Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Blue Jays Rumors

International Signings: Blue Jays, Pirates, Athletics

By | at

This year’s July 2 signing period opened yesterday, and teams got started immediately with a number of significant contracts on the first day of deal-making. The action continues today as the Twins and Indians have already signed players. We’ll keep track of other noteworthy deals right here with the latest updates up top: 

  • The Astros agreed to terms on contracts with outfielder Luis Payano, shortstop Kristian Trompiz, and catcher Victor Tavarez, the team announced. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
  • Dominican shortstop Richard Urena has signed with the Blue Jays, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America.  The 16-year-old is ranked as the No. 13 international prospect by Baseball America and projects to stick at shortstop.
  • The Pirates signed Dominican third baseman Julio Delacruz for $700K, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Baseball America notes that the 16-year-old has an impressive feel for hitting from the right side. "We are very excited to have signed Julio Delacruz who is, in our estimation, the best pure hitter available in Latin America this season,” director of Latin American scouting Rene Gayo said in a statement from the team.
  • The Athletics signed Dominican outfielder Luis Barrera for $450K, Badler reports. The 16-year-old Barrera has a smooth left-handed swing and profiles at first base or in left field.

Blue Jays Looking To Add Players

By | at

The Blue Jays, now 40-40 and in fifth place in the American League East, are looking to add to their team as the July 31st trade deadline approaches. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that he’s discussing ways of making this year’s team better.

"Every dialogue I’m trying to have now, it’s all about trying to improve the 2012 product, that isn’t going to change," he said. "I’m active in having talks, that doesn’t mean anything is going to get done, but definitely all the trade dialogue I’m handling right now is all about making the 2012 team better."

Anthopoulos told Davidi the Blue Jays have talked about some potential short-term additions, including players headed for free agency. The GM added that this year’s Blue Jays team has a stronger core than in previous years.

Only three MLB teams have out-scored Toronto, but the Blue Jays could use pitching reinforcements after losing three starters to the disabled list and adding Carlos Villanueva, Aaron Laffey and Brett Cecil to their rotation. The Blue Jays are unsurprisingly interested in adding starting pitching depth.

Two scouts told Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that Anthopoulos should sell this summer. One scout suggested Casey Janssen could become a trade chip. Meanwhile, a rival official said the Blue Jays are “souring” on Yunel Escobar and Knobler suggests the Blue Jays could decide to trade the shortstop just one year after extending him.

Blue Jays Sign Marcus Stroman

By | at

The Blue Jays and first round selection Marcus Stroman have signed a contract, the pitcher and the team announced today. Stroman obtained a bonus of $1.8MM, ESPN.com's Keith Law tweets.  The Blue Jays selected Stroman 22nd overall and the recommended bonus for that slot is exactly $1.8MM.

"Officially a member of THE Toronto Blue Jays! Signed my contract," Stroman tweeted. "Beyond excited and blessed. Ready to work!" 

Stroman, a right-hander drafted out of Duke, has an impressive repertoire depite his 5'9" frame. He sits 92-94 mph as a starter and can touch 96 out of the bullpen, according to Baseball America. He has a nasty slider and could be the first 2012 draftee to reach the Major Leagues if he pitches in relief, according to many scouts.

Int’l Signings: Barrera, Cruz, Esteves, Gomez, Dodgers

By | at

The 2012 international free agent signing period opened today and plenty of signings will be coming in as teams look to spend within their $2.9MM allotment.  We'll be keeping track of all of the day's major agreements under $1MM right here..

  • The Athletics are finalizing an agreement with Luis Barrera that would pay the Dominican outfielder $450K, tweets MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Sanchez's colleague Jonathan Mayo ranked Barrera as the No. 13 prospect in this year's class.
  • Badler also adds that the Indians have signed Dominican shortstop Grofy Cruz for a bonus of $400K. Cruz is expected to shift to third base soon, and is praised by Badler for his strong arm and raw power.
  • Dominican third baseman Kelvin Esteves signed with the Braves for a $300K bonus, Badler writes. Badler praises Esteves' bat speed and raw power from the right side.
  • The Dodgers also signed Dominican shortstop Cristian Gomez to an undisclosed bonus, writes Badler. Gomez was widely expected to receive a low six-figure bonus.
  • The Dodgers issued a press release to announce four international signings: right-handers Lenix Osuna and William Soto, left-hander Victor Gonzalez, as well as catcher Julian Leon. Osuna is the son of former Dodgers righty Antonio Osuna. Soto hails from Venezuela while the other three were all signed out of Mexico. Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that the club spent about $1MM total on the four players.
  • The Mets, who earlier today signed shortstop Amed Rosario to a $1.75MM bonus, also signed Venezuelan shortstop Miguel Patino and Dominican second baseman Franklin Correa, tweets ESPN's Adam Rubin. Rubin also notes that Rosario's bonus is the highest the Mets have ever given to an international free agent. That honor had previously gone to Fernando Martinez ($1.3MM).

Read more

Blue Jays Designate David Pauley For Assignment

By | at

The Blue Jays have designated David Pauley for assignment to clear a roster spot for Drew Carpenter, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (on Twitter).

Pauley, 29, was designated for assignment by the Angels on two different occasions earlier this year. The Jays picked him up off waivers on June 20, following his second DFA. The right-hander appeared in just four games for Toronto, allowing seven runs in 6 1/3 innings (three of those runs came over three innings in tonight's game).

The Blue Jays were Pauley's fifth Major League team. He's seen time with the Mariners, Red Sox, Tigers, and Angels as well, pitching to a 4.68 ERA in 209 2/3 career innings.

