Toronto Blue Jays Sign Their Last Missing LH-Hitting Piece

The Toronto Blue Jays had one more move to make this winter—add another solid left-handed bat. Mission accomplished, as they've brought in 12-year veteran Brandon Belt. 

Brandon Belt is signing a 1-year deal with the Blue Jays, per @susanslusser pic.twitter.com/eemlBBhAjU

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 10, 2023

It's a one-year deal worth $9.3M for the 34-year-old first baseman. He'll likely slot it mostly as a DH against right-handed pitching and give Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the odd day off at first base. 

It was only four days ago that we reported on a suggested link to Belt for the Jays, as MLB Insider Jon Morosi pointed out at the time, "Toronto still, even with the arrival of (Daulton) Varsho, could add one more left-handed bat... They were able to add (Varsho) without necessarily eliminating the possibility of adding a DH bat. For me, the Jays could add one more lefty bat and Belt jumps out to me." 

He apparently jumped out to Toronto GM Ross Atkins as well. Belt, however, has missed plenty of time the last two seasons due to injury, so the Jays needed to be convinced he was healthy. Seems like that box has been checked as well.

The physical has been completed, and Belt is back at full health after knee surgery.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 10, 2023

San Francisco Giants insider Susan Slusser reports that Belt's physical has been completed, and he is back to full health after knee surgery.

In 2021, Belt belted 29 HR in just 97 games, with an OPS of .975. But in 2022, knee problems hampered him all year, and resulted in season-ending surgery at the beginning of September. He posted career lows with a .213 average, a .676 OPS and an OPS+ of 92, only his 2nd time below league average in 12 years. 

If he is indeed at full health, he'll be a huge help from the left side of the plate for Toronto. 

Photo: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports