Blue Jays claim Justin Smoak off waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays made their first significant transaction of the offseason Tuesday, claiming first baseman Justin Smoak off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Smoak provides Toronto with insurance as it considers what to do with designated hitter Adam Lind. The Blue Jays have until five days after the conclusion of the World Series to decide whether to pick up next season's option on Lind, valued at $7.5 million. They can buy him out for $1 million.

The 27-year-old Smoak has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that followed after the Texas Rangers selected him with the 11th pick of the 2008 draft. His 94 wRC+ over 566 career games is six percent below league average, and the 6-foot-4 first baseman has a lifetime .380 slugging percentage at one of baseball's premier offensive positions.

Smoak showed signs of improvement when he hit a career-high 20 homers in 2013, but followed it up with just seven dingers and his worst strikeout rate (23.9 percent) and batting average (.202) as a pro.

The Blue Jays now inherit Smoak's club option for 2015, worth $3.65 million. If Toronto elects to decline the option and buys the switch-hitter out for $150,000, Smoak will enter his first year of arbitration.