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George Springer of the Houston Astros looks on during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Petco Park in San Diego, California, October 17, 2020. /CFP
Outfielder George Springer, the biggest name on the MLB free agency market this year, is now off the table after the Toronto Blue Jays reached a six-year, $150-million contract with the 31-year-old, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
If Springer passes his physical at the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, he will become an official team member at the biggest contract in Blue Jays history.
Having made his Majors League debut in 2014 in the Houston Astros, Springer averaged .270 (Batting Average, BA), .361 (On Base Percentage, OBP) and .491 (Slugging percentage, SLG). He was named three-straight-time All Star between 2017 and 2019 and won two Silver Slugger Awards.
In 2017, the Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 in the World Series, winning the only World Series title in franchise history. Springer was named the World Series MVP after hitting .379/.471/1.000 plus seven RBIs (run batted in) and five home runs, matching history record.
George Springer (R) of the Houston Astros holds the Willie Mays World Series MVP trophy while being interviewed by Kevin Burhardt (L) of FOX after Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, November 1, 2017. /CFP
Though the Astros fell into the abyss after the sign-stealing scandal investigation, Springer carried the team's offense on his shoulder by hitting .284/.376.576, 128 RBIs, and 53 home runs since 2019. Five of his 14 home runs last season were made against 95-mile-an-hour (about 152.9-kilogram-per-hour) fastballs.
The Astros cannot give Springer the contract he wants, thanks to the multiple big deals they signed with other players. The Blue Jays beat the New York Mets in the competition. The Mets landed shortstop Francisco Lindor on a one-year deal during the offseason and are focusing on extending his contract. Their offer to Springer was reportedly six-year, $125 million.
The Blue Jays are looking at a bright future as their young men like Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. grew better and better. However, competing with the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East requires more than Ryu Hyun-jin's power, who signed a four-year, $80-million contract with the Blue Jays in 2019. That's why the team wanted Springer.