
Ducky, as JoePos correctly notes in his AL East review today, the Yankees live rent free in the fans of other teams. We like it. We want to be hated. When our team is not, there’s something wrong. Adding an interlocking FU would be a nice touch.
Exactly.
Even with guys on the board that are fans of other teams & I have had great interactions with, there is always the caveat of “for a Yankee fan.”
So. I am perfectly willing to be absolutely clear on this myself.
I wonder though. When the Yankees play a team on the road, what do they do with the ballparks in those “cities” while they await the Yankees return?
I have lived a few places since I left The City. So I can answer that. Believe it or not, those teams actually play against other teams in the interim(!).
However: they typically don’t sell nearly as many tickets for the undercard bouts. Hate us all you want. But the NYY are financially important for pretty much everyone.
Not in Boston Shaw has his warts but stays healthy and in a pinch can play other positions.
Agreed Ducky. But the Steinbrenners/ Cashman with the obsession with the luxury tax, Are making it increasingly difficult to remain fans of the team, Or maybe more accurately as Chris Moore says, we are addicted to it and they know it ,so we will keep going back for more torture
When it comes to the Yanks & Big Blue I am a lost cause. My grandfather had season tickets to both. I was going to The Stadium since before I can remember, serious. I even met Mr Steinbrenner a couple times. He was cool. Looked me in the eyes, always wanted to know who my favorite players were.
Hard time seeing Hal do that.
Anyway: I will continue to watch those teams merely because I always have – if for no other reason than that. Hal ain’t George. Which in it’s entirety is not all that bad. Wouldn’t mind seeing some actual competitiveness out of him, though.
Again, we (I) are complaining about a likely 90+ win team & a playoff spot. Which…well, that may not sit all that well with – for example – Red’s fans. Or Mariner fans. Or A’s fans. Or…well, you see where I am going here.
I watched the Don Mattingly documentary on MLBN yesterday and it reminded me what a jerk George could be.
I like the fit for the Sox. He’s a much better option than Travis Shaw. Playing twice a week might keep him a bit healthier too. Shaw also indicated he would accept a minor league assignment. Not sure if that would change if Bird came on board.
I get that, @L99.
This whole, “George was a saint” thing is a fairly myopic view. That being acknowledged, I don’t think we will ever see an owner – in any sport, mind you – that reinvests 70-80% of revenue *back* into payroll.
The reality is, Hal is not nearly as competitive as his father was. & that is the seed of a lot of the “I miss George” stuff. How I see it anyway.
Don’t give the Bird to the Yanks. Make a trade to flip the Bird to the Yanks.
extra money when they comes to town, along with an end season rev sharing check. Those damn Yankees!?!?!
agree on his defense but as someone who watched him in 2015 his power plays anywhere. i remember a game in tampa he took an effortless swing and hit a home run off of the wall ABOVE the right field bleachers. bird is up there with brien taylor and nick johnson on my yankee-fan “what might have been” list
I guess the Statue The Yankees built needs to come down on him
Why would they release him? You don’t just drop a Bird. Got to trade him, he’s got value.
If it were me, I would try to flip someone the Bird for an asset.
Humph.
Oh well. At least we don’t have to listing to Buck Martinez to remind us that Bird used to a Yankee, every time he’s at bat.
I hate Buck Martinez’s voice and have to turn the volume down when watching. Can’t please everyone and I’m just being honest. it’s the same when the Sox backup Monaco is doing NESN games or when Ellis Burks does color.
Everyone has their favourites and ones they like and don’t like. I happen to love Buck and Dan doing Jays games. Pat Tabler doing color on Jays games though, that’s another story.
Yeah, When Buck is leading the show, it’s brutal. Paired with Pat, it’s like Beavis and Butthead, but in a bad way.
As a Sox fan, I hate listening to Michael Kay Yankees’ casts yet I sometimes enjoy his radio show
Big fan of Dan. A pro announcer. Buck, however, is a different story.
It’s best with the sound off.
Cohen just found his opening day starter
I thought his name was Petey – anyways, hope he finds a home and sees some playing time.
We got no food …
We got no jobs …
OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!!!
Prettyyy Biiird…
What is his next stop?
Cardinals?
Or Orioles?
Obviously those are the only options left for a Bird.
