Toronto Blue Jays Trade Rumors

Gregg signing signals changes to Jay bullpen
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February 4
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays appear to have moved closer to a reliable late-inning pitching option, agreeing to terms with free-agent reliever Kevin Gregg, according to Sports Illustrated's website. Club officials wouldn't confirm the signing, which has been rumoured since Tuesday afternoon, noting that free-agent signings only become official when the player passes a physical. Last season, Gregg, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 220 pounds, saved 23 games for the Cubs while sharing the closer role with Carlos Marmol. In 68 2/3 innings he struck out 71 batters while walking 30 and recording a 4.72 ERA. Over his previous two seasons, the 31-year-old saved a total of 61 games for the Florida Marlins."
Jays near deal with Cubs closer Gregg
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February 3
Toronto Sun
 
"The Blue Jays are closing in on adding Chicago Cubs free-agent closer Kevin Gregg. "We would hope there would be a resolution within the next day or so," said Gregg's agent Dan Horwits from Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon. And when one new reliever enters the team picture ... one is likely to leave. The Jays may portray Gregg's entrance as a new entry — joining lefty Scott Downs and Jason Frasor — in a three-horse derby. However, the Jays could move Downs elsewhere for prospects. Gregg has had his fastball clocked at 96 m.p.h., and has a nasty splitter. In sharing the closer's duties with Carlos Marmol last season with the Cubs, he converted 23 of 30 save opportunities. Gregg blew ..."
Blue Jays nearing deal with Gregg
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February 3
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays are preparing to conduct a Spring Training competition for the closer's role, and the club is on the verge of adding a third arm to the mix. Toronto is in talks with free-agent reliever Kevin Gregg about joining the bullpen as another late-inning option. On Tuesday, MLB.com confirmed that the Blue Jays have shown legitimate interest in Gregg, and a report on FOXSports.com indicated that the sides were nearing a deal. Gregg's agent, Dan Horwits, said early Tuesday morning that the pitcher's list of suitors had been narrowed to three teams. Jon Heyman of SI.com reported Tuesday evening that the Blue Jays had tabled an offer of $2.75 million and had included two options that ..."
Damon open to Blue Jays move
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January 30
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays have admitted interest in free agent Johnny Damon and the veteran outfielder is not opposed to at least considering what Toronto has to offer. On Friday, Damon indicated that he would not rule out heading north of the border on a short-term contract. "I am all ears and eager to help make any team better," Damon wrote in a text message to MLB.com On Thursday night during the Blue Jays' annual State of the Franchise event for season-ticket holders, general manager Alex Anthopoulos told the fans in attendance that the club had contacted Damon's agent, Scott Boras, earlier this week. Toronto has jobs up for grabs in left field and in the leadoff spot -- roles Damon could ..."
Jays interested in Damon, Delgado
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January 29
MLB.com
 
"Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos admitted that the club has had internal discussions about pursuing free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon and manager Cito Gaston spent time lobbying for the team to bring free-agent slugger Carlos Delgado back to Toronto. Both revelations came on Thursday night during the Blue Jays' State of the Franchise event for season-ticket holders at Rogers Centre. Anthopoulos and Gaston were among the club representatives present to answer fan inquiries, and the crowd wasted little time in asking about Damon and Delgado. After a fan took to the mic and asked Anthopoulos if he'd considered targeting Damon, the Blue Jays GM indicated that the club contacted the ..."
Jays interested in Damon, Delgado
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January 29
MLB.com
 
"Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos admitted that the club has had internal discussions about pursuing free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon and manager Cito Gaston spent time lobbying for the team to bring free-agent slugger Carlos Delgado back to Toronto. Both revelations came on Thursday night during the Blue Jays' State of the Franchise event for season-ticket holders at Rogers Centre. Anthopoulos and Gaston were among the club representatives present to answer fan inquiries, and the crowd wasted little time in asking about Damon and Delgado. After a fan took to the mic and asked Anthopoulos if he'd considered targeting Damon, the Blue Jays GM indicated that the club contacted the ..."
Blue Jays still shopping?
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January 28
Foxsports.com
 
