Jays sign left-hander Darren Oliver

[Back2back2back]

Has this been made official yet?

[baulderdash77]

He has to pass a physical first. It's not expected to be final until Wednesday.

[flatjacket1]

Just to clarify, I'm not knocking the signing. Darren Oliver is/was the best LHR on the market, that is a fact. What I am knocking is the direction of the team. Why sign a guy for 1-2 years as a stop-gap, for a team that has shown no inclination that it's looking to compete any time soon?

If we were on the cusp of something, then this is a great signing! Being where we are today, it's more of a "good player, same mediocre team" signing.

What type of signing did you want? Relievers are typically only good for 1-2 years anyways, most relievers are unstable as heck, its rare to see consistent relievers that go for anything under 10M a year (Which is better spent elsewhere considering a good reliever cost a fourth of that).

1-2 year stopgaps are good in the bullpen, it sure beats wasting a rookie SP.

[RapsFanInVA]

I can't believe Darren Oliver is still pitching.

[ThaFlash]

Darren Oliver has passed his physical, Via Jon Heyman (of CBS) Twitter

JonHeymanCBS Jon Heyman
Darren oliver passed his physical, so his deal with the #bluejays is official.

[polo007]

http://twitter.com/#!/JonHeymanCBS/stat ... 0314762240

@JonHeymanCBS

Jon Heyman

darren oliver gets $4M from #bluejays. lowest ERAs came last 4 yrs. in descending order, no less (2.88, 2.71, 2.48, 2.29)

5 hours ago via web

[ThaFlash]

there is also an option for 2013 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/ ... blue-jays/

[Chevy Chase]

Great article on Oliver on ESPN. Its as much about Oliver as it is about how crafty left handed pitchers can remain effective into their 40s.

[tecumseh18]

Great article on Oliver on ESPN. Its as much about Oliver as it is about how crafty left handed pitchers can remain effective into their 40s.

Pitching is about throwing to a target first and foremost. I remember that line more than anything I heard from super GM guru Syd Thrift. Throwing strikes has nothing to do with it. And pitchers like Oliver do that as well as anyone else, which is just one reason they keep getting jobs. Forget about walks and ERA, they really just need to make one pitch in one moment and then they have jobs at the age of 41.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/74196 ... t-get-done

Yeah, nice find.

When I was a kid, Woody Fryman for the Expos was the ageless lefty RP who really stood out for me. I wouldn't say he was a junk pitcher, but like a healthy BJ Ryan he really could hit his location. Looks like it's actually going to be fun to see Farrell going to the bullpen this year. I just hope he doesn't have to do it in the 5th or 6th innings very often.