Blue Jays' DeRosa faces retirement decision

TORONTO -- Mark DeRosa still isn't sure if he'll be back for his 17th season in the big leagues next year, but he's hoping to make that decision sooner rather than later.

"I would like to think [it will be decided] pretty quickly," DeRosa said. "I obviously have to wait and hear what their decision is on me. Then I'll sit down at home and decide what's the next move."

While the decision of retirement isn't one to be taken lightly, the 38-year-old's comeback season is making that process more difficult than if he hadn't returned to form.

Before joining the Blue Jays, DeRosa had struggled the past three seasons. He was zapped of almost all his power, hitting just a single home run, as he dealt with a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

With those issues behind him, however, DeRosa entered the season's final game batting .229, with a .720 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 19 extra-base hits in 87 games this year.

"I think it makes it tougher," DeRosa said. "I think it would have been a very easy decision if I was sitting here in agony all year. I think it makes it tougher, because I think I'm still capable of playing at this level.

"I was hurt. I knew I was hurt. I knew I couldn't compete at this level for awhile. So to be able to come back and for everything to settle, I feel like it's a positive year."

While the Blue Jays infielder's $750,000 club option seems like a no-brainer to pick up given the value he has coming off the bench, it's not something DeRosa is worried about. He's happy about how his career has gone.

"I walk away with tons of friends, hopefully the respect of my peers, tons of memories and proud of the fact that I was able to compete at the highest level in my profession for a long time," DeRosa said of his career if Sunday's contest vs. the Rays happens to be his last. "Something not a lot of guys were able to do. So I hold my head high."