If he changes his sport to football, it opens up his options…
The Marlins would just eat him up.
Angels have wings too
Baltimore — with lefty-friendly Camden Yards — is a good place to rebuild career value.
Besides the productivity, the O’s can get a prospect for Bird at the trade deadline.
Either there’s a trade in the works, or the Jays have their eyes on another recent release. Bird was penciled in as Toronto’s DH vs. RHP. and back-up 1st baseman. There has to be another shoe to drop.
Abraham Almonte is probably available…
Or they could sign Brock Holt to a minor league deal. He plays more positions and is also a left handed bat
He hasn’t been a worthwhile player since 2015 (!)… I doubt they were basing any major plans around him
I think Gosuke Katoh will make the OD team and he has a fair bit of experience at 1B, among other positions. He’s been lighting it up in Spring and has a good AAA track record, as well as never playing in the majors so the Jays can pay league minimum.
Freebird.
Lol
Cubs could give him a spot. They have nothing to lose by seeing if he can give them something.
The Cubs and White Sox should play a best-of-nine series. The loser relocates to Indianapolis.
Cubs are trying to win, despite what fans think.
i honestly do not see the Cubs “trying to win”. Yes, they picked up Miley, Stroman and Suzuki, along with a handful of other players but everyone outside of Suzuki is on a 1-2 year deal.
I thought the Cubs were going to try to get sly and bounce right back into contention but when you really look at it, this roster is designed to be flipped. Gomes is a bridge signing but Stroman, Miley, Villar, Simmons, Smyly, Robertson, Givens and Norris were all signed to be traded. Contreras was kept because his value has been low and should see a spike at the deadline. Hendricks is only signed through 2023 with a club option for 24.
Basically, everything the Cubs did screams rebuild and a deep look into their farm system, its going to be 3-4 years before “impact” prospects (outside of Davis) will be ready to challenge for a ML role.
MAYBE this team will surprise but it will absolutely require Happ to find consistancy, Fraizer (who I love) to really start reaching his potential, Suzuki to hit the ground running, Schwindy to continue hitting like a grizzled vet and Nico and Madrigal to both be the pesky chippers that they can be. And that is just on offense, Cubs would still need all Hendricks to bounce back, Stroman to continue pitching like a TOR starter, Miley to continue his career resurgence, Smyly to pitch like a middle of the rotation starter and Steele or Thompson to pitch like mid or better. The pen would require all their additions to perform at their peak and Wick to bounce back.
To me, that is way too many if’s and buts for Cubs fans (myself included) to have a Merry Christmas.
Wishing gosuke best of luck and early congrats
Maybe Nathan Lukes as well?
Can’t see any room for Lukes, unfortunately – Biggio and Espinal are the 5th and 6th outfielders. I’m rooting for Lukes since we went to the same university.
Strange move by the Jays, I assume they have another move coming.
Why is this strange? He’s not co e close to proving he belongs in the majors right now. He’s been terrible for over six years. What are you looking at?
He was hardly terrible as a Yankee
6 years ago for a half season. Not very promising.
He had an opt-out clause in his contract and chose to use it.
What a shame, when he came up he looked like a star
Sure did, man.
He was touted higher than Judge. The shoulder, his base…just so many injuries that can sap a hitters
power. Now it does look like he may not have lost much.
But I thoroughly understand why a team with legitimate championship aspirations would look elsewhere. We have seen Greg Bird tear it up in Spring Training. More than once. Tough to count on him making it through a season
He’ll probably end up in Baltimore & hit a dozen jacks in The Stadium. Because the Baseball God’s oftentimes have an ironic sense of humor.
Oakland, replacing Chapman.
Agreed Ducky. But the Steinbrenners/ Cashman with the obsession with the luxury tax, Are making it increasingly difficult to remain fans of the team, Or maybe more accurately as Chris Moore says, we are addicted to it and they know it ,so we will keep going back for more torture
Wtf he easily should have made the team especially if it’s going to be a 28 man roster.
JD. Most teams are using the extra roster space for pitchers so the 28 man limit probably had no impact.
I wonder who they give the spot to?
Maybe a waiver pickup from another team.
Bird initiated the release via an option in his contract.
