Blue Jays sign Domonic Brown to minor-league deal

Just days after a reported trade for Jay Bruce fell through, the Toronto Blue Jays bolstered their outfield depth via free agency, agreeing to a minor-league deal Thursday with former All-Star Domonic Brown.

Once considered among the top prospects in the Phillies organization, the 28-year-old elected for free agency in October after being outrighted off the 40-man roster following a mostly disappointing stint in Philadelphia. This past season, Brown hit just .227/.284/.349 (73 OPS+) with five homers in 63 games for the Phillies, while spending half the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Since earning his first and only All-Star appearance in 2013, when he smashed 27 homers with an .818 OPS in 139 games, Brown has hit .233/.285/.349 while managing -2.1 wins above replacement in 210 games. Over parts of six seasons in the majors, Brown owns a .710 OPS with -30 defensive runs saved as a corner outfielder.

With less than a week to go until Toronto's first Grapefruit League game, the Blue Jays are expected to have Michael Saunders serve as their primary left fielder in 2016, though Dalton Pompey could potentially earn a spot on the 25-man roster with a strong spring. Ezequiel Carrera and Junior Lake are expected to compete for the fourth outfielder spot on the active roster.