The Canadian didn’t just spend two years wearing the uniform of the Blue Jays team he idolized growing up. Being designated for assignment with a .205 average after just 61 games with the Phillies this season, then returning to the Jays on a minor-league deal. A few teams reached out after he was released by the Phillies last month, with the Jays among the first. Saunders and Smoak played together with the Mariners before being traded to Toronto within days of one another in 2014. Unlike his own experience, Saunders expects Smoak to keep on rolling: “The talent’s always be there.

Source: thestar July 15, 2017 22:41 UTC