TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have yet to make a splash in the free agent market this winter, but the team is doing what it can to protect its core of emerging young talent.
The Blue Jays reportedly have come to terms on a two-year, $5.2 million deal with right-hander Josh Towers. The 28-year-old California native notched career highs in wins (13) and innings pitched (208 2/3) in 2005, while his career-low 3.71 ERA was the best on Toronto's maturing staff.
"For the most part [the deal] is done," said Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "There's just a few things that have to be cleaned up."
News of the deal was reported in Tuesday's editions of the Toronto Globe and Mail. An official announcement from the team is expected later Tuesday or on Wednesday.
Towers broke into the Majors with the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Jays in 2003, going 8-1 as a spot starter and long reliever. He cracked the rotation in 2004 and went 9-9 in 21 outings before posting a 13-12 mark in 33 starts this past season.