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Report: Blue Jays Less Likely to Give Qualifying Offer to Michael Saunders

By Chris Okrainetz

Sep 21, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) reacts toward the dugout after hitting a double against the Seattle Mariners during the tenth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) reacts toward the dugout after hitting a double against the Seattle Mariners during the tenth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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After struggling throughout the second half, the Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly “less likely” to extend a qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Saunders.

The Toronto Blue Jays face a number of tough decisions this offseason, which is, of course, highlighted by Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. But outside of the “big two,” players like Michael Saunders are also free agents to be.

While it’s a guarantee that the Blue Jays will extend a qualifying offer to Bautista and Encarnacion, the same can’t be said about Saunders. According to a report from Jon Heyman of Todays Knuckleball.com, the Jays are skeptical after Saunders’ “horrible” second half.

“The Jays, who are extending the qualifying offer to Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, were thinking they’d give the qualifying offer to Michael Saunders when he had a big first half and made the All-Star team,” said Heyman. “But after what one Jays person described as a “horrible” second half, it seems less than likely now.”

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Extending a qualifying offer to Saunders would put the Jays on the hook for $17.2 million, if he were to accept the one-year offer, but would also allow them to garner a pick if he were to decline the offer and sign elsewhere.

While it remains unclear whether Toronto will make an offer to Saunders, perhaps they would rather not extend a QO and see if he will seek a multi-year deal elsewhere. Or, perhaps the Jays believe they can sign him to a more team friendly deal.

There a number of different routes they could go here, but I think the status of Encarnacion and Bautista directly affects Saunders, especially since Melvin Upton Jr. will be back next season and the Jays’ farm system is riddled with talented outfielders.

If both Bautista and Encarnacion do not re-sign, pursuing Saunders could make sense since there would be openings in right field and DH. However, if both Bautista and Encarnacion return to Toronto, it’s tough to figure out where Saunders would fit in. Upton Jr. is capable of playing everyday in left field, while Bautista could easily split time between right field, DH and perhaps first base. Plus, prospects like Dalton Pompey and Rowdy Tellez are inching closer to the big leagues.

While his second half was horrendous (Saunders posted a .178/.282/.357 slash line to go along with eight home runs, 15 RBI and 65 strikeouts in 185 at bats), questions about his fit with this roster also creates uncertainty about his future.

Again, Heyman said it “seems less than likely now” that the Jays will extend a qualifying offer to Saunders, which doesn’t necessarily rule the idea out, but it doesn’t necessarily spark confidence either.

Next: Could the Blue Jays Bring Back Encarnacion and Bautista?

The Blue Jays have some time to mull this idea, as teams do not have to submit their qualifying offers until five days after the World Series, but perhaps letting Saunders walk might not be a bad idea.

What do you think the Blue Jays should do with Michael Saunders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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