WEDNESDAY, 8:46pm: As of today, there are no indications that the Blue Jays placed first baseman Adam Lind on outright waivers, writes MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm.
If Lind was outrighted, he would have been removed from the 40-man roster after a 48-hour period, but a second source told Chisholm that the 28-year-old was still on the club's official list.
SATURDAY, 6:00pm: The Blue Jays placed recently demoted slugger Adam Lind on outright waivers on Friday, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
If Lind is claimed, the claiming team will assume the balance of the four-year, $18MM extension he signed early in the 2010 season. That deal also includes club options for 2014-16, with corresponding buyouts. If he goes unclaimed, he will remain with Toronto but will be removed from the 40-man roster.
Lind signed his extension on the heels of a breakout 2009 in which he posted a .305/.370/.562 line with 35 homers. The 1B/OF/DH has fallen well short of that since then, however, hitting .238/.289/.420 with 52 homers in 1,287 plate appearances from 2010 till his demotion to Triple-A this week.
Outright waivers are irrevocable, meaning the Jays wouldn't be able to pull Lind back if another team were to claim him. However, an AL executive tells Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that there's "no chance he gets claimed" (Twitter link).
So, that means they’re taking him off the 40-man, and allowing another team to claim him? Just trying to clarify.
Correct.
they need room for big bad vlad
Apparently, there are rumours of another deal on Monday. Perhaps Jays need room on the 40-man to make the deal.
every minor jays moves comes along with here comes the big deal rumours.
You could be right. Just making room for Vlad.
A little premature to be making room for Vlad considering he’s barely hit the field.
is it the one where anyone who claims him will have to pay for his entire salary and contract or make a deal with jays
i doubt anyone would put a claim on him with what he is hitting right now
Yeah.. Someone claims him and they gotta’ pay him, but the Jays cannot pull him back and Lind is owed a PILE of dough.. 13m counting buyouts in option years of 2014-16.
Now if his power comes back of course it would be a sweet contract, why they gave him an extension a couple years back only he has been regressing ever since he signed it.
I’m not sure how the buyouts work tbh. It wouldn’t be 13 though, it’d be 13.5 or 12. I don’t think it’s a PILE of dough though. Vernon Wells is making a PILE of dough. Rios was making double what Lind is when he was waived.
Well, the man has worked wonder by suckering others into taking Wells and Rios off his hands. Maybe this time, somebody will help him erase his own mistake (the Lind extension)
What does this mean? Are they trying to dump his contract?
basically they are seeing if a team will take him off their hands, with the contract or at the very least start a conversation about a trade.
if there’s no nibbles he’ll goto vegas.
Maybe I am wrong.. But isn’t outright the same as irrevocable waivers and they cannot pull him back?? a team makes a claim and he’s gone for whatever waiver fee is?
yup, plus his contract
He’s already in Vegas, IIRC. This is just the Jays clearing a spot on the 40-man roster.
but they cant pull him back if a team is willing to take him on
What do you think about Lind seeing him first hand? What’s his problem? Very bizarre to have a season like he did and be this abysmal ever since.
the league adjusted to him, found a hole in his swing and he wasnt able to adjust..
mechanically he has a pretty smooth swing, generates lots of power, his problem is with approach and the mental aspect of the game. he doesnt think alot with the pitcher or situation. he’s his own worst enemy unfortunately.
Would be a nice fit with the dodgers
I am assuming Yan Gomes hot start replacing him didn’t help Lind
I don’t think AA or anyone else with the organization is short-sighted enough to assume that such a tiny sample size means all that much. I doubt Gomes’s performance had anything to do with this.
“2 games of free-swinging? Let’s waive Adam Lind.” Gomes’ performance has nothing to do with this.
Would not surprise me at all if the Giants pursue him
Somewhere out there Sabean just went from six to noon! This guy is right up his alley.
Did Belt run over his dog or something?
“This guy is right up his alley.”
Overpaid positional player?
One bad contract Sabean couldn’t be blamed for giving out at least.
