Blue Jays: Three best January free agent signings in franchise history

1.  George Springer – January 23, 2021

A week prior to the organization signing Semien, Rogers Communications opened the bank vault up to sign George Springer to the largest contract in team history when they gave him $150M paid over six seasons. 

The three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and 2017 World Series MVP was known as one of the best leadoff hitters in the game and provided a unique skillset to the role.  Unlike many players that hit in the leadoff spot, Springer has a lot of power and prior to the start of the 2023 season he sits fourth all-time in career leadoff homeruns.  Throughout his playing years, Springer had averaged 35 home runs over 160 games.

In his first season with the Blue Jays, Springer suffered from several injuries and played in just 78 games, but was still able to collect 22 home runs and 42 extra base hits, while knocking in 50 runs.  In his second season, Springer was able to stay healthy more frequently and was able to get into 133 contests, collecting 51 extra base hits, which included 25 home runs and being named to his fourth All-Star Game. 

Heading into the 2023 season Springer will be entering the third year of the six-year deal and it appears as he will be shifting to right field permanently.  This move will hopefully help to keep the now 33-year old healthy for the season.  If he can stay on the diamond, Springer will likely move past Craig Biggio and Alfonoso Soriano for second place in that leadoff home run category.