Blue Jays trade Adam Lind to Brewers for Marco Estrada

Adam Lind's nine-year run in Toronto has come to an end.

The Blue Jays traded Lind to Milwaukee in exchange for pitcher Marco Estrada, the Brewers announced Saturday.

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi previously reported that the Blue Jays had exercised Lind's $7.5-million option for next season, paving the way for the club to deal the first baseman/designated hitter.

"We weren't going to move forward with both Adam and (Edwin) Encarnacion at first base/DH ... We needed to create some flexibility," Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said during a conference call Saturday. "(The deal) allows us to reallocate some dollars to some other areas of need."

Lind provides Milwaukee an exceptional option against right-handed pitching after Brewers first basemen hit just .216 and slugged .397 versus that side in 2014. The 31-year-old hit .354 with a .942 OPS against righties last season, and his 164 wRC+ since 2013 ranks sixth in baseball among players with at least 250 plate appearances.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin admitted Saturday that Lind's left-handedness was a leading factor in the deal.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, acquire the seven-year veteran Estrada to help bolster the club's pitching depth. Estrada pitched to a 4.96 ERA in 18 starts last year before getting demoted to the Brewers' bullpen in July. The right-hander struck out 35 batters over 43 2/3 innings of relief.

Toronto announced Saturday it declined options on three pitchers who figured to begin the season out of the bullpen - Dustin McGowan, Brandon Morrow and Sergio Santos - so it stands to reason that's where Estrada will see most of his work unless the Blue Jays move an arm.