2013 Toronto Blue Jays Reviews: Darren Oliver

Name: Darren Oliver

Position: Relief Pitcher

Stats:

Bobby Mattick Training Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports” width=”300″ height=”450″ class=”size-medium wp-image-15482″ /> February 14, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Darren Oliver (38) works out during spring training at Bobby Mattick Training Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports2013 Expectations

This was a season more about giving Oliver a chance to pitch in the post season and to make up for the lack of competitiveness from the Blue Jays in 2012. He pitched a stellar campaign in 2012 and was all set to retire. But like most baseball pundits he saw the moves that Alex Anthopoulos made and around January decided to give it one more year. After a 20 year career he had made it to just two World Series with Texas but never was able to capture the trophy. This team, on paper anyway, seemed like the best chance he has had to making it to the October playoffs. He was to provide leadership and the ability to put away lefty batters. He was a specialist, in essence almost another coach on the team. Considering his level of professionalism, he deserved a better fate.

2013 Transactions

Darren Oliver was on the 15-day DL May 24 and was sent to a rehab assignment June 5. He was re-instated to the team June 11 and played the rest of the season out of the bullpen.

2013 Production

It wasn’t as stellar as his 2012 season but Oliver did a great job as a lefty specialist. His K:BB ratio was better than his career average and he seemed to be able to get the outs when needed. He had a few bad games but so do every pitcher. He logged us 50 innings of reliability and was never truly put out there when there was a firestorm brewing. He was an average relief pitcher. That’s it.

2014 Outlook

There is no outlook. Darren Oliver has been pitching as long as the Blue Jays have been out of the post season (he started in 1993, the year of the Jays last title). He was a decent mid rotation starter and eventually an even better reliever. Not many make it 20 years in ANY profession let alone baseball. He has earned his retirement. It’s too bad he never won a ring but who knows? If he comes back some day as a coach he will get that shot again.