Just to show, you can’t believe everything you hear.
The day started out very difficult for Astros fans with the early morning rumors that George Springer would sign with the Blue Jays. Then it was confirmed that the beloved Springer signed a six-year contract to play with the Blue Jays team for $ 150 million. Yes, the writing was on the wall, but Springer represented a light at the end of the tunnel during the process. With the passion and energy with which he played, he will be missed.
But to make matters worse, there were rumors that the Blue Jays wanted to bring in Springer’s friend Michael Brantley as well. Looking at the Blue Jays depth chart, it made no sense for them to add the two outfielders. However, this lineup would be imposing for any team of pitchers. But those are rumors, right? You cannot BOGO an outfielder.
Then reports began that the Blue Jays signed with Brantley also on Wednesday morning. Hazel Mae, among others, began to report that Brantley signed with the Blue Jays according to a source. Later, the Blue Jays refuted her report saying they are interested but were not close to hiring 33-year-old Brantley. During a low season low season, it seems that people are eager to sign players.
It didn’t make sense.
Still, I kept thinking, Springer and Brantley are so close friends that Brantley would move to Canada to play with him? This is not the NBA when the stars try to create the three great types of dynamics, sorry Nets. It didn’t make sense. All I could think of was that the Locked On Astros podcast would be so bleak to miss Springer and Brantley. Listen tomorrow, it must be exciting!
Just yesterday, I continued to deny Springer’s reports, but I don’t believe the rumors until the big boys start tweeting. Well, unless it’s Mark Berman, who always seems to know when a player is at the airport. When it comes to Houston TV reporters, Berman is right most of the time.
Not so fast!
Despite all the conflicting reports that Brantley signed with the Blue Jays, Berman dropped a bomb in this discussion with this Tweet. Brantley re-signed with Astros for a 2-year contract. After losing Springer and potentially Josh Reddick to the free agency, Brantley returned to Houston.
Later, Berman’s report was confirmed by Bob Nightengale. So, Buster Olney, reported it was a 2-year, $ 32 million deal to return to Houston. Olney really tweeted out that the Blue Jays were never close to signing Brantley. Sportrac had Brantley’s market cap of $ 21.3 million, but the market is what some teams will give him. You may be having a little Deja-Vu, this is the exact duration and the cash value he agreed to before the 2019 season.
What do you expect from a consistent bat like Brantley? Consistency! There were rumors at the beginning of the season that Brantley and the Astros were interested in reuniting. Maybe Brantley was getting involved with other teams. But perhaps now that Springer has signed with the Blue Jays, that opens the floodgates a little bit with the free agency. As Brantley signed a $ 16 million contract with AAV, this saves $ 5 million for Astros perhaps to come closer.
Brantley now joins Kyle Tucker and TBA in the Astros outfield. Many will question how much outside field Brantley can play, but Yordan Alvarez is the top designated hitter. Now Dusty Baker has one more piece in the squad puzzle, but the middle field is still blank. Yes, there are internal replacements at the center of Springer. But did James Click put an end to the external field? We’ll see! But it’s great to see Uncle Mike back in the group with the Astros!
More to come in the Crayfish Boxes.