When the Blue Jays claimed first baseman Justin Smoak off waivers from the Mariners in late October they clearly had something unconventional in mind, because there was little chance of them wanting to exercise his $3.65 million option for 2015.
Sure enough, the Blue Jays declined the option in favor of a $150,000 buyout and then non-tendered Smoak ... and today he re-signed with Toronto on a one-year, $1 million contract.
Smoak was once a top prospect, but he’s hit just .224 with a .689 OPS in 566 games as a big leaguer, including .202 with a .614 OPS this past season. He does have 20-homer power and good plate discipline, so for a million bucks the Blue Jays will try to get some decent production out of the 28-year-old.