MLB Winter Meetings: Blue Jays reportedly to sign Pearce, Encarnacion likely out
The Blue Jays seem unlikelier to sign Edwn Encarnacion after adding Steve Pearce
•
1 min read
For the second time this winter, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed a first-base-slash-designated-hitter type to a multi-year deal. For the second time this winter, that player is not named Edwin Encarnacion.
The Blue Jays reportedly kicked off Monday's winter meetings by signing Steve Pearce to a two-year deal worth $12 million, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney:
Sources: The Jays and Steve Pearce agree to a two-year, $12.5 million deal.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 5, 2016
Peace authored an impressive 2016, during which he hit .288/.374/.492 while splitting the year between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles. He'd hit .258/.339/.482 in the previous three seasons. Pearce also provided versatility -- albeit in a Ty Wigginton way -- by playing five positions, including freelance action at second and third base. His season ended early, however, as he underwent forearm surgery last September. Adding to the deal's (admittedly slight) risk is this: Peace is a soon-to-turn 34-year-old who figures to be in the downswing of his career.
Just how might the Blue Jays deploy Pearce? Occam's razor suggests by using him in a platoon arrangement at first base with Justin Smoak. It's also possible, though, that the Blue Jays have in mind for Pearce what they contemplated for Sean Rodriguez -- that is, playing all over while serving as a nifty insurance policy in the event Devon Travis misses times. We noted entering the meetings that the Blue Jays needed more versatility from their bench. Pence'll do.
Of course, this deal could have big implications for other reasons -- namely, it could leave the Blue Jays out on the Encarnacion chase. Signing Encarnacion would, in effect, mean carrying four players -- counting fellow free-agent signee Kendrys Morales -- whose best positions are at the end of the defensive spectrum. That's tough to do -- especially given that Toronto's front office could favor using a platoon or two elsewhere.
Pearce, then, should provide John Gibbons with some pop and on-base ability off the bench -- but you can't blame Jays fans if they're a little sober about the likely realities of the deal.
