Blue Jays Sign Shortstop Maicer Izturis to Free Agent Contract - East Idaho News
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Blue Jays Sign Shortstop Maicer Izturis to Free Agent Contract

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Getty S 11912 Izturis?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1352477363209Jeff Gross/Getty Images(INDIAN WELLS, Calif.) — It may not be a blockbuster move, but the Toronto Blue Jays have struck first in free agency. The team has agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract with shortstop Maicer Izturis.

Izturis is a versatile utility infielder who had spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos back in 2004.

“He’s someone that’s going to come in and compete for the job at second base,” said Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “He’s not guaranteed the job, but the fact that he can play all over the infield, he’s just a valuable guy to have. He can do a lot of little things. He’s a winning player.”

In 2012, Izturis played 26 games at shortstop, 29 games at second base, 30 games at third base, and also had 26 pinch hit at-bats.

Since entering the majors, Izturis is a career .273 hitter. He’s also the first free agent to sign with a new team this offseason.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio.

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