jaysblue

Actually none of those outfielders we named as possible targets are available. My great plan is ruined.

I'm scouting the waiver wire in the LOD as we speak preparing to add whichever OF the Astros plan on giving the Jays.

He just went on the DL so he's injury prone. No thanks!

Teoscar Hernandez another possibility.

Preston Tucker folks.

Preston Tucker.

James Hoyt would be nice.

Liriano for Carlos Correa please!

Sign JD Martinez to play RF. Trade for Ian Kinsler to play 2B. Trade for Robbie Grossman to play LF and to DH occasionally. Trade Morales and get rid of his ass which will open up the DH spot for Steve Pearce. Boom!

Would be a nice get indeed.

I think Smith is a guy they can get value for and should be moved, no questions asked. As for Liriano and Estrada, if you can't get anything for them, the Jays are just better to keep them when you consider how thin the rotation is right now. Plus you can evaluate them more over the last two months in case you bring one of them back on a cheap one-year deal.

Liriano and Smith likely could be moved later on closer to the 4PM deadline. I'm sure for teams looking to add, guys like Liriano and Smith are a Plan B, so wouldn't shock me if you had teams turning to them later in the afternoon.

I would think so, the Jays don't really have a choice. It's not like the 29 other GM's are going to trade a boat load to acquire Smoak for the reasons you just mentioned. We were saying the same thing about Bautista and EE during their first breakout seasons. Probably better just keeping Smoak IMO. As well, he has been consistent throughout the entire season thus far which is a positive. In comparison to other guys like Alonso who really has dropped off in June & July.

Agree 100%. Only thing is I'm not sure they would be able to sign someone like Lowrie, Walker, Cozart etc. as a FA if they aren't guaranteed a starting job. Ian Kinsler would probably be the prefect target IMO. He has a team option for 2018 at 10M (not sure if the option is still there if he's traded however). Detroit is looking to get younger, so they would move him and he likely wouldn't cost much. Even with his struggles offensively this season, he has posted 2 WAR to date. From 2014-2016, he's posted 5.2, 4.2 and 5.8 WAR seasons respectively during that time.

Interesting point. I'm sure if the Jays wanted to, they could make some upgrades to the roster without breaking the bank in terms of prospects. Perhaps a middle infielder like Lowrie, Cozart, Kinsler, Phillips, or Walker wouldn't cost that much. If you could add one of those players, it's a huge upgrade over Goins or Barney. Even add another arm who is better than Valdez shouldn't be that difficult.

Obviously you would like the Jays to get someone better than Estrada or Liriano for next season, though if you can't upgrade the rotation then I don't have an issue with bringing back Estrada or Liriano on a cheap one-year contract as the No. 4 and 5 starters.

Imagine if they still kept Greinke.

Blue Jays need to play .700 ball the rest of the way if they want to sniff the postseason.

4.15 FIP, 5.93 xFIP from this outing. It wasn't his most impressive by any stretch.

500 HR milestone next up for Beltre?

Jays sit at 49-56. They have the White Sox up next for 3 games so a sweep is definitely possible, though at worst they must take 2 of 3. Astros are next weekend and that will be a tough series. They have 3 games against the Yankees afterwards at home and then Tampa the following week for 4 games, so a chance to gain some ground against teams ahead of them. They really need to go on a run which we haven't see yet. They sweep the A's in 4 games and with a mediocre Angels team in town, they lose the series and almost get swept. I think they approach the deadline the same way they were 2-3 weeks ago. Guys with expiring contracts like Liriano, Estrada, Bautista, and Smith will be shopped. Guys like JA Happ could be moved if they get a really good deal they like. They need to upgrade the roster with 2018 in consideration. They definitely could use an upgrade at either 2B or SS right now. The team can't run out Barney and Goins everyday and expect to make a little bit of a run. As well, it would be nice to get a controllable arm who they could slot in their rotation right now or else you'll have to see Valdez again.

Boxy is partying hard tonight!

Tulo has ligament damage in right ankle. Likely done for the season.

You can always bring back Estrada on a cheap one-year deal for next season as the No. 5 starter and hope he rebounds to his 2015/2016 form which is definitely still possible. Trading Happ isn't the end of the world for 2018. You can easily replace his innings via another trade or FA signing. Some interesting SP's who are FA's this offseason: Alex Cobb (30) Tyler Chatwood (28) Trevor Cahill (30) Lance Lynn (31) Also, possibility that Ian Kennedy could opt out. Tanaka possibly could opt out as well and Darvish is a free agent if the Jays want to spend some big money to bring a top starter in. Cahill is the interesting name IMO. He's a different pitcher than his days with Oakland and Arizona. 89 ERA-, 80 FIP-, 78 xFIP- this season, pretty comparable to Sonny Gray. His O-swing% and Z-swing% as well have been excellent. It'll be interesting to see how he pitches now in the AL down the stretch. Might come cheaper in comparison to someone like Cobb or Lynn.

According to Ken Rosenthal, it's Porcello + Fowler for Honeywell. Don't know the other details just yet.