Cardinal Dayley Signs to Pitch for Blue Jays

Free agent Ken Dayley, a forgotten left-hander on the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff last season, signed a three-year contract today with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Terms of the contract, which includes a club option for a fourth season, were not disclosed.

“I guess it’s obvious that it was time for me to go,” said Dayley, a nine-year veteran who was 4-4 with a 3.56 earned-run average for the Cardinals last season. “My six years in St. Louis have been tremendous but it’s time to look in another direction.”

Dayley, 31, had his best season in 1989 when he compiled a career-high 12 saves to go with a 4-3 record and 2.87 ERA. During most of his time in St. Louis he was the team’s left-handed bullpen stopper, but after new Manager Joe Torre’s arrival in August he was used mostly in long relief.

For his career Dayley has a 33-45 record, 3.56 ERA and 39 saves.