Toronto Blue Jays Trade Rumors

Who will bag Bautista?
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July 29
Toronto Sun
 
"Who will be moved first? Jose Bautista, Scott Downs or Tomas Kaberle? With two days remaining until baseball's July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Blue Jays are selling. Philadelphia Phillies superscout Dave Hollins was at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday night, the sixth consecutive game he has seen the Jays play. He was also in Detroit for the weekend series. With second baseman Chase Utley injured, if the Phillies acquired Bautista, they would move Placido Polanco from third to second and play the major leagues' home run leader at third. Former Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles GM Jim Beattie, now one of the Jays' top pro scouts, was with the Phillies in St. Louis last week and"
Toronto has high asking price for Downs
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July 28
SI.com
 
"Toronto's asking price for reliever Scott Downs is high, and no it's known how high (at least for in-division deals involving Toronto's fellow AL East members). The Blue Jays asked the Yankees for top catching prospect Jesus Montero and the Red Sox for one of two two prospects, either pitcher Casey Kelly or shortstop Jose Iglesias. The New York Post first reported the Boston names."
Yankees balk at Blue Jays' price for Downs
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July 28
New York Post
 
"Joba Chamberlain is no longer Joe Girardi's only option to pitch the eighth inning. That doesn't mean, however, the struggling right-handed reliever isn't coveted by other clubs who might be trying to buy low because of Chamberlain's recent woes. After the Diamondbacks asked for Chamberlain to be part of a Dan Haren deal, a source who has knowledge of what the Blue Jays want for lefty reliever Scott Downs said Toronto requested Chamberlain. That stays true to the industry believing the Blue Jays' asking price for a 34-year-old reliever who can become a free agent is far too high. When the Red Sox contacted the Blue Jays about Downs, Toronto asked for highly regarded infield prospects Casey"
Yankees, Red Sox eye Jays lefty
Comment
July 27
New York Post
 
"The Yankees and Red Sox were separated by eight games and one team in the AL East going into last night's action. However, the blood rivals are nose to nose in the race for Blue Jays' lefty reliever Scott Downs. "It's the Yankees and Red Sox," said a source with knowledge of Toronto's plans. "And he is clearly the best reliever out there." With Damaso Marte on the disabled list due to a shoulder problem, manager Joe Girardi's lone lefty option in the bullpen is Boone Logan. Thus, the interest in Downs. Fellow lefty Will Ohman is also available, but one talent evaluator said, "It's not even close between Downs and Ohman, Downs is far better."The Yankees have a scout following the Astros and"
Jays' Anthopoulos considers options as trade deadline looms
Comment
July 27
TSN.ca
 
"It's late July, and the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in what has become a familiar position: hovering around the .500 mark and a long way from division and wild-card playoff contention. And that, coupled with the looming July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, has ignited the annual rumour mill that this year suggests that virtually any Blue Jay could be on the block this week. One of the names mentioned most often is Jose Bautista, the surprise American League home run leader (28) who is a free agent after the season. Observers feel that the slugger's trade value will never be as high as it is right now."
Blue Jays may not find suitors for Overbay
Comment
July 26
Foxsports.com
 
"Lyle Overbay is a free-agent-to-be. He plays for a non-contending team. He's available. But there's no obvious place for him to go, raising the possibility that Toronto will wait until August to trade him — if he is dealt at all. Overbay, 33, is an everyday first baseman. But he doesn't hit for power, in the way that most first-division players at his position do. He's a very good defender — too good, perhaps, to be viewed as a designated hitter. That creates complications in a market where many contenders are set at first base. For example, the Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers would like to upgrade their lineups but are committed to their own first basemen. The best course of action for the"
Downs likely won't be dealt until the end of the week
Comment
July 26
ESPN.com
 
"Toronto left-hander Scott Downs "is the best reliever you can trade for," said one NL exec. But all Scott Downs trade rumors are for entertainment purposes only, at least for a few more days, the exec said, because Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos is just stoking fires and raising stakes for now. "I'm convinced they're going to trade Scott Downs," the same exec said. "But they're not going to trade him till Friday or Saturday. So there's no reason to even get serious until then.""
Lyle Overbay and Scott Downs enhance trade value
Comment
July 26
Toronto Star
 columnist Richard Griffin
"With the trade deadline without waivers looming less than a week away, there's a palpable sense of uncertainty surrounding about a half dozen of the Jays' veterans. How could there not be? The general manager makes the rounds in the clubhouse on Friday, reassuring and encouraging his troops to stay focused in the face of the rumours, then stays in his hotel the next night working the phones. Will they stay or will they go? What's a guy to believe when the blogosphere is throbbing and your name is there bathed in neon."
Blue Jays believe LHP Downs will merit multi-year offers
Comment
July 26
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"Scott Downs is not Juan Cruz. Thus, the Blue Jays believe they are justified in asking a high price for Downs in trade discussions. Cruz, a right-handed setup man, lingered on the free-agent market due to his Type A status in 2008-09, signing a two-year, $6 million deal with the Royals only after camps opened. Downs also is a setup man and also projects as a Type A this offseason. The difference is, he's left-handed — as well as more reliable than Cruz was then. Quality left-handed relievers generally are in demand on the open market, even if they're Type As."
Let's make a deal Jays
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July 24
Toronto Sun
 
"We're not sure if Alex Anthopoulos has read The Art of The Deal, penned by Donald Trump, but the young Blue Jays general manager has certainly shown that he isn't afraid to pull the trigger when one he likes comes along. With eight days and counting to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, Anthopoulos is talking the talk with his fellow GMs and you can be certain that if he finds a deal where he believes he can better the club, the trigger will be pulled just like he did when he dealt Roy Halladay, dealt Brandon League for Brandon Morrow, dealt Alex Gonzalez for Yunel Escobar. There is no agenda in Anthopoulos other than to improve his club — no dumping of salaries, no dumping of older"
Jays GM keeps busy ahead of trade deadline
Comment
July 24
Toronto Star
 
"It was during batting practice of Friday's washed-out game against the Tigers and Jays' rookie GM Alex Anthopoulos had just finished working the visitors dugout like a seasoned politician. He talked quietly to recently-promoted Mike McCoy, chatted with coaches, reassured players that heard they were in trade rumours and dutifully made the rounds for media interviews, everything short of kissing a baby. But at the same time out on the field above Anthopoulos, the Comerica Park grounds crew was ominously in action, tearing down batting practice, preparing the field for the worst. Eventually forecasts were correct as violent thunderstorms arrived, postponing the second game of the series,"
Reds aiming to save wear and tear on current bullpen with another arm
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July 22
Foxsports.com
 
"The Reds have been aggressive in looking for late-inning bullpen help, sources say. The reason is simple: The team doesn't want its key relievers – Francisco Cordero, Nick Masset and Arthur Rhodes – to grow fatigued over the season's final two months. Another veteran who can handle the eighth inning would lighten the workload on the others. Masset, Cordero and Rhodes (in that order) rank among the top 15 relievers in the majors in appearances. That is the most of any team."
Injured hand keeps Escobar out of lineup
Comment
July 22
MLB.com
 
"Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar was out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, marking the second game in a row he has missed due to right hand contusion. "He said it's still sore when he swings," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "We'll give him another day." Escobar -- acquired from the Braves in a five-player trade last week -- was struck on the hand by a pitch during a bunt attempt in the 10th inning of Monday's 5-4 loss to the Royals. Escobar has hit .471 (8-for-17) with two home runs and seven RBIs through his first four games with Toronto."
Sox consider deals for Fielder, Bautista
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July 22
ESPN.com
 
"With a proposed trade for Washington Nationals slugger Adam Dunn stuck in the mud, the White Sox appear to have made Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder their next target, with Toronto's Jose Bautista an option as well. Multiple outlets are reporting the possibility of a Fielder deal, something that wasn't likely a week ago. Since then, though, White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham has found his swing and Daniel Hudson looked impressive in an outing against the Mariners on Monday. Both are said to be required in any deal that involves Fielder, who would fit the White Sox's need for a left-handed power hitter they could plug into the designated hitter spot."
Mets eyeing closer Dotel and RP Scott Downs as trade deadline looms
Comment
July 21
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mets, disenchanted with most of the starting pitchers on the trade market, are currently focused more on relievers, according to a major-league source. Pirates closer Octavio Dotel and Blue Jays left-hander Scott Down are among the possibilities that the Mets have discussed, sources say. While the Mets remain interested in Cubs lefty Ted Lilly, they seem cooler on three available right-handers — the Indians' Jake Wesbrook, A's Ben Sheets and Astros' Brett Myers, sources say."
Downs the best available
Comment
July 21
Toronto Sun
 
