Report: Barney, Carrera reach pacts with Blue Jays
The Blue Jays on Thursday agreed on two arbitration-avoiding pacts -- with utilty man Darwin Barney ($2.8875 million) and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera ($1.1625 million), according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.The club has not confirmed either agreement.It's a significant raise for the seven-year veteran Barney, who was projected by MLB Trade
The Blue Jays on Thursday agreed on two arbitration-avoiding pacts -- with utilty man
The club has not confirmed either agreement.
It's a significant raise for the seven-year veteran Barney, who was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $1.6 million after earning $1.05 million in '16, his first year in Toronto, where he had a resurgence of sorts
Barney, 31, was the most well-traveled Blue Jay last year, having played six positions -- even tossing an inning as pitcher -- over 104 games, hitting .269 with a .695 OPS. He also belted 19 extra-base hits, including four homers, while knocking in 19 runs.
A former Gold Glove Award winner, Barney has proven to be a utility luxury who can step in anywhere, particularly across the infield.
The Blue Jays' infield appears set, but if health issues arise -- as they did last season with shortstop
Carrera, who fought his way to the fourth outfield spot last spring, will platoon with Melvin Upton Jr. this season. Carrera last year set career highs in games played (110) and runs scored (47) but hit .248, his lowest mark in three years, with a 22.6 percent strikeout rate.
Along with Upton, as of now, Carrera will likely compete for playing time with
Daniel Kramer is a reporter for MLB.com.