Probably because he was told he wasn’t making the team. Which shouldn’t surprise anyone with the ability to google his stats.
He put on a decent spring showing. Maybe the Guardians, Pirates or Athletics will consider him. Can’t be any worse than what they currently have.
Sure he can, have you seen his stats his last three seasons?
We’re talking 2022 spring. Maybe he made some changes, I don’t know. Maybe he is still terrible.
I wouldn’t put any value at all on a small portion of spring games. None at all.
None at all? So why have spring training? Why have spring training invites?
It’s not to evaluate players based on 28 plate appearances, I can assure you that. It’s too small of a sample size in a different environment than season games. You just can’t make assessments in such small sample sizes. Certainly not assessments that ask us to ignore 6 years of poor play because of one good week in games that don’t count.
I remember an interview years ago with Mike Scioscia where he talked about how he evaluates a player in spring training, and it wasn’t based on stats. He would look at the player’s approach at the plate, whether he made good contact, whether he had “good at’bats” whether it resulted in a hit or not.
*SPIDERS
**LAKERS
Bird is tailor made for CLE – inexpensive and more productive that the motley bunch they cycled through 1B last year. If the Guardians don’t jump all over this, then I really don’t know what else they have in mind.
Losing.
Bird has ok spring stats, but has struggled lately. He is 0-5 with 4 K’s and no walks in 3 games in April.. He is 1-12 in his last 5 games. And he has not looked good with some of those K’s being pretty feeble
His 2 HR came in the first 5 games of spring training.
Small sample size, but once the pitchers started to get up to speed, it looks like he started to struggle.
Ducky, I might have some great news. Carlos Beltran just said something about Judge getting extended. His wording made it sound like a done deal. Fingers crossed.
This is being reported by Brian Hoch. So it’s not just some off the wall thing.
Well that’s certainly welcome, Joe.
& perhaps – if that is taken care of – Cash’ll get back to worrying about – ya know – *this* season. He has ever so slowly gotten us close to being a better ballclub than last year’s iteration.
One more SP or capable bat & we should be completely ready to roll.
I’m curious Ducky. I’ve seen you recently calling for a bat. Considering the infield is set and the outfield is at least two thirds set, who do you have in mind?
Any established, above average MLB hitter, Joe.
I am not choosey. Perhaps we have the answer on our roster already in the form of Andujar. Tough to count on that though.
One specific would be Clip’s guy, Tyler Naquin. I would much rather see him than Locastro. The Boss move would obviously be Contreras. But that dream has faded.
You’re right though. It’s not the easiest fit at this point. I just keep hoping Cash catches me off guard with someone I never thought of. Which would be true to form.
@Joe –
Where are you seeing that? I’m finding some really generic stuff from 03/26 – 04/02, but nothing from today or yesterday even.
Thanks.
I saw ot on the YouTube channel NYY Recaps. He showed the Brian Hoch tweet.
Merci
Good news for Judge. Proof that the Yankees are not changing with the times. Still paying big money for decline years.
You may want to wait for the terms of the contract or, more importantly, wait to see if it’s actually true before calling something “proof”.
He definitely deserved a spot
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Fond memories.
He got his spot … on the released list.
This bird is not the word.
Puzzling move in by itself as he both hit and fielded very well this spring with the Jays. EVERYONE thought he was a no-brainer to back up 1B and DH against RHP. Lets see if further moves are upcoming. Maybe the Jays carry 11 bullpen arms?
Injuries killed his career. He had ONE good (half) season, six plus years ago. It’s delusional to think he’s going to enter into anyone’s plan A. He’ll be lucky to hang around the upper minors. Players just don’t suddenly become good after 6 years of nothing.
Yeah I’m feeling like the article pointed to his injuries but from 2016-19, he still combined about 450 ABs and did not once hit over the Mendoza line.
I’m really surprised I assumed bird and McGuire would make the team when McGuire was traded yesterday I was sure bird was to make the team, there has to be something going on. Unless bird asked to be realeased I’m so confused
Flying South…
Then he is indeed lost. The migration is definitely heading North.
@Ducky Buckin Fent
He’s going to join the new expansion team in Argentina, the Buenos Aires Vampire Bats.
Which led me down this crazy rabbit hole of “do Birds in South America migrate.” Learned the term “longitudinal migration.”
