It took a little while longer than expected, but with spring training only days away for the Blue Jays, the team has finally come to terms with reliever Casey Janssen, signing the 30 year old to a two-year deal with a one year option. Janssen actually broke the news of the deal himself via Twitter earlier today; financial terms haven’t been released yet, it will keep the Blue Jays streak of avoiding arbitration meetings going for yet another year.
Formerly a starter, Janssen is one of the longest tenured members of the current bluebirds roster, and established himself as one of the only reliable relievers in the Blue Jays bullpen in 2011 after several up-and-down seasons marred by injury problems. Janssen’s held batters to a .227 BA last season with an excellent K/BB ratio of 3.79, and is expected to be part of the bridge that leads to the Cordero/Santos 1-2 punch in the late innings in 2012.
Of course, relievers’ roles in the MLB tend to change a fair bit depending on performance, so it’s probably easier just to say that Janssen is looked at as a key member of the revamped Blue Jays bullpen in 2012 after a career-best 2011.
More as the numbers are announced.