"The Scott Downs watch continued Tuesday night. "He's the best lefty reliever on the market, I think they'll get something good for him," said one scout. "It won't be us. They want too much." Downs has walked eight and struck out 30 in 39 1/3 innings as a set-up man for the Jays. He's 3-5 with a 2.52 earned run average. The Red Sox have shown interest in the lefty reliever. How does Vernon Wells tag and not cross the plate in the time it takes Adam Lind to get thrown out at third base for the final out, nullifying Wells' run, as was the case Monday when David DeJesus threw out Lind?"
Trading's in the cards for Jays
Comment
July 20
Toronto Sun
 columnist Bob Elliott
"The Blue Jays may be hanging around the .500 mark in fourth place. Yet, they still have the ability to draw a crowd. Of scouts. Besides the Kansas City Royals fans to see the Jays-Royals opener Monday night at beautiful Kauffman Stadium, there were plenty of talent evaluators. And plenty of trade talk, with 11 days remaining until the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Monday night lineup of tire kickers: - Jeff Wetherby, Detroit Tigers pro scout. The Tigers are looking for catching help and the Jays could sell high by moving all-star John Buck. - Steve Peck, Boston Red Sox major-league scout. The Sox have shown interest in lefty reliever Scott Downs for most of this month. Plus, a"
Marcum may miss next start due to blister
Comment
July 20
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays are not sure if right-hander Shaun Marcum will be able to make his scheduled start on Friday in Detroit. Marcum developed a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand during his outing against the Orioles on Sunday. "We don't know," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said on Monday at Kauffman Stadium. "At this point in time, we don't know. Maybe we'll know a little bit more tomorrow, but I'm not sure." Marcum, who was making his first start after a stint on the 15-day disabled list with a minor arm issue, was pulled from the game after throwing 83 pitches over five innings in Baltimore. Marcum was working with a limit of 80-85 pitches, so he was not removed solely due to"
Baylor would be good for Jays
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July 16
Toronto Sun
 columnist Bob Elliott
"Cito Gaston's career as manager of the Blue Jays has 73 games remaining. It's about time for the search for the 11th full-time Blue Jays manager to begin. Having watched general manager Alex Anthopoulos operate, it probably began months ago. We have a name. We're not sure if it is THE name. But it's a good name: Don Baylor. Baylor, 61, managed nine years in the majors, six with the Colorado Rockies and 21/2 season with the Chicago Cubs, is the current Rockies hitting coach and said in Anaheim during the all-star festivities that he's looking forward to managing again. "Cito asked me if I was interested when the Jays were in Denver last month," said Baylor, whose teams went 440-469 (.484.)"
Braves swap shortstops; Obtain Gonzalez, trade Escobar
Comment
July 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Braves have a new shortstop and, not so coincidentally, a new home run leader. In a bolt from out of the blue, Atlanta acquired Alex Gonzalez in a five-player trade with Toronto on Wednesday that sent the erratic Yunel Escobar and left-handed starter-reliever Jo-Jo Reyes to the Blue Jays. The Braves also received two minor leaguers, left-handed pitcher Tim Collins and shortstop Tyler Pastornicky. "We were looking at several ways to strengthen ourselves offensively without weaken ourselves at a position," Braves general manager Frank Wren said of the move that has been in the works for several weeks. " ... He's an outstanding defensive shortstop. He has great hands. He's a very"
Jays ship Gonzalez to Braves
Comment
July 15
Toronto Sun
 
