Blue Jays Trade Rumors

"It was another loss, a hard-to-watch 2-1 verdict to the Kansas City Royals. When it was over, John Gibbons made a statement instead of answering reporters' questions... If Gibbons is fired, it would come down to the law of the jungle in professional sports: when a team with high expectations goes sour, it's the manager or coach who pays the price, not the players."

"It's amazing. The Jays just dumped Frank Thomas, a future hall of fame hitter with a great on-base percentage who can't play a position any more and is more concerned about personal goals than team achievement. And with the Big Hurt less than 48 hours out the door, there's a groundswell of Jays fans looking to sign Barry Bonds, a player with a lot of the same stuff on his resumé, just more of it. That's crazy."

"Frank Thomas's career as a Toronto Blue Jay ended quietly yesterday morning after a closed-door meeting with GM J.P. Ricciardi... The veteran star, who was mired in an early season slump, will be paid the full remainder of what he's owed on his $8 million (U.S.) 2008 salary. He is now free to sign with another team. Rumoured favourites to procure his services include Seattle, Tampa Bay and Oakland."

"Thomas is certain something is afoot – about $10 million (all figures U.S.) of something. That chunk of his future earnings rests on his ability to stay in the lineup for a total of 376 trips to the plate in '08. He believes the Jays' motive for benching him is to save that money."

" Frank (The Big Hurt) Thomas has been benched. Thomas, the Blue Jays' giant designated hitter, wasn't in the lineup against the Detroit Tigers in yesterday's 3-2 victory and he was told by manager John Gibbons that he won't be back in the near future. In fact, his days as a Blue Jay could be all but over. "

"Last year at this time, he was given a $650,000 (U.S.) extension to cover this season. There has been no extension this spring. The message is fairly clear – if this team stumbles early, it will be Gibbons' head on the block."

"Yet not only have negotiations on Alex Rios's reported six-year, $65-million contract (all currency U.S.) dragged on — the paperwork as of yesterday still hadn't made it to the sausage machine that is the Rogers Communications accountants — but negotiations on an extension for Aaron Hill were stillborn. Ricciardi said on Monday that the door was still open for Hill to get a deal done. But Hill sure doesn't think so."

"Alex Rios was one of the stragglers. The all-star right fielder emerged from his post-game workout to reveal that his long-awaited long-term deal is done, except for a few details."

"The scheduled deadline for the signing of Alex Rios came and went. This was before yesterday afternoon's 2008 season opener was cancelled due to rain. The Blue Jays are so close to an agreement on a six-year extension that general manager J.P. Ricciardi extended the deadline. "

"The deal to lock up Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios long term is close to getting done. "It looks better today than it did yesterday," Paul Kinzer, Rios's agent, said yesterday in a telephone interview."

"Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi left Yankee Stadium following yesterday's workout, "cautiously optimistic" a deal would get done with right fielder Alex Rios on a six-year contract extension -- believed to be worth $65 million US -- before today's opener."

"Year VII of the J.P. Ricciardi era begins this afternoon at the big ball park in the Bronx. It's also the fourth full season for manager John Gibbons. For Ricciardi, Gibbons and the Jays, it is a put-up-or-shut-up season. "

"Negotiations between Rios and the Blue Jays on a long-term contract are at a stalemate. The Jays have offered a six-year deal worth $65 million US."

"He was not Paul Godfrey's first choice. Or his second, or third. As J.P. Ricciardi went about his business this spring, the general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays was asked one day whether he thought his job was in jeopardy after six years without a playoff berth."

"The money is sitting on the table. Alex Rios has until the pre-game warmup at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day to grab it. The Blue Jays have been locked in negotiations with their 27-year-old all-star right fielder since last October, trying to secure him to a long-term deal. Neither side would deny the figures floating around yesterday – six years, $65 million (all figures U.S.), plus an option for a seventh year that would push the package to $80 million."

" Alex Rios should be cashing his ticket any day now. The Blue Jays and their gifted right-fielder are closing in on a multi-year, multimillion-dollar deal, one that could come together as early as today. "

"Despite Internet rumours to the contrary this morning, the Toronto Blue Jays and Alex Rios deny that the 27-year-old's long-term extension with the club is done. But it's close. "It's just numbers," Rios said. "And some other stuff." Nobody denies the numbers floating around right now – six years, $65 million (U.S.) and a possible seventh year option that would bump the deal to $80 million."

"The Blue Jays were described as "aggressive" by several scouts in their attempts to trade Reed Johnson. Though they crave a right-handed hitting complement to Ryan Church, the Mets have been mild at best in their interest. It is possible the Mets also want the righty hitter to be able to play first. But a player who fits that description, the available Xavier Nady of the Pirates, also has drawn almost no interest from the Mets."

"Reed Johnson hears trade rumours all the time. The drumbeats became even stronger after the Jays signed left fielder Shannon Stewart as a free agent in late February. He isn't scared of being dealt, but he is unsettled by the thought that after nine years in the same major-league organization, he could be gone."

"The Angels could deal either Juan Rivera or Reggie Willits. In Boston, Coco Crisp won't be an everyday player after the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury. But Crisp is banged up, and two other outfielders who might otherwise be good fits for the Rays - Toronto's Reed Johnson and Cincinnati's Ryan Freel - have had trouble staying healthy at times."

"Some free-agent options are available, such as Kenny Lofton and, of course, Barry Bonds. But the Rays seem more likely to first explore trade possibilities, with names to keep in mind including Dave Dellucci (Indians), Gabe Gross (Brewers), Skip Schumaker (Cardinals), Reggie Willits (Angels) and, less likely, Reed Johnson (Blue Jays)."

"The Mets have inquired with the Blue Jays about righty-hitting outfielders Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson. It would seem unlikely though Stewart would be a match for the Mets. While they do need someone to sub for the injured Moises Alou in left field, the team also wants to find a righty-hitting caddy for Ryan Church in right field, and Stewart is not suited to play there."

"Inquiring minds want to know: What's up with the Jays' seemingly lame-duck manager? By this time last spring, John Gibbons had already received a one-year extension through '08. He didn't even have to ask for it. This year, he soldiers on with no security in sight, despite being the 10th-longest tenured manager in the majors."

"Manager John Gibbons enters the final year of his contract, as spring training progresses. "

"The conversation didn't last long when the Toronto Blue Jays, the club that brought Brian McNamee to the big leagues, discussed Barry Bonds for this season when his agent was shopping him around. They quickly decided that neither the optics nor the baseball angle was right."

"Jays outfielder Reed Johnson is looking at a drastic option if the team decides to go with newly signed Shannon Stewart and Matt Stairs as the left-field platoon. If Johnson becomes expendable – something that will be decided during the Grapefruit League schedule – Toronto would likely seek to trade him to another club."

"Free agent Shannon Stewart is telling reporters he has an offer to return to the Toronto Blue Jays. He has it half right. According to general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the club did make Stewart an offer weeks ago and hasn't heard back."

"Rios, who turned 27 today and has been in training camp sporting a Mohawk haircut, seems to have reached another level of power and skill at the plate. What could that mean long-term? Rios becomes free-agent eligible in 2010 and it's likely a four-year deal would be the minimum target."

"A contract extension? A.J. Burnett doesn't need no stinking contract extension from the Toronto Blue Jays. Isn't expecting one. Hasn't talked about one."

"Considering Halladay is only two years older than Santana and has 18 more wins, by the time 2009 ends the Jays will be forced to begin serious negotiations for Santana-like salary or consider trading their ace before his current three-year, $40 million contract expires."

"This is a bad news/bad news situation for the Jays. Burnett has an opt-out clause included in his five-year, $55 million contract that allows him to bail after this year. But here's the catch: If the perennial underachiever finally finds his stride and posts a 17- or 18-win season, he's gone to the highest bidder."

"With spring training a little more than one week away, the baseball club said it had agreed to terms on a one-year contract with its final (and most talented) of seven arbitration-eligible players, Alex Rios. Labour peace is at hand. But one believes the Rios negotiations are not over."

"Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi concluded his last bit of unfinished business before the 2008 major-league baseball season by signing star outfielder Alex Rios to a one-year deal yesterday... However, Ricciardi made it clear that the opportunity to get a long-term deal is not a large one."

"If the Jays are forced to reach a one-year agreement with outfielder Alex Rios instead of a more flexible and forgiving multi-year deal, their 2008 team payroll has an excellent chance of creeping over the $100 million (all figures U.S.) mark for the first time in franchise history. It was not planned."

