Meet The New Guys: Rafael Dolis

Rafael Dolis is a 32 year old right handed relief pitcher. Dolis was acquired by the Blue Jays via free agency after signing a 1+1 deal, meaning one guaranteed year, and one option year. The first year (2020) is worth $1 million plus incentives, and the second year; a team option, is worth $1.5 million plus incentives. Dolis last pitched in the MLB in 2013 with the Cubs, having spent the last few seasons in Japan before this new deal with Toronto.

Throughout Dolis' short MLB career, he put up a 5.48 career ERA through 44.1 inning pitched. After bouncing around in the minors for a short while after his debut, Dolis made the decision to sign in Japan. His 4 year tenure in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers was spent in the closer role, where Dolis accumulated an ERA of 2.49 over 206.0 innings. In 2019, the Tigers closer finished with his lowest ERA in Japan, an impressive 2.11, leading him to 19 saves on the year. Dolis also averaged 8.9 K/9, which is a great stat for a late inning reliever.

In the Dolis signing, the Blue Jays were filling hole they desperately needed help with: their lack of bullpen arms. After the departure of many bullpen arms from 2019; such as Tepera, Law, Shafer, Adam, and others, the Jays did little to build back up, primarily focusing on their now improved rotation. Dolis was a cheap option on the market who was coming off consistent success in Japan, so the Jays took a shot at him. Dolis was expected to compete for a bullpen spot, and was likely to make the opening day roster before undergoing an unexpected appendectomy on March 5th. Dolis chances at making the opening day roster have since shrunk, being unable to prove himself MLB ready since his transition back from Japan. He could potentially start the year in AAA Buffalo before getting a call up a few weeks in.