"With teams looking for bargain talent at this time of year, don't forget about the Blue Jays. New Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said recently that he is "open to anything" when it comes to upgrading his roster. The Blue Jays have particular use for an inexpensive slugger who plays one of the corner outfield spots or designated hitter. Fortunately for them, the market has a number of players like that, including Hank Blalock, Jonny Gomes and Marcus Thames. (Blalock plays the corner infield spots and not the outfield.) Adam Lind could be Toronto's left fielder or DH, depending on how the rest of the roster fills out. (A new addition could play where Lind does not.) The Blue Jays ..."
Giants deal reliever Merkin Valdez to Toronto
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January 21
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Merkin Valdez, a right-hander with a blazing fastball once considered closer material, is a Giant no more. The team, which designated him for assignment a week ago, traded the 28-year-old to Toronto on Wednesday for cash. Why dispatch a pitcher with that type of fastball? The Giants needed his roster spot for first baseman Aubrey Huff and decided they had enough younger relievers with more upside. "Roster flexibility gets limited," vice president of player personnel Bobby Evans said. "Merkin doesn't have any minor-league options. By maintaining your other players, you have the ability to option them down. With Merkin, he has been with us a long period of time. He fit well into our bullpen ..."
Jays ink all arbitration-eligible players
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January 19
MLB.com
 
"Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos played hardball and the club's remaining arbitration-eligible players decided against seeing if he was bluffing. Anthopoulos made Tuesday the unofficial deadline for contract negotiations with pitchers Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet, Shawn Camp, Jeremy Accardo and Casey Janssen, and all five signed contracts rather than face an arbitration hearing in February. As a result, Toronto extended its streak of avoiding that step in the process to 13 years in a row. Frasor received the largest raise, settling on a one-year pact worth $2.65 million after earning $1.45 million last year -- a difference of $1.2 million. Tallet signed for $2 million, Camp agreed ..."
Jays not making run at Delgado
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January 14
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays do not plan on reserving a uniform for the return of Carlos Delgado. Despite rumors that the veteran slugger might be headed back to where his career began, such a reunion remains a highly unlikely scenario. "Delgado doesn't fit into the Blue Jays' plans," a Major League source told MLB.com Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos declined comment, sticking to his policy of not responding to reports and rumors. That said, adding the 37-year-old Delgado does not seem like a move that would fall in line with Anthopoulos' approach since taking over as GM at the end of last season. Anthopoulos has emphasized having strong player development, with the goal of creating a model ..."
Cuban flamethrower signs with Reds
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January 11
Toronto Star
 
"The Aroldis Chapman era in Toronto ended before it even began, when the hard-throwing Cuban defector signed a reported five-year, $30 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. First reported Sunday morning by Yahoo! Sports and later confirmed by other U.S. media outlets, the signing ends speculation that has raged since July about where the free-agent southpaw would sign and just how much money he would make. It's a surprising move for the small-market Reds, who were expected to trim their opening-day payroll from the $71 million (all figures U.S.) they had last season. As a starter and reliever with Cuba's national team, the 22-year-old Chapman intrigued many major-league scouts with his ..."
Jays reportedly bid $23M for Cuban Chapman
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January 9
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays may have moved a little closer to signing the first impact free agent of the Alex Anthopoulos era. According to a report published Friday in El Nuevo Herald, a Spanish-language version of the Miami Herald, the Jays have offered $23 million (all figures U.S.) to hard-throwing Cuban southpaw Aroldis Chapman. The report also states the Los Angeles Angels have offered Chapman an undisclosed sum believed to be close to Toronto's offer, although the term is not specified. Chapman has been reported to be looking for a five-year deal. Anthopoulos, who took over as Jays general manager in October, responded to an email from the Star but maintained that he couldn't comment on ..."
Jays or Halos for Aroldis
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January 7
Toronto Sun
 
