The Blue Jays have signed 44-year old switch-hitting infielder Omar Vizquel to a minor league deal. Vizquel played in 58 games for the White Sox last year and he was 42 for 167 (.251 avg, .592 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 0 homers, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 2,908 games in his first 23 years in the majors and he is 2,841 of 10,433 (.272 avg, .690 OPS) with 1,432 runs scored, 80 homers, 944 RBIs and 401 stolen bases. Vizquel has earned 11 Gold Gloves and he has been on 3 All-Star teams in his major league career so far. He will bring veteran leadership and a solid glove to the Blue Jays’ bench in 2012. This was a good move for the Jays.

The Blue Jays have signed 37-year old righty reliever/starter Nelson Figueroa to a minor league deal. He pitched in 8 games (5 starts) for the Astros last year and he was 0-3 with a 8.69 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP. Figueroa has now pitched in 145 games (65 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is now 20-35 with 1 save, a 4.55 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Figueroa will get a shot to win a job in the bullpen as a long man this spring.

The Toronto Blue Jays have not been making a lot of big moves, but they are spreading the money around and are improving the team. Here is a look at the new guys for 2012 so far:

In the field: As soon as Jose Molina bolted to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Blue Jays dealt lefty starting pitcher Brad Mills to the Angels for Jeff Mathis. Mathis will backup J.P. Arencibia behind the plate in 2012. The Blue Jays seem to like collecting oufielders as they dealt for Ben Francisco from the Phillies. This could lead to a Rajai Davis or even Travis Snider deal before spring training opens. The Jays also acquired infielder Luis Valbuena from the Indians and he will have a good shot to stick with them as a backup infielder if he has a decent spring.

On the mound: The Blue Jays have been going to the candy store called the Chicago White Sox to rebuild the bullpen. The Jays acquired closer Sergio Santos and righty set-up Jason Frasor in separate deals with the Pale Hose. The Jays also signed lefty reliever Darren Oliver and he will work late in games for them in 2012. The Jays also inked righty Jesse Chavez and lefty Aaron Laffey to compete for bullpen jobs this spring.

Overall: The Blue Jays are making themselves better this winter without breaking the bank or trading top prospects.

The Blue Jays have designated 30-year old lefty swinging 3B/OF Mark Teahan for assignment. Teahan played in 27 games for the Blue Jays last year and he was 8 for 42 (.190 avg, .547 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. He has now played in 831 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 759 of 2,873 (.264 avg, .736 OPS) with 386 runs scored, 67 homers, 332 RBIs and 45 stolen bases. The Blue Jays will try to deal Teahan because he will never accept a minor league assignment if he clears waivers.

UPDATE: (1/24/2012) - The Blue Jays have released Mark Teahan.

The Blue Jays have signed 28-year old righty reliever Stephen Marek to a minor league deal. Marek pitched in 10 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Braves last year and he was 0-1 with 2 saves, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In his first seven years in the minors, Marek has pitched in 223 games (64 starts) in which he was 33-33 with 21 saves, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Marek will likely miss the early part of the 2012 season as he had Tommy John Surgery last May.