According to Canadian Baseball Network’s Andrew Hendriks, Toronto has signed veteran Venezuelan LHP Franklin Morales. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports that the deal is for one year and $2 million, and that to make room of the roster, Ryan Tepera has been optioned to AAA Buffalo.
#BlueJays sign lefty Franklin Morales to a $2m, one-year deal, option Ryan Tepera to triple-Buffalo.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 3, 2016
The deal is “non-guaranteed” and includes incentives as well.
Franklin Morales contract is non-guaranteed and includes incentives. #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) April 3, 2016
The 30-year-old had been signed by the Brewers in the off-season to a minor league deal that would have paid him $2.3 million if he made the team, but he was released on Monday as Milwaukee chose fellow lefty Chris Capuano to add to the roster instead.
Morales was a product of the Colorado Rockies organization but never had any success there. He turned into a valuable contributor after being traded to Boston in 2011. After going back to Colorado and struggling again in 2014, he had a nice rebound season for the Kansas City Royals last year, posting a 3.18 ERA in 62 1/3 innings pitched. He has a career K% of 17.9% and a BB% of 10.4%, though last season they were a much better 15.9% and 5.4%. Perhaps more crucial to the Blue Jays’ interest is his excellent production against left handed hitters for the Royals in 2015, as they slashed just .194/.250/.320 against him in 107 plate appearances.
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