"The Toronto Blue Jays, clearly ready to let bygones be bygones, have filled out their 2008 roster with one surprise, likely final, addition. No, not Roger Clemens. While there's no confirmation of any handshake on this just yet, the Jays announced yesterday that they had finally landed their backup catcher – Rodrigo Barajas, better known as Rod. Name ring a bell? It should."

"The Blue Jays and young outfielder Alex Rios have a $1.15 million difference of opinion, although that could be resolved in a few weeks."

"The agent for Alex Rios cautioned against reading anything into his client, a two-time all-star, not settling with the Toronto Blue Jays before yesterday's deadline to exchange salary arbitration figures."

"By granting Scott Rolen his wish, the Cardinals may have found a way to fulfill one of their own. The Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to finalizing a swap of third basemen that would bring Troy Glaus and his stout bat to St. Louis, while shipping the disenchanted Rolen north."

"Creating competition will be a common thread as the Rockies iron out their final roster wrinkles before the start of spring training. Free agent Marcus Giles is emerging as a strong possibility to push rookie Jayson Nix for the second base job. Josh Towers and, to a lesser degree, Victor Zambrano are targets to provide pitching depth. Giles' preference is to sign with the Rockies. "

"Could one of the moves be moving A.J. Burnett? JR: 'Not really discussing anything like that. We feel we have a very good starting pitching staff and we're hoping our guys can stay healthy and mature. You'd always like more pitching, but we're pleased with what we have there.'"

" San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean says that after signing free-agent outfielder Aaron Rowand to a five-year deal, talks with the Jays were dead. Well, going into the meeting the Giants said they needed to add two bats, at the meeting they said they needed two hitters and since then they have added one. Don't be surprised if the Alex Rios-for-Tim Lincecum talks re-surface before spring training. "

" Fasano is the potential backup to incumbent Gregg Zaun as Ricciardi said he is 'still looking' at beefing up the catching role. One player he has interest in is former Florida Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who was non-tendered by the National League club. "

"Free-agent shortstop David Eckstein need only pass a physical in order to become the newest member of the Blue Jays. According to a source close to the deal, the two-time World Series winner has agreed to a one-year deal worth in the region of $4.5 million (dollar figures U.S.)."

"After signing Rowand, one of the better hitters in a weak free-agent market, general manager Brian Sabean declared he will not trade pitchers Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum for offense, which means a proposed deal with Toronto for outfielder Alex Rios is dead. So, too, are talks with the Yankees for outfielder Hideki Matsui."

"In San Francisco, it's an idea that's catching as much traction as levelling Alcatraz to build condos – trading pitcher Tim Lincecum straight-up for Jays outfielder Alex Rios. "(Fans) are pretty staunchly against it," San Jose Mercury News beat writer Andrew Baggarly said yesterday. "I don't think they'd arrive at the stadium with pitchforks or anything, but people would get upset.""

"Bait-and-switch. That would seem to be, in baseball terms, what the Giants are trying to accomplish with the Jays in encouraging trade talks of Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum. Leave Lincecum's name on the table for now, then change the offer slightly later."

"Paul Lo Duca, the veteran catcher the Blue Jays had hoped to acquire to share duties with incumbent Gregg Zaun, has chosen instead to sign with the Washington Nationals... That's where the Jays' offer of right fielder Alex Rios, 26, for pitcher Tim Lincecum, 23, is being considered by the San Francisco Giants."

"Ricciardi said that he hadn't heard back from Giants general manager Brian Sabean, who is mulling over a one-for-one swap that would see two-time all-star Alex Rios head to the West Coast in return for Tim Lincecum, a hard-throwing rookie right-hander. Sabean has been burned before in trading pitching prospects, but the Giants are a club that has precious little in the way of everyday players."

"The Giants are hoping to renovate their major league-worst lineup without sacrificing right-hander Tim Lincecum, who could be traded at any time to Toronto for outfielder Alex Rios. Toronto has left the Lincecum proposal on the table for more than a week, and continues to await Sabean's response. Sabean did not return a call seeking comment Monday, but last week he characterized the chances of trading Lincecum as "growing less and less with each passing day.""

