Blue Jays sign Steve Tolleson to minor league deal

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Steve Tolleson throws during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

"“There’s no such thing as a bad Minor League deal, and we don’t have anything to lose.” – Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, December 12, 2013 (h/t Gregor Chisholm, BlueJays.com)"

The Toronto Blue Jays announced via press release that they have signed utility infielder Steve Tolleson to a 2014 minor league contract. The deal also comes with an invite to Major League spring training.

The move feels like deja vu as it comes on the heels of the Blue Jays pickup of infielder Jared Goedert earlier this week. Tolleson, 30, is two years older than Goedert and has received a couple of stints in the big leagues in 2010 with the Oakland Athletics and in 2012 with the Baltimore Orioles. In 129 plate appearances he has a .225/.273/.350 triple-slash with three home runs and 10 RBIs.

Last season with the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate Tolleson had a .288 batting average and .807 OPS. He’ll likely start the season with the Buffalo Bisons and provides nice versatility with a history of playing second base, shortstop and both corner outfield positions.

It’s probably not the move that Blue Jays fans were hoping for but anytime you can stash a player with MLB experience in your Triple-A system it’s not a bad thing. However Tolleson doesn’t come with any minor league options after he was shuttled back and forth between the majors and Triple-A with the Orioles in 2012.

But hey, at least the player is happy with the move.