One of the several Toronto Blue Jays headed to salary arbitration is right-handed starting pitcher Brandon Morrow, but the two sides may not have a chance to explain their case in front of the third-party arbitration panel. According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the two sides are nearing a three-year deal worth nearly $20 million. The deal will also have either a $10 million option, or a $1 million buyout.
Morrow, 27, is one of baseball's interesting cases and seen as a pitcher who could have a phenomenal season in any year. Despite posting an ERA of 4.49 and 4.72 in the past two years with the Jays, he's struck out more than 10 batters per 9 innings in those years as well.
If the deal is constructed as Davidi reports, the Jays could get out of the deal with the buyout and perhaps move on if they wish. And if Morrow becomes what the Jays hope he will, the $10 million would likely be at or below market value.
Twitter / @ShiDavidi: "Typo, apologies. Source: Jays, Morrow nearing $20m, three-year extension, with $10m option or $1m buyout. Announcement could come Tuesday."