The Toronto Blue Jays continue adding established arms to their bullpen mix ahead of Wednesday’s spring training report date for pitchers and catchers, with left-hander Craig Breslow the latest minor-league signing headed for Dunedin, Fla.
Breslow agreed to a minor league deal with the Blue Jays Monday, an industry source told Sportsnet. If Breslow makes the team he’d earn a base salary of $1.25 million with the potential to earn more through incentives. The 37-year-old has an opt-out date near the end of spring training if the Blue Jays don’t add him to their roster.
Breslow, a 12-year veteran of the major leagues, spent the 2017 season with Minnesota and Cleveland. He pitched 35.1 total innings while striking out 23, walking 14 and allowing four home runs on his way to a 5.09 ERA. His fastball averaged 89.4 m.p.h. last year, when he started relying more extensively on two-seam fastballs and lowered his arm slot.
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Breslow debuted in 2005, three seasons after the Brewers drafted him in the 26th round out of Yale. He has since pitched for seven teams, including Cleveland (for Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins) and Boston (for vice president of baseball operations Ben Cherington). Like Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, Breslow’s a Connecticut native.
The Blue Jays’ projected bullpen includes Roberto Osuna, Ryan Tepera, Danny Barnes and Aaron Loup. Other candidates for relief roles include Matt Dermody, Tim Mayza and Carlos Ramirez plus minor-league invitees Breslow, John Axford, Jake Petricka, Al Alburquerque and Rhiner Cruz.
The Blue Jays are still seeking starting pitching depth and are believed to have in excess of $10 million available.
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