Blue Jays Sign Netherlands Leon Boyd
The Blue Jays were impressed enough with the closer of the Netherlands that it has been reported by http://www.mister-baseball.com/toronto-blue-jays-sign-leon-boyd-minor-league-contract/ that they have signed him to a minor league contract. He finished with a 2.25 ERA in the WBC, getting one save and striking out four in four innings. In the Olympics in Beijing he finished with a 2.70 ERA.
He was mainly used as a starting pitcher in the Dutch League, but because of a surplus of starting pitchers and the lack of Loek Van Mil due to injury, their stopper of last year, he was used out of the bullpen for the Olympics and the WBC. His fastball hit 92 at the WBC. At 25 years old he is advanced for the minor leagues, so he could start at high A and move quickly if he has success. He could be up with the Jays by September if he does well. The more likely scenario is that he will find himself with the Jays in 2010 if he shows he can pitch this year.