Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
MLB veteran infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa is set to announce his retirement, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
AA says Mark DeRosa is retiring
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) November 12, 2013
The Toronto Blue Jays exercised their $750K option on the veteran late last month. Toronto has confirmed the news via press release.
DeRosa, 39 in February, had a slash line of .235/.326/.407 with seven homers in 236 plate appearances last season. In his career, he hit .268/.340/.412. The Passaic, New Jersey native belted his last and 100th home run of his career off the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel on July 27th of this past season.
DeRosa played in at least parts of sixteen seasons in the major leagues. He played for the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, and finally, the Blue Jays.
He was known mostly as a utility man. He started his career as a shortstop, but eventually spent time at every position on the infield and the corner outfield positions. His best season was arguably 2006 as a member of the Rangers when he slashed .296/.357/.456.
In 58 postseason plate appearances, he hit .358/.414/.566 with one home run.
DeRosa went to Bergen Catholic high school in Oradell, NJ, played his college ball at the University of Pennsylvania, and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1996 amateur draft.
UPDATE: Per a press release from the MLB Network, DeRosa will be joining the network as an analyst. DeRosa has previously served as a guest analyst for the network during the 2013 and 2011 Postseasons.