Oliver Wants a Raise to Return to Toronto

[Ace Drivers]

Agree with most, play for what you are signed for...or retire and go away.

That said, I also don't understand why most are so bent out of shape? He's not that good...in fact he had his best season last year with the Jays...

We are talking about an 42 year old lefty specialist, who happened to strike lightening in a bottle over the last 4 years or so...even AA was quoted as saying (or something like this) that BP's are highly variable, and it is usually the last thing you focus on, and the key is flexibility...there's too many guys out there who have 1 maybe 2 or 3 good seasons and then fall off the Map after signing with a crappy team who thinks they have just signed a saviour...and then they suck.

Someone earlier mentioned the impact starters have on BP's...I totally agree, there were stretches when Farrell was pleading for someone to pitch 6 innings to give em a rest

The only thing this is doing is keeping AA from moving forward to make any last moves he deems necessary...that's the most annoying part.

[2009mvp]

Agree with most, play for what you are signed for...or retire and go away.

That said, I also don't understand why most are so bent out of shape? He's not that good...in fact he had his best season last year with the Jays...

We are talking about an 42 year old lefty specialist, who happened to strike lightening in a bottle over the last 4 years or so...even AA was quoted as saying (or something like this) that BP's are highly variable, and it is usually the last thing you focus on, and the key is flexibility...there's too many guys out there who have 1 maybe 2 or 3 good seasons and then fall off the Map after signing with a crappy team who thinks they have just signed a saviour...and then they suck.

Someone earlier mentioned the impact starters have on BP's...I totally agree, there were stretches when Farrell was pleading for someone to pitch 6 innings to give em a rest

The only thing this is doing is keeping AA from moving forward to make any last moves he deems necessary...that's the most annoying part.

Well that's absurd. He's been an elite reliever for 5 straight seasons now, how do you call that lightning in a bottle? He's also not a lefty specialist, but we've been over that many times before.

[BTBAM]

Im pretty sure MLB has a rule preventing this (it would be absurd if they didnt), but let's say theoretically Oliver REALLY wants to play for Texas. He wouldnt be able to just retire, thus ending his contract with the Jays, and then just sign with Texas, correct? Do retired players need to wait a certain time (lets say a year) after retiring before they are allowed to come out of retirement?

[Monkefied]

Im pretty sure MLB has a rule preventing this (it would be absurd if they didnt), but let's say theoretically Oliver REALLY wants to play for Texas. He wouldnt be able to just retire, thus ending his contract with the Jays, and then just sign with Texas, correct? Do retired players need to wait a certain time (lets say a year) after retiring before they are allowed to come out of retirement?

I believe he would have to wait until his current contract had ended. Meaning, he can't retire, then come back and sign with another team. His rights would still be owned by the Jays, even though they aren't paying him.

[Toxeryll]

Nobody can bring him out of retirement, its the Jays or nothing as it stands, at least for the 2013 season.

I am ok with either option. I would not give him the $ even if I think the team benefits from his return. The bullpen is not in nearly as terrible shape as some like to claim.

As for the Cecil/Loup/Happ can replace him crowd... none can be considered anything near as effective as him IMO, especially when considering performance outside of LH vs LH splits. He isnt necessarily replaceable, but I dont think he makes or breaks this teams chances at all.

Personal opinion, this is all a ploy to get more $, when he doesnt he will still come back under the current terms. I dont care how much he has earned over a career, $3 million is still a chit-tonne of cash that I cannot see him walking away from. Then again I would never have believed Barry Sanders would have walked away when he did. lol

Yes, i know. I guess i worded it wrong. I mean lets consider his stance as a player whos retired. The player will only play for his hometown team at a discounted price and any team who would like to bring him out of retirement would have to pay more to convince him to be away from his family.

Id love to have him back. This year is supposed to be the year. Gotta go all-in now.

[Dol-Fan]

Well that's absurd. He's been an elite reliever for 5 straight seasons now, how do you call that lightning in a bottle? He's also not a lefty specialist, but we've been over that many times before.

Really? You don't have this guy on your ignore list yet? Quoting him only makes it worse.

[LanceUpperCut]

Well what could we get from Texas in a trade for Oliver? I'm not really up to date with the Rangers bullpen needs.
I'd hate to cave into Olivers demands but really I'd hate to waste a trade piece even more.

[town123]

Agree with most, play for what you are signed for...or retire and go away.

That said, I also don't understand why most are so bent out of shape? He's not that good...in fact he had his best season last year with the Jays...

We are talking about an 42 year old lefty specialist, who happened to strike lightening in a bottle over the last 4 years or so...even AA was quoted as saying (or something like this) that BP's are highly variable, and it is usually the last thing you focus on, and the key is flexibility...there's too many guys out there who have 1 maybe 2 or 3 good seasons and then fall off the Map after signing with a crappy team who thinks they have just signed a saviour...and then they suck.

Someone earlier mentioned the impact starters have on BP's...I totally agree, there were stretches when Farrell was pleading for someone to pitch 6 innings to give em a rest

The only thing this is doing is keeping AA from moving forward to make any last moves he deems necessary...that's the most annoying part.

I can agree with this part.

Further to that....the way Lyon tossed, wasn't he just as good vs R & L? I know he was making 5 plus, but is he signable for 3M?

[2009mvp]

Really? You don't have this guy on your ignore list yet? Quoting him only makes it worse.

Funny part is I actually do, I just don't remember why and hit the view post button anyway. Sounds like I shouldn't have.

[jaysfan4ever]

We should have no trouble trading for a lefty setup man between now and the 2013 trade deadline. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Jamiecballer]

Well that's absurd. He's been an elite reliever for 5 straight seasons now, how do you call that lightning in a bottle? He's also not a lefty specialist, but we've been over that many times before.

i'd hate to be caught in a storm wherever he lives

[flafson]

It seems silly to allow him anything other than play for us or retire. Why trade him to our rivals? It will come to bite us for sure.
Besides, AA already said they have no more money to give away which means he can forget about getting anymore money.

[nithanyo]

I dont want to give him what he wants but a 2.02 era is hard to replace. I dont think his numbers will drop off drastically either. He hasnt had an era above 2.88 since 2007.

If AA can somehow convince him to stay we would be awesome.

[fatkev78]

The Rangers have spoken to the Blue Jays about left-handed reliever Darren Oliver, but industry sources said a trade is unlikely to happen.

Oliver may end up retiring rather than returning to Toronto. The Blue Jays made a move to reinforce their left-handed relief options by claiming pitcher Tommy Hottovy from the Rangers on Thursday.

Oliver, who was Texas' No. 1 setup reliever in 2010-11 before signing with Toronto, is under contract for 2013 at a salary of $3 million. Oliver's agent, Jeff Frye, has requested that the Blue Jays renegotiate his client's salary or trade him to the Rangers.

Right now, the Blue Jays aren't inclined to do either one, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos said this week the club is moving forward on the assumption Oliver will not be back.

"We'd love to have Darren back," Anthopoulos said. "We'd love to have him back at any point. If he calls tomorrow, thrilled. If he calls two days before Spring Training, thrilling."

Oliver, 42, agreed to a one-year contract with the Blue Jays for the 2012 season. The contract also called for a $3 million club option for 2013 that the Blue Jays picked up after Oliver went 3-4 with a 2.06 ERA in 62 games this past season. The 2.06 ERA was the fourth lowest by a left-handed reliever with a minimum of 40 innings pitched.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...tnerId=rss_tor

[2009mvp]

Wait, his agent is that Jeff Frye?!? He ****ing sucked here.