"Ardolis Chapman a member of the Blue Jays? The 21-year-old left-hander is headed to either the Los Angeles Angels or the Jays within the next "three of four days" according to the Sun Sentinel.com of Fort Lauderdale. Chapman defected when the Cuban national team was in Holland in July. The report estimates a $21-million US signing bonus already is on the table for him. The Marlins had made a $13-million offer."
Blue Jays watch Chapman
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January 2
ESPN.com
 
"A surprising bidder has emerged in the Aroldis Chapman sweepstakes. The Toronto Blue Jays held a private workout for the touted Cuban pitcher Thursday morning in Florida, then met with his representatives, a source close to Chapman told ESPN The Magazine. The fact that Chapman's Houston-based agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, were in Florida this week may mean that Chapman is close to a deal, though not necessarily with Toronto. The Blue Jays join the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Angels as teams that have emerged this week as bidders for Chapman. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees also previously have expressed serious interest in the 21-year-old lefty. The Angels were preparing an ..."
Final player in Mariners-Jays deal?
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December 22
Foxsports.com
 
"The second player going to Seattle in the Mariners-Blue Jays trade will be a minor leaguer, one source said this morning. That would rule out one of the promising left-handed starters who debuted with the Blue Jays in 2009: Marc Rzepczynski, Brett Cecil or Brad Mills. Catcher Brian Jeroloman was among the names discussed, the source said, but it's not clear if he was ultimately included in the trade. FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal reported late Monday that the Mariners had agreed to send right-hander Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for reliever Brandon League and a prospect. Players must pass physicals in order for the deal to be completed."
Mariners agree to trade Brandon Morrow to Toronto
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December 22
Seattle Times
 
"Mariners pitcher Brandon Morrow is off to Florida for a physical on Tuesday ahead of a deal that will send him to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners have agreed to send Morrow to Toronto in exchange for sinkerballing reliever Brandon League and a prospect whose identity was not yet known. League will fly to Seattle on Tuesday for his physical. Morrow said Monday night that he'd yet to be contacted by the Mariners to be told he's been traded, but a source later confirmed he'd be heading from Arizona on a midmorning flight to Toronto's spring-training facility near Tampa for a physical. "I've been getting a bunch of texts and calls from people telling me about the Internet stuff," Morrow ..."
Mariners reportedly ship Morrow to Blue Jays
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December 22
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"The Seattle Mariners have reportedly agreed to trade right-handed pitcher Brandon Morrow to Toronto for reliever Brandon League and a prospect. FOXSports.com cited a major-league source on Monday night as saying the deal is pending physicals, though neither team confirmed the trade is in the works. Morrow, 25, was one of Seattle's prized prospects after being taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft. The flame-thrower first worked out of the bullpen to solid results in 2007 before being switched between a starter and reliever the past two years."
Mariners, Jays to swap Morrow, League
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December 22
MLB.com
 
"The Mariners are staying busy. On Monday, the club reached a tentative agreement on a trade that would send right-hander Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for right-handed reliever Brandon League and a prospect, Fox Sports reported. A Mariners spokesman wouldn't comment on the report. Morrow, 25, went 2-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 69 2/3 innings for the Mariners last season. He is 8-12 with a 3.96 ERA in 197 2/3 innings for his career. League, 26, is 7-10 with a 4.09 ERA in 202 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays starting in 2004. He went 3-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 74 2/3 innings for Toronto in 2009. The players must pass physicals to complete the trade, according to the report."
Brandon Morrow to Dunedin for physical tomorrow... Toronto bound?
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December 22
Seattle Times
 
