Jays, Gregg come to terms on one-year deal

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays and free-agent Kevin Gregg have reached an agreement on a one-year contract for the upcoming season, but some routine steps related to his physical have held up the signing process. An official announcement is expected to come on Friday.

"We're hopeful that it'll be done tomorrow," Gregg's agent, Dan Horwits, said on Thursday night.

Gregg is scheduled to earn $2.75 million in 2010, and the contract includes a pair of club options that could bring the deal's overall value to $8 million over two years or $12 million over three. Gregg will enter Spring Training with a shot at winning the vacant closer's role.

As the roster stands, the 31-year-old will be competing against right-hander Jason Frasor and left-hander Scott Downs for the ninth-inning job. There is always the possibility that the Gregg signing signals that the Jays are considering trading Frasor or Downs, both of whom are eligible for free agency next winter.

Over the past three seasons, Gregg has posted a 3.86 ERA with 84 saves in stints with the Marlins and Cubs. The right-hander has also blown 20 saves over that time period -- seven with Chicago a year ago while earning $4.2 million -- and he allowed 13 home runs last season, which was tied for the most yielded by a Major League reliever.

Gregg did finish with 23 saves and 71 strikeouts over 68 2/3 innings with the Cubs in 2009, but he lost the closer's job to Carlos Marmol in August and was shut down toward the end of September because of a crack in the cartilage in his left rib cage. In the season's final two months, Gregg allowed 18 earned runs over 20 1/3 innings, giving him a bloated 7.97 ERA over that time period.

Even with that recent history of inconsistency, Gregg has more experience as a closer than Downs or Frasor, who have performed well in setup roles. Downs and Frasor helped in the ninth inning last year after former closer B.J. Ryan battled injuries and command issues, leading to his release in July. Ryan is still owed $10 million for this season.