*Photo from The Athletic*
What this signing does is improve a bench considerably. The Toronto Blue Jays and 1B Brandon Belt have agreed to a one year, $9.3 million deal, according to Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic. Toronto has confirmed the signing.
Belt was limited by nagging right knee issues, getting shut down and undergoing arthroscopic surgery in September of last year. He adds another lefty bat to a right handed heavy lineup, and also will add more corner infield depth, specifically at first base, with Belt having completely shifted away from the outfield.
The Blue Jays already have young star Vladimir Guerrero Jr at first base, but Belt is also very capable at first. He'll likely see considerable time at DH in a possible timeshare there with Alejandro Kirk and can spell Guerrero Jr at first base whenever the need arises.
Last season was a down year for Belt, possibly due to the knee issues he experienced. He ended the year with a .213 batting average and .676 OPS, adding 8 home runs and 23 RBI's in just 78 games of action for the San Francisco Giants, where he has spent his major league career.
Belt said of joining the Blue Jays that "When I thought about the teams I had to choose from, I just got really excited about the thought of going to play for Toronto. It’s a great roster, a great, young group of guys, and they were a good baseball team last year that got better this offseason. That’s what gets me excited about playing baseball next year."
All 12 of Belt's big league seasons have been with the Giants. In that time, he has won two World Series titles and been to the 2016 All Star Game. Belt has particularly strong numbers against righty pitching, with a career .840 OPS against righties, almost 100 points better than lefty pitchers.
In Belt's tenure with the Giants, he has amassed a .261 batting average, .356 on base percentage, and .458 slugging percentage, blasting 175 home runs with 584 RBI's in 1,310 regular season games. Belt has a career .228 batting average and .654 OPS to go with 13 RBI's and two home runs in 37 playoff games.
The Blue Jays have undergone a roster turnover this offseason to try to shake up their approach and get success in the playoffs. Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Gabriel Moreno, and Ross Stripling are gone, with Kevin Kiermaier, Daulton Varsho, Chris Bassitt, and Belt being new additions.
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