Draft Notes: Blue Jays, Cardinals, Brewers, Padres

By | at

The deadline for teams to sign their 2012 draft picks is 4 pm (CT) on July 13. Here's the latest news and signings involving the non-first and supplemental first round selections.

  • The Blue Jays have signed second round draft choice Chase DeJong for an over slot bonus of $860K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. The recommended value for the pick is $620,300. Callis says the California right-hander has a plus fastball and curve.
  • Callis, in a separate tweet, says the Blue Jays can offer their first rounder Marcus Stroman just over $2.13MM without forfeiting a 2013 draft pick.
  • Callis tweets the Cardinals signed their fourth round pick Alex Meija for $250K (recommended slot value of $294,200). Meija played short for the College World Series champion Arizona.
  • Brewers fifth round draft choice Damien Magnifico tweeted a cryptic message about his future. "It's great to be around family, friends, and the girlfriend. And now have things figured out for the future," wrote Magnifico. The Brewers aren't saying much either about the future of the right-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "Both parties are still doing their work," was the response Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid gave when asked about the tweet. Magnifico is the highest unsigned pick of the Brewers.
  • There have been conflicting reports this week as to whether the Padres have signed their 25th round selection Corey Kimber. Callis confirms the North Carolina prep right-hander signed for $120K, $20K of which counts against the bonus pool (all links go to Twitter).

AL East Notes: Bautista, Blue Jays, Rays, Yankees

By | at

Over the weekend we learned that the Blue Jays are looking to upgrade their rotation as the deal with a rash of injuries.  Toronto recently sent multiple scouts to at least two of Wandy Rodriguez’s starts and has also maintained contact with the Cubs about Matt Garza.  Here's more on the Blue Jays and the rest of the AL East..

  • Jose Bautista told Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that he wants to see the club make a big push at the deadline.  "Let’s go for it,” Bautista said. “Hopefully, the change is made now. We’re in a position, in the middle of the season, to compete for a playoff spot. A lot of people maybe have forgotten about the extra wild card, but I certainly haven’t. There was a lot of talk about it in spring training, and I haven’t heard much since."
  • The Rays signed Dominican catcher Erick Maria for $300K, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.  Maria was known as Eric Otanez when he signed with Tampa Bay last year before the deal was declared ineligible thanks to an inaccurate birthdate.  Maria has developed into a better prospect than he was a year ago but he appears to have remained loyal to the Rays to honor his original deal.
  • No one realized exactly how important the Hiroki Kuroda signing would be for the Yankees this season, writes David Lennon of Newsday.  Kuroda, who signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Bombers, has stepped up for the club in the wake of the ill-fated Michael Pineda trade.

Quick Hits: Thome, Blue Jays, Oliver, Orioles

By | at

Links as Friday turns into Saturday..

  • As the Phillies look for a place to move Jim Thome, the Rays and Yankees are not interested, sources tell Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).  Olney speculates (Twitter link) that the Orioles and Rangers could be solid fits for the veteran.
  • Darren Oliver may be a name to watch for the ‪Angels‬ if the ‪Blue Jays‬ decide to be sellers at the deadline, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
  • The Orioles‬ have agreed in principle with three of their top seven picks, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.  Second-round selection Branden Kline, Christian Walker (fourth), and Matthew Price (seven) all signed for their slot recommendation.

Dodgers Notes: Cubs, Brewers, Dempster, Lee

By | at

Earlier today the Dodgers officially announced the signing of Cuban outfielder Yasel Puig to a seven-year deal.  The news of the agreement sent shock waves through baseball this week and clearly shows that the club is very serious about getting back into signing top Latin American players.  Here's more out of Los Angeles..

  • The Puig deal could be just the start of major moves to come from the Dodgers, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.  According to major league sources, they have talked multiple times to the Cubs, Astros, and Brewers.  They've also touched base with a number of other teams, including the Mariners, Royals, Twins, Blue Jays and Padres, sources said.  The Dodgers would like to add a hitter, a starting pitcher, and a left-handed reliever.
  • Speaking of the Cubs, the Dodgers are viewed as a favorite to land Ryan Dempster once he returns from the disabled list, sources suggest to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The two sides haven't talked since the week before Dempster went down but a person familiar with the situation says Los Angeles has a very good chance to land the right-hander.
  • The Dodgers are lukewarm to the idea of signing Derrek Lee, and would prefer to explore other options first, a major league source told Rosenthal.  Lee would require time at Triple-A and the Dodgers seem to prefer more certainty and perhaps a more immediate solution at first base.

International Notes: Mets, Padres, Yankees

By | at

The international signing period begins next week, which means it won’t be long before teams can officially start locking up a new class of talented young players. Keep in mind that each team now operates with a $2.9MM budget and that deals won’t become official before next week. Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com has the latest on some bright young players and potential deals:

  • It’s rumored that the Mets will sign Dominican shortstop Germán Ahmed Rosario, Rojas tweets. Rosario would obtain a bonus of roughly $1.7MM.
  • The Blue Jays look to have the inside track with Venezuelan shortstop Franklin Barreto, Rojas writes.
  • It's rumored that the Padres are a likely destination for Dominican third baseman Carlos Belén, Rojas tweets. Belén could sign for around $1MM.
  • Venezuelan catcher Luis Torrens could sign a lucrative deal with the Yankees, Rojas tweets.
  • Dominican shortstop Wendell Rijo could sign with the Rays for $800K or so, Rojas tweets.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top