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For all the talk of the Blue Jays making a big trade, the team is just 28-26 and tied for last in the AL East – though their plus-22 run differential is exceeded only by the Yankees, who are plus-23.

Some executives say that the Jays need to seize the moment while the Yankees and Red Sox seemingly are down, reasoning, “If not now, when?” But the Jays are not a team with one hole, and frankly might be more ready to win next season than they are right now.

By then, three Jays prospects at Triple-A Las Vegas – center fielder Anthony Gose, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and catcher Travis D’Arnaud – could play prominent roles.

Gose, a speedster, is batting .302 with an .814 OPS with 24 stolen bases in 29 attempts for Las Vegas. Hechavarria, another brilliant defender, leads the team with 39 RBIs. D’Arnaud, batting .322 with a .956 OPS, might be the best prospect of all.

Meanwhile, the Jays are short at least one hitter and one starting pitcher. Right-handers Kyle Drabek and Henderson Alvarez appear to be cooling off, though righty Drew Hutchison looks like a keeper, touching 95 mph in each of his last two starts with good command and an above-average breaking ball.

So, as my colleague Jon Paul Morosi recently wrote, Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos faces a number of interesting decisions as the deadline approaches, the biggest being the direction of his team.

One rival executive reports that the Jays are “sniffing all over” Cubs right-hander Matt Garza – a move that would make some sense, considering that Garza is under club control through 2013. But the Jays also have needs in first base and left field, and a long-term question at second base, with Kelly Johnson only on a one-year deal.

dballislife wrote:with gose nearly ready and rasmus, cf and lf are set and 2nd is looking decent with hech and esco...we really just need a big bat at 1st and better starting pitching

Blessed wrote:Usually with AA when theres a rumour, its not true.