Top free agent finds new home with Jays
Outfielder George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a six-year, $150 million contract.
The 11th overall pick by the Houston Astros in the 2011 draft, Springer made his MLB debut in 2014. In seven seasons, he’s established himself as an elite leadoff hitter, posting a career on-base percentage of .361 to go along with a .491 slugging percentage.
However, Springer has made his mark as one of the most clutch postseason hitters in the game today.
In 63 career playoff games, he has hit 19 home runs (tied for fourth in MLB history), scored 43 runs and driven in 38. He was also the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 World Series as the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.
Along with every Astros hitter, Springer has faced scrutiny about how much he benefited in the team’s sign-stealing scandal during the 2017 and 2018 seasons that resulted in the suspensions – and firings – of manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow.