The Blue Jays made headlines earlier today after signing catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal. The signing, ESPN’s Buster Olney writes, likely takes them out of the running for free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera.
As Olney notes, the Jays sacrificed a draft pick to sign Martin, but in the event Cabrera signs elsewhere, they’ll gain a pick to make it more or less a wash.
Cabrera, 30, had a fantastic 2014 campaign for the Jays, batting .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI. He easily ranks among the top free agents in this off-season’s class. The Mariners are interested in Cabrera and will certainly be happy to hear that the Jays are likely out of the picture.
