MLB: Atlanta Braves at Miami Marlins

Blue Jays Agree to MiLB Deal with OF Michael Bourn

The Blue Jays have inked former All-Star outfielder Michael Bourn to a minor league contract this morning according to Fox’s Ken Rosenthal:

The 33-year-old Bourn is represented by Scott Boras, and was signed to a four-year deal worth $48 million in the 2013 off-season by the Cleveland Indians. That contract came on the heels of a 4.2 WARP season in 2012, but Bourn dropped off of a cliff right away performance wise. His TAv dropped from .271 in 2012 to .251 in 2013, then fell further to .246 in 2014, and finally to the mid .220’s last year with both Cleveland and the Braves. On April 9th of this year, the Braves decided to eat the remainder of his contract, releasing him and opting to play younger players with some potential rather than the veteran with a limited skill set.

However, despite all of Bourn’s flaws, there is actually a lot to like about this move. First and foremost is that he actually was a very successful player for four seasons earlier on in his career, and there always is the chance to get back to those levels. However, the most realistic and best reason to like the move though is that he has the ability to play all three outfield positions, and with Ezequiel Carrera currently manning the Blue Jays fourth outfielder position, that’s a good thing. Ross Atkins and Co. can now decide, if they so choose, to have Bourn come up and be the back up outfielder, giving them the ability to rest Kevin Pillar without fearing that any ball hit to centerfield will go for extra bases. And though Bourn’s offensive abilities have deteriorated over the years, his speed still exists, and the Blue Jays could always use an extra runner off the bench in the late innings.

An added bonus of this move is that is gives the Bisons somebody to play in centerfield if the injury problems that have plagued Dalton Pompeyearly on in the season don’t go away. Minor league depth is always useful, and Michael Bourn is no different.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal. Even if he does have ties to Cleveland.

Lead Photo: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

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