20 players the Blue Jays could go after

[Angrioter]

1. David Price- We will get this out of the way first; the Jays are NOT going to acquire the former CY Young winner as they would have to absolutely deplete the entire farm system to get it done. Say goodbye to Marcus Stroman, Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez if Price comes north of the border. The Rays never flinched when the Athletics dangled Addison Russell before shipping him to the windy city. The 28-year old Price is signed through next season for a bargain at $14 million and currently sports a 3.48 earned run average in 19 starts this season.

 

2. Ben Zobrist- While we are talking about the Rays, Zobrist could be a versatile option for the Jays. Zobrist has predominately played second base this season but can play shortstop, third base and the corner outfield positions. The 33-year old has a team option next season for $7.5 million which could make him expendable if the Rays do not plan on picking up the option. Zobrist is batting .264 with a .753 OPS and 6 homers in 77 games this season. The switch-hitting Zobrist hits lefties to the tune of .281 in 561 career games.

 

3. Martin Prado- The Jays were rumored to be in talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this week. Prado is an interesting piece but comes with 2 years remaining for a combined $22 million on the books. Prado much like Zobrist is very versatile with the ability to play all four infield positions as well as the outfield. The 30-year old got off to a slow start but is batting .264 with a .671 OPS and three round trippers. Prado has great career splits hitting righties at .293 and lefties at an equally impressive .286 clip.

 

4. Aaron Hill- The former Blue Jays first-rounder was mentioned in the Prado banter earlier in the week. The 32-year old rejuvenated his career in the desert winning a Silver Slugger award in 2012. Hill would be familiar with the Rogers Centre turf if a reunion was matriculated however the second baseman is struggling batting .241 with a .637 OPS and only 6 home runs thus far this season. Like Prado, Hill is owed $24 million over the next two seasons albeit he is two years older than his teammate.

 

5. Chase Headley- This rumour has gained some steam over the last day or so as Jon Morosi reported the Jays and Padres were in serious talks for the services of Headley. The 30-year old third baseman has never been able to re-capture the glory he enjoyed in 2012 where he finished 5th in National League MVP voting. This season is no different as Headley is batting .217 with an unimpressive .628 OPS and 6 round trippers. The oft-injured Headley is also battling a herniated disc in his back and is a free agent at seasons end. The Jays may be willing to gamble on the health of Headley seeing his contract comes off the books at seasons end. I am interested to see what the Padres would require in return for his services but could be a low-risk option that may benefit from a change in scenery.

 

 

6. Gordon Beckham- His name surfaced as a possible player the Chicago White Sox would be willing to move. Beckham would slide nicely into the Blue Jays lineup solidifying the second base gap instantly. Beckham is owed over $4 million this season and would be arbitration eligible this off-season. The 27-year old is batting .248 with a .698 OPS and 7 big flies in 66 contests. Beckham’s best power output came in 2012 where he clobbered 16 homers and knocked in 60.

 

7. Cole Hamels- The Philadelphia Phillies may finally begin to rebuild seeing there nestled firmly in the basement of the NL East. Hamels would give the Jays a legitimate front of the rotation starter but comes with a lofty price-tag. The 30-year old lefty is owed $90 million over the next 4 seasons with a $20 million team option for 2019. Hamels has been sharp since returning from the disabled list posting a 2.98 earned run average in 14 starts this season. I have a good feeling that Hamels contract will be too rich for the Blue Jays to take on at this juncture.

 

8. Cliff Lee- is currently on the disabled list with an elbow injury but is due back after the All-Star break once he completes his rehab stint. Lee has only made 10 starts this season earning a 3.18 earned run average before heading to the DL. Lee is a veteran work-horse and is owed $25 million in 2015 with a vesting option for ’16 that includes a lofty $12.5 million buyout. Lee is no stranger to be traded and could be moved to boost a rotation for somebody even if the Jays aren’t biting.

9. Travis Wood- The Chicago Cubs are moving all their assets for future pieces and Wood could be a cheaper sleeper piece for the Jays. Wood had a career year last season pitching his way to a 3.11 earned run average even-though it is elevated this season over 4.00. Wood is arbitration eligible this off-season and a nice fit if the Cubs don’t try to pillage the Jays for all their prospects in a return.

 

10. Ian Kennedy- The prospects of obtaining Andrew Cashner or Tyson Ross are more appealing but highly unlikely as the Padres gear up for a re-build. Kennedy is having a nice season with a 3.87 earned run average fanning 116 in 109 innings pitched. The 29-year old is also arbitration eligible after earning just over $6 million this season. Kennedy should come cheaper than the Samardzija’s of the world and would settle neatly near the front of the Jays rotation. Kennedy could be packaged with Headley tying up all the Jays loose ends with one deal.

