The Toronto Blue Jays added speed and a solid glove to their system Friday in the form of outfielder Michael Bourn.
As first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Jays inked the 11th-year veteran to a minor league contract. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet confirmed the move.
This comes after the Atlanta Braves cut Bourn on April 2, right before the start of the 2016 season, per David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. O’Brien noted Bourn had a $14 million guaranteed salary, and the Braves elected to designate him for assignment and purchase the contract of Drew Stubbs instead.
It didn’t take long for a player with Bourn’s resume to generate interest after Atlanta cut him. MLB reporter Jon Morosi reported the Arizona Diamondbacks considered adding Bourn after center fielder A.J. Pollock fractured his elbow before the start of the campaign.
As for Bourn, his rookie season in 2006 came with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he also played for the Houston Astros, Braves and Cleveland Indians throughout his career.
He struggled somewhat in 2015 for the Indians and Braves and hit .238 without a home run. What’s more, his 17 stolen bases were a far cry from what fans saw in his prime when he stole 61 bases in 2009 for the Astros and 61 bases in 2011 for the Astros and Braves. In fact, his overall speed and ability to steal bases is a major reason why he was such a valuable commodity for most of his time in the majors:
Bourn was also a two-time All-Star in 2010 and 2012 and a two-time Gold Glover in 2009 and 2010. According to FanGraphs, he was responsible for 72 total defensive runs saved above average in his career in the outfield coming into the 2016 season.
At his best, Bourn brings occasional pop in his bat (178 career doubles) and is a threat to set the tone for the rest of the lineup when he gets on base (.331 career on-base percentage).
While he is past his prime at 33 years old, Bourn is a veteran presence who can fill in where needed for his new team and even serve as a pinch runner who can change the course of a game with a critical steal or advancement on the basepaths. Between his glove and his speed, Bourn is a worthwhile addition as Toronto looks to make a push toward the postseason in 2016.
Bourn may begin his tenure with the organization at Triple-A Buffalo, but there is certainly a clear path back to the major leagues.
There is little depth behind starting outfielders Jose Bautista, Kevin Pillar and Michael Saunders in Toronto currently aside from Ezequiel Carrera, which means one injury would quite possibly earn Bourn a call-up.
Bourn does the little things in the field and on the bases that help teams win tight games, and that is precisely what the Blue Jays will be tasked with doing in the competitive AL East.
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