If the Toronto Blue Jays did indeed place Adam Lind on outright waivers, it’s news to him.
The first baseman, optioned down to triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday during a morning meeting with manager John Farrell and GM Alex Anthopoulos, arrived in Sin City late Saturday night trying to make sense of the club’s apparent move.
On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Mike Wilner confirmed a report by Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that the Blue Jays put Lind on outright waivers, which are irrevocable, on Friday.
“I don’t know if they have or if they haven’t. When I had my meeting with Alex and John, they said they optioned,” Lind said in an interview with sportsnet.ca. “I don’t know what’s true and what’s not.
“But Alex in all my years with him has always been real straightforward, that’s why I’m having trouble believing it, because he shoots you straight.”
Anthopoulos didn’t reply to a text message seeking comment.
#bluejays Farrell says he’s “not aware,” if Lind has been placed on waivers. “I’m aware of the reports,” he said. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) May 20, 2012
#bluejays Farrell says he’s “not aware,” if Lind has been placed on waivers. “I’m aware of the reports,” he said.
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) May 20, 2012
#bluejays Farrell added outright waivers process is “confidential.” In other words, Lind wouldn’t be informed if placed there. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) May 20, 2012
#bluejays Farrell added outright waivers process is “confidential.” In other words, Lind wouldn’t be informed if placed there.
Any team that claims the 28-year-old, who batted .186/.273/.314 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games with the Blue Jays, would be responsible for the remainder of his $5 million salary (all figures US) this year and next, and at minimum buyouts of his options for 2014-16 worth $3.5 million.
By reportedly putting Lind on waivers, the Blue Jays are essentially daring other teams to take on his salary while clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. Vladimir Guerrero, at extended spring training on a minor-league deal, would need a spot on the 40 in order to join the big-league club.
The Blue Jays have hinted at making some roster moves Monday when Brett Lawrie returns from his four-game suspension.
Lind travelled to Vegas under the assumption he would be in the 51s lineup Sunday when they wrap up a four-game series with the Memphis Redbirds, the start of a process he thought would have him back with the Blue Jays before long.
When the move was made, he had already seen the writing on the wall.
“Well, obviously my performance wasn’t real great, but when I got a text from John in the morning telling me to come in, it’s what I figured would happen,” said Lind. “The original plan was to figure it out real quick and get back to the big-leagues as soon as I could, maybe within two weeks.
“We’ll see what happens.”
In discussing the decision to option Lind down, Anthopoulos said he felt his player needed a chance to reset himself without the pressure to deliver on the big-league stage.
Lind doesn’t necessarily disagree with that.
“Alex always wants to do what’s best for the organization, maybe at the time that is the best thing to do because I really wasn’t producing at the level I’m capable of,” he said. “His job is to put the best team out there that he can, I feel like I can be a part of that group, I just wasn’t doing it right now.”
Lind spent the past two days with family and friends, trying to wrap his mind around recent events. He described it all as “weird, it’s been weird the last few days. I heard about (Brandon) Morrow dominating today and not being there to enjoy it with the guys is kind of weird.”
Both he and the Blue Jays have some ideas on what he needs to do in Las Vegas. His plan was to connect with 51s hitting coach Chad Mottola to try and regain the form he had during a Silver Slugger season in 2009.
“Chad will hear both sides, hear what they think and hear what I think, try to combine the two,” said Lind. “There are two different opinions, neither one of them are wrong, but we’ll just have to figure it out.”
