Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Blue Jays: The Yangervis Solarte era comes to an end

By Paul Taylor

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 2: Yangervis Solarte #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 2, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 2: Yangervis Solarte #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 2, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Toronto Blue Jays decided to non-tender Yangervis Solarte on Friday, meaning the infielder now becomes a free agent.

The Toronto Blue Jays have decided to move on from Yangervis Solarte after just one season. As reported by The Canadian Press via CBC Sports, the team non-tendered the infielder on Friday.

As a result, Solarte now becomes a free agent. The decision by the Blue Jays comes just one month after declining their $5.5 million club option for 2019, on a player who they traded for back in January.

This sequence of events brings an end to a dramatic turnaround in the 31-year-old’s fortunes. During the first half of the 2018 season, he was arguably the Blue Jays’ MVP.

As of the end of June, Solarte had hit 15 home runs and 45 RBIs, to offer at least some positivity in a disappointing season for the Blue Jays. As a result, he was well on course to have a career year.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

Unfortunately for the former New York Yankee, as the calendar flipped to July, things took a turn for the worse. He saw his production drop off dramatically, not helped by a right oblique strain which caused him to miss 26 games.

This resulted in Solarte hitting just two homers and nine RBIs over the remainder of the season. For the season, he produced a disappointing slash line of .226/.277/.378.

When combining the Venezuela native’s overall production with the Blue Jays’ aiming to concentrate on youth, the writing was on the wall. As such, Friday’s decision came as no surprise.

While the 2018 campaign will have left a sour taste in Solarte’s mouth, he should still get the opportunity to bounce back with another team. The first half of the year showed he is capable of producing with his bat, with his defensive versatility also offering something for potential suitors to consider.

**********

As per Sportsnet, all remaining unsigned players were tendered contracts for the 2019 season. Of most significance, this included Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis.

Next. Joe Carter unlikely to be voted into Hall of Fame. dark

What was your take on Solarte’s 2018 campaign? Do you agree with the Toronto Blue Jays’ decision to non-tender the infielder? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays