Blue Jays Sign Adam Lind To Four-Year Deal With Three Additional Options

Details are starting to come out pertaining to Adam Lind’s shiny new contract with the Blue Jays, and Jordan Bastian provides everything we need:

The $5m a year from 2011 through 2013 is unusual, as most players will see pay raises throughout their arbitration years. In addition, the options are quite reasonable for a player signed after a 35-homer season, and they hint at both Toronto’s concern that Lind may have overachieved a little bit in 2009, and Lind’s readiness to remain with the organization for a long time.

The extension appears to include 2010. Lind was set to become a free agent after the 2013 season, so this contract buys out his remaining years of team control, with the 2014, 2015, and 2016 club options extending three years into free agency.

Over a full season last year, Lind batted .305 with 81 extra-base hits and a walk rate that matched up with what he’s done in AAA. This was a huge improvement over the .745 OPS he posted over partial seasons between 2006-2008, and the Blue Jays clearly believe it’s for real. Lind isn’t a graceful defender in left, but as long as he’s able to hit for average and power, he’ll be a key cog in the middle of a changing Blue Jay lineup.