Jays Sign Reliever Bobby Korecky

The Blue Jays have added to an already deep bullpen today by signing RHP Bobby Korecky. He is listed at 5’11” 185 lbs, 31 years old, has 8 minor league seasons under his belt, and most notably has 144 saves to his credit during that time.

Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reported the signing on Twitter, stating:

"“#BlueJays sign RHRP Bobby Korecky, who spent part of last season in indy Northern Lge. Decent peripherals in AAA: 7.3 K and 2.8 BB per 9.”"

Here’s a list of the multitude of transactions that have led Bobby to Toronto:

• 2002: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 19th round of the draft and signed.
• 2003: the Phillies sent Bobby Korecky to the Twins to complete a deal that had the Phillies send a player to be named later, Nick Punto and Carlos Silva to the Twins for Eric Milton.
• 2009: Selected off waivers by the Dbacks from the Twins.
• 2009: Granted Free Agency.
• 2010: Signed as a Free Agent with the Angels. Was released at some point in 2010 (after having back issues in May) and spent part of the year in the independent Northen League.

His minor league stats before 2010 are as follows:

He did get a couple of cups of coffee in the majors in 2008 and 2009, with the Twins and Dbacks respectively, and wound up with these stats over 23.2 IP: 6.85 ERA / 30 hits / 12 BB / 9 SO / 1.775 whip

And finally, in 2010 in the Independent League (5.32 ERA), he threw 22 innings, allowed 20 hits, walked 4 and struck out 21 for the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

You can also find out a little more about Korecky here.

This definitely sits within the “depth” additions category and Korecky is a long shot to see any action as a Toronto Blue Jay. He joins a ton of such players including Wil Ledezma, Chad Cordero, Winston Abreu, and others who will fill the pen in AAA Las Vegas. One interesting note on Korecky is that he was a PCL mid-season all star as recently as 2009, so there is some talent in his arm.

This latest addition, however, comes at a time when the Jays have been linked closely to Kevin Slowey, with the return to the Twins likely to be a reliever as the Jays and Twins match up well that way. So, this adds to the intrigue about whether or not a deal will get done between these two clubs – or others – before spring training ends.

We’ll have to wait and see. Not a huge addition for the Jays, but an interesting one due to the rumors making the rounds and the already full pen in AAA.