Blue Jays: Michael Saunders latches on with Rockies
![NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Saunders #21 of the Toronto Blue Jays grounds a ball in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 29, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjaysjournal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F855593462-1-850x560-a0a8b209515809dbff56cf1e9b3aa42b.jpg)
Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders has inked a minor-league pact with the Colorado Rockies.
According to Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage, the Colorado Rockies has agreed to a deal with former All-Star outfielder Michael Saunders. The deal will presumably include an invite to spring training as the Canadian attempts rejuvenate his career.
Saunders last appeared in the majors in 2017 as a member of the Phillies and Blue Jays. The Victoria, BC native barely hit over the Mendoza Line that year batting .202/.256/.344 with six homers in 73 games.
Michael Saunders signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) December 31, 2018
Last season Saunders spent the year in the minors playing for the White Sox and Orioles Triple-A affiliates. The 32-year old struggled mightily at the dish hitting .158/.273/.248 with two home runs in 38 games. Saunders was eventually released by Chicago in late June spelling an end to his 2018 season.
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Saunders was an integral part of the Jays postseason run in 2016 hitting .253/.338/.478 with 24 home runs in 140 games. He also represented the Blue Jays in the mid-summer classic after winning the “Final Vote” that season.
The former 11th round selection of the Mariners sports a career .232/.305/.397 line with 81 homers and a 5.6 WAR in 775 major league contests with Seattle, Toronto, and Philadelphia. Saunders career earnings to date total just over $18.5 million according to Baseball Reference.
Steamer Projections has Saunders hitting .235/.309/.420 with 8 home runs in 223 plate appearances in 2019. The veteran could be a nice bench piece for the Rockies if he can regain some consistency at the plate. The Rockies could lose outfielders Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez to free agency so there is an opportunity there for Saunders.
Next. Blue Jays lose pair of Canadians in recent offseason moves. dark
Saunders spends his offseasons in Colorado so perhaps some home cooking and the Rocky Mountain air will be just what Saunders needs to get his career back on track. The Canadian is definitely a long-shot to make the team but a nice low-risk signing for the Rockies.