Brewers acquire Adam Lind from Blue Jays

The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired first baseman and outfielder Adam Lind from the Toronto Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reported on Saturday morning. Right-hander Marco Estrada heads to Toronto in return, according to Andrew Walker of Sports590.ca. 

Lind's 2015 option was picked up by the Blue Jays for $7.5 million, but after they claimed Justin Smoak off waivers from the Mariners earlier this week, it became evident that he was on the block. Lind fills an obvious need for Milwaukee, who's first baseman ranked 28th in the majors in OPS (.642). 

In 318 plate appearances this season with the Blue Jays, Lind hit .321/.381/.479, belting just six homers and driving in 40 runs. Lind posted his best offensive season since hitting 35 homers in 2009, according to the stats of OPS+ and wRC+, which measure how well a player is performing on an easy scale (100 is considered league-average). 

The main reason for Lind's success is the fact that he started just three games against a left-handed starter, as compared to 75 times versus a righty. Over his career, Lind has hit horrifically when facing left-handed pitching, hitting just .212/.257/.331 against them. The 31-year-old Lind may be considered an expensive platoon player for Milwaukee, but he almost definitely fills their need out at first. 

In return, the Blue Jays will be receiving 31-year-old right-hander Marco Estrada. Estrada posted a 7-6 record in 2014, working to a 4.36 ERA and a 4.88 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) in 150 2/3 innings pitched. Estrada was converted to a starter almost full-time in 2012, and has posted a 3.97 ERA since. Perhaps a change of scenery will help the former sixth round pick, who allowed two runs over six innings in his only start at Rogers Centre. 

Estrada may be headed back to the bullpen, however, as the Blue Jays rotation is fairly set for 2015. He will add pitching depth to Toronto, which is always a plus. 

--Devan F.

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