Alex Anthopoulos told Prime Time Sports that he has been on the phone with rival teams regularly as the Blue Jays continue exploring deals. The Blue Jays GM said on the FAN 590 that the team is willing to get creative between now and July 31st. Here are the details:
- Trade talks are picking up and the Jays "have been pretty active with respect to phone calls." Rival clubs are "starting to get the itch and starting to gather information."
- The Blue Jays are open to discussing any deal, though some players will naturally be harder to obtain than others. We heard earlier today that the Blue Jays are open to dealing Scott Downs, Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg, but it sounds like other players could also be obtained for the right return.
- Anthopoulos says he likes to get "as creative as [he] can," and is open to three or four-team deals.
- Anthopoulos was in touch with Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, since the Blue Jays were open to getting involved in possible Cliff Lee trades as a third or fourth team.
- The Blue Jays like Jose Bautista for his power, strong throwing arm and clubhouse presence, but Anthopoulos chose not to comment on whether the team would consider locking the AL home run leader up.
- Anthopoulos also noted that players are not immune to rumors. "They all look at MLBTradeRumors.com," he said.
I’ve said this before on the forums, and Alex’s comments here make me think it again.
If the Brewers are looking to trade Prince Fielder and want pitching back, the Jays make perfect sense as a partner in a three-way trade. They can provide the pitching to the Brewers, as they have a big pitching excess, and then get position playing prospects in return.
how much do you guys pay Anthopoulos to name drop? LOL. He also mentioned MLBTR at the state of the franchise meeting in January.
Alex Anthopoulos is a pretty smart guy… +1 on the MLBTR name drop!
Alex Anthopoulos is a pretty smart guy… +1 on the MLBTR name drop!
I would guess that the whitesox would be after jose batts. They probably wont go after prince due to scott boras….adam dunns is a douche and refuses to DH even though his career would be extended greatly if he would accept that fact…The sox have some good prospects to get a deal with the Jays done, flowers, danks(jordan), torres, marquez, a some one else would be a pretty decent deal for jose batts…the sox could use him at 3rd(big improvement over teahan) and slot vicedio to DH full time
I would guess that the whitesox would be after jose batts. They probably wont go after prince due to scott boras….adam dunns is a douche and refuses to DH even though his career would be extended greatly if he would accept that fact…The sox have some good prospects to get a deal with the Jays done, flowers, danks(jordan), torres, marquez, a some one else would be a pretty decent deal for jose batts…the sox could use him at 3rd(big improvement over teahan) and slot vicedio to DH full time
Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical about Bautista, but now would be a great time to cash in on trading him. Teams in need of outfield/3b help would give something good for him.
Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical about Bautista, but now would be a great time to cash in on trading him. Teams in need of outfield/3b help would give something good for him.
To have some fun if I were Alex I would Trade: Buck, Gregg, Álex González, and Scott Downs for prospects and then trade all the prospects to the Marlins for Hanley Ramírez.
That’s wishful thinking but that would be fantastic if Jays could ever get their hands on Hanley.
Hanley would put butts in the seats at Rogers center.
His appaling lack of hustle and star-mentality would make me NOT want to go the the Rogers Centre. They’ve already invested in Adeiny Hechavarria.
Hanley would put butts in the seats at Rogers center.
That’s wishful thinking but that would be fantastic if Jays could ever get their hands on Hanley.
and then trade EE for hanleys shoes
no one is ever going to get hanley untill he is in the last year or two of his deal, he is the face of that franchise. Yes he would get a huge haul, a farm emptying type of haul but there is no way they trade him, that team would become no better than a AAA team if they moved him…thats like saying the jays should trade everyone of their pitchers except for romero for strasburgh, just not going to happen
no one is ever going to get hanley untill he is in the last year or two of his deal, he is the face of that franchise. Yes he would get a huge haul, a farm emptying type of haul but there is no way they trade him, that team would become no better than a AAA team if they moved him…thats like saying the jays should trade everyone of their pitchers except for romero for strasburgh, just not going to happen
and then trade EE for hanleys shoes
Your idea of fun requires other people to not have free will.
Please tell me that you’re kidding. Sorry aap212, I meant to reply to Jon Gartner.
