Blue Jays Sign Infielder Chris Getz, Address Pitching Progress

Aug 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Chris Getz (17) fields a grounder in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

In their continuing search to add infield depth and cover their bases in case rookie infielder Ryan Goins is not ready to handle the second base duties in 2014, the Toronto Blue Jays signed infielder Chris Getz to a minor league deal. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training, as per Mike Wilner.

Further elaborating on the signing, Alex Anthopoulos told Shi Davidi that Getz will be given the opportunity to compete for the second base job, a role that is currently up for grabs in a group that already includes the defensively sound Ryan Goins and the veteran Maicer Izturis.

The 30-year-old Getz is a six-year veteran who has spent the last four seasons with the Kansas City Royals, serving as mostly a utility infielder. A left-handed bat, Getz appeared in 78 games and accumulated 237 plate appearances in 2013, hitting just .220 with a .561 OPS. His best season with the bat came in 2009, when he provided a .261/.324/.347 slash line with 25 stolen bases.

Defensively, Getz grades out as a lifetime UZR/150 of 2.1, a lifetime defensive-runs saved of -12, and a lifetime UZR of 5.3. That puts him solidly at average/below average in terms of defense, which likely doesn’t spell much promise in terms of him usurping Goins for the starting nod. Given his career numbers, it may even be difficult for Getz to crack the Jays as a reserve.

Additionally, Alex Anthopoulos again addressed the team’s search for pitching, but offered pretty much exactly what we’ve heard already thus far, noting that costs have been prohibitive in both the free agent and trade markets, as per Shi Davidi.

Well, here’s to hoping that the winter doesn’t end with Chris Getz being the final addition.