Blue Jays claim Justin Smoak from Mariners off waivers

The Blue Jays have picked up Justin Smoak off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Smoak was a 1st round draft pick by the Rangers (number 11 overall) in 2008.

Smoak has never lived up to that first round pick status. He has a .224/.309/.380 slash line, with 74 home runs, and 234 RBI in 566 games over 5 seasons. His best season was 2013, he played 131 games for the M's, hitting .238/.334/.412 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI in 131 games.

A switch hitter he hits RHP (.709 OPS) better than LHP (.650) career.

I'd imagine the Jays see him as a under performer, and will see how he does in spring training. He could be a replacement for Lind if he's traded.

There is this::

Smoak was out of options next year and wasn't going to be tendered after his option was declined, so this just saves some paperwork.

— Scott Weber (@LookoutLanding) October 28, 2014

But then, maybe the Jays will be able to slip him through waivers, since no one below the Jays made a claim on him this time. Smoak has a $3.65 team option for 2015, with a $150,000 buy out.

He'll give Seitzer a project this spring

Here are his career numbers: