TORONTO -- The depleted Toronto Blue Jays bullpen regained a familiar face Tuesday night when reliever Jason Frasor pulled himself off the open market by accepting the club's offer of salary arbitration.
The right-hander's decision came ahead of a midnight deadline for free agents offered arbitration to either accept or decline.
Teammates Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg and Miguel Olivo all rejected the offer and remain free to sign with other clubs. Should they move on, the Blue Jays will be receive compensatory draft picks.
Frasor's decision comes after he was able to test the market briefly after going 3-4 with four saves and a 3.68 earned-run average in 69 games this past season, when he earned US$2.65 million.
While he expressed a desire to remain in Toronto after the season, he added he was curious to see what other teams might offer him. But he was likely hurt by his status as a Type A free agent, entitling the Blue Jays to two draft picks had he left.
Frasor joins fellow right-hander Shawn Camp as one of the few veteran holdovers from a bullpen that ranked 10th in American League relief ERA in 2010.
Left-handed set-up man Downs, also a Type A free agent, and closer Gregg, a Type B, are both said to be drawing plenty of interest from other clubs.
Olivo, a Type B catcher, was acquired from the Colorado Rockies on Nov. 4 ahead of a deadline for exercising player options. The Blue Jays turned down his US$2.5 million option, opting instead for a $500,000 buyout, and should Olivo walk, the Blue Jays will have, in essence, bought a draft pick.
If Downs, Gregg and Olivo all sign elsewhere, the Blue Jays will add four more compensatory picks to the one they will get from John Buck's signing with Florida.
Frasor and the Blue Jays have until the Jan. 5-15 salary arbitration filing period to work out a new deal. If no agreement is reached, the sides will exchange salary arbitration figures on Jan. 18, with hearings set for Feb. 1-21.
The next deadline looming for teams is Dec. 2, the last day for teams to offer 2011 contracts to unsigned players. Anyone not offered a contract becomes non-tendered and hits the open market.
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