The Toronto Blue Jays signed new contracts with several players, avoiding taking them to arbitration for their new deals.
With the deadline to file for arbitration set at 1 pm ET today, a few players announced new contracts with the ballclub in order to avoid the tedious process.
Relief pitcher Zach Pop was the first to be announced, coming to a one-year deal at $900,000, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Outfielder Daulton Varsho was the next to be announced, as he signed a one-year deal worth $8.2 million, as per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Davidi and Ben Nicholson-Smith also broke the news of new reliever Nick Sandlin signing a one-year deal at $1.63 million.
Sandlin was acquired earlier in the offseason as part of a multiplayer trade from the Cleveland Guardians, which also included infielder Andres Gimenez.
The Gate 14 Podcast — run by Johnny Giunta and Avery Chenier — added another report, with infielder Ernie Clement settling on a $1.97 million deal.
Davidi also added that pitcher Alek Manoah landed a deal worth $2.2 million, though the starter is expected to miss the start of the season due to injury,
But perhaps the bigger story is the three Blue Jays who have yet to sign with the team.