The Blue Jays will bring back left-handed reliever Craig Breslow on a minor league contract, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet tweets. Toronto released Breslow on Saturday, but that was merely a procedural move, per Nicholson-Smith.
The Blue Jays first added Breslow on a minors pact that included a March 22 opt-out date back in February. The 37-year-old then struggled during the exhibition season, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and four walks, with six strikeous, in 7 1/3 innings. Breslow’s subpar spring performance wasn’t enough to deter the Jays from keeping him around as a depth option, though.
Between 2005 (his big league debut) and 2012, Breslow enjoyed several quality seasons with a host of teams. He hasn’t been a reliable option since that stretch, however, and is coming off a 2017 season in which he logged a 5.09 ERA/4.46 FIP with 5.86 K/9, 3.57 BB/9 and a 39.8 percent groundball rate over 35 1/3 frames between the Indians and Twins. To his credit, Breslow stymied left-handed hitters, who batted just .196/.294/.286 against him.
Big whoop
I’m laughing so hard right now because I’m envisioning the angry cat in your bio saying the comment.
When Loup is considered to be the # lh reliever I’m sure they’re willing to add any lefty with MLB experience with no tangible risk other than a potential spot on the 40 man.
Loup
Breslow
Why ? Do some shopping Jays!
Loup should have been gone long ago !
I know it doesn’t seem like it, but his career ERA is 3.34 and he wasn’t that bad last year. He’s not really a guy you just give up on. If he ever figures out how to control the ball, he’ll be dominant
One of the “smartest men in baseball” (see college degree) will know when it’s time to call it a career. No one wants to say a few years down the road “I wish I gave it one more try” and it’s easy to root for a pro willing to go to the minors and try to earn his shot again.
FYI – his degree from Yale was in Molecular biophysics and biochemistry.
A lefty reliever that’s still breathing. He’s a better option than some we have had, and you never know what he’s going to be like in a month or so.
Several Jays right-handed relievers have very good numbers against left-handed batters.