The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised the $7.5-million option for first baseman/designated hitter Adam Lind for 2015. Sportsnet's Blue Jays beat writer Shi Davidi announced the news via Twitter Saturday morning.
Source: #BlueJays exercise Adam Lind's option
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) November 1, 2014
Lind has just completed his ninth season with the Blue Jays, and he slashed .321/.381/.479 with 6 HR and 40 RBI in 96 games. Those numbers are far below his normal production of 24 HR and 77 RBI that he averaged in his previous five years, but injuries had the most to do with the losses. He officially missed 57 games while on two different stints on the disabled list. He sat out from April 16 to May 8 with lower back tightness, and he later missed from July 7 to August 12 with a fractured right foot. He also sat out a number of other games throughout the season because of the injuries while remaining on the active roster. He tried to play through the foot injury but eventually succumbed to disablement.
Speculation abounds about a potential trade of Lind, who can also play left field. On October 21, the Toronto Sun's Bob Elliot reported that several teams from both leagues have asked about the left-handed hitter. Lind's .354 average was even higher than those of Jose Altuve and Justin Morneau, the two batting champions in 2014. Lind, though, fell well short of qualifying for the batting title with only 318 plate appearances (502 needed to qualify). By picking up his option, the Blue Jays now have a valuable trade chip should they decide to deal him or a valuable hitter who should see even more production if he remains healthy in 2015.
The 32-year-old Lind will make $7.5 million in 2015, and with a second team option worth $8 million in 2016, the Blue Jays -- or any team who trades for him -- still have him under team control for two more years.