Giants don’t need him….When Pablo comes back, Arias moves to 2nd.
I could see him in Oakland.
Hope so. Maybe they’ll trade Belt for Lind.
Edit- This was a reply to something above, and isn’t actually serious. Disqus.
Belt for Lind? Why would the Giants ever do that??
Yeah, that’s the joke. Context, I guess.
Didn’t the Jays do this same thing a few years ago to get out from under Alex
Rios’ contract?
It only worked because Kenny claimed him
It only takes one GM.
I guess we can rule out Angels and White Sox putting a claim on Lind.
Seattle might take a shot. I’m not sure there is necessarily room to play him, but money is not a problem for the M’s. $5mill wont destroy their budget. Possible that they try to trade at a lower salary if he makes it through.
Smoak, Montero.. why would they want lind
I know, that’s why I said I’m not sure they can play him. But he can play left, and God knows that team needs as much talent as they can get.
However, an AL executive tells Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that there’s “no chance he gets claimed”
Oh I dunno, Balance of 5 million for this year.
5 Million for the next (2013)
Then a 2 million dollar buyout after the ’13 season.
Lets call it 10 million just to be fair.
If he can find his hitting stroke again, it’s a steal.
Look at Prince Fielder. Albert Pujols. Carl Crawford. Vernon Wells. Jason Bay.
Now I guess, if he doesn’t find his stroke a GM could look silly, but compared to other awful contracts, Lind doesn’t look all that bad. Heck the Orioles paid Vlad 8 Million for 2011, 5 upfront, 3 deferred.
Does anyone know what’s wrong with him? He always killed the O’s, just like Nick Swisher does. If it were me, I am kinda tempted to take a flyer here.
Hey, if Jim Presley wanted to take on Mark Reynolds, why not Lind.
He’s off this season, I mean REALLY off. Injuries have hampered him and he has become a liability at first base with errors galore. He provided offensive production though which seems to have left him. If he does find his stroke again, you’re looking at a 25 HR 80+ RBI kind of guy. He has the power but doesn’t seem to be connecting with the ball anymore. If you watch him bat this year, he simply looks lazy and not into it at all. He strikes out everyday twice consistently. What could have been for Adam Lind if injuries didn’t hamper him in his career. If I was a GM I’d be taking a significant risk on a guy like this. You better hope he come backs or you just tossed a couple million on a subpar defender and a subpar offensive player.
none of this is true.
How is it not?
Yeah, Lind is definitely a 25 HR 80 RBI ballpark range player at his potential. I don’t think he will ever be a .300 hitter like he was in 09 but I think even in 2010 and 2011, I still would take Lind’s offensive production, especially at his price…even despite the very bad OBP.
he’s not lazy, he hasn’t battled injuries, he’s not a defensive liability,
You’re telling me his plate approach is the same as it was in 09 or even 10 and 11? Watch his plate demeanor, tell me it isn’t different. He’s swinging at pitches that flying in the dirt even. If you follow metrics then look at his WAR, it’s practically negative this season and 2010 and near negative in 2011. He’s a wreck right now. He’s had lower back issues all of last year and the year before. It’s obviously been hampering him greatly.
Agreed none of this is true or mostly exaggerated. Errors galore? He only has 4 errors (mostly due to pressure of not producing) and I’ve seen him make some outstanding plays on the field. He hit 26 HRs last year. Granted he is in a funk and does look lazy. Maybe he should comb his hair.
Why would any team take a $10 million gamble? The reason the Blue Jays put him on outright, irrevocable waivers is because they are 100% sure he’s done. They’re hoping some team will give them anything, anything at all for him before he hits free agency. By putting him on outright waivers teams know they can’t pull him back so they’re hoping for any offer more than the roughly 500K MLB minimum wage. 750K? He’s yours!
If he makes it thru waivers he can go to any team he wants. Not sure if he picks the O’s if he clears. Also, I see Carlos Lee heating up in Houston. He’s swinging a big stick and playing good D.
