ESPN.com: Blue Jays should acquire Matt Garza from the Cubs

[Wally West]

The Blue Jays continue exploring ways of improving their rotation, but they’re unlikely to acquire Matt Garza from the Cubs, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Garza is under team control through 2013 and the Blue Jays are wary of trading top prospects for a relatively short-term addition. There doesn't appear to be a leading suitor for the right-hander at the moment, but the Yankees, Tigers, Red Sox and Marlins appear to be in the mix to acquire him.

The Blue Jays don’t appear to be especially interested in free agent right-handers Hiroki Kuroda and Roy Oswalt and they’re unlikely to pursue Edwin Jackson, Rosenthal reports. Agent Scott Boras seeks a five-year deal for Jackson, but Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos has avoided major free agent expenditures since his hiring more than two years ago.

Toronto’s projected rotation includes Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil and Henderson Alvarez. Dustin McGowan, Carlos Villanueva and Aaron Laffey are others who could compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training. The Blue Jays expect to consider prospects Kyle Drabek, Drew Hutchison, Deck McGuire and Chad Jenkins for promotions in 2012, Rosenthal writes.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/b ... um=twitter

[Brinbe]

GOOD!

[Wo1verine]

If not Garza, they better get a solid #2or 3 this winter.. I fail to understand them not having interest in Oswalt or Kuroda, tbh. It must be a money thing Which is pretty pathetic considering they likely will get 1-year deals.

[BobbyBoy]

Good. I hope we get jurrens. He probably won't cost as much as garza.

[hyper316]

if we're not getting garza, then i rather let McGowan and Drabek fight for the 5th spot.

[Wally West]

If not Garza, they better get a solid #2or 3 this winter.. I fail to understand them not having interest in Oswalt or Kuroda, tbh. It must be a money thing Which is pretty pathetic considering they likely will get 1-year deals.

We don't want to pay anybody who's yearly average salary would exceed that of one Jose Bautista.

[Wo1verine]

If not Garza, they better get a solid #2or 3 this winter.. I fail to understand them not having interest in Oswalt or Kuroda, tbh. It must be a money thing Which is pretty pathetic considering they likely will get 1-year deals.

We don't want to pay anybody who's yearly average salary would exceed that of one Jose Bautista.

That's exactly it! They could sign Kuroda for 1/13M with an team option for 13M in 2013.
JoeyBats would still be our highest paid player.

[sonn]

From DJF about Oswalt:

"He reportedly has two degenerative discs in his lower back and while he has never undergone back surgery, he has had numerous cortisone shots," said an ESPN report in early November. "As recently as June, when the recurrent pain sent him to the disabled list for six weeks, Oswalt talked about possibly having to retire because of the injury."

[Homer Jay]

From DJF about Oswalt:

"He reportedly has two degenerative discs in his lower back and while he has never undergone back surgery, he has had numerous cortisone shots," said an ESPN report in early November. "As recently as June, when the recurrent pain sent him to the disabled list for six weeks, Oswalt talked about possibly having to retire because of the injury."

I'd stay away then. Even if he is looking for only one year. He might sign 1/15 then spend half the season on the DL, be ineffective the other half, resulting in pissing Rogers off at the wasted money, and then consequently watch then never spend on FAs again. They are already living down the Thomas and Ryan buyouts.