"It was, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos admitted, both "a risk and a gamble." But he traded shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who was having a near all-star season anyway, for a potential team MVP. Or, will shortstop Yunel Escobar, at 27 six years younger than Gonzalez, turn out to be just one more Blue Jays headache? The Jays dealt Gonzalez on Wednesday, along with 20-year-old prospects Tim Collins, a fireplug reliever, and infielder Tyler Pastornicky, to the Atlanta Braves for Escobar and left-handed hurler Jo-Jo Reyes, who can throw smoke. A year ago, Escobar batted .299, with 26 doubles, 14 homers and 76 RBI -- earning a team MVP citation from local writers covering the Braves. This"
Braves send Escobar to Blue Jays for Gonzalez in 5-player deal
Comment
July 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Braves have traded shortstop Yunel Escobar and minor-league pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes to the Toronto Blue Jays in a five-player deal that nets shortstop Alex Gonzalez. The Braves began a conference call at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the deal and we'll provide updates as they occur. Gonzalez, 33, is in the midst of one of his finest offensive seasons. The Braves also got left-handed minor-league pitcher Tim Collins and minor-league shortstop Tyler Pastornicky. Gonzalez entered the All-Star break with a .259 batting average, 17 home runs, 25 doubles and 50 RBIs. Gonzalez currently ranks tied for fifth in the American League with 43 extra-base hits."
Blue Jays swap shortstops with Braves in multiplayer deal
Comment
July 14
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays swapped shortstops with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday in a multiplayer deal that also brings aboard a left-handed pitcher. The Jays get shortstop Yunel Escobar and lefty pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for shortstop Alex Gonzalez and a pair of minor league players."
Jays sign pair of top Venezuelan prospects
Comment
July 13
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays added some more international talent to their farm system on Tuesday, signing pitcher Adonis Cardona and third baseman Gabriel Cenas to professional contracts. Adding Cardona and Cenas -- both signed as 16-year-old amateur free agents -- continues Toronto's aggressive pursuit of international prospects under general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Cardona and Cenas are viewed as two of the top prospects coming out of Venezuela this summer."
Cards interested in Alex Gonzalez?
Comment
July 12
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Nothing from the Cardinals' side on this, but as Joe Strauss reported in today's Post-Dispatch, the Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams that dispatched a scout to the Cards-Astros series. The Jays, possibly in a sell mode as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, are believed willing to deal shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who leads AL shortstops with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs."
Jays have some deadline pieces
Comment
July 10
Toronto Sun
 columnist Bob Elliott
"Exactly three weeks remain until the July 31 trade deadline without waivers. Not exactly are we seeing hourly updates of a year ago when Roy Halladay was headed anywhere from the Boston Red Sox to the Lanark Red Sox. Behind the scenes there are Jays names floating through the scouting world, names of players who are available, for other teams' scouts to watch. And they're watching. Such as right fielder/third baseman Jose Bautista, 29, who leads with the American League with 23 home runs going into the weekend series. Bautista earns $2.4 million US and will be in his final year of salary arbitration in 2011. "We looked at him and like him some, but we turned him down because we think we"
Dodgers talking trade with several teams
Comment
July 7
MLB.com
 
"The Dodgers have had conversations with expected teams as the Trade Deadline approaches, including the Mariners, Astros, Blue Jays, Indians and D-backs, a baseball source said. Those teams fit in with the Dodgers' pursuit of pitching, with Seattle's Cliff Lee, Houston's Roy Oswalt and Arizona's Dan Haren some of the top names on the trade market. "Unless something knocks your socks off or something makes sense, I think pitching is the area probably -- starting and relieving," manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. "Whatever will tighten up what we have now.""
Blue Jays place Shaun Marcum on 15-day DL
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July 3
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays have placed right-handed pitcher Shaun Marcum on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow. He will miss one scheduled start. Marcum, who is 7-4 with a 3.44 ERA this season, will undergo an MRI by Monday and is expected to return to the Jays' rotation after the all-star break. Southpaw Marc Rzepczynski has been promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas and will replace Marcum in the rotation."
Braves looking to upgrade?
Comment
June 30
Foxsports.com
 
