jaysblue

Agreed. Which is why I'm not counting on Dickey to pitch like an ace in 2014 and I sure hope the Jays don't as well.

I'm thinking the Cards likely would want more for Lynn. I don't have a problem with the Jays trading one or two of their excess BP arms in exchange for McCarthy, though not sure he makes a difference since he's not that durable and likely wouldn't fit well pitching in the AL East and at the Rogers Centre. I don't think AA would target him anyways since he's not a lock to give them 200 innings. I'm not a huge fan of Colon as well, though I'd be open to bringing him in as a No. 5 starter on a reasonable contract. If the Jays traded two top prospects for Dickey last offseason, I'm sure AA wouldn't have a problem signing Colon to a reasonable one-year contract lol - I could see it being a possibility.

If Dickey has better luck on his side, and doesn't get hurt like he did earlier on this season, I think a return to his 2010-2012 version is possible. He can't give up 35 HR's and have a HR/9 of 1.40 again and expect to return to his 2010-2012 form. Those numbers have to come down. He still gave the Jays 224.2 innings, though his K/9 were lower and his BB/9 were higher in comparisons to previous years with the Mets. If he can improve in those areas, then I think he can pitch better in 2014 then he did this season. Still I don't expect him to pitch like a Cy Young winner. Morrow has huge question marks which is why it's imperative the Jays go out and acquire another durable starter who can provide 200 quality innings. Doesn't have to be a No. 1 or No. 2 like you said, since that's likely not going to happen anyways. Though I don't want to see so many starters used again in 2014 - guys like Ramon Ortiz, Chien Ming Wang, Edgar Gonzalez better not even see the light of the day in 2014 with this team.

I was going to say...I think that was before he signed his current deal which was 2 years/$40 million. There is no way the Giants offered Lincecum that contract last season or this season lol.

When was that? If he rejected that this season, he's foolish.

I wouldn't feel comfortable just bringing in Colon this offseason and expecting him to be an ace or No. 2 starter, especially at his age. Though if the Jays went out and acquired someone like Cahill or Lynn, then why not roll the dice on Colon who likely wouldn't cost that much to strengthen the rotation even more? As for Ruiz, I agree he'll resign with Philly if the Jays don't offer him a better deal.

I wouldn't object to Lance Lynn at all, though what do you think he would cost? The D'Backs have had a history of trading pitchers when they start to get expensive. Just look at Ian Kennedy this summer. Kevin Towers values bullpen arms highly, since most of his trades have centred on acquiring relievers like David Hernandez or Joe Thatcher. The D'Backs have a lot of depth in their rotation and I'm sure they don't want to be paying Cahill $12 million in 2015. They either move McCarthy or Cahill this offseason (not sure about both), though I'd rather have Cahill since he's far more durable.

Even if the Jays traded for Cahill, they would still have enough money to go out and sign someone like Bartolo Colon for a reasonable one-year contract if they really wanted too. You can never have enough pitching. I have Ruiz pegged as a favourite to land in Toronto this offseason Ken. I think he makes the most sense since McCann will cost way too much, and I'm not sure Salty will be worth the contract he'll get on the open market. Ruiz is the type of catcher the Jays need after the circus they went through with JPA over the past three years.

I think many on here would agree, though he's likely one of the more realistic SP trade options out there for the Blue Jays. Kevin Towers loves BP arms (more than AA) so both teams lineup well as trading partners. As for AA, he's stated numerous times on the radio that he wants another durable starter that could give the Jays 200 + innings, and Cahill fits that bill. He's under club control for two more years or more with the options and would give the Jays a decent middle of the rotation starter who has age on his side still. He was worth 2.9 WAR last season. I just think the Jays chances of signing a pitcher like Garza, Tanaka or trading for someone like Sale or Lee are pretty low since they would have to increase payroll significantly and/or gut their farm. Plus, this team still has other needs to address (catcher, second base, etc).

They sign him for 3 years worth $45 million. I can't see the Giants going 5 years with Lincecum. If they do, they are foolish and I'm sure Garza, Santana and Ubaldo will be thanking Sabean for setting the market high for them. I don't see Lincecum getting more than 2-3 years on the open market. I'm sure the best offer he'll get is from the Giants right now since he's a homegrown talent who has won two Cy Youngs and World Series with them and a fan favourite. Clearly a PR move.

Looking at the Blue Jays this offseason, I don't think they get that huge of a bump in payroll where they're able to go out and sign big names like Garza, McCann, Santana, Tanaka etc like many people on here are thinking. I don't think during AA's tenure we've seen him sign a big name free agent. That could be a repeating trend this offseason again. AA likely will try and acquire a starter through trade, and I think Cahill fits the bill in terms of the Jays strategy this offseason. Cahill is still young, under club control (possibly until 2018 with the options) and gives the Jays a durable arm that could provide 200 quality innings, which is what AA has stated numerous times he is looking for. Obviously, Cahill isn't a No. 1 or 2 starter by any stretch of the imagination, though he can settle in as a dependable middle of the rotation starter. His BB rates and low K totals are worrisome, though he is a ground ball pitcher so the Jays better have solid defense behind him. In terms of the price, the Jays can likely trade some BP arms and a C level prospect for Cahill which wouldn't be that much, especially considering the Jays are trading from an area of strength which is their bullpen. I just don't see the Jays in on Tanaka, or Garza since that would be likely out of their price range. I wouldn't mind Lincecum or Ubaldo though I doubt the Jays sign them. As for acquiring an ace through trade, I doubt they have the pieces to land a David Price or Chris Sale, and I doubt the Phillies move Lee and have a fire sale just yet. In terms of the asking price, contract, and type of pitcher, I think Cahill is the type of pitcher AA is targeting (someone who is durable and could give the Jays 200 innings). Some people on here even suggested signing Bartolo Colon to a one-year deal which wouldn't be that bad as well, and is something the Jays would still be able to do even if they traded for Cahill. Possible rotation: Dickey Buehrle Cahill Morrow FA signing like Colon or Hutch/Happ/Redmond/Drabek etc.

