Report: Blue Jays, Nationals in contact with Burke Badenhop

Eager to bolster their respective bullpens, both the Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals have reportedly been in contact with the representatives for free-agent reliever Burke Badenhop, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. 

The right-hander is coming off the best season of his seven-year career, in which he posted a 2.29 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 70 appearances for the Boston Red Sox. 

Badenhop has never been a big strikeout pitcher - owning a career 6.3 K/9 - and relies on inducing ground balls, which he did at a 61.9 percent clip in 2014. 

Despite coming off a strong season in Boston, Badenhop has remained on the board long after other relievers have signed deals, though he feels he's currently in a strong position to select the best fit. 

"The one advantage I have at this point in the offseason is I have a good idea now what teams are going to be composed of because I'm not one of the big building blocks," Badenhop told Rob Bradford of WEEI last week. "That definitely comes into play because you want to take the best deal, but you also want to see how competitive the team is going to be because losing is not fun, especially when you're a reliever. 

"That can wreak havoc down there, as many times that phone can be ringing. You look at the starting pitching, or a good left side of the infield. Things like that. You kind of survey and weigh all those things when you start making decisions."