Blue Jays settle with Cecil, strike deal with Dirks

TORONTO (AP) Brett Cecil and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,475,000, avoiding salary arbitration.

Toronto also agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with outfielder Andy Dirks, who was claimed off waivers from Detroit on Oct. 31 and became a free agent when the Blue Jays failed to offer a major league deal by the Dec. 2 deadline.

Cecil, 28, was an All-Star in 2013 and was 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA and five in 66 games last season. He has spend his entire major league career with the Blue Jays after joining the team in 2009.

Dirks, also 28, spent parts of three seasons with the Tigers after making his major league debut in 2011. Dirks was hampered by back and hamstring injuries last year, when he was limited to 14 games - all in the minor leagues. He has a .276 career average with 24 homers and 100 RBIs.