The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly have not closed the door on bringing back Michael Saunders.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets that the Jays have “remained in contact” with the free-agent outfielder, who spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jays after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners.
The 30-year-old British Columbia native hit .298 with a .923 OPS and 16 homers in the first half this past season before stumbling to a .178 average and eight homers after the All-Star break. Saunders hit .381 with a home run in eight postseason games but struck out 10 times in 21 at-bats.
The Blue Jays are looking to add a bat following the departure of free agent Edwin Encarnacion to Cleveland. Fellow free-agent slugger Jose Bautista also remains unsigned after spending the last nine years in Toronto.
The Baltimore Orioles are the among the teams linked to Saunders this offseason.
- Doug Mittler