Your idea of fun requires other people to not have free will.
To have some fun if I were Alex I would Trade: Buck, Gregg, Álex González, and Scott Downs for prospects and then trade all the prospects to the Marlins for Hanley Ramírez.
Great work by AA to sign Gonzalez, Buck and Gregg. He’s going to get something for all of them, even if it’s just a sandwich (to go along with their cup of coffee.) I can’t wait until after the deadline so we can see the real Jays start playing….
Great work by AA to sign Gonzalez, Buck and Gregg. He’s going to get something for all of them, even if it’s just a sandwich (to go along with their cup of coffee.) I can’t wait until after the deadline so we can see the real Jays start playing….
I don’t think AA is going to empty the system (that he’s trying so hard to build up) to take a star that he can get for nothing but money as a free agent. (Beeston has said there’ll be money available for those types of free agents.) I seriously think they might take a run at Fielder when he’s a free agent. But they won’t trade for him because he won’t sign in advance of free agency. If they do, Wallace can always be flipped, and he’s NEVER going to be Fielder. And remember, Fielder was born in Toronto…
Holy crap! Fielder is actually Canadian. Wow, I honestly didn`t know that.
Marcum + Wallace for Fielder?
Stop embarassing Travis Snider’s name with these horrible posts!A) It’s Ontario, California not Canada.B) Why would trade a long controllable Wallace for a guy that’s going to command MASSIVE over-rated dollars soon? LOL.
The guy above me said he was born in Toronto. I guess I should have looked it up.
As for Wallace, I wouldn`t want to trade him but if you can get a guy like Fielder who is still young, cheap and know that you can re-sign him then why not?
Snider and Fielder would tear teams apart.
Fielder is no longer cheap that’s the point. Wallace has zero service time and will be controlled for at least 6 years. Fielder will command at least 150 mill after next year.
“Fielder will command at least 150 mill after next year. “Bingo. I’ll gladly take Wallace, thank you!
“Fielder will command at least 150 mill after next year. “Bingo. I’ll gladly take Wallace, thank you!
Stop embarassing Travis Snider’s name with these horrible posts!A) It’s Ontario, California not Canada.B) Why would trade a long controllable Wallace for a guy that’s going to command MASSIVE over-rated dollars soon? LOL.
Holy crap! Fielder is actually Canadian. Wow, I honestly didn`t know that.
Marcum + Wallace for Fielder?
I don’t think AA is going to empty the system (that he’s trying so hard to build up) to take a star that he can get for nothing but money as a free agent. (Beeston has said there’ll be money available for those types of free agents.) I seriously think they might take a run at Fielder when he’s a free agent. But they won’t trade for him because he won’t sign in advance of free agency. If they do, Wallace can always be flipped, and he’s NEVER going to be Fielder. And remember, Fielder was born in Toronto…
Well, being born here doesn’t REALLY make someone Canadian. (He probably doesn’t watch hockey…) He may, however, have a passport. Regardless, if they’re willing to pay a Boras price, they could definitely get him. Like I said, but they won’t trade for him.
Well, being born here doesn’t REALLY make someone Canadian. (He probably doesn’t watch hockey…) He may, however, have a passport. Regardless, if they’re willing to pay a Boras price, they could definitely get him. Like I said, but they won’t trade for him.
A-Gon shouldn’t go any where unless they get a ridiculous return. He has a very nice 2.5 mill option for next year. With nothing ready in the system the Jays should hold on to him. Here is a crazy idea, how about Bautista to Phillies for Aumont? Yeah I know Aumont has been brutal but he is still just a kid, home town kid from Canada, and was ranked very highly on prospect lists. He also still has a big arm and at worst will end up being a decent reliever.
Downs, Gregg and Frasor need to all be moved. Purcey seems like he is developing into a reliable lefty, Roenicke as big league stuff and Camp looks solid. The other three are getting expensive and the Jays would be dealing from a position of strength. The Angels bullpen needs help and any of those three would be a big upgrade. How about any of those three for Bourjos? How about Overbay+ Downs+ cash for Wood and Bourjos? If the Jays decide not to bring Encarnacion back Wood would be a great replacement at third or even better use Wood at 3b and Encarnacion can fill the shoes of Bautista playing 3b/of. Red Sox need relievers as well. How about Bowden for Frasor or Gregg? I don’t think Buck will fool anyone, but if a team will take him on and the Jays can get something useful then do it. These moves would begin to build the upper levels of the minors and provide the Jays with a bunch of interesting arms.
