Blue Jays Give Minor League Deal to Germano

Sep 6, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Germano (41) throws in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRETell me if you have heard this one before. Club A has signed right-handed pitcher Justin Germano to a minor-league contract.

If you said “yes”, then you are a winner. Last year it was the Boston Red Sox using Germano as depth protection in the minor leagues. For the 2013 season, it is the Toronto Blue Jays, who inked the 30-year-old to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Germano appeared in 14 games in 2012, making 12 starts and registering a 2-10 record with a 6.20 ERA, a 4.11 FIP, K/9 rate of 6.72.

In other words, this barely registers as a blip on the offseason radar, and even with Toronto’s struggles to send healthy starters to the mound in 2012, Germano represents a last ditch option to make any mark on the 2013 Blue Jays.

He’ll be safely stashed at Buffalo, at least until the time when he decides to opt out of his contract.