He will be paid almost 20 million this year.
Lind will make roughly 10 million from now till 2013 season end.
Lind is younger and has put up similiar numbers as Lee over the past few seasons.
If you’re a GM do you gamble by picking up Lind now and pay the 10 mill or do you trade with the Astors and give up a prospect or two and pay the mans salary. It’s an interesting wager. In this comparison, I pick up Lind.
Seriously. If someone claims Lind they are just doing Toronto ANOTHER favor. They already somehow got out of both Rios and Wells horrible contracts.
Compared to Wells and Rios’ contracts, Lind’s is not horrible by any means. Some team will claim him.
I still don’t know how that was possible. When both of those came down my jaw dropped.
Sign him A’s!
i agree he would put up better numbers then the other 2 guys
Would be great if someone claimed him. Jays would get rid of salary and I don’t see the need for Lind at this point. He is just not a major league caliber hitter anymore… it’s possible he might find his stroke again but it’s unlikely. He hasn’t been good for most of his major league career except for one season which seems like a fluke at this point. He is also replaceable with Cooper or Snider (EE 1st/Thames DH/Snider LF) or Gomes.
Unlikely someone is crazy enough to actually take him but I hope somebody out there is.
well Lind for Figgins would be good deal
What???
…for the Mariners. Jays wouldn’t touch that deal unless they were getting a lot of money in return.
one bad contract to another…
Yeah his contract is really pressing the luxury tax…..so expensive.
Going to toss a few possibles out to discuss. Reds, they need a lefty bat (especially on the bench) and he can play LF and spell Votto at 1b. Pirates but not via waiver claim. They would wait and possibly attempt a trade. Braves who keep talking OF bats. Dodgers due to Abreu no longer being an everyday guy, Loney still not hitting and they have the $$$$ now, could be a small splash for them if he can regain his form. Last team I see him fit for is Seattle because he can play LF as mentioned before and again a big IF, if he regains his form offers power which the Mariners lack.
Actually, Seattle does have a fair amount of power. They just don’t have consistent power. Lind has proven (albeit once) that he has consistent power.
He wouldnt be a good fit for Seattle…His homeruns wouldnt clear our fences sadly lol
Don’t believe Seattle would even consider this at this point in the season. They’re 9th in HR’s as it is and Carp, Wells, and Liddi are all more than capable at LF.
Geez, does anyone remember two-three years ago when looking at Adam Lind’s and Aaron Hill’s contract and thinking they were absolute bargains. It is crazy how fast things change.
I still think taking a flyer on Lind and his option friendly contract is worth the risk for some teams, even though he appears to be an expensive platoon player. I figured the demotion was to get Lind’s attention, apparently not.
I wouldn’t touch Lind with a ten foot pole. That 2009 season was a fluke.
Poor Lind.
He was my favourite player 2 years ago…
yup, i really liked the guy.
People should also remember Lind plays in the AL East which is the toughest division in baseball and he hit 26 HR last year. Take into account his salary is not really that bad, I don’t see why a GM would not take a chance. Maybe a change of scenery would be what the DR ordered for Lind but there is no chance he will ever play for the Jays.
Change of scenery…like Las Vegas? haha
playing in the al east isnt any tougher on batters. if anything its probably better for hitters because a lot of good pitchers stay clear of the division
Rogers Centre, Yankee Stadium and Fenway are all very hitter-friendly as well.
The Twins could probably make use of him and should be pretty high up on the waiver wire.
Despite his poor performance, I don’t understand the rush to put him on waivers…I guess this is a sign they have no faith in him redeeming himself, like people like Edwin Encarnacion and Cliff Lee have had after being sent to the minors with their teams. Either way, it’s a sad and unfortunate end to Adam Lind’s tenure with the Jays (if he is claimed), you hate to see someone with such success just a few years ago fall so quickly. Best of luck to Lind whether he is claimed or not.
