By Tim Dierkes | at
Ken Rosenthal brings up the possibility that the Blue Jays would entertain bringing 44 year-old lefty David Wells back for a third stint. The interest is mutual, as Wells would be willing to play in Toronto.
However, Wells’s agent meets with Padres GM Kevin Towers today and San Diego is the clear frontrunner. The Jays could really use one more vet in the rotation, though. Wonder if Boomer would consider a return to Cincinnati? Did he have fun there?
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Ken Rosenthal’s latest column, the Blue Jays wanted either Brett Myers or Chad Billingsley plus Matt Kemp or Jonathan Broxton in return for right fielder Alex Rios. Both clubs are known for their current starting pitching surpluses; the Phils actually have the need for an outfielder.
Not too many teams are looking to unload an AL-East-ready starter, so the Jays might have to lower their expectations. Plenty of teams could make room for Rios as a right or center fielder.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The Blue Jays extended first baseman Lyle Overbay for four years and $24 million, a reasonable price for the 30 year-old. It’s nice to buy out a few years of free agency at a reasonable rate.
Overbay slugged a career-high .508 in 2006, though he may have been aided by his home park. He hit .325/.383/.583 at home and .297/.361/.430 on the road. He’s known for a good glove but limited range.
It should be noted that the bar is set pretty high for an AL first baseman – .280/.352/.467 was average last season.
By Tim Dierkes | at
UPDATE: A reliable source close to the Jays tells me this one is "nonsense." Sorry to disappoint!
According to our good friends at D-Rays Bay, the Blue Jays and Devil Rays are talking about an Elijah Dukes trade. The proposed deal is pitchers Shaun Marcum and Josh Sowers for Dukes.
Marcum, 25, had a strong showing in Triple A last year as well as an acceptable rookie effort with the Jays. Sowers, Jeremy’s brother, is still in the lower minors.
Not sure where Dukes would fit into Toronto’s 2007 plans, as Adam Lind is already looking for a full-time role on the team.
The radio report referenced was from Ronnie Lane of MLB Home Plate on XM Radio.
By Tim Dierkes | at
John Thomson had some interesting things to say in his press conference today.
On Paul Lo Duca:
"As far as just looking at Paul Lo Duca across the field, I’m not really into how he acts behind the plate."
Unfortunately, the Mets and Blue Jays won’t meet in interleague this year to create a showdown.
On the Mets’ and Jays’ outfields:
"And then with Vernon Wells in center field, I’m not really concerned about the outfield with him out there. … Just watching the Mets’ outfield, if Cliff Floyd is still there it’s not a real good fit for him out there. He can hit the ball, but as far as defense, he’s a little shaky."
The thing is, the Mets have a guy in center field, goes by the name of Beltran…he’s not too shabby with the glove. Other thing is, Floyd is a free agent and won’t be back with the Mets. Still, in general, the Jays do have a better defensive outfield than the Mets. Mostly because of Shawn Green.
Thomson says his shoulder is OK now, and can earn $4MM with incentives.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays signed 33 year-old right-handed starter John Thomson for $500,000 plus incentives. The 33 year-old has a mild labrum tear and was affected by elbow soreness and a blister in ’06 as well. The Jays aren’t risking much to see if he can rehab his way to a fifth starter job. In fact, if Thomson can keep his ERA around 5 he’d be on par with most fourth starters.
By Tim Dierkes | at
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports in his blog that the Blue Jays are willing to trade right fielder Alex Rios, who turns 26 in February. The Blue Jays are in search of one more quality starter to pair with Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, and perhaps Casey Janssen or Shaun Marcum. It’s a necessity in the AL East.
Back in 2004, Baseball America ranked Rios sixth among all prospects, between Rickie Weeks and Kaz Matsui. Rios earned a promotion to Toronto without mastering Triple A, and his growth kind of stagnated for two years. He played some center field while Vernon Wells was out, and also served as the leadoff hitter for a while.
Before the breakout, many teams tried to pry Rios away. The Nats talked about a Rios for Nick Johnson deal in December of 2004. You can bet Jim Bowden would love him in CF, but doesn’t have the goods for a trade. In the winter of ’05, the Rangers were offering Kevin Mench for Rios while the Nats countered with Brad Wilkerson.
The much-awaited breakout happened this year, as Rios mashed at .330/.383/.585 for 270 ABs leading up to his June 29th leg injury (staph infection). He returned on July 28th and hit .261/.297/.411 thereafter. It was an ugly couple of months but he did bounce back in September.
Some projections for ’07:
Ron Shandler: .293/.337/.500
Bill James: .286/.336/.442
On his glovework, The Fielding Bible wrote:
"Rios is an excellent defender, a five-tool player with outstanding range and speed and a strong, accurate arm suited for right field. The Jays would love to switch him to center field where he is a better offensive fit, but they have a Gold Glover in Vernon Wells entrenched there."
With Ichiro now in center, Rios may be baseball’s best defensive RF.
Olney mentions a few trade possibilities: to the Dodgers for Brad Penny, to the A’s for Joe Blanton, or to the Mets for a package of young guys. Olney didn’t bring up the White Sox, but there could be an excellent fit. The Sox could use Rios in center in 2007, and perhaps shift him back to right in ’08 if Jermaine Dye leaves.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Blue Jays are "on the verge" of signing center fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126MM deal. It would include a full no-trade and an opt-out clause.
As we’ve seen with opt-out clauses lately, that might make this less than a seven-year contract in reality. The crazy part is that the $18MM annual salary is seen as a loyalty discount.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, a baseball source indicated that the Blue Jays have proposed a seven year, $126MM contract to Vernon Wells. Wells’s agent indicated that they have not had meaningful discussions, however.
Wells turned 28 a few days ago. He’s part of the all-world center fielder free agent class of 2008, with fine defense and a .900 OPS. Most folks seem to think he’ll end up in Texas because of proximity to his childhood home.
Rich Lederer marches to a different drum – he’d rather trade for Rocco Baldelli.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The Denver Post has the latest on hot trade commodity Jason Jennings.
The Phils are now out of the running after acquiring Freddy Garcia. This leaves the Astros as the top candidate. Troy Renck says "the Rockies are eyeing 24-year-old starter Jason Hirsh, reliever Dan Wheeler and center fielder Willy Tavares." Renck notes that Houston’s interest will heighten if Andy Pettitte signs with New York. The three-player haul mentioned here certainly seems to top what the White Sox got for Garcia, a fairly comparable pitcher for 2007.
The Blue Jays and Mets remain plenty interested if other options don’t work out.
Ted Lilly, Gil Meche, and Vicente Padilla are all off the market. Left in Tier 2:
Jason Jennings
Jeff Weaver
Jeff Suppan
Miguel Batista
Batista may be the next to go.
UPDATE: Should Houston acquire Jon Garland, they’d obviously no longer be the frontrunner for Jennings.
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