Blue Jays expected to tender Ben Revere, Michael Saunders

The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly expected to tender outfielders Ben Revere and Michael Saunders, arguably the two most prominent decisions that the front office has to make before tonight’s non-tender deadline. Revere is projected to earn $6.7 million in arbitration while Saunders is projected to come in at $2.9 million. 


Some had expected this non-tender deadline to represent a potential spike in the likelihood of a Revere trade, but tendering him a deal by no means eliminates that possibility. The projected salary of $6.7 million doesn’t fit beautifully on Toronto’s payroll, especially given the recent reports of bargain shopping and the outfield depth already in place behind him, but it’s certainly not high enough to scare off all potential suitors.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

The ball is really in Toronto’s court with Revere. If his salary is needed immediately, I’m sure a deal can be found somewhere in the league (though the quality of a return won’t be helped by forcing things). Assuming Toronto holds on to Revere deeper into the winter, however, his market will remain viable as injuries and trades create outfield needs elsewhere.

Tendering Saunders maybe a bit more surprising to some after his extremely underwhelming 2015 season marred by a knee injury, but at $2.9 million, there’s no sense in not seeing what the Blue Jays have. Regardless of where Revere opens the 2016 season, Saunders will have a shot at a semi-prominent role.

More than anything, the news to take from this is that the Blue Jays feel confident enough in the health of Saunders’ knee to tender him a contract. If healthy, his multi-tool potential is a legitimate asset. Expect further tender news on the remaining Blue Jays throughout the night.