Mark DeRosa Signs (1 Year, $775K w/TM option 2014)

[zilby]

Mark DeRosa has agreed to a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Blue Jays.

He gives Toronto more infield and outfield depth as they try for their first playoff berth since 1993.

The Blue Jays have a $750,000 option for 2014 with a $25,000 buyout.

Read more: http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... z2IkttMB4d

Good bench depth signing. Won't complain.

[Randle McMurphy]

Was hoping it would be someone better with an actual bat (i.e. Manny), but this is mostly an intangibles signing like the Omar one was. Can't see him getting many AB but he has hit lefties in his career (.294/.368/.475)...at least before all of his injuries of the last three years.

[Mattd97]

number15 isnt gonna be happy about this

[xAIRNESSx]

number15 isnt gonna be happy about this

lol, word for word, I was going to post the exact same thing.

[Chevy Chase]

Someone has to fill those Gatorade cups.

[Lateral Quicks]

At this stage of his career, DeRosa doesn't do anything particularly well. Even the 25th guy should be average at something, whether that's a defensive position, hitting from one side of the plate, stealing bases, etc.

I can't say I'm a fan of AA's last two signings (Blanco and DeRosa).

[flatjacket1]

(Blanco).

Blanco serves a purpose. Apparently he's the best option defensively to catch Dickey, who happens to be out ace and will likely pitch several games. We could cut down a few runs against us with fewer PB (which Dickey averages throwing a ball which is passed around every other game, it adds up).

RA Dickey said himself that Blanco is the best at catching his knuckleball.

[RyderMike]

(Blanco).

Blanco serves a purpose. Apparently he's the best option defensively to catch Dickey, who happens to be out ace and will likely pitch several games. We could cut down a few runs against us with fewer PB (which Dickey averages throwing a ball which is passed around every other game, it adds up).

RA Dickey said himself that Blanco is the best at catching his knuckleball.

The other benefit is Blanco's deal is unguaranteed, so if Thole really outperforms him, we can just cut him.

[LittleOzzy]

Mark DeRosa thrilled to get another chance to play

Mark DeRosa was left off the Washington Nationals playoff roster, the final act of his physically challenging and emotionally draining 2012 season. As he packed for the winter, DeRosa pegged the chances of continuing his playing career at 70-30 against.

Those odds looked even worse last week when DeRosa still didn’t have a team.

"I was talking with my agents, talking with my wife, and really felt like we’d better start thinking about doing other things," said the Carlstadt native and Bergen Catholic grad, who turns 38 next month. "Even though I was dying to keep playing, I was pretty honest with myself that the last three years hadn’t gone as planned."

Enter the Toronto Blue Jays, whose total makeover for 2013 included room for a veteran infielder/outfielder with a winning pedigree and a willingness to lead.

"This kind of came together in 48 hours. … I thought I’d be foolish to pass up the opportunity," DeRosa said by phone after agreeing to a one-year $775,000 contract with an option for the same amount in 2014. "I wanted to be part of a quality organization with a chance to do something special."

The Jays announced their arrival as serious challengers to the Yankees’ AL East crown in November by acquiring Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle from the Marlins. Toronto hasn’t been to the postseason since 1993, but DeRosa has been there with the Braves, Cubs and Cardinals and played on the 2010 world champion Giants. The Nats went to the NL Division Series without the right-handed hitting DeRosa, though Washington manager Davey Johnson campaigned to bring him back in 2013.

"He didn’t put up the numbers [.188, five doubles, six RBI in 85 at-bats], but was pretty good pinch-hitting (7-for-18, .389) and a pretty good stabling influence on my young guys," Johnson said at the winter meetings. "He was a great influence."

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/18832 ... start.html

[Rhettmatic]

^ Good read Ozzy, thanks.