The Toronto Blue Jays have added a versitile utility man to their plans by signing infielder Ramon Santiago to a Minor League contract. Blue Jays beat writer Shi Davidi of Toronto's Sportsnet reported the news via Twitter Thursday afternoon.
#BlueJays sign infielder Ramon Santiago to minor-league deal. Comes into camp for a look. OPS of .667 in 75 games for #Reds last year
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) January 29, 2015
Santiago, age 35, has spent more than half his time at shortstop in his 13-year career, but he has also seen substantial time at second base, and he has played a little at third as well. He is a light hitter, but he can serve as a late-inning defensive replacement, pinch hitter, pinch runner, or spot starter at all three positions.
Offensively, Santiago is a contact hitter who can move base runners. He will not grab headlines with a career line of .246/.343/.324, 30 HR, and 214 RBI, but he is a role player who does the job asked of him. His 84 career sacrafice hits will attest to that claim. He served the perennial division-winning Detroit Tigers well in each of the Tigers' four consecutive A.L. Central titles from 2011-2014.
Santiago has played 11 of his 13 seasons with the Tigers. He played very briefly for the Seattle Mariners in 2005 and spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .246 with 2 HR and 17 RBI in 75 games last year.
Santiago is durable as well. He has spent a grand total of 72 days on the disabled list in his entire career, which began in 2002. His last stint occurred seven years ago.