Blue Jays Extend Smoak
The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a two year contract extension with first baseman Justin Smoak on Saturday. The contract extends Smoak’s services until 2018 and includes a club option for 2019 as well. Smoak will make $4.125 million in 2017 and 2018, and the option for 2019 values at $6 million with a $250,000 buyout. Smoak was most likely signed primarily for his defensive ability at first base.
Why It Matters
Given the looming free agency of Edwin Encarnacion and Chris Colabello’s PED controversy, the Blue Jays see Smoak as a relatively cheap and safe option to man first base. Prized prospect Rowdy Tellez is also still a few seasons away from being Major League-ready, so it makes sense to lock up Smoak for another two-to-three years. The grade-A defender will remain a welcome presence in the clubhouse for the near future.
However, while Smoak’s defense is capable enough to warrant an extension, his lack of production with the bat is troubling for an everyday player. Through eighty-two games this season, he is only batting .234 with nine home runs and twenty-three RBI. His career batting stats (.224/.308/.392) show that he has always been a glove-first player. He does provide moderate power and is capable of sending balls over the fence, but not at a consistent pace.
Smoak’s role on the team is up for interpretation. Encarnacion will, for the remainder of this season at the very least, man the position in National League parks over Smoak. Toronto only has one inter-league series left on the schedule, a two game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks next week. So that won’t be much of a factor for the team. With Colabello set to return soon from his suspension, it is possible that Smoak may be moved to the bench. If Colabello can return and provide more offensively than Smoak, he could take over the everyday role. Smoak would then be used primarily as a defensive replacement and a pinch hitter.
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