Blue Jays and free agent reliever Jay Jackson are in agreement on a split contract, per source. The deal is pending a physical.
Understanding the contract that Jay Jackson signed with the Blue Jays
Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2023, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 29, 2023, 15:59 EDT
This was news that no one was expecting!
On Tuesday morning, it was announced by Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling that the Jays have signed 35-year-old relief pitcher Jay Jackson. If you recall, a few days ago he was released as he wouldn’t make the opening day roster.
Zwelling noted that it’s a “split contract”, which is pretty simple to understand. Essentially when a big league team purchases a contract for a minor league player, they add a player to the 40-man roster.
When a player is on the 40-man roster, they make a base salary, usually the $740,000 minimum depending on service time. Jackson’s salary, on the other hand, is currently undisclosed, as is the case with non-40-man roster minor leaguers.
However, if Jackson is called up to the Jays at any point next season, his base salary would sit at about $1,400,000 according to Zwelling. That would be different from his undisclosed minor league salary, hence the “split” in split contract.
A split contract pays a player different salaries in the majors and minors. Expect Jackson's MLB salary to be around $1.4 million. Jackson has one minor-league option remaining. If deal is completed, Blue Jays could send him to triple-A Buffalo to begin the season.
This is a pretty clever signing by the Jays, as it benefits both Jackson and the team. While Jackson has an option year and will likely start the 2023 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, he has the opportunity to make nearly double than he would otherwise (the league minimum is $740,000), even if he was offered a guaranteed spot.
For the Jays, they signed a darn good pitcher who’ll help their bullpen depth in 2023. How good was Jackson during spring training?
Here's Jay Jackson (@Jaxland58)'s strikeout (thread) from this afternoon. Got him on an 84.8 mph cutter. #BlueJays
Jackson pitched 9.1 innings with the Jays and didn’t allow a single run in those eight games of work. Moreover, he struck out 13 batters, tied for sixth most in camp. He had a 35.1 K% and a rather low 5.4 BB% facing 37 batters. His fastball sat 95 mph with life, and his slider was rather impressive as well, generating plenty of whiffs at camp.
The 35-year-old has pitched 57.2 innings in the big leagues, and hopefully, he has the opportunity to add to that this season with the Blue Jays. They clearly liked what they saw with the right-hander.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.
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