Blue Jays extend Alejandro Kirk's contract for $58 million
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed catcher Alejandro Kirk to a five-year contract extension worth $58 million. This deal comes as Kirk was approaching arbitration after the 2025 season. Kirk, 26, is known for his strong defensive skills as well as his performance at the plate. In 2022, he had a standout season, earning a spot as an American League All-Star and winning a Silver Slugger award. That year, he hit 14 home runs and posted an OPS of .786. Last season, Kirk played in 103 games, finishing with a batting average of .253. He has shown versatility in his game, hitting a total of 36 home runs in his career while maintaining a balance of walks and strikeouts. Defensively, Kirk is among the best in Major League Baseball. He ranked in the top percentiles for caught stealing and pitch framing last season. This combination of skills makes him one of the top dual-threat catchers in the league.