Toronto Blue Jays Trade Rumors

Blue Jays chasing Uehara
January 24
Toronto Sun
 
"The Blue Jays are again trying to land a Japanese import after all. No, not right-hander Yu Darvish, but right-hander reliever Koji Uehara of the Texas Rangers. Uehara was 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 43 games (47 innings) with the Baltimore Orioles last season. However, after moving to the Rangers he was 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 games (18 innings). He had a 33.75 ERA in the playoffs and was not on the Rangers' World Series roster. From the Rangers' standpoint it's a salary dump as he earns $4 million in 2012. Uehara would have to waive his limited no-trade clause to approve a deal to the Jays."
Morrow, Janssen likely headed to arbitration
January 18
Toronto Sun
 
"Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow and reliever Casey Janssen are likely headed to salary arbitration. The Jays went into the final few hours leading to the Tuesday's 1 p.m. deadline with five unsigned players for 2012. Morrow, who earned $2.3 million US last year, has four years and 91 days service, while Janssen, who earned $1.095 million last season, has five years, 63 days services. Morrow's agent filed for $4.2 million while the Jays countered with a $3.9 million offer. Now, numbers will be submitted by each side and arbitration hearings will be held between Feb. 1 and Feb. 21. General manager Alex Anthopoulos signed second baseman Kelly Johnson, right-hander Carlos Villanueva"
Blue Jays re-sign outfielder Colby Rasmus for one year, $2.7 million
January 16
Toronto Star
 
"The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Colby Rasmus, signing the outfielder to a one-year deal worth $2.7 million on Sunday. Toronto acquired the 25-year-old from the St. Louis Cardinals in a multi-player trade July 27. Rasmus appeared in 129 games last season, posting a .225 batting average with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. In 420 career games, Rasmus has a .251 average with 53 homers and 171 RBIs."
Blue Jays "not a serious suitor" for free agent Prince Fielder
January 13
Hardball Talk
 
"There was a general assumption, at the beginning of this offseason, that the Blue Jays would get involved at some point in the bidding for Prince Fielder. But it hasn't happened yet, and it's not likely to. According to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, Toronto is "not a serious suitor" for the 27-year-old first baseman, and his asking price would have to come "way down" for that to suddenly change. Fielder has drawn only mild interest around the league this winter despite owning a shiny .929 career OPS and batting .299/.415/.566 with 38 home runs and 120 RBI across 692 plate appearances last season for Milwaukee."
Report: Orioles watch Manny Ramirez take batting practice
January 8
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles are reportedly showing interest in Manny Ramirez, at least enough to want to see him swing a bat again. Baltimore was one of two clubs -- the Blue Jays were the other -- to watch Ramirez take batting practice in Miami, according to a report by ESPN Deportes. It had been reported last week that Ramirez was planning to work out for teams this month. Orioles exective vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette wouldn't comment on the team's interest in Ramirez, who abruptly retired in April when he faced a 100-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drugs. Ramirez had previously served a 50-game suspension for another failed drug test in 2009."
Sox trade Frasor to Blue Jays for two minor league pitchers
January 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Continuing to pare payroll and stockpile young pitchers, the White Sox traded reliever Jason Frasor back to the Blue Jays for a pair of Class A pitchers. It completed a strange journey for Frasor, the south suburban native who joined the Sox with young starter Zach Stewart last July in a trade with the Blue Jays for Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen. So the Sox now have Stewart, plus Sunday acquisitions Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb, in the double-dealing with Toronto. In the mix for the fifth starter spot with the Sox, Stewart threw a shutout against the Twins in September. Over the New Year's weekend, the White Sox have acquired four minor league pitchers for two veterans, Carlos Quentin and"
Oliver leaves Rangers, signs with Blue Jays
December 31
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Darren Oliver is headed to the Toronto Blue Jays.The veteran left-handed reliever expressed interest in returning to the Texas Rangers earlier this off-season, but they never made a formal offer.Instead, Oliver accepted a one-year contract with the Blue Jays on Friday, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical and, assuming Oliver passes, the Rangers will receive a supplemental first round pick in the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft.Oliver, a Southlake resident originally drafted by the Rangers in 1988, spent the past two seasons with the organization. He went 5-5 with a 2.29 ERA in 61 games last season, holding left-handed batters to an average of .227.In the postseason,"
Source: Darren Oliver close to deal with Toronto
December 30
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers' month-long negotiating period with Yu Darvish - and the hefty investment it will require to sign the Japanese right-hander - does come with a price tag. It appears it has cost them the opportunity to bring Darren Oliver back to the bullpen. According to two major league sources, Oliver is close to signing a deal with Toronto - the club that finished as runnerup to the Rangers in the Darvish sweepstakes. Oliver, 41, was the Rangers' top lefty reliever each of the last two seasons. Oliver, who lives in Southlake, had expressed interest in returning to the Rangers and there was mutual interest. He met with GM Jon Daniels in early December, but the Rangers did not make any"
Boras' tactics loom over market for Prince
December 26
MLB.com
 
"What's the market for Prince Fielder? Plenty of baseball executives would love to know the answer to that one. Welcome to the world of Scott Boras. The Orioles are in. The Orioles are out. Possibly. The Nationals definitely are in unless they happen to be out. The Mariners have some interest. Most likely. The Blue Jays, too. The Cubs make some sense, but they've said nothing. The Rangers? They appear to be sitting this one out, but don't bet next month's rent on them staying out. And don't forget the mystery team. Boras always has one or two of them in play. Do they exist? The Red Sox doubted a mystery team existed in their negotiations with Boras regarding Johnny Damon six years ago."
Cespedes, the latest international sensation
December 26
Foxsports.com
 
"Cespedes, the talented Cuban defector, is expected to establish residency in the Dominican Republic and be cleared to play by US officials soon after the New Year. And then he's likely to sign for more than the $30.25 million countryman Aroldis Chapman received from the Reds, according to nearly all of the dozen executives I polled. The reasons for such a large contract, according to one team official, include a lower injury risk than Chapman, a larger number of interested teams, the new CBA and hype created by YouTube videos showcasing Cespedes' superlative athletic ability. Baseball officials with expertise in Latin America believe the Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers,"
Mariners, Nats, O's among teams eyeing Prince
December 21
CBSSports.com
 
"Indications are the Mariners, Nationals and Orioles are among about a half-dozen teams still eyeing star free agent Prince Fielder. The Fielder derby is heating up, as some teams have made offers or at least given an indication where they'd be willing to go monetarily for the slugger. The Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays, Marlins and incumbent Brewers also have been mentioned as possibilities for Prince. The Mariners are one of the teams that's suggested their price range for Fielder, although it's unclear how serious Fielder might be about willing to play on the West Coast. Some close to the Florida product and longtime Brewer have suggested he'd prefer to stay in the East or Central time zones."
Jays pitch for Japanese sensation Darvish was more than $50 million
December 21
Toronto Star
 
"It matters little to Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos, the encouraging pats on the back he might receive for being runner-up to the Texas Rangers on the posting bid for Yu Darvish. Sources in baseball insist that the Jays' bid for the 25-year-old Japanese star was over $50 million, barely edged out by the winning bid of $51.7 million reported to be posted by Rangers GM Jon Daniels. "I understand the passion and the interest levels in our team," Anthopoulos said via conference call Tuesday morning. "I have people come up to me in the street every day. It's on us to provide a winning product. That's what you want, but we want to make sure it's done the right way.""
Beltran expected to chose team soon
December 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals remain in the mix for one of the top free agents still on the market even as they explore alternate ways to address an opening in the outfield. All-Star Carlos Beltran is expected to select his next team this week, a source familiar with his plans said. The Cardinals have been one of the teams pursuing the switch-hitting outfielder, who has varied offers from five different teams, a source described. While Beltran deliberates, the Cardinals have explored other options — including free agent outfielder Coco Crisp — that could add a new dimension to their lineup or increased depth to the bench. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, who does not comment on individual free"
Darvish announcement likely Monday night
December 19
MLB.com
 
"All of the speculation surrounding Japanese phenom Yu Darvish is expected to end on Monday night. Darvish's agent, Don Nomura, sent out a tweet on Monday morning saying an announcement will be made on the winning bid late Tuesday morning in Japan, or around 9 p.m. ET on Monday. SI.com has reported that the bid for the right-handed Darvish, currently with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, exceeds the Red Sox's $51.11 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006 as the highest in the history of posting of Japanese players."
Jays going hard after Japanese hurler
December 18
Toronto Sun
 
"If the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters accept the sealed bid on Yu Darvish ... If the Blue Jays' number is the highest when the commissioner's office makes public the winning bid at 5 p.m. Tuesday ... And if the Jays negotiate a long-term deal with Darvish in the next 30 days, it will be the result of at least four trips to Japan by Jays scouts. The New York Post and the Dallas Morning News have already reported that the Jays bid, somewhere between $40 and $50 million US, is higher than either of those submitted by the New York Yankees or the Texas Rangers. The amount the Chicago Cubs bid with Theo Epstein, the man who brought Daisuke Matsuzaka to the Boston Red Sox, in charge as the"
Japanese officials: Winning bid for Darvish to set posting record
December 18
SI.com
 
"Contrary to published reports, the top sealed bid submitted for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish on Wednesday was the highest in the history of the posting process, exceeding the record $51.1 million fee that the Boston Red Sox paid the Seibu Lions for the rights to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006, according to Japanese league officials. Though the identity of the major league franchise that won exclusive negotiating rights to the 25-year-old right-hander has yet to be revealed, Japanese league officials say that the offer to Darvish's team, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, is higher than the $40-48 million range that has been reported in the U.S. and Japan."
Hot stove about to get red hot
December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"Marlon Byrd, CF: There hasn't been much trade buzz surrounding Byrd, which is hard to figure. Byrd is entering the last year of his contract, and prospect Brett Jackson should be ready to start in center field for the Cubs in 2013. The Nationals, looking far and wide for an everyday center fielder, could be a fit; Washington has good organizational pitching depth, which is precisely what the Cubs need. The Marlins are an intriguing possibility, if they trade Hanley Ramirez and move Emilio Bonifacio to third base. The Reds, Giants, Cardinals and Mariners could upgrade in center field this offseason. Matt Garza, RHP: Few available pitchers can match Garza's track record in the American"
Jays frontrunners for Darvish?
December 16
Toronto Sun
 
"Where will free agent Yu Darvish land? Someone in the commissioner's office in New York knows for sure. Right now, the perception is that the Blue Jays have outbid both the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers for the Japanese right-hander, according to industry sources on Wednesday night. That view is shared by half a dozen front offices, but no one at 1 Blue Jays Way is talking. Not even a puff of smoke from the CN Tower. How much did the Chicago Cubs bid remains to be seen. New Cubs president Theo Epstein won the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2006 when Epstein was with the Boston Red Sox. "I was told Rogers Communications said: 'Whatever it costs, sign him,' " said one"
Blue Jays made highest bid for Yu Darvish: reports
December 16
Toronto Star
 
"The Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have made the highest bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. According to the New York Post, the Blue Jays have bid between $40 million (U.S.) and $50 million, outbidding the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. The Chicago Cubs are also believed to have made a bid, but the amount is unknown. Darvish's team, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday to accept or reject the highest bid."
Blue Jays believed to outbid Yankees, others for Darvish
December 16
New York Post
 
"Having made a posting bid above $40 million and possibly close to $50 million, the Blue Jays are the favorites to land the negotiating rights to Yu Darvish. There is a belief the Cubs also made a large bid on the right-handed pitcher but a number hasn't been attached to their bid. The Yankees made a bid Wednesday night, but it's not expected to top what the Blue Jays submitted. The Rangers are also believed to have bid. According to several sources with knowledge of the situation, the Blue Jays made the monster bid on orders from owner Rogers Communications."
Darvish's fate now in hands of Japanese team
December 15
MLB.com
 