A-Gon shouldn’t go any where unless they get a ridiculous return. He has a very nice 2.5 mill option for next year. With nothing ready in the system the Jays should hold on to him. Here is a crazy idea, how about Bautista to Phillies for Aumont? Yeah I know Aumont has been brutal but he is still just a kid, home town kid from Canada, and was ranked very highly on prospect lists. He also still has a big arm and at worst will end up being a decent reliever.
Downs, Gregg and Frasor need to all be moved. Purcey seems like he is developing into a reliable lefty, Roenicke as big league stuff and Camp looks solid. The other three are getting expensive and the Jays would be dealing from a position of strength. The Angels bullpen needs help and any of those three would be a big upgrade. How about any of those three for Bourjos? How about Overbay+ Downs+ cash for Wood and Bourjos? If the Jays decide not to bring Encarnacion back Wood would be a great replacement at third or even better use Wood at 3b and Encarnacion can fill the shoes of Bautista playing 3b/of. Red Sox need relievers as well. How about Bowden for Frasor or Gregg? I don’t think Buck will fool anyone, but if a team will take him on and the Jays can get something useful then do it. These moves would begin to build the upper levels of the minors and provide the Jays with a bunch of interesting arms.
AA is smart to be diplomatic. Bautista’s been a great story for them, but the smart move would be to trade him.
AA is smart to be diplomatic. Bautista’s been a great story for them, but the smart move would be to trade him.
I wouldn’t mind us taking a run at Crawford in the off season. We could finally have that true leadoff dynamo that our whole system lacks, and its not like we have lots of upper tier OF prospects coming up anyways. Our top OF prospects are Thames (AA), Marisnick (RK), Sierra (undergoing season ending surgery soon), and Mastroianni (AA)… none of these guys shout impact players to me except maybe Marisnick, but hes a long ways off and would probably be ready by the time Crawford’s contract would be up. It would technically be taking a step backwards in our rebuilding process but I think it could make us a contender in 2011 without giving up prospects as long as Hill/Lind rebound to their ’09 form.
We had Carl Crawford. His name was Alex Rios. Basically the same guy.
I really don’t see any similarities unless your comparing Rios in his prime as a Jay? Plus Rios doesn’t have that top notch speed that we desperately crave in a leadoff guy.
a 2011 lineup of
Crawford LF
Hill 2b
Bautista 3B
Wells CF
Lind DH
Snider RF
Wallace 1b
Arencibia C
Gonzalez SS
(assuming Lind/Hill bounce back to ’09 forms)
and a rotation of
Marcum
Romero
Cecil
Morrow
Drabek
would have to at least make teams a little scared? I also wouldn’t mind selling high on Bautista and trading some of our young pitching for a 3B of the future.
I actually think that starting 9 is reasonable. Regardless if the Jays trade their pending FA’s for prospects or take the draft picks, they can afford to give up the 1st round draft pick for Crawford.. even more so if Deck McGuire doesn’t sign and they get compensated. It just depends on how bad he wants to win, and on money. Arencibia also seems to be bored in AAA.
If the Jays don’t trade Rzepczynski, I’d prefer him in the ‘pen as a possible closer. That curve of his rather deadly.
Crawford, career – .297/.338/.443
Rios, career – .283/.333/.451
There are plenty of similarities between them, and Rios is pretty damn fast himself. He also can play a more premium defensive position, and play it well. I always laugh at how overrated Crawford is while everyone in Toronto wanted to run Rios out of town (and succeeded).
Don’t remind me. I love when the fans turn on players in a hurry. His season last year was still better than some of Vernon’s worsts. And people forgot all the quality OPS seasons before that.
We had Carl Crawford. His name was Alex Rios. Basically the same guy.
