Jays re-sign Colby Rasmus to one-year contract

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Colby Rasmus, signing the outfielder to a one-year deal worth US$2.7-million on Sunday.

Toronto acquired the 25-year-old from the St. Louis Cardinals in a multi-player trade July 27.

Rasmus appeared in a combined 129 games last season, posting a .225 average with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs.

In 420 career games, Rasmus has a .251 average with 53 homers and 171 RBIs.

Toronto now has five arbitration eligible players remaining: Ben Francisco, Casey Janssen, Brandon Morrow, Kelly Johnson and Carlos Villanueva.

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  Toronto Blue Jays new signing Colby Rasmus (centre) celebrates with Travis Snider (left) and Eric Thames after beating Baltimore Orioles 8-5 in MLB baseball action in Toronto on Thursday July 28, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young