"The 5 p.m. ET Wednesday deadline for Major League teams to submit their bids for Japanese star pitcher Yu Darvish has come and gone. Now, clubs will wait for Darvish's Japanese club, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, to review offers for the right to exclusively negotiate with the prized 25-year-old right-hander. At the conclusion of what amounts to a four-day silent auction, the team with the highest bid will have 30 days to reach an agreement with Darvish. If a deal is reached, the winning club will pay the posting fee and Darvish will have free reign to play stateside. Should no deal be finalized, Darvish's rights will return to the Fighters. There is mystery surrounding the submissions"
Rockies, Cards, Jays among those in on Beltran
December 14
CBSSports.com
 
"The market for Carlos Beltran is heating up, with at least five clubs and possibly more seriously talking with the free agent outfielder. Among them, according to sources: The Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and, as CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported earlier Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies. At least two other unidentified clubs are said to be engaged in talks with Beltran, with most of the clubs talking multi-year deals. The Blue Jays' emergence as one of the clubs is noteworthy in that Toronto is in rebuilding mode and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has made several moves this offseason already, notably acquiring outfielder Ben Francisco from the Phillies, closer Sergio Santos"
Blue Jays enter the Gio Gonzalez sweepstakes
December 8
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Toronto became the latest team to join the Gio Gonzalez fray at baseball's winter meetings, and the Blue Jays just might be a fine match for the A's All-Star left-hander. The Blue Jays and A's are frequent trade partners, and Toronto's minor-league system is among the best and deepest in the game after several recent trades, including the Roy Halladay deal two years ago. Oakland is looking for at least two high-value prospects and a few mid-range prospects in any trade involving Gonzalez, and the Blue Jays have potential impact players at all levels of the minors."
Whole new game if Darvish is involved
December 7
MLB.com
 columnist Anthony Castrovince
"Part of the private art collection housed in the Hilton Anatole are two life-sized, three-ton elephant statues that stand in the tower lobby -- eight-foot creatures looming over all the Hot Stove hubbub of these Winter Meetings. They are the actual elephants in the room, though there are, of course, figurative ones in play here, too. The first, undoubtedly, is Albert Pujols, and the Marlins' reported 10-year offer for his services had the lobby buzzing early Tuesday and through the night. Pujols' next move is going to have a big bearing not only on the Fish and Cardinals, but also on many free-agent moves to follow. But another elephant in the room -- one not drawing nearly as much focus"
Mets sign closer Francisco, Rauch and trade Pagan
December 7
New York Post
 
"Summarizing just part of a wild night, the Mets traded with San Francisco, signed a Francisco and won't be reunited with Francisco (Rodriguez). The Mets' big splash, a two-year deal worth $12 million with closer Frank Francisco, completed a frenzy that won't overshadow Jose Reyes' departure to the Marlins for $106 million, but at least shows the Mets have a plan. Also coming to the Mets is free-agent reliever Jon Rauch, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Gone is Pagan, whom the Mets dealt to San Francisco for reliever Ramon Ramirez and outfielder Andres Torres."
Jays interested in Japanese shortstop?
December 6
Toronto Sun
 
"Agent Don Nomura tweeted Monday of the Blue Jays' interest in Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima of the Seibu Lions. Nomura, who represented Hideo Nomo, Hideki Irabu and other Japanese players, wrote in Japanese: "I heard that the Blue Jays won the posting for Nakajima. Is it true? I could be wrong." Only the commissioner's office of Major League Baseball and the Seibu Lions know which team has won exclusive rights to negotiate with Nakajima. A decision is expected Tuesday or Wednesday."
Fielder-to-Jays talk all part of the game
December 5
Toronto Star
 
"It's that time of year again in major league baseball where player agents' thoughts turn to one week of seriously negotiating free-agent contracts, gaining countless buckets full of money from MLB teams that never knew they were willing to spend that much. It's time for the full-court press from agents to teams and their fans. It's the annual baseball winter meetings get-together and there's a tradition heading into the proceedings: Agents throw out borderline believable rumours that their clients are close and that offers are out there — and hey, yeah, you, the GM not making us an offer, you'd better get your assets in gear and join the frenzy or you'll be left out."
Angels trade Jeff Mathis to Blue Jays for pitcher Brad Mills
December 3
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Jeff Mathis era -- cynical Angels fans would call it an error -- came to an end Saturday morning when the Angels traded the weak-hitting catcher to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Brad Mills, a 26-year-old left-hander who spent parts of the past three seasons in the big leagues. Mathis, who hit .174 with three home runs and 22 runs batted in this past season, became expendable when the Angels acquired catcher Chris Iannetta from the Colorado Rockies for pitcher Tyler Chatwood on Wednesday. Mills is not expected to develop into a Cy Young Award candidate, but new Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto did well to get something for Mathis, who had virtually no trade value and was not"
AL East rivals go to bat for Ortiz' services
December 3
Boston Herald
 
