G-Snarls

Anthopoulos has payroll flexibility in 2015 JEFF BLAIR JULY 21, 2014, 9:38 AM It was before the Toronto Blue Jays’ home opener on April 4 and Alex Anthopoulos had just tap-danced around a report that several members of the team had agreed to defer salary in an abortive effort to sign free agent Ervin Santana. The Blue Jays general manager was pulled aside and asked whether that meant he wouldn’t be able to sign Colby Rasmus or Melky Cabrera to contracts before they became free agents at the end of the season. "Two different things," Anthopoulos responded. "Those contracts would be extensions. They wouldn’t come into effect this season. It wouldn’t have an impact on our 2015 payroll." As things have materialized, signing either player is, at this time, not a priority for the Blue Jays. But in light of concern about whether Anthopoulos’ hands are tied approaching the trade deadline, the answer was telling. Anthopoulos is in a position to add a player or pitcher with a sizable contract for next year – providing he’s prepared to adjust should he not get an increase in payroll. More to the point, he has flexibility in 2015: refusing club options held on Brandon Morrow, J.A. Happ, Adam Lind and Sergio Santos would save $28.5 million (Lind and Morrow have a $1-million buyout on a $7.5 million contract; Happ has a $200,000 buyout) while Rasmus and Cabrera make $15 million this season and another eligible free agent, Casey Janssen, makes $4 million. Of that group, you’d think the Blue Jays would want to bring back Janssen and Cabrera but both can be expected to test free agency. The rest are hardly core players. Of the remaining core, Mark Buehrle is due a $1 million bump to $19 million while Jose Reyes gets a $6 million increase to $22 million. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are earning roughly the same. So, there’s room – even without an increase in the Blue Jays $132 million payroll. Payroll became an issue this weekend when*Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun tweeted*that the Blue Jays had told teams they can’t add payroll at the trade deadline. A Rogers executive, asked to comment on the report, issued a three word, e-mail response: "News to me." Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi say the*Blue Jays are continuing to talk to the San Diego Padres about Chase Headley, who is still owed about $5 million this season. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says they’re in on Chase Utley. Anthopoulos, for his part, did another tap dance Sunday when pressed about whether he can add money to the 2014 payroll. It’s not as draconian as it seems, since any player added would only be owed a pro-rated portion of his salary for 2014. It was going to take $14 million to add Santana in spring training as a free agent; it could take at most a third of that to make a significant addition at the deadline. Perhaps Anthopoulos is in the same situation his predecessor, J.P. Ricciardi, found himself in: Ricciardi used to say he could ask for more money in-season. Once. I know that’s not going to assuage the concern of Blue Jays fans, but that’s all I have for you.

I had no expectations before reading this.

That said this writeup from (where, BA?) isn't very encouraging. He's no Cespedes.

Because he's 26 the usual international rules/pools don't apply right?

Yep Angels are legit and will probably run away with the 1st WC Orioles can be beat I hope we have all guns back and blazing when we finally get that bunch of games against them. THOSE will be big important series'...

I have not given up on the Jays yet My belief has been severely tested but I refuse to give up all hope!

Yep. Need at least 2 wins and preferably 3. Want to win the first one badly to help the chances of doing just that. It's all about the division. And let's face it - we need help from the teams playing against Baltimore. Screw the wild card.

Say, that name reminds me of Hurley Burley. Do you still keep in touch with her?

Reyes (4pts) - Melky (3pts) - Bautista (1pt) - G-Snarls Navarro (5pts) - Colby Rasmus (2pts) - Juan (1pt) - Kawasaki (9pts) - Tolleson (7pts) - Johnson (6pts) - Gose (8pts) - Thole (9pts) - Bench (10pts) -

Appetite for this has fallen off! Also Dylan not around I'll re-do list

Horrible experiment Ridiculous that we didn't get a real 2B last off season I could have even handled the gamble of Sierra as 4th OF/RH bench bat if they had filled the ever-so-obvious hole at second

If Reyes was making 14-15M and playing 2B I don't think we'd have anything to complain about

Don't even... LOL

Problem is as much as Reyes is overpaid, who do we play at SS even if we acquire a 2B?

Awesome comments on that ESPN page LOL

He meant no MORE money

I'd do this Gets rid of Thole too

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/rangers-right-hander-colby-lewis-takes-exception-with-blue-jays-colby-rasmus-bunt?ymd=20140719&content_id=85300614&vkey=news_mlb

Moogy to the pen You get 2B

I would have said no way when Tanaka was OK but... Now he could be a close second to Abreu. But Abreu wins it hands down in all likelihood.

TORONTO -- Alex Rios was forced to leave Saturday's game in the middle of his first-inning at-bat after he rolled his right ankle on the follow-through of his swing. He's listed as day to day with a sprained ankle, and X-rays were negative.

With 2 out, tie game, Bautista up and Navarro next it makes sense I would have done the same

Come on Navarro Mr Clutch

^ Agree wholeheartedly with all of this If we finish the season 2nd or 3rd in the AL East and miss the playoffs (seems quite likely at this point) something huge has to happen. Standing pat is not an option. If we let Rasmus and Cabrera walk this off season, plan to replace them from within, and yet keep guys like Reyes and Buerhle, I will lose my s*** and have finally completely given up on the organization as it stands. Tough decisions guys. (Pelley, Beeston +/- AA) Gotta make them.