TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Michael Saunders from the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander J.A. Happ in a deal that essentially closes the door on the possibility of free agent Melky Cabrera returning to the team.
The deal was the latest move by Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos in what has been a busy off-season. He recently dealt longtime first baseman Adam Lind to the Milwaukee Brewers, acquired star third baseman Josh Donaldson in a trade with the Oakland Athletics and signed catcher Russell Martin to a lucrative long-term deal.
Saunders, a 28-year-old Victoria native, is expected to be the everyday left-fielder for the Blue Jays.
"We like the fact that Saunders can play all three outfield spots if needed, we think he's going to play an above-average defensive left field," Anthopoulos said. "(He's) a left-handed bat, which is appealing as well (and) can steal a base - he's stolen 21 bases before. We think he has some power in going from that ballpark (Safeco Field) to ours.
"He can unlock some things in our lineup as well and the two years of (team) control is nice too."
Happ was uneven over parts of three seasons in Toronto, but had a solid second half to the campaign. He was 11-11 on the year with a 4.22 earned-run average over 158 innings.
His departure improves Aaron Sanchez's chances of making the starting rotation.
"He's going to be stretched out in spring training, but it certainly has increased his odds," Anthopoulos said. "But he's still going to have to earn a spot right now, depending on what else we might do."
Sanchez, a 22-year-old right-hander, was brilliant out of the bullpen in his first season with the Blue Jays. He was 2-2 with a 1.09 ERA in 24 appearances, striking out 27 batters and issuing nine walks.
Cabrera, meanwhile, declined the Blue Jays' US$15.3-million qualifying offer last month to test the free-agent market. There was interest in a potential return but the two sides were too far apart on contract talks.