Doubt the Jays would be able to get anyone better like Skaggs, Bradley, Corbin, Delgado, Miley etc since those guys still haven't hit arbitration yet. Hudson would be intriguing if he was healthy, though relying on a starter who has had two serious injuries over the past two seasons and likely won't pitch at all in 2014 is not the way to go. Towers likes trading his starters when they are in their arbitration years and start to get expensive (just look at Haren a couple of years ago, and even Ian Kennedy this season). I could see McCarthy or Cahill being shopped heavily this offseason. McCarthy has one year left on his contract and Cahill starts to get a bump in salary over the next couple of seasons (2014: $7.95 million; 2015: $12.25 million; 2016: $13 million (mutual option), 2017: $13.5 million (mutual option). We know how AA loves those options in contracts. I don't see Arizona wanting to keep Cahill around when he starts getting that kind of money, which is why I think he's next to go. Other players that could interest the Jays are maybe Chris Owings or one of Arizona's outfielders like Pollock. If the Jays shop some relievers, I'm sure they can acquire Cahill. Joe Thatcher was the main piece coming back for Kennedy if I recall this summer.

Definitely that raises the bar on a contract for Choo and Ellsbury. Choo likely will get $100 + million now and I'm sure the benchmark for Ellsbury is then $125 million.

If Santana demands that much, the Jays are better spending a few more bucks on Garza instead, or go the Lincecum/Ubaldo route for cheaper.

Arizona is likely the best fit then. Kevin Towers would trade someone like McCarthy or Cahill for a deal around some relievers.

The Jays should be on the phone with Arizona. I'm sure Kevin Towers would love one or two of the Jays BP arms, especially with the way their BP has struggled this season.

Any BP piece should be on the table in trades since it's an area where the Blue Jays have depth. They can't keep all those names heading into 2014 so AA better turn some of them into assets. I hope they keep McGowan and Jeffress, which I think they will since their stuff out of the bullpen is just nasty. I don't see them giving up on a arm like Jeffress and they've stuck with McGowan this long. You really only need two lefties in the pen, so Loup and Cecil are just fine. I could see them moving maybe Janssen or Delabar, which I wouldn't have a problem with since I'd be confident in Santos stepping into the closers role. If they trade Janssen then I doubt they move anyone other key late inning guys. They will likely let Redmond battle it out for the 5th starters spot out of ST, so I don't see them making a decision on him until ST. I don't think anyone will touch Romero, so if he's let go I'm sure he can be brought back easily on a minor league deal. The Jays could use a long man, someone who was like Carlos V, so I'm sure Rogers is in the discussion of being kept for those purposes. He's proven he can be effective in low leverage situations and could spot start. He's capable of going on a 4-5 start stretch where he's decent as we've seen with him this season and with Carlos V in the past. It's just finding spots for these guys on the roster when all is said and done. Bullpen (if the Jays trade Janssen): LR Rogers MR McGowan MR Jeffress LHP Loup LHP Cecil SU Delabar CL Santos

There haven't been that many closers out there who have done an exceptional job over a long period of time. Rivera is one of the first names that come to mind as he's closed games for the last two decades almost; the other's recently I'd say Hoffman and Wagner over the past decade or so. Though that's about it. Relievers are extremely volatile. There are not many closers who have had success for 10 + seasons.

You can probably get McCarthy or Cahill for a reliever. Kevin Towers loves BP arms.

That's cool. I'm sure if the Yankees announced which day he was starting, the Astros would get a sellout haha

I say Miguel Batista was the best - he was a poet at least.

I'd rather trade Sanchez + for someone like a Chris Sale, Madison Bumgarner, David Price etc. Wouldn't the Jays just be better to sign Tim Lincecum rather than trade Sanchez + for Parker?

Plus him and Jeremy Jeffress could become best pals...

Lincecum likely will sign a one year deal, or a modest 2-3 year deal since that would give him a chance to up his value and hit free agency again around 32 which at that time he likely would be able to net a nice contract if he's pitched well. He's no longer the ace or Cy Young winner he was in 2008 and 2009, though he's still a dependable No. 3 guy I think. He's durable (can give the Jays 200 IP) and does have good K rates, despite the diminished velocity. I'd rather sign Lincecum then trade the farm for someone like Parker or Griffin. As for Doc, I'm afraid he's done. He was clocked out at 83 mph in his last start and I'm not even sure he gets a guaranteed contract this offseason unless there's a team out there willing to take a gamble. I'd sign Doc to a minor league deal, though not a guaranteed MLB deal.

Another trade option/buy low guy would be Gallardo. I'd rather trade for him instead of Jarrod Parker or Griffin and I'm sure Gallardo would come cheaper.