"My sources in Seattle just told me Brandon Morrow is off to Florida for a physical tomorrow. Toronto has its spring training facilities in Dunedin, Fla. and that's an easier haul for Morrow from California than having to cross a border into Canada. The Blue Jays routinely handle their physicals down there since so many players live in Florida to begin with. Morrow's flight leaves at 10 a.m. Pacific time, so don't expect any word on the deal being officially done until much later in the day, if not Wednesday. My Toronto sources also just told me that Brandon League is off to Seattle for his physical tomorrow. So, Morrow is now definitely history with the Mariners after an up-and-down career ..."
Drabek comes with high expectations
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December 20
MLB.com
 
"High expectations have followed Kyle Drabek his entire life. Having a Cy Young Award winner for a dad will do that for a young pitcher. Now, Drabek has the distinction of being one of the key pieces in the complicated trade that sent another former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies. Toronto believes Drabek has the potential to develop into a front-line starter in the big leagues -- a leader for years to come for the Jays. That could be a lot of pressure for a 22-year-old pitcher. Drabek -- son of former big league pitcher Doug Drabek -- is determined to show that he can meet everyone's expectations. "I have to go out there and make sure I prove myself," Drabek ..."
Take your time evaluating Phillies' deal for Halladay
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December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"It will take some time for the fallout from one of the biggest trades in Phillies history to settle, for all the implications to be digested, for all the what-ifs to sort themselves out.In the immediate aftermath of saying hello to Roy Halladay and goodbye to Cliff Lee and a trio of well-regarded prospects yesterday, though, a couple of observations may be ventured.The top of the Phillies' 2010 rotation is better, but more by a matter of degrees than light years.And when the merry-go-round finally stopped spinning yesterday, the bigger impact may have been on the fifth starter than on the slot occupied by the ace.The Phillies, of course, pursued Halladay before the trading deadline last ..."
Phillies prospects were 'touchable' after all
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December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"AT ONE POINT, Ruben Amaro Jr. did use the word "untouchables." It was in July, as the first chapter in the Roy Halladay-to-Philadelphia saga was being written. He was sitting in the home dugout at Citizens Bank Park before that night's game."There are some untouchables in our system," he said. Later, he was asked if there were prospects he absolutely would not trade even for a pitcher of Halladay's caliber."There are," he responded.But while his contention yesterday that he had never used the word "untouchable" when discussing his farm system may not have been entirely accurate, the spirit of his comments - both when he pondered the trade market that day in July and when he introduced ..."
Official: Phillies acquire Roy Halladay from Blue Jays, trade pitcher Cliff Lee to Mariners
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December 16
Wilmington News Journal
 
"As expected, the Phillies have acquired right-hander Roy Halladay and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-hander Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis d'Arnaud. Additionally, Halladay agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Phillies that includes a $20 million vesting option for a fourth season. Halladay, 32, went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA and nine complete games in 32 starts for Toronto this past season. He led the American League in complete games and shutouts (4), finished second in innings (239.0), third in ERA, tied for fourth in wins and quality starts (22), and was fifth in strikeouts (208). ..."
Wallace traded to Toronto
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December 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Five months ago, Brett Wallace was seen as the A's future at third base. Now, Wallace is Toronto's property - dealt away as part of the Roy Halladay trade between the Blue Jays and Phillies - and Oakland's newest darling is former Stanford outfielder Michael Taylor, picked up from Philadelphia as part of the multi-team trade. The deal has been completed, a major-league source told The Chronicle, but Halladay's veteran status creates an automatic delay because he has the right to refuse any trade. Oakland obtained Wallace in the high-profile Matt Holliday deal with St. Louis in July, and though the team has no reservations about his bat, Wallace's defense was another matter. The A's ..."
Agent says Lee didn't force Phillies into Halladay deal
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December 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THERE ARE at least a couple reasons why the Phillies traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners in the triangular transaction that fetched Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays instead of keeping both former Cy Young Award winners to form a super-rotation. One, obviously, was money. By moving Lee's $9 million and getting the Jays to kick in $6 million, they pretty much offset Halladay's $15.75 million base salary for 2010 and keep their payroll around $140 million. Another is that this is just what the Phillies do. Club president Dave Montgomery has been consistent on this point. The goal is to try to be one of the final eight teams and then hope to get hot during the postseason. Finally, ..."
Phils, Halladay said to reach three-year deal
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December 16
MLB.com
 
"Next up for Roy Halladay? Putting on a Phillies jersey at a news conference at Citizens Bank Park. Halladay on Tuesday reportedly passed a physical and agreed to an extension that will keep him in Philadelphia at least through 2013, and the ace's official introduction to Philadelphia is expected to happen on Wednesday. With the final touches of the much-discussed four-team trade seemingly complete, the path is cleared for the Phillies to send prospects Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis d'Arnaud to the Blue Jays, who are sending Halladay and $6 million to the Phillies. Of course, the deals hardly end there. The Phillies are sending Cliff Lee to the Mariners for prospects Phillippe ..."
A's set to trade Brett Wallace to Toronto for Michael Taylor in deal of top-rated prospects
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December 15
Contra Costa Times
 
"The A's are poised to trade highly touted third base prospect Brett Wallace to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Michael Taylor, a source confirmed to the Bay Area News Group. But first, other pieces must fall into place regarding the blockbuster three-way trade that would send pitcher Toronto ace Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies and Phillies lefty Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners. Taylor, a top-rated prospect for Philadelphia, would first have to be shipped to Toronto as part of that deal before being flipped to Oakland for Wallace. Details involving Halladay, who needed to pass a physical Tuesday and reportedly is negotiating a contract extension with ..."
Sources: Halladay, Phillies reach deal
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Roy Halladay and the Phillies have come to an agreement on a contract that would put in motion a three-team trade that would send the Toronto Blue Jays ace to Philadelphia, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Halladay was taking his physical Tuesday morning, sources said. The status of the other portions of a companion deal that would include the Seattle Mariners, however, is still uncertain at this point. As of early Tuesday morning, the Phillies were to send their Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, to Seattle, in exchange for pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont and outfielder prospect Tyson Gillies, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. In addition, ProspectInsider.com reported ..."
With Cliff Lee heading to the M's, which prospects will be given up?
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December 15
Seattle Times
 
"Talk about a day of twists and turns, which still isn't quite done yet. But this piece by ESPN columnist Jayson Stark (a longtime Philadelphia beat writer) does a good job of explaining what's been going on. As suspected, this deal was still in the fluid stages all afternoon, with the Blue Jays wanting outfielder Domonic Brown from the Phillies, but being told they could only have Michael Taylor. Prior to that development, Stark writes, the idea was to send Mariners pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont back to his homeland to play for Toronto. But now, with Brown off the table, the deal has been reworked and catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud is going to the Jays along with Taylor and one of ..."
Blue Christmas for Jays fans as Halladay traded
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December 15
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Perkins
"At least we won't need to look at Roy Halladay in a Yankee or Red Sox uniform six or seven times a season. Other than that, there are no positives, at least here, to trading away baseball's best pitcher, even if the Blue Jays were going to have him for only one more season, as was likely. Halladay was a good soldier here and will be greatly missed and if he gets a championship ring someday soon, there probably won't be too many Blue Jay fans who won't be happy for him. Be careful, though, Roy. You've always had your share of weird injuries and you'll need to bat and run now. Remember what happened to Chien-Ming Wang; his career exploded when he rounded third base that time. Still, here's ..."
Phillies reach deal to get Roy Halladay in three-team deal
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December 14
SI.com
 columnist Jon Heyman
"The Phillies are in agreement on a three-team trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay, SI.com has learned. All indications are that Cliff Lee will likely be heading from Philadelphia to Seattle in the trade. Sources say Halladay will agree to a contract extension to complete the deal. It's expected to be a formality, and though terms are not yet clear, it's expected to be worked out in the next couple days. Halladay wanted to be in Philadelphia, as the Phillies train in Clearwater, Fla., not far from his offseason home. The Phillies are giving up prospects to Toronto to get Halladay, but it isn't known yet which players are in the deal. Philadelphia, ..."
Sources: Jays, Phils talk Halladay-Lee blockbuster
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December 14
Foxsports.com
 
