"Alex Anthopoulos says he hasn't hung up the phone on any agents representing free-agent relievers.

"You can't blame a guy for asking," said the Blue Jays speaking in general terms about his search for a closer on the free agent market, "hey if both sides think it's a fair deal ..." The Jays have been linked to free-agent closers Ryan Madson, Heath Bell and Joe Nathan and everyone else this side of Victor Cruz, Tom Buskey and Dale Murray.

None of whom, especially Murray, would Anthopoulos confirm.

We've been told that the Jays have been shocked at the dollars that agents are asking for their closers.

Does that mean making a trade for a closer is the Jays best option? Probably.

What is the Jays' surplus?

"Prospects," said Anthopoulos, who along with assistant GM Tony LaCava head to Milwaukee on Monday for the annual GMs meetings looking to lay a framework for off-season deals.

The Jays have spent a lot of money in Latin America, on the draft and in scouting to acquire assets, re-stocking their cupboard."