5 largest contracts in Blue Jays history
Jays #Jays
Written by Compose.ly Staff
Now that the World Series is over and the Houston Astros have clinched the title, Blue Jays baseball fans eagerly wait to see what their team will do during the MLB off-season.
After finishing the 2022 season with a brutal loss to the Mariners in the AL wild-card game, the Blue Jays are looking for a diamond in the free agency rough (or trade) to beef up their pitching staff for 2023. The team is on the hunt for a bat or two as well, but how much will Toronto be willing to pay up?
Over the years, the Blue Jays have dropped some serious money to bulk their lineup. So, as the team has done in the past with these five big contracts, they may surprise fans this season.
5. Jose Bautista: RF, five years, $65 million
In 2010, Bautista was a home run beast. He broke a franchise record, knocking 54 home runs out of the park for the Blue Jays. This was not only a franchise record, but also earned him the 10th slot for most home runs in a season in AL history.
So, in 2011 the Blue Jays signed the slugger to a five-year, $65-million contract. He earned his hefty price tag in 2011 after racking up 43 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .302 batting average. During his five-year contract, Bautista was the Blue Jays’ most feared hitter, earning him a spot at the MLB All-Star game during his entire five-year contract.
4. Hyun-Jin Ryu: LHP, four years, $80 million
In 2019, the Blue Jays finished a disappointing season in fourth place in the AL East with a 67-95 record. While they had promising hitters like Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to look forward to, the Blue Jays needed stronger pitching.
Korean pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu had just led MLB in 2019 with a 2.32 ERA. Ryu had also finished second in the Cy Young balloting, making him exactly what the Blue Jays needed to balance their roster.
Though the left-handed pitcher has been prone to injury, in 2020, Ryu went 5-2 with an ERA of 2.69 over 12 starts, helping the Blue Jays make the expanded playoffs during the shortened Covid season. General manager Ross Atkins cites the 2020 season with Ryu as “… being integral to turning us around as a team,” making the $80-million price tag worth it to many Blue Jays fans.
3. Russell Martin: C, five years, $82 million
Canadian catcher Russell Martin has been all over MLB — starting with the Dodgers in 2006 and then briefly stopping at the Yankees and Pirates. He landed with the Blue Jays in 2015 and, by that time, was known as one of MLB’s best defensive catchers, with a great bat at the plate as well.
After signing the $82-million contract, Martin knocked 23 home runs with 77 RBIs and a .240 batting average. Before returning to the Dodgers in 2019, Martin smacked 66 home runs for the Blue Jays with a total of 211 RBIs.
However, it’s Martin’s reputation as a great leader and game-caller throughout his MLB career that made him so valuable to the Blue Jays during his four years on the roster.
2. Vernon Wells: LF, seven years, $126 million
Until recently, Vernon Wells held the torch for the biggest contract in Blue Jays history. Unfortunately, this was one contract that Blue Jays fans regret.
The Blue Jays plucked Wells out of free agency in 1999, and at the time of the 2006 contract, the 27-year-old had a reputation as a top MLB outfielder. Between 2002 and 2005, the left fielder hit 107 home runs for the Blue Jays.
However, in 2008 he battled injuries and played in only 108 games that season. From there, injuries continued, and his numbers never recovered. He was eventually traded to the Angels in 2011 and played his final MLB game with the Yankees in 2013.
1. George Springer: RF, six years, $150 million
After seven seasons with Houston and earning the World Series MVP in 2017 — the first World Series win in Astros history — George Springer left Houston to ink a $150-million deal with the Blue Jays in 2021.
Though his debut was delayed due to injury, many Blue Jays fans believe the star outfielder’s best has yet to come. With the Blue Jays’ most expensive player skipping the 2022 All-Star game and undergoing surgery on his elbow to remove a bone spur, it’s still undetermined if the $150 million gamble for the Blue Jays will pay off in the coming seasons.
Other Monster Deals: OF Alex Rios (2008) — 7 years, $69.8 million; P Jose Berrios (2021) — 7 years, $131 million; P Kevin Gausman (2021) — 5 years, $110 million.
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