"A three-team blockbuster that would send Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay to the Phillies and Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee to another club is under discussion, according to major-league sources. A straight trade between the Phillies and Jays also is possible. Either way, there are strong indications that the Halladay talks are approaching a critical juncture. The identity of the team that would acquire Lee is not known, but the possibilities would include the Angels, who could be on the verge of losing free-agent right-hander John Lackey to the Red Sox, and the Mariners. Halladay likely would agree to a contract extension with the Phillies to waive his no-trade clause. The Phillies ..."
Halladay and agent in Philadelphia
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December 14
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay and his agent have checked into a Philadelphia-area hotel, according to two Inquirer sources. It is not known if a trade sending Halladay to the Phillies is imminent, but if Halladay and the Phils are negotiating--as is indicated by the pitcher's presence in Philadelphia--that would suggest that the Phils and Blue Jays are far enough along in talks for Halladay to discuss a potential contract extension with the Phils. Halladay has one year remaining on his contract before becoming a free agent."
Alex Anthopoulos keeps Jose Bautista in the fold
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December 14
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays moved to beef up their outfield Sunday by re-signing the versatile Jose Bautista to a $2.4 million (all figures U.S.), one-year deal and adding speedster Joey Gathright on a minor-league contract. They also reached preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year deal with catcher John Buck, who was non-tendered by the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, and brought back Raul Chavez on a minor-league deal a day after non-tendering the backstop. The Buck deal is pending a physical. GM Alex Anthopoulos declined comment on Buck, but said both Bautista and Gathright will be given the chance to win a starting job during spring training and that's he's still looking to bring in another ..."
Bautista back with Blue Jays
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December 14
Toronto Sun
 
"Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos was a busy fellow yesterday, signing four players to go along with free- agent catcher John Buck: Outfielder Jose Bautista to a one-year, $2.4-million US deal, right-hander Dustin McGowan for $500,000 and one year, as well as outfielder Joey Gathright and catcher Raul Chavez to minor-league deals, with invites to spring training. Bautista, 29, hit .236 with 13 homers and 40 homers in 113 games. McGowan, 27, did not pitch in 2009 while recovering from shoulder surgery. Gathright, 28, appeared in 37 games with the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox, hitting .267. Chavez, 36, hit .258 with two homers and 15 RBIs with the Jays. He threw out 16 of 45 ..."
Jays reportedly agree to deal with Buck
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December 13
MLB.com
 
"The Blue Jays agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent catcher John Buck on Sunday, according to a report on ESPN.com. General manager Alex Anthopoulos declined comment. Buck -- non-tendered by the Royals on Saturday -- has reportedly agreed to a contract with $2 million for the upcoming season with the Blue Jays. Buck became expendable for Kansas City after the Royals signed veteran catcher Jason Kendall to a two-year contract on Friday. Buck, 29, hit .247 with eight homers and 36 RBIs over 59 games with the Royals last season. Over six years with Kansas City, the catcher has hit .235 with 70 homers and 259 RBIs."
Aces Lee, Halladay in same deal? It could work
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December 12
Foxsports.com
 columnist Ken Rosenthal
"You want a blockbuster? How about one that includes not one, but two former Cy Young Award winners? I have no proof that the Phillies are trying to move left-hander Cliff Lee as part of a three- or four-team trade for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay. But I've got a hunch. We know the Phillies preferred Halladay to Lee last July. We know they are one of his top choices, an East Coast team that trains close to his home in Dunedin, Fla. And we know from published reports that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. met last week with Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, about a possible contract extension. I'm guessing that discussion did not go well. Both Lee, 31, and Halladay, 32, are free agents after ..."
Indians, Jays looking at Thames
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December 12
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"Free agent Marcus Thames, a popular part-time player for the Tigers in recent seasons, is drawing interest from the Indians and Blue Jays, a major league source told FOXSports.com. Both teams need right-handed power and have yet to establish clear everyday left fielders for 2010. Thames has averaged 20 home runs per year since 2006, despite the fact that he's never had more than 400 plate appearances in a major league season."
Angels at square one in Halladay talks
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December 10
Orange County Register
 