"The idea of trading the Blue Jays' only '07 all-star, Alex Rios, for San Francisco right-hander Tim Lincecum allegedly sits on the desk of Giants' GM Brian Sabean. Ricciardi sounds reluctant to trade an everyday player for a starter, a practice long scorned in baseball, yet he knows the absolute necessity of pitching and the modern scarcity of (healthy) stud arms."

"On a larger scale, the Blue Jays are also awaiting word from the San Francisco Giants on a proposed trade for Tim Lincecum, a talented 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who was 7-5 with the Giants as a rookie last year."

"Now that Jones is off the market, it will be interesting to see whether there will be any trickle-down effect on the Blue Jays. If they do Rios for Tim Lincecum, it's safe to say they'd be interested in any other young pitcher with a year under his belt, too. And as of yesterday, Rios was the best available hitter on the market."

" The Jays are intact, aside from adding utility player Buck Coats, although the foundation/framework/building blocks -- take your pick -- were laid to acquire: - Tim Lincecum from the San Francisco Giants (the cost: Alex Rios, priceless). - Free-agent catcher Paul Lo Duca. We see a jump ball to see whose clubhouse it is? Gregg Zaun's or Lo Duca's? The Red Sox have laid the framework to acquire lefty Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins. "

"Yesterday, the bullpen took another hit when the agent for Luis Vizcaino said the effective right-hander's stay in pinstripes lasted one season... The Yankees have talked to lefties Ron Mahay, Jeremy Affeldt and Trever Miller but internally believe Sean Henn is a better alternative, since the aforementioned three are looking for long-term deals. The Yankees are interested in acquiring lefties Damaso Marte or John Grabow from the Pirates... The Giants aren't giving up Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain to acquire Hideki Matsui, and there are doubts Noah Lowery has the stuff to pitch in the AL. A Blue Jays source said there was nothing to reports the Giants were talking to Toronto about Alex Rios for Linceum or Cain."

"History may be about to repeat itself when it comes to the career of Jays' catcher Gregg Zaun. The 36-year-old switch-hitter, in his lame-duck season as the team's starting catcher, may lose the majority of starts in '08 if GM J.P. Ricciardi's familiar negotiating strategy with Paul Lo Duca bears fruit."

"Washington is still in the market for a catcher, and the names most frequently circulated this week -- Paul Lo Duca, Johnny Estrada and Damian Miller -- remained the most likely targets. Lo Duca is drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, and his agent, Andrew Mongelluzzi, said late Wednesday that he is hopeful of drawing one or two more teams into the mix. Washington officials were not optimistic that a trade for a catcher -- likely Arizona's Miguel Montero -- was feasible, though Bowden continued to say he preferred that route. "

"The biggest rumoured name linked with the Jays this week, pitcher Tim Lincecum of the Giants, was no closer to coming north of the border yesterday."

"In another late development here Wednesday night at Major League Baseball's winter meetings it appeared the Jays are on the verge of signing veteran free-agent catcher Paul Lo Duca to a one-year contract."

"The Jays asked the Giants for one of their two 23-year-old right-handers -- either Matt Cain (7-16, 3.65 ERA in 32 starts) or Tim Lincecum (7-5, 4.00 ERA in 24 starts). Jays manager John Gibbons says the Giants proposed the deal."

"The Blue Jays have settled on Lincecum - not Matt Cain - and a Lincecum-for-Alex Rios deal, straight up, remained on the table Wednesday night. Giants general manager Brian Sabean said there's no timetable to pull the trigger and that the trade could be completed after the winter meetings end today. Apparently, it's in the Giants' corner."

"The Giants were left with a basic choice at the winter meetings Wednesday, after Toronto Blue Jays officials green-lighted a straight-up exchange of All-Star outfielder Alex Rios for right-handed prodigy Tim Lincecum. After more than a week of adding and subtracting parts, the deal was down to just two players - and the Giants brain trust remains deadlocked over which is more valuable."

"The Toronto Blue Jays, who have long sought to build around a Canadian star, are another team mounting an aggressive push for Bedard, an Ontario native. Given the Orioles' view of Bedard's value, the Blue Jays' offer presumably would need to begin with talented outfielder Alex Rios and 25-year-old pitcher Dustin McGowan."