Blue Jays, Rasmus avoid arbitration

Toronto, ON – The Toronto Blue Jays and arbitration-eligible center fielder Colby Rasmus have agreed to terms on a $4.675 million contract for the 2013 season.

Rasmus, who earned $2.7 million last season, posted career bests of 23 home runs and 75 RBI despite batting just .223 in 151 games with Toronto in 2012. It was his first full season with the Blue Jays, who acquired the former first-round pick from St. Louis as part of an eight-player trade in July of 2011.

The 26-year-old owns a .243 career average with 76 homers and 246 RBI over four major league campaigns with the Cardinals and Blue Jays.