Toronto Blue Jays sign J.A. Happ at 3 years, $36 million

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed free agent lefthanded starting pitcher J.A. Happ to a 3 year deal worth $36 million.

Happ, 33, was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, and was sent to the Houston Astros in 2010 along with Jonathan Villar and Anthony Gose in the deal that brought Roy Oswalt to Philly.  Happ then was sent to Toronto as part of a 10 player deal in July, 2012.  As a Blue Jay, Happ put up 1.8 bWAR in 291 IP over 2 and a half seasons, with a 4.38 ERA, a 4.09 FIP and a 90 ERA+.  Happ went to Seattle for Michael Saunders last offseason, then was shipped to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline.  Happ finished the year strong for the Pirates, putting up a 1.85 ERA and a 2.19 FIP in 11 starts for Pittsburgh.

This is just the latest reminder of how high salaries are going right now -- remember, this was the sort of dollar figure that people were suggesting Yovani Gallardo, a younger, better pitcher, might take to stay in Texas beyond the 2015 season.

Its also a reminder of the importance of developing your own piching, so you aren't forced into a situation where you feel like you have to pay a J.A. Happ $12 million per year for 3 years.