"With this year's Winter Meetings set to wrap up with the Rule 5 draft early Thursday morning, the Angels appear ready to leave town having made no serious overtures to the Toronto Blue Jays about Roy Halladay. General manager Tony Reagins said he has talked with new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos but has not met with him to discuss anything, despite the fact the two have suites on the same floor of the downtown Marriott, headquarters for this year's meetings. Anthopoulos is in what he called an "information-gathering mode" this week as he solicits trade offers for the team's ace. The Angels were among the most serious bidders for Halladay in July, going right up to the trade deadline in ..."
Blue Jays still expect deal for Doc by spring training
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December 10
Toronto Star
 columnist Richard Griffin
"ven if Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesn't want to talk specifics about the number of interested teams, the timing or the contents of any potential Roy Halladay deal, it seems in conversation with manager Cito Gaston that behind closed doors a Doc trade prior to spring training is considered inevitable. "Alex has kept me up to date on pretty much everything that has gone on," Gaston said Wednesday. "He keeps me up to date, but he asks for input, too. `What do you think?' Those are the words he uses a lot and we go from there. He's been good. I don't know when (Doc) is going to leave, if he's going to leave, but I think he's probably going to leave. I'm just not sure when. "I ..."
Blue Jays sign speedy outfielder Joey Gathright
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December 10
Toronto Sun
 
"General Manager Alex Anthopoulos will return to 1 Blue Jays way with more than an Indy 500 T-shirt bought at the airport. The Blue Jays signed free-agent outfielder Joey Gathright yesterday. Gathright, 28, has played six years in the majors, appearing in 17 games with the Boston Red Sox this season. Gathright also spend time in 2009 at triple-A Norfolk, hitting .329 with 20 RBIs in 80 games in the Baltimore Orioles system."
Phillies' chances at Halladay looking slim
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December 10
Wilmington News Journal
 
"To avoid the appearance of tampering or other improprieties that may be leveled against a general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't comment on players from other teams. But he was asked Wednesday if it's feasible for the Phillies to make a "major deal" involving a "high-profile starting pitcher." In other words, can they trade for Roy Halladay? "I mean, is there any way possible? I guess there is," Amaro said, never uttering Halladay's name. "Is there a likelihood of us getting involved in something that big? Probably not." Amaro declined to elaborate on the reasons and said he wouldn't discuss whether the Phillies even would explore a potential Halladay blockbuster. But they would be ..."
Halladay, Chapman are still maybes for Phillies
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December 10
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"They are two of the most intriguing names on the free-agent and trade markets at the winter meetings. And if you take Ruben Amaro Jr. at face value, the Phillies' general manager has about as good of a shot at acquiring one of them as he does getting a suntan here in the blustery heartland. But while Amaro said he doesn't expect the Phillies to be a major player in the bidding process for hard-throwing Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, and while he insists the team doesn't expect to make another play for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, he stopped short of erasing either pitcher from the team's radar. First, Halladay: Throughout the offseason, Amaro has indicated that the Phillies would be ..."
Angels are most likely Halladay destination
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December 10
New York Post
 
"According to an MLB club official, the Angels remain the leaders to satisfying the Blue Jays in a deal for Roy Halladay. The Angels apparently are willing to include shortstop Erick Aybar and pitcher Joel Saunders in the package. "They have a pretty good chance of getting him, they are the lead dog," the source said. The Yankees remain in the hunt because the Blue Jays "love" stud prospect Jesus Montero. "Tampa Bay is whispering around, but there is money issues, and don't count out the Red Sox," the source said. "Also don't count out the Phillies." Brian Cashman didn't rule out trading Montero, even though he hated to sacrifice prospect Austin Jackson to get Granderson. "It depends on ..."
Blue Jays still expect deal for Doc by spring training
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December 10
Toronto Star
 
