M’S Trade Risley To Blue Jays, Acquire Two Young Pitchers

The Toronto Blue Jays are looking for a stopper, and Bill Risley would love to oblige.

Risley, obtained Monday in a four-player deal with the Seattle Mariners, was used as a part-time closer last year and hopes to expand that role next season with the Jays.

“I have no idea what their plan is. I don’t really have the experience, but I had the opportunity a couple of times last year and I would look forward to the opportunity,” said Risley, obtained along with minor-league second baseman Miguel Cairo for right-handed pitchers Paul Menhart and Edwin Hurtado.

Risley, 28, made 45 relief appearances for the Mariners last season and was 2-1 with one save and a 3.13 ERA. In 60-1/3 innings, Risley struck out 65 and walked 18.

He appeared in seven postseason games for Seattle and was 0-0 with one save and a 3.17 ERA over 5-2/3 innings. Risley pitched briefly with Montreal in 1992 and ‘93 before spending the last two years with Seattle.

“I enjoyed the opportunity they gave me to be able to pitch over there,” Risley said from his home in New Mexico. “I never pushed myself to the closer’s role. I knew what my role was, middle relief, set-up, part-time closer.”

Menhart, 26, made nine starts and 21 appearances last season for Toronto, posting a 1-4 record with a 4.92 ERA. Menhart also made 10 starts for the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs of the International League and was 2-4 with a 6.31 ERA.

Hurtado, 25, split time between Toronto and Knoxville of the Class AA Southern League in 1995. With Toronto, he was 5-2 with a 5.45 ERA in 14 games, including 10 starts.

At Knoxville, the Venezuela native was 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 11 starts.

“I now feel comfortable with our starting rotation that will begin spring training,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said. “Both Hurtado and Menhart are good young pitchers that could be either starters or work out of the pen. It certainly gives us more pitching depth, which was one of our needs.”

Cairo, 21, began his career in 1990 with the Los Angeles Dodgers before being acquired by Seattle following the 1995 season in the trade involving Mike Blowers.

Cairo spent last season with San Antonio of the Class AA Texas League where he hit .278 with 20 doubles, one home run and 41 runs batted in. He also finished second in the league with 33 stolen bases.