The Toronto Blue Jays have signed shortstop Omar Vizquel to a one-year deal, according to a report by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. Vizquel confirmed the news himself on his Twitter account.
The 44-year old Vizquel will enter his 24th major league season, assuming he reaches the major leagues with Toronto. He has not been a full-time starter since 2007, and will continue to be a utility infielder.
The Blue Jays are his sixth team. He previously played for the Seattle Mariners (1989-1993), Cleveland Indians (1994-2004), San Francisco Giants (2005-2008), Texas Rangers (2009), and Chicago White Sox (2010-2011).
He has recorded 2841 hits in his career, leaving him 159 short of the elusive 3000-hit club. He collected just 42 hits in a backup role last season and is likely two seasons (or more) away from 3000 hits, if he ever gets there.
Vizquel ranks first among all active players in games played (2908), at bats (10433), plate appearances (11850), and sacrifice hits (255). He has earned three All-Star selections and 11 Gold Glove awards. He played in the postseason six times with the Indians, reaching the World Series twice.
His career fielding percentage of .985 ranks second best in major league history. Vizquel turns 45 in April but is still only the second oldest player in the major leagues, behind 45-year old Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. (Jamie Moyer, 49, is in the minor leagues with the Colorado Rockies.)
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