George Springer believes the Toronto Blue Jays are “built to win for a long time” after arriving from the Houston Astros in a big move in a free agency.
The Blue Jays attracted MLB World Series champions and MVP Springer to Toronto on a six-year, $ 150million contract – the largest deal in franchise history.
Toronto, who returned to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016 before being swept away by last Tampa Bay Rays World Series partners in the Wild Card Round, had made Springer a their main target and became one of the most popular free agents this offseason.
Springer brings a wealth of postseason experience to the exciting young heart of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio in Toronto, where the Blue Jays also boast number one prospects right Nate Pearson.
And Springer is thrilled, telling reporters Wednesday: “I think they’re right there. When you play against this team like me, you could see the talent, you could see the potential in their line, in their staff, in arms.
“I think this team is built to win, and I think they’re going to be built to win for a long time.”
Springer will lead MLB with 136 home runs from the top spot since 2015. The Blue Jays are a team with 129 homers from the top spot over that time, all Stats Perform.
Two-time Silver Slugger, Springer has 39 lead home runs in his career – fourth-largest ever behind Rickey Henderson (73), Ian Kinsler (48) and Brady Anderson (44).
Springer has recorded seven home runs in the World Series – mostly from the all-time lead – and is 19-for-56 (.339) in his World Series career. No other Blue Jays average player has hit the World Series in their career.
All-Star has a 174 three-time home run since being debated in MLB through Houston in third place with Astro in the first seven seasons of a player career, behind just Jeff Bagwell (187) and Lance Berkman (180) .
In Toronto, Bichette is the first shortlisted in MLB history with an average .300-plus batting and a .500-plus slugging percentage in each of his first two seasons (125 plate appearances in both seasons) .
Biggio, a Blue Jays team player, was the first player in league history to score at least 20 home runs, 20 stolen units and 100 rounds through his first 159 career games (i.e. how many games he played). played so far).
As for Guerrero, the only MLB player currently 21 or younger has at least 100 professional RBI.
By age at the time of the games, the Blue Jays (234), home runs (148), home runs (38), RBIs (137), XBH (93) and BB (103) had the highest hits in 2020.
“This line reminds me a lot of them [the Astros], “Springer, 31, said.
“It’s a young line but it’s very talented, progressive younger. From everything I’ve seen, they’re very ambitious. They want to win, they work hard. That’s awful to see. “
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins, who has been overseeing the inaugural World Series title since 1993, said: “What he has done, his athleticism, his character, his strength and his persecution.
“He will overcome challenges and we believe he is going to be a great player, not just for the start of his contract but all the time. “