Blue Jays Quick Hits: Winter Tour, Pat Hentgen, and more

Blue Jays news and notes from the morning of Wednesday, November 14th, 2018, including updates on a perplexing contract and the recent announcement of a promotional event.

Winter Tour Hits Halifax

The Blue Jays Winter Tour, which brings players and coaches to various venues across Canada, is heading to Halifax on January 11 and 12, reports Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae.

Winterfest, a separate, yet similar event, will be held at Rogers Centre on January 19 and 20, with tickets going on sale November 19. The East Coast Blue Jays fans, who are notably some of the most supportive in the entire country, will now have the chance to experience the team firsthand.

Solarte Expect to Be Non-Tendered

Yangervis Solarte is, unsurprisingly, expected to be non-tendered, reports Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith on Tuesday. Solarte’s option for the 2019 season was previously declined by the team.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time
• Who Should the Blue Jays Extend First: Guerrero, Bichette or Manoah?
• Blue Jays now hold the top Wild Card spot, and yes that’s a good thing
• Blue Jays may have the tools to use a Bullpen Day
• Blue Jays win important first game after Bichette’s late inning heroics

It’s no shock that Solarte, 31, will likely be non-tendered, as his .226/.277/.378 slash line in 2018 left a lot to be desired. Though his defensive versatility could be viewed as a reason to keep him around, his bat had become more or less of a liability towards the end of the season.

Pat Hentgen Turns 50

Former Blue Jays hurler Pat Hentgen, who won the American League Cy Young Award in 1996, turned 50 years old Tuesday.

The native of Detroit, Michigan pitched over 1600 innings in a Blue Jays uniform, striking out 1290 and earning three All-Star nods in his 13-year MLB career.

Harper a Blue Jay?

It’s extremely unlikely that the Blue Jays will sign superstar outfielder Bryce Harper, but that didn’t stop a particularly inventive Twitter user from coming up with a rendering of what he might look like in a Blue Jays uniform. Though it’s done in jest, it’s still entertaining to ponder the possibility.