Blue Jays, Marco Estrada agree to two-year deal

Right-hander Marco Estrada agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays instead of exploring free agency.

Estrada will sign a two-year, $26 million deal with the team, trumping the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer Toronto had extended.

Estrada emerged as a solid starter in 2015 for a Toronto club that reached the American League Championship Series. He went 12-8 and ranked fifth in the AL with a 3.13 ERA and also experienced a strong postseason.

Estrada has a career mark of 36-34 with a 3.95 ERA.

The Blue Jays are limited on rotation options with David Price and Mark Buehrle ticketed for the open market. The Blue Jays previously picked up the 2016 team option on knuckleballer R.A. Dickey's deal and right-hander Marcus Stroman also returns.