J.P. Arencibia‘s days in Toronto appear to be over.
CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Blue Jays, who reportedly signed catcher Dioner Navarro to a two-year deal Monday, are working to trade Arencibia. According to Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi, Arencibia will be non-tendered ahead of Monday’s midnight deadline if Toronto can’t find a trade partner.
Arencibia is a former first-round pick who was once considered an up-and-coming prospect. Those days are long gone, though, as the 27-year-old put together an awful 2013 campaign. Arencibia hit .194 with a .227 on-base percentage, .592 OPS and 148 strikeouts this past season, which apparently was enough for Toronto to explore other options. Navarro has reportedly agreed to join the Blue Jays on a two-year, $8 million contract.
Davidi reports that interest in Arencibia is minimal, although a team could strike a deal with Toronto in the hopes of buying low on a catcher with some pop. While Arencibia was terrible in 2013, he did hit 21 home runs. The Florida native hit 23 homers and 18 homers in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Arencibia, who has a career .212 average and .258 on-base percentage, will become a free agent if he’s not traded and the Blue Jays do not tender him a contract before midnight Monday.
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