I wouldn’t mind us taking a run at Crawford in the off season. We could finally have that true leadoff dynamo that our whole system lacks, and its not like we have lots of upper tier OF prospects coming up anyways. Our top OF prospects are Thames (AA), Marisnick (RK), Sierra (undergoing season ending surgery soon), and Mastroianni (AA)… none of these guys shout impact players to me except maybe Marisnick, but hes a long ways off and would probably be ready by the time Crawford’s contract would be up. It would technically be taking a step backwards in our rebuilding process but I think it could make us a contender in 2011 without giving up prospects as long as Hill/Lind rebound to their ’09 form.
I hope the Jays know that Bautista is a flash in the pan! TRADE HIM WHILE YOU CAN!
People said he was a flash in the pan when he hit a bunch of bombs in September. Then people said he was a flash in the pan when he was smokin’ them in Spring Training. Now people are saying he is a flash in the pan as he leads MLB in home runs at the All-Star break.
At some point we have to stop calling him a flash in the pan and give him his dues. I think he’s earned ’em by this point.
I hope the Jays know that Bautista is a flash in the pan! TRADE HIM WHILE YOU CAN!
I’m going to go on the record (because nobody else seems willing to here) and put my faith in Bautista. I think he is legit. He’s a ballplayer’s ballplayer. Of course he is not untouchable, but he is valuable. Valuable in the way that if you are willing to take a chance you might find plus 3B power for bargain deal. It will be interesting to see whether any other teams are willing to take that chance. I would only be disappointed if the Jays sold low on him.
This would be called selling high on him, unless you don’t know what the term means.
3b prospect or durango from the padres for Bautista?
What about Alex Gonzalez to the Cardinals for Brendan Ryan and a AA prospect?
I know the ST. Louis article claimed that the Jays were interested in Brendan Ryan.. but just yuck.
How about Marcum+Gonzalez for Shelby Miller?
not a chance. gonzalez is having a career year at like 34. marcum is a good/decent #3 starter on a good team. that is not worth shelby miller even though he is still 2-3 years away.
besides, do the jays even need MORE pitching prospects? overkill much?
the only team marcum is a #3 on is the cardinals and Giants
And every other team in his own division besides the Orioles.
Marcum >>> Burnett. Deal with it.
I don’t remember saying that he wasn’t.
Marcum has a lower ERA, WHIP, and a better K/BB than Hughes, and isn’t doing this for the first time. On top of this, he’s faced a significantly harder schedule than Hughes has to this point. In what world, other than the one obsessed with W-L, has Marcum not been better than Hughes this year?! To say that he’s a decent #3 on a good team is absurd and typical American fan talk about a guy who plays in Canada – this offseason it was as if all of a sudden Roy Halladay became the best pitcher in baseball once he got traded to PHI.
Again, I didn’t ever mention a name, nor did I say he’d be a “decent” #3, in fact I would love to have Marcum as my team’s 3rd best pitcher. And originally I was going to leave the Yankees out of it and just mention the Red Sox and Rays, but I looked up Marcum’s stats, and while you are correct that he isn’t doing this for the first time, it is only the second time that he’s pitched 100+ innings of sub 4 ERA ball, add to it that he didn’t pitch at all in the majors last season, and I came to the conclusion that he would be slotted 3rd.
And if you had ever read any of my other comments on pitcher, you’d find that I don’t use W-L and that I have thought for a long time that Halladay was the best pitcher in baseball. So thank you for pegging me as having nothing else to offer other than “typical American fan talk” on the entire 18 words that I’ve said in this comments section.
No thanks, Shelby Miller is still in A ball, way too much risk for a steady 2/3 in Shaun Marcum.
I don’t think that will happen. There’s no way the Cardinals will trade Shelby Miller unless they get a big name like Roy Oswalt or Danny Haren.
Oswalt probably has less trade value than Marcum given that the Astros GM doesn’t want to pick up the salary…
It says here he is continuing talks with Rival, teams. Have to think the Red Sox are in it with the state of their bullpen.
I like what this GM is doing, he is not saying the seasons over, but the odds are against him. Next 2 weeks are going to be interesting, especially if teams like the Sox, start nose diving because of BP problems. I said this a few weeks ago, Sox will not make play-offs with this BP, even when injured players come back.