Blue Jays sign Chad Green to reported 2-year, $8.5M deal
The Toronto Blue Jays signed veteran reliever Chad Green, the team announced Tuesday.
Green signed a two-year contract worth a guaranteed base salary of $8.5 million, a source told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. After the first year, his deal contains a series of conditional team and player options that could keep him in Toronto for as many as three more years.
Creative contract, per sources.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) January 31, 2023
- Green gets $2.25m in '23.
After:
- Jays option on 24-27 for $27m/3 w up to $1m in bonuses
-- If declined, Green has option for 24 at $6.25m w up to $2m in bonuses
-- If Green declines, Jays have $21m/2yr option on 24-25 w up to $1m in bonuses https://t.co/itqxCA7V85
Green, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New York Yankees, underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn elbow ligament this past June. If he does pitch in 2023, it likely wouldn't be until later in the year.
Before his injury, the 31-year-old had found a niche in the Yankees' bullpen, becoming one of their most trusted relievers. Green owns a lifetime 3.17 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP while averaging 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings across 272 appearances with New York. Armed with an electric fastball, he's tallied at least 94 strikeouts in each of his last four full seasons, including 99 Ks in 2021.
Once he's healthy, Green will add some firepower to the Blue Jays' bullpen behind All-Star closer Jordan Romano. He's the second major reliever Toronto has brought in this winter following the acquisition of Erik Swanson in a November trade with the Seattle Mariners.
To make room on the roster for Green, the Blue Jays designated left-hander Matt Gage for assignment.