Blue Jays Sign DeRosa, Designate Dyson

October 2, 2012; Washington, D.C., USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Mark DeRosa (7) doubles in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Phillies 4 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY SportsFor weeks, we have been hearing that Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was still looking for his 25th man. In those conversations, Anthopoulos stated that he wanted a right-handed hitter that could play anywhere in the field.

On Tuesday, he got his wish with the Blue Jays signing 37-year-old Mark DeRosa to play that role, inking the utility-man to a one-year, $750k contract with a club option for 2014.

The team released news on the signing through an official press release.

DeRosa, a 15-year veteran, has enjoyed many ups and downs in the Major Leagues, particularly with injuries. He has been limited to 48 games or less each of the last three seasons, spent with San Francisco and Washington. Over the course of the last three seasons, DeRosa has been held to a total of 121 games, with a .220 batting average, .578 OPS, and a single home run.

However, when healthy, DeRosa has proven to carry a solid bat with plus power, having twice passed the 20 home run plateau, and sports a lifetime OPS of .754. He also gives Toronto the positional flexibility that Anthopoulos was looking for, having played all four infield positions and the two outfield corners during his career.

The Blue Jays will represent DeRosa’s eighth team.

To make room for DeRosa on the 40-man roster, Toronto has designated right-hander Sam Dyson for assignment. The 24-year-old was a 4th round selection of the Blue Jays in the 2010 Amateur Draft and made his Major League debut in 2012, appearing in 2 games out of the bullpen. In just 39 minor league games, due to Tommy John surgery in 2011, Dyson holds a 4-2 record with a lifetime ERA of 3.04 and 4.6 K/9 ratio.