The Toronto Blue Jays got very close to an agreement with Ronald Belisario, but they don’t have a deal with the free agent reliever.
Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The FAN reported Friday that the deal fell through and the reliever remains a free agent.
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Belisario established himself as a reliable late-inning reliever with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012-13 only to struggle with the Chicago White Sox in 2014 and lose his roster spot with a non-tender. The 32-year-old posted a 5.56 ERA in 62 games for the White Sox in 2014, collecting eight saves while blowing four opportunities.
The Blue Jays will need to continue exploring the relief market, now that their deal with Belisario has fallen through. Beyond Brett Cecil, Aaron Loup and Todd Redmond, Toronto’s bullpen remains largely unsettled. Rotation candidates Aaron Sanchez, Daniel Norris and Marco Estrada could pitch in relief if they aren’t asked to start. Steve Delabar, Kyle Drabek, Chad Jenkins and Rob Rasmussen have big league relief experience, and prospects like Miguel Castro will enter Spring Training with a chance to break camp with the team.
