Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Springer, Jays reach 6-year, $150M deal

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 19 January 2021 21:30

Outfielder George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a six-year, $150 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday.

The contract would be the largest given out by the Blue Jays in franchise history. Their only other contract that topped $100 million was a $126 million extension to Vernon Wells in 2006.

Springer is headed to the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, for a physical. If all goes according to plan, Toronto will get the star it has been looking for all winter.

Springer, the spark plug for the Houston Astros' offense in the leadoff spot for the past four seasons, was one of the most coveted free agents on the market this offseason. He hit a team-high 14 home runs this season and added another four in the postseason, as the Astros lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series.

While several of his teammates struggled offensively this past season amid fallout from the 2017 sign-stealing scandal, Springer, who earned a prorated $7,777,778 from a $21 million salary after avoiding arbitration, has continued to put up better numbers since then -- hitting .265 with 32 RBIs in 51 games in 2020 while lowering his strikeout rate to 17.1%, a career best.

He passed on a one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer by the Astros, who will get a compensation draft pick upon his signing with a new team.

Prior to the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Springer hit 20 home runs in five of the previous six seasons. He earned three straight All-Star nods from 2017 to 2019, and he was named World Series MVP in 2017, when the Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

Springer has been at his best during big moments, hitting 19 postseason home runs, which is tied for fourth all time. He also ranks sixth in slugging percentage (.546), seventh in extra-base hits (34) and is tied for 14th in runs scored (43).

Since making his debut in 2014, Springer has been one of the best hitters out of the leadoff spot in all of baseball, ranking second in home runs (136), third in RBIs (352) and fourth in hits (665) and extra-base hits (254). He also has hit a first-inning leadoff home run 39 times during his career, which ranks fourth in American League history.

In 2019, Springer set career highs with a .292 batting average, a .591 slugging percentage, .383 on-base percentage and 6.2 WAR (wins above replacement).

Defensively, Springer continues to be very solid as an everyday center fielder at age 31 and could easily slide over to either of the corner outfield spots, if needed. Blue Jays center fielders accounted for minus-7 defensive runs saved in 2020, tied with the New York Yankees for 26th in MLB. Springer accounted for 6 DRS as a center fielder in 2020, tied for fifth best at the position.

The Blue Jays' outfield was already extremely productive on offense in 2020, combining for 40 home runs. The only outfield with more homers than the Jays belonged to the Dodgers (50).

Overall, in seven seasons with the Astros, Springer has a .270 career average with 174 home runs and 458 RBIs.

A slow free-agent market saw only 21 of 181 players who became free agents following the World Series enter Tuesday with finalized agreements.

Blue Jays Nation first reported Springer's agreement with Toronto on Tuesday night, while MLB Network first had the terms.

ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 259 times

Soccer

Man Utd wrap up worst ever Premier League spot

Man Utd wrap up worst ever Premier League spot

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United's miserable season ended with confirmation of the...

Arteta reassures Arsenal fans: 'We'll win it' in end

Arteta reassures Arsenal fans: 'We'll win it' in end

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has urged Arsenal not to be satisfied with being runne...

As it happened: Man City beat Arsenal to title

As it happened: Man City beat Arsenal to title

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe final day of the 2023-24 Premier League saw Manchester City win...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Anunoby, Hart starting for Knicks in Game 7

Anunoby, Hart starting for Knicks in Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNew York Knicks forwards OG Anunoby and Josh Hart were both in the...

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray is "feeling great" and we...

Baseball

Twins RHP Jackson DFA'd after May struggles

Twins RHP Jackson DFA'd after May struggles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVeteran Jay Jackson was designated for assignment by the Minnesota...

Rangers' Garcia scratched with forearm soreness

Rangers' Garcia scratched with forearm soreness

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers slugger Adolis Garcia was scratch...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated