BLUE JAYS OPTION OLIVER, DECLINE DAVIS

By ROCKET SPORTS and ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK on November 1, 2012

Rajai Davis during spring training in Dunedin as the Tilted Kilt girls watch on (Eddie Michels photo)

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have exercised the $3 million club option on LHP DARREN OLIVER and have declined the 2013 contract option for RAJAI DAVIS but have signed the outfielder to a one-year $2.5 million contract for the 2013 season.

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have exercised the $3 million club option on LHP DARREN OLIVER and have declined the 2013 contract option for RAJAI DAVIS but have signed the outfielder to a one-year $2.5 million contract for the 2013 season.

DAVIS, 32, hit .257 in 2012 with 24 doubles, eight home runs, 43 RBI and 46 stolen bases to rank second in the American League. The 5-9, 195 lb. right-handed hitter has a career batting average of .270 over seven Major League seasons with 117 doubles, 23 triples, 21 home runs, 200 RBI and 223 stolen bases in 713 games. Since the start of the 2009 season has stolen 171 bases to lead the American League. In two seasons with the Blue Jays, the Norwich, Connecticut native has hit .249 in 237 games with 45 doubles, nine triples, nine home runs, 72 RBI and 80 stolen bases.

OLIVER, 42, posted a 3-4 record with two saves and an ERA of 2.06 in 62 games for Toronto last season. Should the 6-2, 200 lb. left-handed pitcher decide to return in 2013 he will enter his 20^th season in the Major Leagues. In 716 career games, 229 starts, the Southlake, Texas resident owns a record of 60-54 with seven saves and an ERA of 4.53.