"Even though the Braves lost a big left-handed hitter to injury – Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Heyward – they remain focused on upgrading their offense with a right-handed slugger, one major league source said. Atlanta officials are considering Josh Willingham (Washington), Corey Hart (Milwaukee) and Jose Bautista (Toronto), but it doesn't appear that any deal is imminent. All three players will be free agents after the 2011 season. So, for the time being, their current teams aren't under extreme pressure to move them. But they are earning reasonable salaries, making them attractive to Atlanta and other suitors. Bautista has roughly $1.2 million left on this year's contract;"
Roberto Alomar enters one Hall, deserves call from another
Comment
June 20
Toronto Star
 columnist Richard Griffin
"So this is what Roberto Alomar looks like as a Hall of Famer. On Saturday, in this beautiful southwestern Ontario town, the former Blue Jays all-star received his due from this country's Baseball Hall of Fame. He called it "one of the happiest days of my life." If nothing else, the event was a dress rehearsal for next summer, when Alomar seems almost certain be inducted into the more famous Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., wearing a Jays cap. "One of my biggest disappointments is, when I left here, I wanted to stay," a robust-looking Alomar said of his messy departure as a free agent in the winter of 1995-96. "I came back to the conversation three times before I signed with the Orioles"
Report: Cito Gaston turns down All-Star coaching offer from Girardi
Comment
June 6
TSN.ca
 
"Cito Gaston, who has led the Toronto Blue Jays to an unexpected 33-24 record through Saturday, reportedly won't be on the bench for the American League at the All-Star Game on July 13. According to Toronto Star columnist Richard Griffin's twitter account, Gaston was asked by New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi about being a coach, but Gaston sincerely thanked him and declined."
Tallet done in rotation?
Comment
June 3
Toronto Sun
 
"Left-hander Brian Tallet came up with a gem Tuesday when in his first start since coming off the disabled list (he was out with a strained left forearm) he threw 5²/3 shutout innings, checking the Rays on just four hits. But that good effort doesn't mean that he has cemented himself back into the rotation. Quite the contrary. Tallet will remain in the rotation only as long as the Jays feel that right-hander Jesse Litsch, who is on the 60-day disabled list and recovering from elbow ligament transfer surgery, needs more work at triple-A Las Vegas. Tallet earned himself another start with the Jays by his effort Tuesday and the poor outing by Litsch at Las Vegas where Tuesday he allowed six"
Pirates trade for left-handed pitcher Eveland
Comment
June 1
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have acquired left-handed starter Dana Eveland in a trade with Toronto, sending minor-league reliever Ronald Uviedo to the Blue Jays. Eveland, 26, has a 16-21 career record with a 5.66 ERA. For the season, he was 3-4 with a 6.45 ERA, with 21 strikeouts and 27 walks, much of that driven by three consecutive poor starts before being designated for assignment May 23. In those starts, he allowed 34 baserunners over 9 1/3 innings. Eveland will immediately join the Pirates' rotation."
Tight right hamstring sidelines Jays' Hill, not his slumping bat
Comment
May 13
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays' initial lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox included Aaron Hill's name. Manager Cito Gaston felt that a day off would not sit well with the slumping second baseman. "He's the type of kid that I think if you did that to him, it would hurt him more than help him," Gaston explained. "If I thought it would help him, I certainly would do it." Shortly before the game began, though, Hill was a late scratch due to tightness in his right hamstring -- the same injury that cost him two weeks on the disabled list in April. Prior to being pulled from the lineup, Hill told reporters that the injury had nothing to do with his recent struggles."
Overbay getting edged out?
Comment
May 11
Toronto Sun
 
"Over the last week, Gaston has talked about trying to get Randy Ruiz some more plate appearances, either as a first baseman or a DH. Could that be the thin edge of the wedge on the way to moving struggling Lyle Overbay out of the starting lineup? "When we talked to Overbay in spring training, we told him we were going to give him every chance that we possibly could to have him succeed, knowing that he's a free agent, knowing that we want him to do something, whether it's with us or with somebody else," Gaston said. "How long are we going to go with it? I don't know. We'll see. "As along as the team plays well, things can go on a little longer. If we play badly, it's going to be something"
MLB salaries are down 17 percent, according to report
Comment
April 5
SportingNews.com
 
