JAYS BOLSTER INFIELD WITH VETERAN SEMIEN

The Toronto Blue Jays continued their serious pursuit of moving toward playoff contention on Tuesday by signing free agent Marcus Semien to bolster the infield. The Jays reached agreement with the veteran shortstop, who most recently held that position with the Oakland Athletics. A source told Postmedia News the one-year deal is worth US$18 million, pending a physical. Semien, shown, is one season removed from the best campaign of his career when he hit .285 with 33 home runs and finished third in 2019 American League MVP voting.

Presumably that offensive flash was attractive enough for the Jays to overlook a regression in 2020 when Semien got off to a tardy start and never recovered, batting just .223. The 30-yearold has spent most of his career at shortstop. The likelihood in Toronto, however, is that Semien — who the team feels will be a plus defender — is to play at second and shift Cavan Biggio to third base. Semien would also be a reliable backup at short should the team decide to keep young star Bo Bichette in that spot.