Toronto Blue Jays sign A.J. Cole to a minor league contract

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: A.J. Cole #36 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 19, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Blue Jays 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: A.J. Cole #36 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 19, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Blue Jays 3-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays and reliever A.J. Cole have come to an agreement on a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp for Spring Training.

Friday night, the Blue Jays announced they have had signed A.J. Cole to a minor league deal.  The signing comes after he was non-tendered in early December by the club.

While it isn’t a flashy signing like most fans have been waiting for, bringing back Cole has to be seen as a positive signing.  Cole was signed by the Blue Jays for the 2020 season and performed admirably during the season to a 3-0 record, one save and a 3.09 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP.  Cole started the last season with eight straight performances without allowing an earned run.

Over 24 appearances, he allowed an earned run only five times and gave up a total of just three home runs, with two of them being in one outing.  Cole also finished tied for second on the team in appearances with 24, just two behind Anthony Bass and tied with Rafael Dolis.

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Cole has pitched for four teams over his career and although he has a career ERA of 4.65, over the last two seasons it has been just 3.48 split between Toronto and Cleveland.

Cole’s career has been turned around since he found a full-time role out of the bullpen as the first part of his career was spent in the rotation where he posted a 4-8 record with a 5.48 ERA over 19 starts.

Cole just turned 29 earlier this week and will likely have the inside track on a bullpen spot on the club.  The signing is not a knock down the door move, but it is the type of deal that helps clubs build depth.  This is a good signing in my eyes and I ‘m glad to see the Blue Jays bring him back.

Cole and Dolis are the only likely locks for the bullpen right now, who else do you see coming in relief for the Blue Jays this season.

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