Blue Jays sign Randy Wolf to minor league deal

With some questions about rotation depth, the Toronto Blue Jays are working to add some veteran arms in order to provide some protection through the arduous season. They continued that search on Monday, inking 38-year-old left-hander Randy Wolf to a minor league contract, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

LHP Randy Wolf, last seen in AAA w #Angels, signed a minor lg deal with Blue Jays, according to brother Jim, an ump. Good luck to a good guy
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 17, 2015

Like Johan Santana before him, Randy Wolf likely won’t be ready to join the team at the onset of the season, but should be able to ramp up quickly and be available in mid-April if the need arises. Of course, he’ll need to earn a spot as well.

A 15-year veteran, Wolf pitched in 6 games for the Miami Marlins in 2015 (4 starts), posting a 1-3 record with a 5.26 ERA, a 4.38 FIP, and a 6.7 K/9 ratio over 25.2 innings of work. Before getting the call-up to Miami, Wolf bounced around the Orioles, Angels, and Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliates, where he put up a 4.57 ERA and an 8.1 K/9 ratio.

The signing is an interesting one for the Blue Jays, as it is hard imagining Randy Wolf playing for the Blue Jays in 2015. Given that Wolf is four years removed from posting an ERA under 4.00 (2011 in Milwaukee), and has only achieved the feat twice since 2003, he doesn’t seem to offer much more than the existing arms the Blue Jays currently have in the fold as a potential starter.

However, he does have an opportunity to land as a potential bullpen arm. In that regard, Wolf has shown an ability to get left-handed bats out, with southpaws reaching him for a measly .233/.406/.400 battling line throughout his career. Conversely, right-handers have rocked Wolf for a 265/.333/.434 mark, including 61 home runs verses 27 against lefties.

As with most minor league deals for veteran arms, this one will include an opt-out clause. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sport, Wolf’s deal allows him to void his deal if he is still in the minor leagues by June 1st, but it is also doubtful that Wolf will be able to find a better arrangement elsewhere, let along a Major League opportunity. For now, he’ll join Johan Santana on the comeback trail just hoping for an opening to present itself in Toronto.

Gideon Turk of Blue Jays Plus was the first to report that the Blue Jays were working Randy Wolf out.

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