"Between ordering lunch and taking a dip in the pool yesterday, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones joked that he once worried he no longer would be invited to David Ortiz' annual charity golf event. "Remember he had that thing with (Kevin) Gregg?" Jones said, referring to a dugouts-clearing brawl between Ortiz and the Orioles closer July 8 at Fenway Park. "I went up to him the day after, gave him a big hug, and said, 'This doesn't change anything, right? I can still come to the Dominican.'?" Jones is among several AL East rivals who are attending Ortiz' gathering this weekend. Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista and ace left-hander Ricky Romero also are here, and after years of playing against"
Jays dangle prospects for starters
December 2
Toronto Sun
 
"The Blue Jays have a surplus of prospects heading into the 110th winter meetings next week in Dallas. So, it's logical the Jays are dangling minors leaguers in talks with other teams in hopes of finding a closer, a second baseman or another starter. The Jays' five best youngsters are catcher Travis d'Arnaud, starters Nestor Molina, Drew Hutchison and Aaron Sanchez plus catcher A.J. Jimenez, according to three scouts we spoke to from other organizations. If we assume the Jays will hold onto them, what about the rest? Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, offered a year ago to another club at the winter meetings, could be on the move as part of a major deal for a front line starter. Some worry about"
It's Beeston's turn to pitch
December 2
Toronto Sun
 
"Blue Jays president Paul Beeston thinks he has one asset going for him when he and general manager Alex Anthopoulos talk to agents about their free agents. "All the players love the city," Beeston told the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America at a Thursday luncheon. "They might not like going through customs and immigration, they might not like two tax forms and they might not like the different colours of our money, but they all love the city." Loving the city is one thing. Loving a chance to win often trumps civic pride. Neither Beeston or Anthopoulos were discussing specific free agents, but it is known that the Jays brain trust which heads to Dallas and the"
Jays chasing K.C. reliever Holland
November 30
Toronto Sun
 
"In an effort to re-build their bullpen, the Blue Jays have been examining Kansas City Royals relievers. And the most attractive arm the Jays see is right-hander Greg Holland. Of course, the Royals like the looks of Holland too. After all he was arguably K.C.'s most dependable arm this season going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA and four saves in 46 games. Holland, 26, a 10th-round draft of the Royals in 2007, walked 19 and struck out 74 in 60 innings."
Jays target closer Heath Bell
November 29
Toronto Sun
 
"The U.S. Thanksgiving sales have concluded. Now, it's time for executives to move into high gear leading into next month's baseball's winter meetings in Dallas. "The Blue Jays have the money, their best option is Heath Bell," said one evaluator familiar with the closing landscape. "I don't care if he is three years older than Ryan Madson, money shouldn't be a problem," he said. "Toronto was on Jonathan Paplebon before the Philadelphia Phillies signed Jonathan Paplebon.""
Rays sign ex-Jay Molina
November 29
Toronto Sun
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays officially announced the signing Monday of free-agent catcher Jose Molina to a one-year contract. Molina, 36, appeared in 55 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season and hit .281 with three home runs and 15 RBI. His biggest strength, though, is defence. Since 2008, Molina has been the majors' toughest catcher to steal against (minimum 200 games), nailing 62 of 170 runners (36.5%)."
Indians trade Luis Valbuena to Toronto for cash
November 27
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Luis Valbuena, one of the many players who have tried to fill the hole at second base since the Indians traded Brandon Phillips, was traded to Toronto for cash Saturday. Valbuena was designated for assignment by the Indians on Nov. 18 as they set the 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 draft. He'll turn 26 Sunday. The Indians acquired Valbuena and Joe Smith in a three-team trade with Seattle and the Mets at the winter meetings in 2008. Valbuena, acquired from Seattle, caught the eye of former Tribe manager Eric Wedge in 2009 as he hit .250 (92-for-368) with 25 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 31 RBI in 103 games. It was downhill from there. After Wedge was fired at the end of"
Red Sox tried to get Blue Jays to reconsider on Farrell
November 22
Foxsports.com
 
"On Oct. 25, the Blue Jays announced they no longer would grant permission for employees to make lateral moves – a policy shift intended to squash talk of the Red Sox pursuing Jays manager John Farrell. The new rule, however, didn't prevent the Sox from trying to change the Jays' minds. The Sox, according to major-league sources, have had conversations with the Blue Jays about Farrell since the Jays' policy shift, asking what it would take for them to reconsider their position."
Pirates claim Jays' catcher
November 19
Toronto Sun
 
"The Blue Jays added four top prospects to their 40-man roster Friday, but lost catcher Brian Jerolman on a waiver claim by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The four prospects — catcher Travis d'Arnaud, pitcher Nestor Molina, first baseman Mike McDade and reliever Evan Crawford — all would have been vulnerable to the Rule 5 draft held in early December had the Jays not added them to the roster."
Jays better off trading to build core muscle
November 19
Toronto Star
 columnist Richard Griffin
"The burning question after the Jays unveiled a new logo and uniform on Friday is: Can this team contend in the uber-tough AL East in 2012? Make no mistake about it, this off-season is not about rebuilding on the field or merchandising off it. It's about Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos building an immediate contender. Ideally, after a winter of wheeling and dealing, the Jays' aggressive young GM will hand over the pieces of a championship puzzle to manager John Farrell, but remember there are 29 other GMs thinking the same way, especially with the likely addition of a second wild card for 2012. Luck, injuries, under- and overachievers each play a role over the course of 162 games. The worst-case"
Jays lukewarm on Cespedes
November 17
Toronto Sun
 
"Blue Jays president Paul Beeston had lunch with agent Adam Katz at the historic Pfister Hotel on Wednesday. Katz represents Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and his firm will handle Japanese starter Yu Darvish once his contract is posted. Who is coming to Toronto first: Centre fielder Cespedes or right-hander Darvish? "We were talking about the fun we had doing Damo Garcia's contract with Tom Reich and Adam in the mid-1980s," said Beeston. "How Tom would say: 'It's going downnnnn.'" Beeston is in town for the owners meetings at the annual general managers meetings, which conclude Thursday."
Former National Cole Kimball claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays
November 17
Washington Post
 
"The Nationals lost hard-throwing reliever Cole Kimball today when the Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off of waivers. Kimball, 26, made his major league debut this year for the Nationals and looked like one of their most promising relief pitchers until he tore the labrum in his right shoulder. Kimball will be able to pitch again in the majors by the all-star break at the earliest. The Nationals were trying to sneak Kimball through waivers in order to open space on their 40-man roster. By Friday, the Nationals will need to add several minor leaguers to the roster in order to keep from potentially losing them in the Rule 5 draft. "It's a bummer," one Nationals official said. "That's the risk"
Jays check out Huston Street
November 16
Toronto Sun
 
"It's not as if the Blue Jays can find an established closer on any street corner. Well, maybe a Street in Huston. The Jays have spoken to the Colorado Rockies about closer Huston Street. Street, 27, converted 29 of 33 (88%) save chances this season for the Rockies. He was 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA, walking only nine men and fanning 55 in 58 1/3 innings. Next season Street will earn $7.5 million U.S. He has a player option of $9 million for 2013, which he can walk away from. If the team decides to buy out Street there is a $500,000 buyout. Street, a former first rounder, was selected 40th over all in 2004 — eight picks after the Jays chose lefty Zach Jackson with their second first-round pick"
Yu interested, Anthopoulos?
November 16
Toronto Sun
 
"Alex Anthopoulos was swarmed in a corner of the Imperial ball room of the Pfister Hotel on Tuesday evening. Facing 16 men and women from Japan, each one holding a camera, a note pad or a microphone, he was asked about his summer trip to the Far East at the annual general managers meetings. "I enjoyed my time in Japan, the people were friendly, we had good food ... and I really enjoyed watching all those position players," Anthopoulos told reporters. His answer was greeted by silence. And then he laughed. As did everyone else. Anthopoulos of course made an August visit to scout right-hander Yu Darvish, while assistant GM Tony LaCava saw Darvish pitch twice. Darvish has yet to have his"
Rival GM: Jays 'pushing hard for a closer'
November 15
Toronto Sun
 
""It's time," said an American League general manager Monday afternoon. Time for what? "Time for Toronto to make a move," said an early arrival at the annual general managers meetings Monday afternoon at the historic Pfister Hotel (est. 1893). "If I'm the Blue Jays, I look at Boston, they have a new GM, new manager, a new closer (the previous one, Jonathan Paplebon, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies), and may lose the big DH (David Ortiz). "You can't run in fear of these guys forever." So, what if Boston slips on a banana peel dropped in spilled clam chowder in 2012? The Jays still would have to beat at least one of the New York Yankees or the Tampa Bay Rays to reach post-season play"
Jays looking to deal for closer
November 14
Toronto Sun
 
"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 bring back Magnuson
November 5
Toronto Sun
 
"Reliever Trystan Magnuson bas bounced back like a bad cheque. The Blue Jays re-acquired the Vancouver-born Magnuson from the Oakland A's for cash on Friday. He'll re-enter the mix for employment in the 2012 bullpen. A year ago this month the Jays dealt relievers Danny Farquhar and Magnuson to Oakland for outfielder Rajai Davis. Magnuson, 26, a first-round pick of the Jays in 2007 from University of Louisville was given a $462,500 signing bonus, pitched 142/3 innings for Oakland last season, or roughly what Joel Carreno pitched for Toronto. Magnuson had a 6.14 ERA with five walks and 11 strikeouts. At triple-A Sacramento Magnuson, the nephew of the late Keith Magnuson, NHL hall of"
Blue Jays release Adam Loewen, Jesse Carlson
November 4
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays have done Adam Loewen a favour — and kept open the option that the pitcher-turned-outfielder could be at spring training in Dunedin — by taking him off their 40-man roster. Under a series of arcane major league baseball option/contract/free agent rules, the Jays would not have been able to sign the Canadian outfielder to a major league deal before the middle of next May if they hadn't released him from their roster in a move that was finalized Thursday morning. "To keep his options open and our options open, this was the best thing," Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call, citing a "transactional rule" for the move. "This gives everybody more"
Jays' Encarnacion cashes in
November 1
Toronto Sun
 
"Opposing scouts encountered during post-season play were raving about how well Edwin Encarnacion was running the bases the second half of the season and how he looked as if he was in better shape. The Blue Jays must have seen the same things as they picked up Encarnacion's $3.5 million US option for 2012 Monday afternoon."
Jays may target David Ortiz
October 27
Boston Herald
 
"Within the next few days, maybe even by tomorrow morning, David Ortiz will file for free agency, raising the possibility that he may leave the Red Sox after nine seasons or at least spark a bidding war with one of their American League East foes. No, not the Yankees. Although Ortiz recently said he wouldn't rule out signing with the Red Sox' hated rival, an offer from the Bronx likely isn't forthcoming. Not with Alex Rodriguez fresh off an injury-interrupted season, an already aging roster and 21-year-old prospect Jesus Montero primed to fill the designated hitter role."
John Farrell staying with Jays
October 26
Toronto Sun
 
"Enough is enough! The Blue Jays had read too much about their manager since Sunday's Toronto Sun and the Boston Globe reported the Boston Red Sox had been discussing internally John Farrell as the man to replace fired manager Terry Francona. Our secret spy cam, strategically hidden inside president Paul Beeston's office, ran out of its double-A batteries a month ago, so we can only guess how things unfolded as he read three days of Red Sox arrogance, considering to go looking at someone under contract. Did Beeston pound the desk? Chew an unlit cigar half-way to its end? Whatever he did, the Jays say they have changed their policy and "will not grant permission for lateral moves.""