Billy Koch Released by Jays

OK, he wasn't really in the closer mix in TOR anyway, but the AP is reporting that Billy Koch has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays, who had just brought him back home with a 1-year, $900,000 deal in January.

It wasn't too long ago that the Blue Jays drafted Koch in the first round (4th overall in 1996). He shot up through their minor league system, and enjoyed some great years as the Jays closer. From 1999 through 2001, Koch racked up 100 saves - and after he was traded for Eric Hinske, he had his best season in Oakland in 2002: 44 saves, and an ERA+ of 142.

For some reason, however, he's been awful ever since. He's awfully reliant on his fastball, and it simply hasn't fooled anyone for the last 2 years. He was awful in his three Grapefruit League appearances, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits in only 3 innings of work - so awful, in fact, that the team that gave him his first chance - and his last chance - had to let him go.

Koch will turn 30 this season, and while he may probably catch on somewhere, his closing days are probably behind him for good.