So they do, but it is a much different migratory pattern. I am not sure that interests anyone on the board besides myself, however.
Hmmm interesting, thought he had a nice spring and could have been a bench asset, back up 1b and DH vs RHP.
A bit shocked tbh
28 plate appearances in early Spring Training does NOTHING to alter an opinion about an entire career. Way to small of a sample size, vs not entirely MLB competition, pitchers not throwing as hard yet… it’s less than nothing. He’s a AAAA player at best. There should be no surprise here.
The results don’t necessarily matter, but to say spring training doesn’t matter is just flat out wrong. There was a roster spot to be won.
Was he healthy?
How does his swing look?
Does he fill a gap on the team?
Is he taking feedback, recommendations well?
Does the coaching staff think he can contribute?
Etc. you think the jays were just wasting their time with him to get someone to fill in for spring training games?
Was spring training and results a waste to David Phelps?
Sure to say it means nothing isn’t literally true all the time but it is true when evaluating certain players. You don’t change your evaluation of a player based on half of Spring Training. It’s mostly for players to warm up and, yes, evaluate health.
No one is changing evaluation, he’s not competing for the 1b starting job lol.
Players can get healthy and reignite previous potential, happens all the time.
Bird seems like a player whom that could happen with, Dusty. He can hit. That was never really a question. Staying on the field – however – is.
First of all, I’m realizing I don’t really disagree with what YOU are saying but rather I’m against the shock that some are displaying at his not being a part of the Jays plan. That being said, show me ONE time a player has been below replacement level for SIX years and then returned to form. I doubt it’s ever happened. That it “happens all the time” is a myth. Go ahead, find some examples.
David Phlelps has shown himself to be a useful player.. Spring training affirmed it.
Bird started out hot in the spring and then went cold. When you look at his body of work there is not enough to rely on 30 spring AB’s
Anyway, he could have gone to AAA and proved it. He chose not to.
Per Ben Nicholson-Smith, Bird was the one initiating the release via an option in his contract.
Only possible if he wasn’t put in the 40 man. So jays decision
He wasn’t on the 40 man. He was on a minor league contract.
Must have figured out that Vlad kid is pretty good after all
Yes lol, but read on…..he asked for the release upon being told he wasnt going to make the opening day roster……short attention span?
Bird might be better off trying to land a spot in Japan or Korea. There’s been a few guys that’s been able to rejuvenate their careers over there. I don’t think MLB teams have a whole lot of confidence in Bird’s physical endurance…
He’s better than any of the Guardians current options….. Bradley isn’t even hitting in spring…. there’s about to be an open roster spot in Cleveland
Pepperidge Farms remembers when Greg Bird was MLB’s next up and coming star. Or was that just hype, now that I think of it?
He was a rising star, got injured and that’s it
With Bird and McGuire both gone, that means something else has to be happening with the Jays 40man/lineup.
A roster spot taken up by a pitcher is probably the best decision for the Jays at this point but who knows, is it a trade, callup or signing?
In Bird’s B-Ref photo he looks like a hired hitman…
He’s very angry at the photographer for some reason.
From Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith
·
“Adding context here, Bird had a release clause in his contract and he exercised it.”
If true, then that makes sense. I think he was using this as an opportunity to try and advertise himself to other clubs.
Maybe the spring sample was small. But, with the 27 dingers and essentially .900 OPS over 461 ABs last year at AAA, he showed he was healthy and productive over an entire season. That alone should garner some interest, given his legit bat. The production this spring was just an extension of last year to serve as proof of health. If he’s not eventually a part timer on a MLB team by summer, he’ll be a full timer overseas.
Who’s the DH now? Kirk? Isn’t there a couple spots open on the big league club with Reese and now Bird gone?
I assume Kirk gets the majority, with Springer,vlad, bo, Chapman, Teo and gurriel all cycling through
Barring a trade, I think this means that Nathan Lukes and Gosuke Katoh make the team as the final bench pieces. Both hit from the left side, are versatile and have performed well through Spring Training. The Jays have two 40 man spots open after trading McGuire yesterday.
Would love to see Katoh on the team. Think he’s a very nice player. Definitely could be a very valuable bench piece.
