Blue Jays sign George Springer to six-year deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed George Springer, taking the star outfielder off the free agency market. Springer signed a six-year contract worth $150 million, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Springer was one of the top offensive players in the free agency and was certainly paid like it by the Blue Jays, who are looking to make a deeper run in the playoffs next season. The 31-year-old outfielder had another solid season for the Houston Astros in 2020. He slashed .265/.359/.540 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI. He also posted a WAR of 2.2, which went down from the previous season when it was 6.4.

Over his seven-year career with the Astros, Springer hit .270 with 174 home runs and 458 RBI. He also went to back-to-back World Series, winning one in 2018 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Springer was named an all-star three-straight seasons and won two Silver Slugger awards in 2017 and 2019.

George Springer was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 48th round of the 2008 MLB draft. He did not sign with the team, eventually returning to school, later to be drafted by the Houston Astros. The Astros selected Springer in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, where he has spent the length of his career.