Derosa Calls it Quits

The Toronto Blue Jays Have announced that Mark Derosa is calling it a career.

The @BlueJays have been informed that MARK DEROSA will be retiring after a 16-year career. We wish Mark all the best in his retirement.

— Blue Jays-Official (@BlueJays) November 12, 2013

Toronto recently picked up its $750,000 club option on DeRosa’s contract for next season, but his status had been in limbo for the past several weeks.

DeRosa was weighing a return for one more year, but he previously talked at length about wanting to spend more time with his family. It would appear as though that desire ultimately won out after spending sixteen years in the majors.

“I walk away with tons of friends, hopefully the respect of my peers, tons of memories, and proud of the fact that I was able to compete at the highest level in my profession for a long time,” DeRosa said at the end of the season. “Something not a lot of guys were able to do. So I hold my head high.”

DeRosa had been plagued by a severe wrist injury for the past several years, but he found a way to remain healthy while with the Blue Jays in 2013. He hit .235 with seven homers, 36 RBIs and a respectable .733 OPS. DeRosa was especially valuable against left-handed pitchers, and his presence in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse will be sorely missed.

The 38-year-old played for eight organizations and finishes his career with a .268 average and 494 RBIs. His final home run — No. 100 for his career — came on July 27 against Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. He never made an All-Star team but was considered a very professional hitter who had a lot of versatility in the field.