 

11. Tim Stauffer- is a poor man’s J.A. Happ but could bring some veteran presence to the staff. The former 1st rounder would come cheap having only started 3 games in his 23 appearances this season. The 9-year veteran still whiffs more than a batter an inning and has a career 3.93 earned run average in 73 career starts. He could add some depth in the event Happ or Marcus Stroman falters.

 

12. Scott Feldman- The Astros will surely be sellers at the deadline poised to continue their youth movement. Feldman is owed $18 million over the next two seasons but is somewhat of a value in today’s day in age. Feldman has had a decent season for the Astros posting a 4-5 record with a respectable 3.86 earned run average and a 1.286 WHIP. Jose Altuve would be worth the hefty price-tag but I am assuming the Astros would hang up shortly after his name was muttered.

 

13. Adrian Beltre- The aging veteran has rebounded nicely after a slow-start with the stick and even at 35 is still a defensive master with the glove at the hot corner. An acquisition of Beltre would shift Brett Lawrie to second base shoring up the infield much to the dismay of Lawrie. Beltre is batting .333 with a .898 OPS and 11 home runs for the injury riddled Rangers.

 

14. John Danks- The 29-year old Danks is in his 8th season with the White Sox and may be dangled as trade bait. The White Sox could free up $28.5 million on the remaining two years on Danks contract. The lefty is 7-6 with a 4.12 earned run average in 17 starts this season. Jose Quintana would be a better piece but the White Sox went public today reassuring that Santana is staying put.

 

 

15. Jorge De La Rosa- The Rockies have 3 of their starting 5 pitchers on the disabled list and seemed destined for futility in the second half. De La Rosa could be an interesting addition as he is a free agent at season’s end and is one year removed from a career year that saw him go 16-6 with a 3.49 earned run average in the launching pad at Coors Field. So far this season the 33-year old is 9-6 with a 4.75 earned run average fanning 70 batters in 96 innings of work. The price for in terms of dollars would make sense for the cash-strapped Blue Jays.

 

16. Josh Rutledge- The 25-year old can play second, third and shortstop however struggles against southpaws batting .237 as opposed to .270 against righties. Rutledge has 203 games to his credit over the course of 3-seasons batting .287 with a .797 OPS in 42 games this year. Rutledge earned just over $500,000 this year and lost playing time with the emergence of DJ LeMahieu. Another cheap option if the Jays are penny pinching at the deadline.

 

17. Daniel Murphy- The Jays have been linked to Murphy in earlier weeks but nothing appears imminent. Murphy is a model of consistency with the bat and again is having a great season for the Metropolitan’s. Murphy is batting .294 with a .758 OPS and 7 homers and 11 stolen bases in 86 games. Murphy is also versatile having played first, second, third and the outfield. Murphy is arbitration eligible and due for a raise in the off-season after earning $5.7 million this year.

 

18. David Wright- Yes, I know this is a long shot but hear me out. The Mets and Wright seem destined for a divorce with speculation they need a change in leadership. Wright is having an off-year and the Mets owe us dearly for the R.A. Dickey fleecing. Wright could man the hot corner while Lawrie could permanently move to second base. The kicker would be that the 31-year old Wright is owed a modest $117 million over the next 6 seasons. It would be interesting to see what the package would be to acquire the talents of Wright who I am sure has a no-trade clause. Just thinking outside the box here.

 

19. Brandon Phillips- Since we are throwing around millions, how about the services of Phillips for $39 million over the next three seasons. One thing is for sure the Jays would have the most swagger and smiles of any double play combination in MLB history. Phillips is batting .272 with a .705 OPS and 7 home runs however age seems to have taken a toll on his speed having swiped only 1 bag in 4 attempts this season. Phillips name pops up in trade-talks from time to time and could become available if the Reds fall off the pace.

20. Mike Leake- Again if the Reds falter and decide to sell, Leake could be a cheaper option than that of some of the other hurlers mentioned. Leake is 6-7 with a 3.47 earned run average striking out 88 in 114 innings pitched thus far. He is owed $5.925 million this season and eligible for arbitration this off-season. The Reds have a plethora of interesting high priced starters in Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey and Matt Latos if the Reds decide to go in another direction.

 

Knowing Anthopoulos he will acquire players never rumored or on anyone’s trade radar but here is a list of potential candidates that could help the Jays over the hump. The question is how much money are the Jays willing to spend and how willing are they to deplete the prospect cupboard for chance at the post-season?