"Even if Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesn't want to talk specifics about the number of interested teams, the timing or the contents of any potential Roy Halladay deal, it seems in conversation with manager Cito Gaston that behind closed doors a Doc trade prior to spring training is considered inevitable. "Alex has kept me up to date on pretty much everything that has gone on," Gaston said Wednesday. "He keeps me up to date, but he asks for input, too. `What do you think?' Those are the words he uses a lot and we go from there. He's been good. I don't know when (Doc) is going to leave, if he's going to leave, but I think he's probably going to leave. I'm just not sure when."
Angels interested in Bay, maybe Halladay
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December 9
SI.com
 
"The Angels appear to be in play for Jason Bay and/or Roy Halladay. Angels owner Arte Moreno has said Bay interests him, and they would seem to be a solid threat to the Red Sox retaining him. Seattle's expansive ballpark may not be a perfect fit for Bay, but the Mariners are another option. The Mets are showing some interest, as well. The Angels would only be interested in Halladay if he'd be willing to sign long term for them, and since he prefers to spend spring training in Florida that could be a complication. However, they surely fit his main requirement for a new team, which is that they play to win every year. Angels GM Tony Reagins would only say, "I have lots of balls in the air.''"
Yanks still eyeing Halladay and Lackey
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December 9
SI.com
 
"Even after signing Andy Pettitte today, the Yankees remain interested in acquiring either Roy Halladay or John Lackey, and GM Brian Cashman was scheduled to meet with Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, today. The Jays are requesting from the Yankees Jesus Montero plus either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain plus others, SI.com has learned. The Yankees won't do that, but they'll keep talking."
Yankees acquisition of Curtis Granderson could push Roy Halladay toward Boston Red Sox
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December 9
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees may have made the first big move here at the winter meetings, but with the Curtis Granderson trade came a question sure to make the pinstriped fan base nervous: Did the deal push Roy Halladay closer to the Red Sox? Early indications Tuesday were that Sox GM Theo Epstein remained reluctant to give up a package of top prospects to the Blue Jays, as well as the $100-plus million it will take to sign Halladay to a contract extension - no matter if Red Sox Nation was screaming for him to return fire on the Yankees. But that hardly adds up to a no. "Theo doesn't care what the fans want," was the way one major league executive put it. "He's not going to react just because the ..."
So far, Dodgers unable to swing deal
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December 9
MLB.com
 
"General manager Ned Colletti said Tuesday the Dodgers have been unable to trade for any of the four pitchers they targeted coming into the Winter Meetings, and one of them is Toronto ace Roy Halladay. "We came here with four pitchers in mind, trying to figure a way to get them, and we're not really making headway," Colletti said. Colletti didn't mention Halladay or any of the others by name, but said he spoke to Toronto about "the big guy." "We talked to Toronto. It's tough to tell," he said when asked if the latest conversation was any more fruitful than a preliminary inquiry at last month's GM meetings. "They play pretty coy with what their thought process is." Halladay, a free agent ..."
Phillies remain in running for Halladay
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December 9
MLB.com
 
"Roy Halladay is still out there, and the Phillies are watching him closely. It is no secret the Blue Jays are trying to trade Halladay, and it is no secret the Phils tried hard to acquire him before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Their interest in Halladay has not waned, sources said. Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday afternoon that the club was unlikely to make any deals before the Winter Meetings conclude Thursday, but a source confirmed before midnight ET that the Phils had signed free-agent outfielder Ross Gload to a two-year contract. But before that happened, Amaro said he had laid groundwork on more than one move that might happen in the future. ..."