The Toronto Blue Jays have officially locked up a key piece of their rotation after announcing a seven-year, $131-million contract with right-hander Jose Berrios.
The contract, which was first reported on Tuesday, became official after Berrios passed a physical. General manager Ross Atkins and Berrios will meet with the media later Thursday.
Berrios, 27, has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the American League over the past four years, making 32 starts in each season in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and 12 starts in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
The Blue Jays acquired Berrios from the Twins at the 2021 trade deadline for two top prospects, infielder Austin Martin and right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson. In 192 innings last season, he pitched a career-best 3.52 ERA and career-high 204 strikeouts.
In six MLB seasons and 148 appearances — all but one starts — the two-time all-star has a career 4.04 ERA and 1.221 WHIP.
Berrios’ new contract includes the final year of his arbitration eligibility and six years of free agency.
[relatedlinks]
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.