Brewers’ Orr wanted to sign with Blue Jays

The Brewers have signed veteran utilityman Pete Orr to a minor league contract. (Morry Gash/AP)

The Toronto Blue Jays might not be known for luring big-name free agents, but they do have a built-in edge in one department: signing Canadian players. Case in point, Pete Orr of Richmond Hill, Ontario. The 34-year-old wanted to sign with the Blue Jays last winter before agreeing to a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Pete made it clear to them they were his first choice and starting in [triple-A] Buffalo was fine,” agent Blake Corosky of True Gravity Baseball told Sportsnet. “But they were equally clear there were better options and that they liked him but not enough.”

Once the off-season began, True Gravity informed the Blue Jays that they were Orr’s first choice. Ultimately the Blue Jays said thanks, but no thanks, and Milwaukee was interested in the utility player. In 20 games with the Brewers’ triple-A affiliate, Orr has a .313/.343/.493 batting line.

If he’s called up by mid-season he’ll have the chance to face the Blue Jays on Canada Day when the Brewers visit Toronto.

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