Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) – The Toronto Blue Jays exercised the 2015
option on first baseman Adam Lind and then traded him to the Milwaukee Brewers
for pitcher Marco Estrada.
Lind, who was selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 2004 draft,
posted a .273 career average with 146 home runs and 519 RBI over 953 games in
a Toronto uniform. Lind’s option was worth $7.5 million.
Estrada recorded a 7-6 mark with a 4.36 ERA in 39 games (18 starts) for the
Brewers last season. The right-hander is 23-26 with a 4.23 ERA in 154 career
games (74 starts) with Washington and Milwaukee.
The Blue Jays also exercised a $6.7 million option on pitcher J.A. Happ at
$6.7 million and an option on catcher Josh Thole worth $1.75 million. Options
on pitchers Brandon Morrow, Dustin McGowan and Sergio Santos were declined,
allowing them to elect free agency.
The contract option on first baseman Justin Smoak was also declined, but he
remains under team control and is arbitration eligible. Toronto had claimed
Smoak off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
In addition, free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera was extended a qualifying
offer at $15.3 million.
The Blue Jays also reinstated third baseman Brett Lawrie, infielder Maicer
Izturis, pitcher Chad Jenkins and outfielder Andy Dirks from the 60-day
disabled list. Dirks was claimed off waivers by Toronto from Detroit on
Friday.