"The salaries of major league players on opening-day rosters are down 17 percent from last year, USA Today reports – the biggest dip since the newspaper started keeping track of baseball salaries in 1988. The average player salary is $2.7 million in 2010, down from $3.2 million in 2009, according to the survey. According to documents from the players association, individual teams and the MLB headquarters, 14 teams start the year with lower payrolls than 2009."
Hard-luck Rzepczynski might be off the mark
Comment
March 31
Toronto Star
 
"Five days ago, a line drive ricocheted off the left hand of Blue Jays starter Marc Rzepczynski, driving the southpaw out of a game against the Tigers. Between starts, he joked about the same thing happening in his next start. Sure enough, two outs into a rough fifth inning Tuesday night, it did. Another ball hit sharply to the mound – this one from the Yankees' Ramiro Pena –and another painful impact with his pitching hand, leading to another meeting with trainer George Poulis to ensure no bones were broken. After the game, Rzepczynski said he'd only suffered a bruise and would miss only a day or two of throwing."
Changeups possible in Jays rotation
Comment
March 23
Toronto Sun
 
"As a changeup, the pitch certainly changed directions. Quickly. Lefty Brian Tallet threw a changeup and Brandon Inge turned the pitch around, as if it was leaving the 727 area code headed towards the 813 area. Wherever the ball landed, it was a three-run homer. "I've been bouncing my changeups too much this spring," Tallet told reporters after the Jays fell 8-2 to the Detroit Tigers on Monday afternoon. "I told myself: 'I'm not going to bounce them anymore. It's not going to get better by bouncing it.' I've got to be able to get that pitch in the zone. "So, I was working on getting it up a little and I got that one up a little too much." Tallet said he would not have thrown the same"
With Joe Nathan headed for surgery, Twins likely to trade for new closer
Comment
March 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Tom Powers
"Get ready for Plan B. "Our No. 1 hope was for Joe Nathan to be able to pitch for us. But we had to be able to build a contingency plan," Twins general manager Bill Smith said. "We explained that to Joe two weeks ago. He understood. "Throughout this whole process, we wanted to have the utmost respect for Joe while there was hope to have him with us. We've exhausted that process. Now we'll proceed to Plan B." Which is? "As Terry Ryan used to say, 'We'll let you know.' " D'oh! Well, it's no secret that Plan B involves bringing in a closer from outside the Twins organization. And it's no secret why Ron Gardenhire fudges whenever he's asked about a closer. Why tell a Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain or"
Morrow expects to be ready
Comment
March 21
Toronto Sun
 
"The day following Black Friday when two Blue Jays hurlers had issues with their throwing arms, the news was decidedly brighter from Brandon Morrow. Morrow, who didn't make his scheduled start in Kissimmee against Houston, on Saturday morning was shrugging it off as nothing to be alarmed about. He was a day away from seeing the Jays local orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Steve Mirabello, for the second time in a week but didn't believe anything untoward would be discovered. Morrow first felt something amiss last Wednesday after his bullpen and had Dr. Mirabello take a peek then. Nothing was found and he was given the go-ahead to pitch Friday. He doesn't expect any bad news Sunday either. "I think it"
David Purcey Drawing Attention
Comment
March 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Blue Jays lefty David Purcey is "drawing attention from clubs," tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal also notes that the Cubs had a scout on hand Sunday for Jason Frasor's ugly Sunday stint (four hits and four earned runs in a third of an inning). Rosenthal says Frasor was under the weather during the appearance. Purcey, 28 in April, was J.P. Ricciardi's first-round pick in 2004. He posted respectable strikeout rates at most minor league stops, but was plagued by control problems. He seemed to figure it out by his third Double A stint in '07, trimming his walks per nine to 2.3. However, surgery to remove cysts in his forearm and triceps cut that season short."
Jays' Carlson has MCL damage
Comment
March 16
Toronto Star
 (scroll down)
"There was troubling news back at Dunedin Stadium regarding the team's perceived strength, the depth of its relievers. Slender lefty Jesse Carlson had not thrown off the mound until last Wednesday because of a wonky left knee. It turns out he has some medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage that may be serious. He will try it out again on Wednesday."
Blue Jays reportedly have 4-year, $10M deal with Hechevarria
Comment
March 15
SportingNews.com
 