The Pirates are desperate to improve there anemic offense. For 4 Mill this year, 5 Mill next year, and a 2 Mill buyout after that, If I were Neal Huntington, I would take a SERIOUS and HARD look at Adam Lind to be the everyday first baseman in Pittsburgh for the next 2 seasons, if not just for the remainder of this season. If The Buccos can pay Clint Barmes 5.5 Million this season to hit .112, then they can pay Lind to at least add SOME home run threat to the lineup besides Cutch, Alvarez, and occassionally Barajas or Jones.
I see this as a no risk move for them for this dollar amount. Mainly because you dont have to give anyone up to get him. Its only risking cash, and quite frankly, the Pirates have that to risk. Especially considering the Commissioners office has stopped the Pirates ability to draft and pay above slot.
In a perfect world, maybe Huntington can add 1-2 Minor League prospects (Towards the bottom of the pirates top 50) to get the Jays to pickup a portion of his contract to further minimize the financial risk for the Bucs.
Seems like a great fit to me. And certainly worth exploring.
The Pirates offense has been terrible so far this year, anything can help and is worth a risk we are only a few games back and have not hit well at all. Cutch is hitting .330 something and the team batting average is like .220 Harrison has done great lately. I say that we give Gorky’s a chance to be the everyday left fielder, good fielder and has great speed defenitly an upgrade over nate Mclouth if he can just get on base. If we could sign Lind I would hope that the lineup would be something like this.
RF- Tabata
2B-Walker
CF-McCutchen
3B-Alvarez
1B-Lind
SS-Harrison
C-Barajas
LF-Gorkys
Pitcher spot
Marlins sent down Gaby Sanchez. Maybe they claim him…
The Athletics haven’t had a major league claiber 1Bman since Jason Giambi (after they traded rookie Carlos Pena.) But, as much as Lind would be an improvement over the dreadful Daric Barton, no way Beane takes on that contract. Eventually Lind will be cut loose and the jays will have to absorb all the $$$ except for the major league minimum to the team that claims him.
This move was worth a try, but barring a Jim Hendry-type move it won’t happen.
I’m sure the same was said about Vernon Wells before he and his gigantic contract was moved out west. And if he’s actually on waivers and a team claims him, they’d be paying all of Lind’s contract. He’d have to clear waivers and be DFA’d before getting released and signed by another team.
so apparently, shi davidi is reporting that adam lind didn’t know about this. and since the original report didnt come from the jays themselves and has yet to be confirmed.. i’m thinkin that this may be false.
I mean, there is no way AA would tell him to pack for vegas, put him in the line up for sunday and not mention he had to pass through waivers..
and if they wanted to free up a 40 man spot, they could have dl’d mcgowan. so somethings up
I can’t remember where I read it but it stated the Jays have not announce that Lind was put on waivers, however his name showed up on the MLB waiver wire.
Agreed. Vlad isn’t ready yet so clearing room off the 40 doesn’t even make sense.
AA claims that he was never on waivers.
Marlins for Peterson or Cousins?
Rays?
Cardinals?
Texas?
Indians?
I don’t get it. Is this not something that’s definitively sent in somewhere and can be classified as an “is” or “is not”? Why do we not know?
I believe waivers and waiver claims are kept confidential unless a player moves to a different club.
Can we get Bud Selig to expand replay so that it will tell us “Was” Adam Lind really placed on Outright Waivers. Replay can do that and quite frankly it should.
Is he limited to 1B and DH, or would he make a serviceable corner outfielder?
He was an OF who converted to be a 1B. He’s not terrible. I believe the year he won his SS he played 1/3 of his games in LF.
A little slow, but not terrible.
No, he was terrible defensively as a LF.
Eh. I didn’t think he was that bad. Slightly below average at worst, average at best.
He was terrible defensively as a LF… Terrible.
I’m wondering if the Mets could try this out with Jason Bay! If it worked with Rios, could OUR prayers get answered too?
This is almost a perfect fit for the pirates . They take back garret jones or casey mcgehee to even off contracts. Al east castoffs have done really well this year in pittsburgh