Toronto Blue Jays fans had another offseason where they heard their team bandied about in rumors to acquire some big-name free agents but they ended up striking out.
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The bullpen was a big weakness for the Jays in 2010 but it doesn't look like it will be much improved in 2011. Scott Downs and 37-save closer Kevin Gregg have departed. In their stead is a big mixed bag of talent that may or may not be as good.
The Jays signed Octavio Dotel to a one-year deal worth $3 million, which does add a veteran arm with experience. But the question is how much does he have left in the tank? Dotel is 37 and the Jays will be his eighth team since the start of the 2006 season. That goes to show that he doesn't last very long as a solution to anyone's problems.
Also, the Jays signed Chad Cordero to a minor-league deal in the hopes that he regains his 2005 form, but that might be a stretch. After tearing his labrum, Cordero has never been the same and hasn't been able to crack the Majors recently. He has pitched well in the minors, though, going 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 34 games with 36 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched.
Lastly, the Jays added Will Ledezma to the mix after claiming him off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. For starters, picking up pitchers from the Pirates is always a risky proposition. He was 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA in 19.2 innings for the Pirates last season but and is 15-25 with a 5.26 ERA as a starter.
Overall, the Jays have made some lateral moves this offseason and once again will fall short to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, and possibly the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles as well.
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