Smoak Claimed Off Waivers By Blue Jays

(1090 The Fan) — The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed first baseman Justin Smoak off waivers, according to Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik.

The 27-year-old was part of the six-player deal between the Mariners and Texas Rangers in 2010 involving lefty Cliff Lee. Since coming to Seattle, Smoak never blossomed from being a highly-touted prospect to a dangerous, switch-hitting power hitter Mariners fans had been hoping for. In roughly four and a half seasons with the Mariners, Smoak averaged just a little more than 110 games each year with a handful of trips to Triple-A Tacoma to work on his swing. He only tallied 74 home runs and 234 RBI during his tenure, backed by a disappointing line of .226/.308/.384.

Smoak avoided arbitration with Seattle in 2014 by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million deal that had a $3.7 million club option or a $150,000 buyout. If the option is declined by Toronto, Smoak would be eligible for arbitration.

With Smoak’s departure and Corey Hart’s decision to become a free agent, Logan Morrison, Kendrys Morales and Ji-Man Choi are the team’s remaining first basemen on the 40-man roster.

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