 

http://baseballhotcorner.com/20-potential-players-the-toronto-blue-jays-could-target/

 

 

Just for fun!!

[HERPDERP]

we should just sell, not buy

[jays76]

Good post!.. Dream scenario would be unloading the farm and a few accessories for Price and Zobrist as they're on reasonable contracts but as you mentioned it won't happen. As far as who's within the Blue Jays budgetary range to acquire- Chase Headley or Adrian Beltre and Jorge De La Rosa would be amazing! Getting an infielder and SP would help this team immensely (The B12 shot in the arm for this team as Bautista mentioned in his interview). Getting these guys would be affordable plus they are very decent ball players that could make the difference between seeing the playoffs or not. Let's hope AA doesn't sleep on this trade deadline because we're sinking faster than the titanic right now..

[Angrioter]

Season over.

 

Jays need to keep Stroman, Hutchison, Norris and Sanchez to built a cheap rotation (Reyes 22M and Buehrle 19M are killing us) and spend money in one elite bat

[comeon sense]

Excellent Post !

 

I like the guys we have.Wasn,t sure about Reimold,then he impresses,and gets hurt.

We just have to figure a way to stay healthy.

I would prefer another right handed batter,or defender with A.L. East experience.

[BigCecil]

we should just sell, not buy

 

3 games out in AL east at AL Break...with players coming back in next 2-3 weeks. Tanaka out.

 

Sell? Nope...time to go for it. (maybe...needs to be assessed over the next 12-14 days). Bailing on this season for next or the next is akin to Nationals decision to sit Strasburg thinking they were locks for 2013 post season play.

 

I get the Norris/Sanchez etc prospect affinity but we kidding ourselves if we don't think our opposition with endless $ and prospects wont be reloading next year too.

[burlingtonbandit]

3 games out in AL east at AL Break...with players coming back in next 2-3 weeks. Tanaka out.

 

Sell? Nope...time to go for it. (maybe...needs to be assessed over the next 12-14 days). Bailing on this season for next or the next is akin to Nationals decision to sit Strasburg thinking they were locks for 2013 post season play.

 

I get the Norris/Sanchez etc prospect affinity but we kidding ourselves if we don't think our opposition with endless $ and prospects wont be reloading next year too.

 

I don't get the "sell since we won't win" arguement. If the Blue Jays sweep the Os the division is tied. Red Sox and Yankees seem like they're out of it and the Rays are pretty far behind. Upcoming series against the Rangers should be a good test to see. We need to win at least 2/3 of the series.

[jayswin11]

I wonder if the Rays would do Price and Zobrist for Sanchez, Norris, Pompey, Jimenez, and we'll throw in Happ and Goins for good measure.

[Orgfiller]

I wonder if the Rays would do Price and Zobrist for Sanchez, Norris, Pompey, Jimenez, and we'll throw in Happ and Goins for good measure.

 

Not close, they'll want one of Stroman and Lawrie if not both. Sanchez, Norris and Pompey maybe gets you one of Price or Zobrist, but in that case the Jays are better off staying away.

[BigCecil]

I don't get the "sell since we won't win" arguement. If the Blue Jays sweep the Os the division is tied. Red Sox and Yankees seem like they're out of it and the Rays are pretty far behind. Upcoming series against the Rangers should be a good test to see. We need to win at least 2/3 of the series.

 

I love the idea of a solid young cheap controllable rotation and its possible....who wouldn't? ...but even the As had to bring in guys like Kazmir and Chavez.

 

At one point in 2010 we had Cecil, Morrow, Romero and Marcum who were all that...and Drabek was in the wings. But arms are just so volatile. Romero blew up...Cecil lost it if he ever had it....Morrow is .....well....Morrow and Marcum had arm trouble(s) and got moved and Drabek had another TJ after some pretty poor starts. Its a lot of risk for next year and 2016. So is giving up those prospect arms for short term additions that don't guarantee we win anything.

[G-Snarls]

I wonder if the Rays would do Price and Zobrist for Sanchez, Norris, Pompey, Jimenez, and we'll throw in Happ and Goins for good measure.

 

Rays want to compete again next year. They would want some of those prospects for sure, but we aren't getting guys like those without giving up a cost controlled major leaguer like Lawrie or Hutchison. Especially if we want BOTH Price and Zobrist.

[BigCecil]

Not close, they'll want one of Stroman and Lawrie if not both. Sanchez, Norris and Pompey maybe gets you one of Price or Zobrist, but in that case the Jays are better off staying away.

 

Agree. There is no point in those deals if Stro is in it....we just subtract too much.

[G-Snarls]

Agree. There is no point in those deals if Stro is in it....we just subtract too much.

