Royals sign Jon Jay to 1-year deal
The Kansas City Royals made an addition to their outfield corps Tuesday by signing veteran free agent Jon Jay to a one-year contract.
The deal will reportedly pay Jay $3 million, and also contains another $1.5 million in incentives based on plate appearances, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Jay spent 2017 with the Chicago Cubs, where he posted a solid .296/.374/.375 slash line with 23 extra-base hits over 141 games for the NL Central champions. He also provided solid defense, and did not commit an error all season.
Jay will provide the Royals with a solid on-base option at the top of their lineup who also has experience playing all three outfield spots. He could serve as manager Ned Yost's starting center fielder on Opening Day, allowing for Paulo Orlando - who's currently in line for that job - to be optioned to the minors.
The 32-year-old Jay is a career .288/.355/.383 hitter with 33 home runs, 287 RBIs, and 51 stolen bases across eight major-league seasons with the Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 2011.
To make room for Jay on the 40-man roster, Kansas City placed pitcher Jesse Hahn on the 60-day disabled list. Hahn, who was acquired from Oakland for Brandon Moss in January, suffered a sprained right ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, the club announced. There does not appear to be a timetable for his return.