"The Toronto Blue Jays have reached a four-year, $10-million deal with Cuban shortstop Adeinys Hechevarria, according to several reports. GM Alex Anthopoulos wouldn't comment on reports Sunday that the team was close to signing Hechevarria."
Derek Jeter's 'heir' headed to Jays instead
Comment
March 15
New York Post
 
"Cuban refugee shortstop Adeinis Hechavarria is going to get more money than the $8 million Jose Iglesias received from the Red Sox, The Post has learned. However, it won't be from the Yankees. And that fact has nothing to do with the Yanks not wanting to spend the money on Hechavarria. According to an industry source, Hechavarria is close to signing a $10 million deal with the Blue Jays -- because he doesn't envision himself playing short for the Yankees. Hechavarria, 21, was leery of Derek Jeter's impending extension, which will keep the Yankee captain at short for the foreseeable future. Having seen Hechavarria work out often in the Dominican Republic, the Yankees were high on the"
Jays close to signing Cuban shortstop
Comment
March 15
Toronto Star
 
"The Jays are close to signing 21-year-old Cuban defector Adeinis Hechavarria for a $10 million (U.S.) bonus that would tie him to the team for four years, according to George King in Sunday's edition of the New York Post. The free-spending Yankees were considered frontrunners for the shortstop but, according to King, Hechavarria's mind was changed because of the reported contract extension being negotiated by New York captain Derek Jeter. "Especially when it comes to free agents, whether they're Latin American or real free agents, opportunity is a big component of it," a vague and non-committal Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos explained while refusing to confirm his interest in the"
Cuban SS Hechavarria will pass on Yankees for Blue Jays
Comment
March 14
New York Post
 
"The Post has learned Adeinis Hechavarria is going to get more money than the $8 million Jose Iglesias Iglesias got from the Red Sox. However, it won't be from the Yankees. And it has nothing to do with the Yankees not wanting to spend the money on the Cuban refugee shortstop. According to an industry source Hechavarria is close to signing a $10 million deal with the Blue Jays because he didn't envision himself playing short for the Yankees. Hechavarria, 21, was leery of Derek Jeter's impending extension that will keep him at short for the foreseeable future."
Jays' McGowan feeling good after post-surgery pitching
Comment
March 10
Toronto Star
 
"Dustin McGowan pitched a two-inning simulated game Tuesday morning, trying out a new curve ball on some minor league prospects and moving toward reclaiming a spot on the Jays' starting rotation. The session, which totaled 30 pitches, was the closest McGowan has come to game action since the shoulder surgery that has sidelined him since the summer of 2008. Mixing sliders and curveballs with fastballs, McGowan delivered 15 strikes and 15 balls, while two of the six batters he faced put balls into play."
Cuban shortstop Hechevarria free to sign
Comment
March 6
MLB.com
 
"Top Cuban shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria is now unblocked by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control and can sign with any team, ESPN.com reported on Friday. Hechavarria's agent, Bart Hernandez, told ESPN that the 20-year-old will not hold any more showcases and is ready to sign with a club. Hechavarria has been compared to Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias, who signed for $8.2 million earlier this offseason. The two played together in 2007 on the Cuban National Junior team with Hechavarria getting the nod at shortstop and Iglesias playing second base. The Angels, Blue Jays, Cubs and Yankees are all reportedly interested in Hechavarria, who hit .262 with a .302 on-base"
Jays GM coy about Dominican adventure
Comment
February 26
Toronto Star
 columnist Richard Griffin
"The question to rookie Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos upon his return from a scouting trip to the Dominican Republic: "Did you bring back any Cubans?" It was reference to an old Seinfeld episode, wherein Kramer places an order for Cuban cigars and ends up with real Cubans. The rumour making the rounds was the Jays held a private workout for Cuban defector J.J. Ruiz and could sign him, but Anthopoulos wasn't biting. He was non-committal, but left the door open. "We're trying to be as aggressive as we can and really explore every player that's out there, at least doing our homework and doing our due diligence, evaluating these players, getting to know them a little bit," Anthopoulos said."