Blue Jays signing free agent shortstop Marcus Semien to $18M deal

The Toronto Blue Jays are making another key acquisition in free agency.

Shortstop Marcus Semien has agreed to a one-year, $18 million contract, according to multiple insiders, including Jeff Passan of ESPN, Jon Heyman of MLB Network, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Infielder Marcus Semien is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 26, 2021

Semien gets $18M on 1-year deal @ByRobertMurray on it #jays

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 26, 2021

Source confirms: Free agent Marcus Semien in agreement with Blue Jays on one-year, $18M deal. Jays had been looking at Semien at 2B. Expected to be his primary position. First: @JonHeyman and @JeffPassan

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 26, 2021

With Bo Bichette already in the fold, Semien is expected to play second base according to Rosenthal, leaving Cavan Biggio to play elsewhere in a utility role.

The 30-year-old veteran hit .223, with seven home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .305 on-base percentage in 54 games for the Athletics last season. Semien finished third in MVP voting one year earlier, when he hit .285, with 33 home runs, 92 RBIs, and an OBP of .369.

• See also:
  • Blue Jays sign star outfielder George Springer to $150M contract
  • Blue Jays interested in signing Canadian pitcher James Paxton: report
  • Opinion: The Blue Jays shouldn’t sign free agent pitcher Trevor Bauer