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A possible signing of the Japanese would – by far – be the Canadian club’s biggest signing on the free agent market. While it is far too early to celebrate the arrival of a new Savior, let us allow ourselves to relive the good times of the past.
Mark O’Neill, Toronto Sun
Roger Clemens
In December 1996, general manager Gord Ash convinced the hottest free agent to make the jump across the border. Pitcher Roger Clemens, who received three Cy Youngs at the time, signed a four-year contract worth $40 million with the Blue Jays.
This made him the highest-paid shooter in the major leagues annually. Clemens had also earned all of this money in the first two years of his contract, the only two years in which he ultimately played for the Toronto team. During this time he got his hands on two more Cy-Youngs.
Greg Reekie/Toronto Sun/QMI Agency
Paul Molitor
The Toronto Blue Jays offered infielder Paul Molitor a three-year, $13 million contract in the 1992 offseason, just weeks after winning their first World Series.
Molitor was fantastic in 1993, earning an invitation to the All-Star Game and a Silver Bat, as well as finishing second in the American MVP voting.
The St. Paul native also helped the Blue Jays to their second straight title and was crowned World Series MVP.
Molitor was also very good in the other two years of his contract with the Jays.
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Dave Winfield
A year before Molitor’s signing, the Queen City organization also pulled off a stroke of genius on the free agent market by offering Dave Winfield a one-year, $2.3 million contract. The 39-year-old veteran had 18 years of experience in Major League Baseball but had never won the major awards. The outfielder remedied this situation during his brief but productive stint in Toronto in 1992.
AFP
Russell Martin
The Blue Jays last finished atop the American League East in 2015. This season started with the signing of a certain Russell Martin. The insolvency administrator had signed a five-year contract worth $80 million.
The Quebecer has not been at the top throughout his contract, but he put in an excellent performance in his first round in a Toronto jersey. In 2015, Martin set franchise records among catchers for home runs (23), runs scored (76) and RBIs (77).