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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays reach agreement on 1-year, $18M deal, source says

Infielder Marcus Semien is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million contract, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Coming off a career year, Semien struggled in 2020 while dealing with a rib injury, as the shortstop hit just .223 with 7 home runs, 28 runs, 23 RBIs and 4 stolen bases for the Oakland Athletics. His production was down largely in part to his strikeouts being up, as he fanned on 21.2% of his plate appearances.

It was a different story for Semien in 2019, when he finished third in AL MVP voting after posting personal bests with 33 home runs, 92 RBIs and a .285 batting average while playing in all 162 games. His WAR (8.9) was third in the majors that season, and he parlayed that into a one-year, $13 million deal—more than double his contract after earning $5.9 million in 2018.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 26, 2021 at 06:28 PM | 13 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: blue jays, marcus semien

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1. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: January 26, 2021 at 07:03 PM (#6001926)

Best wishes to another face of the franchise Oakland Athletic moving on to another team.
I will just repeat a story I mentioned here a few years ago. My buddy (also huge A's fan) was in line at his local grocery store in El Cerrito or Albany, with his little league-aged son (also huge A's fan). The son tugged on my buddy's arm and said, Dad that's Marcus Semien! Sure enough Semien was immediately behind them in the checkout line. My friend said something to Semien about them being big fans, and Semien was very nice and friendly to him and his son. There wasn't an autograph involved, just Semien being a nice and regular dude who does his own shopping and is nice to strangers.

2. asinwreck Posted: January 26, 2021 at 08:02 PM (#6001960)

Interesting gamble on the market for next year, especially since it will be a bumper crop of shortstops even if Lindor signs an extension with the Mets.

The second-best MVP-vote-earning shortstop Rick Hahn traded to a California team in the past decade.

3. GregD Posted: January 26, 2021 at 08:06 PM (#6001964)

I will just repeat a story I mentioned here a few years ago.

know plenty of other stories like that from guys who coached him in little league through former teachers through people who knew his grandmother. He must have his faults but people rave about him. My daughter had one of his middle school PE teachers as her teacher and at spring training she mentioned that teacher’s name and Semien stopped and talked to her about what a good coach she is, etc. just a sweet human moment.

Hate to lose him especially on a one year deal. I knew he’d be gone for a multi year deal. Even for the As it’s dismaying that they didn’t match a one year deal for a beloved home town star.

4. Ziggy: social distancing since 1980 Posted: January 26, 2021 at 09:39 PM (#6001995)

Props to the kid from #1. I think that if I saw an MLB player in the grocery store, there is a 0% chance that I would recognize them. The civilian outfit plus the unexpected context. No way. I'd just think "wow, that dude must work out a lot, I hope my wife doesn't notice".

5. Dog on the sidewalk has an ugly bracelet Posted: January 26, 2021 at 10:10 PM (#6002010)

Eh, I'm pretty sure my child self would've recognized every remotely prominent Met, as well as almost every MLB star. My current self would likely be able to identify 10 or so Mets, and would probably recognize Semien, even if I wouldn't necessarily know from where.

In short, I am unimpressed with a triple short of the cycle's buddy's kid.

6. Joyful Calculus Instructor Posted: January 26, 2021 at 10:20 PM (#6002013)

Interesting contract. It's rare to see 1 year deals that are so big. But this is the exact kind of contract Semien would want if he thinks he can have a year even somewhat resembling 2019, which would then set himself up for a big payday.

7. Tin Angel Posted: January 26, 2021 at 10:42 PM (#6002027)

Best wishes to another face of the franchise Oakland Athletic moving on to another team.

Even worse than usual. Local guy who grew up in the Bay Area and went to Berkeley. If you can't pay that guy...I'm really worried the A's won't be in Oakland much longer.

8. Ron J Posted: January 27, 2021 at 10:25 AM (#6002127)

Incidentally this signing does seem to back up the reports that the Jays were actively negotiating with LeMahieu.

9. Harmon "Thread Killer" Microbrew Posted: January 27, 2021 at 12:28 PM (#6002169)

In Toronto once for a vacation and took in a ballgame. Next day in the mall, my wife (not a ballfan) points to a random guy on the opposite side of the food court and says "Doesn't he play for the Devil Rays?". After much scouring of the crowd, sure enough, Tino Martinez. I was impressed that she spotted him in that setting. Not sure I would have.

10. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: January 27, 2021 at 12:34 PM (#6002173)

My current self would likely be able to identify 10 or so Mets

Admit it, you were one of the people interviewed by Matt Harvey.

Matt Harvey interviews people

11. Rally Posted: January 27, 2021 at 03:51 PM (#6002238)

Interesting contract. It's rare to see 1 year deals that are so big. But this is the exact kind of contract Semien would want if he thinks he can have a year even somewhat resembling 2019, which would then set himself up for a big payday.

Contracts like this have been kind of popular lately. Donaldson and Ozuna with the Braves, Grandal with the Brewers. 2 of the 3 followed up with big money, long term contracts, with Ozuna still looking for one.

12. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: January 28, 2021 at 09:53 AM (#6002394)

@7 Ironically his fantastic 2019 season probably priced him out of their cheapwad budget. If he had just posted another 95 OPS...

It was a beautiful and sad moment when he got a hit in his final AB as an Athletic.

13. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: January 28, 2021 at 03:58 PM (#6002480)

A's offered Semien strange contract to return

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported, citing sources, what Semien was offered by the A’s: A one-year, $12.5 million deal with $10 million deferred in 10, one-year installments of $1 million each.

I'm surprised we haven't seen more deferred deals this off-season, although I think the Nats deferred a lot of money for Brad Hand and Jon Lester.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays reach agreement on 1-year, $18M deal, source says

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