Toronto Blue Jays Notes: Fisher, Pillar, Shoemaker and more

The Toronto Blue Jays have dealt outfielder Derek Fisher to the Milwaukee Brewers while former players Matt Shoemaker and Kevin Pillar latch on with new teams.

Fisher was recently designated for assignment as the Jays attempted to clear up some space on the 40-man roster. The Brewers will send cash considerations and a player to be named later to Toronto in exchange for Fisher according to the club.

Fisher will join former teammate Billy McKinney on the Brewers squad as the pair attempt to earn a roster spot. McKinney was claimed off waivers back in September by Milwaukee.

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Shoemaker Agrees To One-Year Deal

Veteran hurler Matt Shoemaker joined the Minnesota Twins on a one-year pact yesterday. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal is worth a base salary of $2 million base salary with an additional 250K in performance bonuses.

The 34-year old had spent the past two seasons with the Blue Jays posting a 3.14 earned run average in 11 starts. The right-hander earned $4.2 million in 2020 but took a pay cut on the open market after making just six starts last season.

Pillar Joins New York Mets

New York solidified their outfield defence by inking former Blue Jay’ Kevin Pillar to a one-year agreement. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the deal will see Pillar earn $3.6 million in 2021. The deal also reportedly contains a $2.9 million dollar player option or a $6.4 million team option for 2022 with a guaranteed $1.4 million dollar buyout.

The 32-year old split last season with the Red Sox and the Rockies hitting .288/.336/.462 with six homers in 54 games while earning $4.25 million. Pillar will join former teammates Marcus Stroman and Aaron Loup on a beefed up Mets team.

Kirk Looks Slim And Trim

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk may give Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a run for his money in the offseason weightloss competition. In a recent photo on Twitter, the backstop appeared to have shed a considerable amount of weight over the offseason.

Kirk will split time with catcher Danny Jansen behind the plate to start the season but he could very well overtake the number one seed on the depth chart if Jansen continues to sputter offensively in 2021.