Toronto Blue Jays LHP Darren Oliver is apparently homesick of his native Texas. Prior to the 2012 season, he signed a 1 year, $4 million contract to play for the Jays. His contract called for a $3 million club option for the 2013 season. Oliver had what was his best MLB season at age 41 last year, going 3-4, 2.06 in 61 games, with 52 Ks in 56 2/3 IP. The Blue Jays did what was expected when they exercised his option for the 2013 season, assuring him of the $3 million salary that was part of the contract.
Oliver has considered retirement for the past several seasons, going back to after the 2004 season, which did not see him pitch at all in the majors in the 2005 season. He was to retire if he did not make the Mets in 2006. Then again after his contract was up after 2 seasons with the Angels. Then again before he signed with Toronto. Now he claims to be upset with a contract he agreed to. In something that is very seldomly done, Oliver wants a raise from what is already in his contract. NFL players do this all the time as their contracts are not guaranteed. Oliver is essentially saying if the Blue Jays want him, they should pay him more than what they agreed to last offseason. In this case, Darren is wrong.
If he wants to retire, he should. I don't think he should. He obviously has found a niche as a LOOGY and can probably pitch for another two years or more. But, a contract is a contract. Oliver should have looked at the second year option and seen a potential problem. At the very least, he should have made it a mutual option. He should either return to Toronto or retire. But he wants to return to Texas.
The Texas Rangers, the same team that traded him in 1998 to the Cardinals in the trade that brought the Rangers SS Royce Clayton and RHP Todd Stottlemyre and then again after the 2001 season for Carl Everett. Even after he had two solid seasons in 2010 and 2011 pitching in the Rangers bullpen, they let him go as a free agent. As much as Oliver loves pitching in Texas; he lives there, the Rangers have not shown they want him as much. Will the Rangers want him enough to trade for him now? I don't think there is an answer. He is not a huge difference maker and I think the Jays and Rangers both will be very good without him next season. That said, he is a useful pitcher coming off a very good season.
If he wants to retire, he should. I don't think he should. He obviously has found a niche as a LOOGY and can probably pitch for another two years or more. But, a contract is a contract. Oliver should have looked at the second year option and seen a potential problem. At the very least, he should have made it a mutual option. He should either return to Toronto or retire. But he wants to return to Texas.
The Texas Rangers, the same team that traded him in 1998 to the Cardinals in the trade that brought the Rangers SS Royce Clayton and RHP Todd Stottlemyre and then again after the 2001 season for Carl Everett. Even after he had two solid seasons in 2010 and 2011 pitching in the Rangers bullpen, they let him go as a free agent. As much as Oliver loves pitching in Texas; he lives there, the Rangers have not shown they want him as much. Will the Rangers want him enough to trade for him now? I don't think there is an answer. He is not a huge difference maker and I think the Jays and Rangers both will be very good without him next season. That said, he is a useful pitcher coming off a very good season.
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