I will the be the first to admit I may have errored in doubting the slugger and the Jays brain trust decision to extend Justin Smoak last season to a two-year $8.5 million dollar pact. The extension also includes a $6 million dollar team option with a $250,000 buyout for 2019.
So in saying that I offer my sincere apologies to Smoak, Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins and anyone else who was responsible for locking up the first baseman last season. I was definitely ready to anoint Rowdy Tellez or anyone not named Justin the starting first baseman coming out of spring training.