Blue Jays sign outfielder Andy Dirks as a non-roster invitee

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Blue Jays have made a small move today in inking outfielder Andy Dirks to a minor league deal, which includes an invitation to big league spring training. Rosenthal tweeted out the news less than an hour after the Bisons' Hot Stove Luncheon, during which Blue Jays assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish repeatedly assured that the club was prepared to add minor league free agents to help build a winning team in Buffalo. He did not mention or even suggest that this move as it has not been finalized yet.

Source: #BlueJays sign outfielder Andy Dirks to a minor-league contract with invitation to major-league spring training.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 15, 2015

Dirks, if you recall, was claimed by the Blue Jays on waivers from the Tigers after the season before being granted free agency after the club decided against tendering him a major league contract for 2015. After a month or so on the open market looking for a major league deal, Dirks decided to return to the Jays' system. He probably signed for much less than the $1.6 million MLB Trade Rumors projected him to get from arbitration. Savings!

The soon-to-be 29-year-old is a left handed batter who has played all three outfield positions, although left field was his home for the bulk of the time. He missed all of 2014 with a back injury.