The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran middle infielder Ramon Santiago to a minor league deal Thursday, an industry source told Sportsnet.
Santiago appeared in 75 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2014, spent at least 20 games at second base, shortstop and third base. Though the switch-hitter doesn’t typically generate much offence, he has added value with his glove in each of the last six seasons, according to the defensive metrics at FanGraphs.com that are determined using extensive video scouting.
Santiago’s a career .243/.314/.330 hitter who batted .246/.343/.324 with two home runs, including a walk-off grand slam, in 2014. The 35-year-old is a veteran of 13 MLB seasons with the Reds, Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners.
Santiago joins an infield mix including second base candidates Maicer Izturis, Steve Tolleson, Ryan Goins, Munenori Kawasaki and Devon Travis. With 505 career games at shortstop and 75 games at third base, Santiago has the ability to back up Jose Reyes and Josh Donaldson if he makes the team.
The Blue Jays also agreed to terms with reliever Ronald Belisario Thursday.