 

Yep. Price is better than Stroman and Hutch, but not 20M vs 0.5M better.

[sh3156]

I wonder if the Rays would do Price and Zobrist for Sanchez, Norris, Pompey, Jimenez, and we'll throw in Happ and Goins for good measure.

 

I would imagine if that was possible it would have been a done deal already. I think it's safe to assume there is nothing in the entire minor league system that would be enough for price and zobrist

 

Let's face the fact. AA doesn't have the chips necessary to get a major piece. Thus the greatest thing he can offer clubs is the ability to take on salary. That's really up to the ownership

[sh3156]

I think our Only hope is that ownership steps up and allows AA to take on veteran contracts from teams trying to save money

 

I think Sanchez's value as a prospect must have dipped. So I can't see a major deal happening unfortunately

[G-Snarls]

I would imagine if that was possible it would have been a done deal already. I think it's safe to assume there is nothing in the entire minor league system that would be enough for price and zobrist

 

Let's face the fact. AA doesn't have the chips necessary to get a major piece. Thus the greatest thing he can offer clubs is the ability to take on salary. That's really up to the ownership

 

They were willing to pay Santana, and they were willing to add Kinsler's salary (minus Santos and whoever else's salary was supposedly going to Texas)

 

And I think that's our best option. Trade a modest prospect package for an overpaid but still good player who's under control for 1.5 more years. It's mostly money and doesn't gut the farm. Prado please.

 

AA's not selling in July. Absolutely no way.

[G-Snarls]

If Blue Jays don't sell off Mark Buehrle now they are f***ing retarded. His value is never going to be higher again. This team sucks sweaty balls. I don't understand why people believe in this team. With so many issues, holes to plug it would be dumb to trade good prospects to maybe sneak in the playoffs and get destroyed by Oakland.

 

I think you sell off as much as possible. Keep Bautista and Edwin. Any other significant contract should be traded off. Were stuck with Reyes. But time to salvage value out of Dickey, Navarro, I already mentioned Buehrle, maybe we can get a little something for Lind, and Rasmus.

 

Buehrle and Melky could give us a nice return. Time to think of the future. Restock the minors completely. Free Agency spend some money again. Just because were going to sell off now doesn't make it a 5 year project.

 

A few quick thoughts on why not to sell right now

 

1. Because it's a rare shot to actually make the playoffs

 

2. EE, Lawrie and Lind back will plug some holes

 

3. Surely the bullpen won't keep sucking this bad

 

4. A decent 2B shouldn't cost a massive prospects package

 

5. Buerhle will still have trade value this off season if the team doesn't make it

[sh3156]

A few quick thoughts on why not to sell right now

 

1. Because it's a rare shot to actually make the playoffs

 

2. EE, Lawrie and Lind back will plug some holes

 

3. Surely the bullpen won't keep sucking this bad

 

4. A decent 2B shouldn't cost a massive prospects package

 

5. Buerhle will still have trade value this off season if the team doesn't make it

 

We also have to look at the schedule. The jays schedule is not that difficult down the stretch with 35 of 65 games at home

 

And I think last time I checked more than 40 of those against teams .500 or less. Furthermore no more road trip to Tampa no angels or Oakland and lots of division home games

 

People need to look at that

Schedule matters

[sh3156]

In fact if anyone looks at this schedule its stupid easy

[GeorgiaPeach]

Rays want to compete again next year. They would want some of those prospects for sure, but we aren't getting guys like those without giving up a cost controlled major leaguer like Lawrie or Hutchison. Especially if we want BOTH Price and Zobrist.

 

And there's absolutely no reason to make moves like those.

[TwistedLogic]

I would probably sell everything. The Jays have enough valuable MLB chips in a very competitive market to bring in an incredible haul.

 

Keep everyone that is 27 years old or under, and sell everyone else.

 

And if they're too pussy to do that, then grow a pair of nuts and make the right buy-in moves to give this team a legit shot. Not a s***** run at the 2nd wild card; a World Series shot.

[G-Snarls]

And there's absolutely no reason to make moves like those.

 

Agree totally

 

The only guys on this roster probably worth keeping past next season or so are Lawrie, Stroman and Hutch

[ElNik2013]

1. Who cares about the playoffs if you don't have the roster that can win a world series.

 

2. Nobody knows when those guys will be back. And they are going need rehab time they aren't going to come back and light the world on fire after missing significant amount of games.

 

3. They have been awful all season. Not sure why that would automatically change.

 

4. At the trade deadline it will because a lot of teams think they have a realistic shot at the playoffs and well out bid for their guy.

