The Toronto Blue Jays are nearing a two-year deal with right-hander Marco Estrada, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The deal, which according to Sherman is worth approximately $26 million, comes just ahead of Friday’s deadline on the $15.8-million qualifying offer extended to Estrada.
That one-year offer would be nullified and the 32-year-old hurler would instead get the security of a multi-year contract after enjoying the best season of his career.
Acquired last off-season from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade for first baseman Adam Lind, Estrada began 2015 in Toronto’s bullpen. He made his way to the rotation in May and took flight soon after, eventually finishing the campaign 13-8 with a 3.13 ERA and a league-best 6.7 hits allowed per nine innings.
The right-hander was even better in the playoffs, earning wins in elimination games for the Blue Jays in both the American League Division Series and Championship Series.
Estrada, who earned $3.9 million last season, would be returning to a starting rotation that currently consists of Marcus Stroman, R.A. Dickey and potentially Drew Hutchison.
