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Toronto Blue Jays Claim OF Andy Dirks From Detroit Tigers

By Ed Carroll

October 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Andy Dirks (12) is unable to catch a foul ball against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in game one of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at O.co Coliseum. The Tigers defeated Athletics 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 4, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Andy Dirks (12) is unable to catch a foul ball against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning in game one of the American League divisional series playoff baseball game at O.co Coliseum. The Tigers defeated Athletics 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andy Dirks didn’t play in MLB in 2014 due to injury, but the Toronto Blue Jays will take a chance on the outfielder, and have claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.

The Detroit Tigers outfield depth was severely tested in 2014, particularly after trading center fielder Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline and a late-season injury to replacement Rajai Davis forced the Tigers to use a variety of players in their outfield spots to fill the void.

Andy Driks didn’t play in 2014 after back surgery in the spring and then a hamstring issue for the rest of the year, and was due a raise via arbitration this winter, but he was still claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays today.

Dirks was estimated to get approximately $2 million through arbitration even though he didn’t play this season, and the Tigers are facing several roster decisions, including qualifying offers to ace Max Scherzer and designated hitter Victor Martinez.

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The Tigers would like to keep both players, but both will be coveted in free agency as well, meaning Detroit will have to open its pocketbooks once again to retain them.

The Tigers outfield has now lost Jackson, Dirks and is expected to lose right fielder Torii Hunter in free agency, meaning Detroit could now be on the lookout for outfielders, particularly a full-time center fielder.

It’s curious though, that the team would allow Dirks to be claimed, because he certainly still has use against right-handers if he’s healthy again.

As for the Blue Jays, it’s not certain if they intend to keep Dirks (as he could still be a non-tender candidate before the deadline), and for what it’s worth, there have been accusations lobbed at Toronto in the past of abusing the waiver wire system, though the organization has never been disciplined by MLB for such accusations.

It doesn’t appear to be the case with Dirks, however, as he’s definitely a solid choice for an outfield platoon, if you have another outfielder who can hit lefties to match up with him.

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