The Blue Jays have rebuilt their bullpen and it’s likely going to be outstanding in 2012. Here is a look at the Blue Jays’ bullpen as of right now:

Closer: Sergio Santos: 28-year old righty closer Sergio Santos used to be a shortstop in the minors, but he has found a new home on the pitcher’s mound. Santos came to the Blue Jays in a deal with the White Sox over the winter. Santos pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the White Sox last year and he was 4-5 with 30 saves, a 3.55 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has now pitched in 119 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 6-7 with 31 saves, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. I think Santos is going to be a dominating closer for the Jays in 2012.

Set-Up Man: Francisco Cordero: 36-year old righty Francisco Cordero is going to have a little bit of a shock in 2012, as he will be a set-up man. He pitched in 68 games (0 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 5-3 with 37 saves, a 2.45 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Cordero has now pitched in 753 games (0 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 44-45 with 327 saves, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Cordero is #12 in major league history in saves with 327 of them. Some closers don’t adjust well to not pitching in the ninth inning, so it will be interesting to see how Cordero handles his new role. He has the potential to be a dominating set-up man in 2012.

Righties: Jason Frasor: The Blue Jays traded for Jason Frasor over the winter as they wanted him back in the fold. He pitched in 44 games (0 starts) for the Blue Jays last year before he was dealt to the White Sox. Frasor has now pitched in 455 games (0 starts) in his first 8 years with the Blue Jays and he is 24-28 with 36 saves, a 3.69 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Frasor is a rock solid reliever and he will pitch well again for the Jays in 2012.

Casey Janssen: 30-year old Casey Janssen had a breakout year for the Blue Jays in 2011. He pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Blue Jays last year and he was 6-0 with 2 saves, a 2.26 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Janssen has now pitched in 221 games (22 starts) in his first five years with the Jays and he is 21-19 with 9 saves, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Blue Jays hope that last season wasn’t a mirage for Janssen.

Carlos Villanueva: 28-year old Carlos Villanueva can work in any role from short relief to starting. He pitched in 33 games (13 starts) for the Blue Jays last year and he was 6-4 with a 4.28 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Villanueva has now pitched in 263 games (40 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 26-28 with 6 saves, a 4.28 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Villanueva’s versatility makes him a huge asset for the Blue Jays.

Joel Carreno: 24-year old Joel Carreno was very impressive in his first test in the majors late last year. Carreno pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Blue Jays last year and he was 1-0 with a 1.15 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He also pitched in 24 games (23 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 7-9 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Carreno is going to have a great shot of opening the 2012 season in the Jays’ pen if he has a good spring.

Jesse Chavez: 28-year old Jesse Chavez had a tough time in Kansas City last year. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Royals last year and he was 0-0 with a 10.57 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP. Chavez also pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Royals last season and he was 2-4 with 16 saves, a 3.75 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 143 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 6-10 with a 5.36 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He will need to pitch really well this spring to win a job in the Jays’ pen.

Chad Beck: 27-year old Chad Beck was impressive in his cup of coffee with the Jays late last year. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Jays last year and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.43 WHIP. Beck also pitched in 31 games (23 starts) in A+AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 9-8 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. A strong spring will get Beck another chance to show what he can do in the majors.

Lefties: Darren Oliver: 41-year old Darren Oliver has been one of the best lefty relievers in all of baseball the last few years. He pitched in 61 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last year and he was 5-5 with 2 saves, a 2.29 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Oliver has now pitched in 654 games (229 starts) in his first 18 years in the majors and he is 112-90 with 5 saves, a 4.60 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Oliver is likely going to be outstanding again in 2012 as he has really excelled as a reliever.

Aaron Laffey: 26-year old Aaron Laffey is a lot like Carlos Villanueva as he can pitch in any role the Jays need him to in 2012. Laffey pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Mariners & Yankees last year and he was 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He has now pitched in 126 games (49 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 21-23 with 1 save, a 4.34 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP.

Luis Perez: 27-year old Luis Perez is going to have to beat out Aaron Laffey this spring if he wants to open the 2012 season in the Jays’ bullpen. Perez pitched in 37 games (4 starts) for the Blue Jays last year and he was 3-3 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He was impressive at times for the Jays last year, but he must get more consistent.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: A