Signed Estrada feels good about 2018
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada signed a one-year deal with the club for US$13 million, avoiding free agency, insisting the main motivation for his wanting to stay in Toronto was not money, but simply because he likes it here.
“Just walking down the streets, someone would run into me and tell me, ‘Man, it’s going to be OK, we believe in you.’ There’s a lot of that,” Estrada said. “Just walking down the street, people understanding. It isn’t always about baseball. We are human beings, we also have feelings, so it’s nice to hear some of that once in a while.”
Of course, being offered $13 million after a season that was really three seasons in one — a decent start, a terrible middle (with rumours swirling that he was going to be traded) and a great finish — is not a bad deal for any player. And no doubt Estrada is hoping to parlay a good 2018 campaign into a long-term deal for more money.
But the finesse pitcher said after sitting down with the Toronto front office this summer, he is certain they will be competing for a playoff spot in 2018.
“I needed to make sure these guys wanted to win next season and they want to win,” Estrada said. “That’s all I needed to hear. I believe them, I trust them. We had some really good talks. I feel like we’re going to be in a pretty good place next season.”
Estrada, 34, is completing his third season as a Jay and 10th in MLB. In his three seasons in Toronto, he has posted a 31-25 record with a 3.81 ERA.
Jays GM Ross Atkins said even during Estrada’s down times, the club remained confident his problems would be rectified and they never lost interest in bringing him back. Turns out, Estrada’s issues weren’t mechanical, but personal, something he said he has dealt with.
“I’m not going to get into it too much,” Estrada said. “But it had nothing to do with baseball. These things happen, it’s unfortunate. It was personal issues, so once that was dealt with, once I had clear head, I think everybody has seen the results ever since then.”