 

5. His value will never be higher. We can make a killing right now. Were not going to get a teams top guy but a nice attractive package. Every team wants a guy like Buehrle this time a year and will overpay for him because hes under contract for next year as well. The risk were taking is if he struggles in the second half you kill his value. And he will only have 1 year left on his deal and teams will look elsewhere.

 

This team must sell. And must sell now.

 

 

1. The people who own the team do.

 

2. Legit point, must be taken into consideration.

 

3. Who has been awful all season? Surely you're not referring to the Blue Jays.

 

4. They should go after Headley who shouldn't cost much and try and get a long term fix at SS in the off season.

 

5. I'm not totally against trading Buehrle (or Dickey for that matter), but it won't happen. If he has a decent 2nd half, he may still be attractive to some teams in the off season. Same applies to Dickey.

[ElNik2013]

For the record, I don't mind selling and going for a rebuild. However, there's no evidence that the people who own this team have the stomach to go into next year expecting to lose 100 games. If they did, they wouldn't have made the moves they made in November/December 2012.

[G-Snarls]

Those calling for a selloff now know it's moot

 

There is ZERO chance AA goes in to sell mode this month. Zero.

 

He SHOULD be gradually trading away aging vets as the opportunity allows (due to what a team might offer for guys or what prospects coming up are blocked) and gradually turning over the roster to younger players. Given enough time he might do this, but it seems quite possible his time is short and it won't happen.

[saskjayfan]

1. Who cares about the playoffs if you don't have the roster that can win a world series.

 

2. Nobody knows when those guys will be back. And they are going need rehab time they aren't going to come back and light the world on fire after missing significant amount of games.

 

3. They have been awful all season. Not sure why that would automatically change.

 

4. At the trade deadline it will because a lot of teams think they have a realistic shot at the playoffs and well out bid for their guy.

 

5. His value will never be higher. We can make a killing right now. Were not going to get a teams top guy but a nice attractive package. Every team wants a guy like Buehrle this time a year and will overpay for him because hes under contract for next year as well. The risk were taking is if he struggles in the second half you kill his value. And he will only have 1 year left on his deal and teams will look elsewhere.

 

This team must sell. And must sell now.

 

so what exactly do you think they could get for Buehrle. You think professional GMs are going to take on a huge contract for a year and a half and pay as much as they would for an ace. Buehrle has a 2.64 and he's having an above average year, but every GM in the league will treat him like a guy who will pitch lots of innings and post a 3.7ish ERA next year. We're not getting Addison russell for Buehrle especially with his big contract.

[ElNik2013]

Good post!.. Dream scenario would be unloading the farm and a few accessories for Price and Zobrist as they're on reasonable contracts but as you mentioned it won't happen. As far as who's within the Blue Jays budgetary range to acquire- Chase Headley or Adrian Beltre and Jorge De La Rosa would be amazing! Getting an infielder and SP would help this team immensely (The B12 shot in the arm for this team as Bautista mentioned in his interview). Getting these guys would be affordable plus they are very decent ball players that could make the difference between seeing the playoffs or not. Let's hope AA doesn't sleep on this trade deadline because we're sinking faster than the titanic right now..

 

 

Last thing this F/O needs to do is to make a trade to please Bautista or any other player.

[ElNik2013]

so what exactly do you think they could get for Buehrle. You think professional GMs are going to take on a huge contract for a year and a half and pay as much as they would for an ace. Buehrle has a 2.64 and he's having an above average year, but every GM in the league will treat him like a guy who will pitch lots of innings and post a 3.7ish ERA next year. We're not getting Addison russell for Buehrle especially with his big contract.

 

 

I think he specifically said "Were not going to get a teams top guy but a nice attractive package".

 

The Marlins found a GM to take him with 3 years left on his contract, including the most expensive years, I'd like to think the Jays GM can get something decent for him.

[TwistedLogic]

Nothing, you'd have to be an absolute idiot to take on Buehrle's contract. It's not even worth conversing about.

 

The amount of people who jizz over Cliff Lee and the amount of people who s*** on Mark Buehrle... f***ing hilarious.

[GeorgiaPeach]

so what exactly do you think they could get for Buehrle. You think professional GMs are going to take on a huge contract for a year and a half and pay as much as they would for an ace. Buehrle has a 2.64 and he's having an above average year, but every GM in the league will treat him like a guy who will pitch lots of innings and post a 3.7ish ERA next year. We're not getting Addison russell for Buehrle especially with his big contract.

 

Who would expect to get someone of Russell's calibre? But paying close to 20m for an innings eater is f***ing insane. Get a B prospect in return and put the saved money next year towards a Maeda bid.