Darren Oliver is coming back. Here is the Blue Jays announcement:
LHP DARREN OLIVER will return to the TORONTO BLUE JAYS for a 20th Major League season and second in a Blue Jays uniform after his US $3.0 million was exercised for the 2013 season.
OLIVER, 42, posted the lowest ERA of his career in 2012 with a 2.06 mark, which was the 3rd lowest mark in the AL with a minimum of 50 innings pitched. The Kansas City, Missouri native has now held opponents to a .237 average over his past seven seasons to go with a 2.86 ERA over that span. The left-hander has not posted a single season ERA above 3.00 since the 2007 season. The former 3rd round pick of the Texas Rangers in 1988, Oliver has played for nine teams in his career, including Texas on three separate occasions. In 716 career games, including 229 starts, the 19-year veteran has posted a 115-94 record with a 4.53 ERA
Did the Jays call Oliver's bluff? Is there an agreement in the background somewhere? Did Oliver see the roster and decide he wanted one more shot at the playoffs? Who knows? Just a few people........
Feel free to speculate away....
p.s. I don't care about the payroll position, as long as this doesn't force another move.
p.s. 2 - The 25th man, the extra RH bat, will probably have to be a major league minimum guy
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20130116153049308