Isn’t it still one 40 man spot, Collins has to be on the 40 man right, and David Phelps is 39. No?
Correct, just 1 spot left
Quite right. I stand corrected.
I was hoping that the Mets would sign Greg Bird as a backup especially if the Mets trade Dom Smith, or since the Padres like Smith ask for Manae or Snell and Voit, Mets add something, since the Mets need a lefty starter or if no Voit, than sign Bird to a minor league deal.
Yankees should give this guy a second chance. Lots of potential. Use him as a DH. Low risk signing pretty much
Totally don’t get the fascination with this dude. As a 28 year old with several years of major league experience, he barely hit league average in AAA with the Rockies last year (yes, an OPS of 890 is only a bit above average in the PCL, and in Albuquerque in particular). Dude’s not an impact hitter, despite what he did back in the day before teams figured out he can’t hit off speed pitches.
The legend continues…
Could make a killing her as a used car salesman…. I have a car for sale, it ran pretty darn well briefly six years ago. Since then it hasn’t really run at all, barely gets out of the drive way, but hey, it might suddenly return to form against all odds and previous history. What do you say? Who starts the bidding?
The Jays even with 15 pitchers still hv 1 roster spot avail if Collins makes it as a 3rd catcher or 2 if he doesnt and i cant understand dealing McGuire for Collins to then roster Collins to start the season tbh, so not sure what the plan here is…..seems kind of wonky to hv the position available and need a LH bat off the bench
I approve this move as I drafted Kirk in my fantasy baseball league figuring he’ll get ABs at DH. This should help open up more ABs.
Blue Jays should keep the Bird, along with signings of Aaron Crow, Mark “The Bird” Fidrych and Ken “hawk” Harrelson as announcer.
You forgot Andre “The Hawk” Dawson.
All Fish Team vs All Bird Team
CF – Johnny Gil vs. Turkey Stearnes
LF – Mike Trout vs. Chicken Hawks
1B – Mike Carp vs. Greg Bird
DH – Tim Salmon vs. Andre “The Hawk” Dawson
C – Carlton Fisk vs. Birdie Tebbetts
3B – Chico Salmon vs. Wade “Chicken Man” Boggs
RF – Kevin Bass vs. Hawk Harrelson
SS – Lip Pike vs. Robin Yount
2B – Shad Berry vs. Jay Bell
SP – Catfish Hunter vs. Mark “The Bird” Fidrych
RP – Marlin Stuart vs. Aaron Crow
Who wins?
Team Bird. Team fish DQ’d due to their catchers name not being fishy enough
Fisk is a Scandinavian fish. Norwegian, Icelandic
Ps Marlon Byrd doesn’t know where he belongs. Poor guy
Not released. He had an out in his contract and used it.
Believe Jayssare making a mistake here.
I thought he was going to be good , was wrong again . He did hit six home runs this preseason
Bird? He hit 2 HR
He had 6 hits.
Oakland could be a possibility. They still have a bit of an unsettled First Base spot open
Surprised out of all of the comments you are the first one to mention it.
It’s because most people don’t give the A’s any thought. Not even an afterthought. They only hit the radar when they are in position to get a spot in the postseason.
I think that is very realistic. Right now the A’s have Thames at 1B.
Thames just got reassigned to AAA.
He must think he has a better chance of getting more AB’s with someone else.
Good luck to him.
Ok, but the real question is, who is going to be the DH for Toronto?
Please don’t tell me they will be giving Taipa regular AB’s!!!! (insert barf emoji here)
Should have kept Reese and made Kirk the DH
The Yankees will sign him to a minor league deal
I never realized how painful Plantars Fasiitis is.
Cost Mark McGwire the better parts of two seasons in Oakland in 1993-’94. Hampered Pujols with the Angels. Its not an easy injury to bounce back from right away
Having had PF, I don’t know how these guys play with it. While most people were mocking Pujols for looking old and slow, I was tipping my cap to him. I sometimes couldn’t walk when I had it, and I had it for nearly two years. It’s one of those things that you don’t understand until you experience it…
Josh Fuentes will make the opening day roster
Jays gave Bird the bird
Bird put up better spring numbers, but for some crazy reason the Jays still gave the first base job to this Guerrero guy instead. What happened to letting the better performer win?