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Blue Jays Sign 1B/OF Steve Pearce

On the first weekday of the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays have struck early, signing 1B/OF Steve Pearce to a two year deal worth $12.5 million according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

The move comes after about a month of rumours that the two would be getting together. Pearce, 33, spent the 2016 season in Tampa Bay and Baltimore, where he hit a combined .288/.374/.492 in 85 games.

Pearce’s primary role is as a lefty masher. For his career, he owns a .269/.353/.499 against southpaws, with an otherworldy .309/.411/.617 last year. However, unlike most lefty mashing 1B types, Pearce is not completely inept against righties. In fact, he owns a career .245/.322/.406 line against them, which is better than incumbent Justin Smoak’s .224/.316/.403 despite the latter being a switch-hitter. Over the last three years, Pearce been even better, with a line of 264/.343/.468. That’s a good hitter.

In addition to his primary role as a first baseman, Pearce can play both corner outfield spots reasonably well, and can even fill in at 3B and 2B in a pinch (though only in emergencies). This versatility combined with the offensive profile make him a very worthwhile player who can either get the bulk of at-bats at 1B, or can fit in a platoon (with someone better than Smoak) and then fill in around the diamond to give other players a day off when needed.

This actually frees up the Jays to be a bit more creative with how they work through the rest of the Winter Meetings. They can go sign another left-handed hitting 1B option, which would force Smoak to the bench (where he belongs). This would leave a lot of 1B/DH types on the roster which is less than ideal, but Pearce’s ability to play multiple positions mitigates that. The better/more likely scenario is that they completely shift their focus to the outfield where there are currently two gaping holes, and then worry about a platoon partner later. They know 1B is “fine” at the moment, and can worry about making it “good” with bargain options at the end of free agency.

Pearce doesn’t come without risk, of course. His downfall, and the reason he isn’t an everyday player right now is that he is very injury prone (and is actually coming off surgery). He has been in the league for 10 years and never played more than 102 games in a season or topped 383 plate appearances, and that was only once back in 2014. As such, the team would do well to find a partner for whatever role they decide he should eventually play. This also likely ends any talk of Edwin Encarnacion returning to Toronto, though that was always extremely remote.

The injury risk is real, and we’ll miss Edwin, but when true platoon players are pulling down $6-7M a year, Pearce at $6.25M per is a great deal.

Welcome to Toronto, Mr. Pearce.

Lead Photo; Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

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