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So this is an important off-season for Anthopoulos. The free-agent pitching market is thin – Ryan Dempster of the Texas Rangers and Edwin Jackson of the Washington Nationals are targets, sources say, but the Blue Jays are under no illusions that either is a No. 1 starter and have resolved that they will need to put together a package based around one of their big three pitching prospects (Noah Syndergaard, Aaron Sanchez and Justin Nicolino) if they are serious about getting a front of the rotation starter. Catcher J.P. Arencibia has already been linked to the Texas Rangers in a trade and shortstop Yunel Escobar’s value is higher than most people think, since the market at that position is razor thin.

The Angels have explored the possibility of trading Dan Haren and Ervin Santana before Wednesday, the date on which option decisions are due, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Angels are not expected to exercise Haren’s $15.5MM option or Santana’s $13MM option.

A rival executive suggested to Heyman that it could be difficult to trade the pitchers given their disappointing performances in 2012. GM Jerry Dipoto wanted to trade Santana last winter, but owner Arte Moreno wanted to keep him, according to Heyman.

Here's my take: many teams are in need of starting pitching, so it’s possible that a club would look at the options and determine that they’re reasonable. They would be especially appealing to teams that are often spurned by free agents.

Also, a team that acquired Haren or Santana and exercised the option could make the hurler a qualifying offer following the 2013 season, assuming a rebound. That could net any acquiring organization a first-round pick in the 2014 draft.

Of the team's four free agents -- Kelly Johnson, Brandon Lyon, Jason Frasor and Carlos Villanueva -- the most likely to return is Frasor or Lyon. The bullpen has become a position of depth, however, with the acquisitions of Steve Delabar and Brad Lincoln. Sergio Santos should return in 2013 as well. That could mean all four free agents will find new homes.
The team has no interest in shopping Ricky Romero and selling on the left-hander when his value is at an all-time low.

There doesn't appear to be much interest in retaining Johnson, according to Chisholm. The team once had eyes on bringing Marco Scutaro back to Toronto, but his torrid run with the Giants has likely made him too spendy. Instead, Adeiny Hechavarria or Mike Aviles could take the role.

The Blue Jays aren't willing to give Villanueva a multi-year deal and an opportunity to pitch out of the rotation -- two things that the free agent is seeking. He'll likely pitch elsewhere in 2013.
Anibal Sanchez will probably get an "extended look," according to Chisholm, but it's more likely that GM Alex Anthopoulos will upgrade the rotation via trade.

BigLeagueChew wrote:Also, Polanco's option was declined in Philly. Might be a good option at 2nd for us.

Wo1verine wrote:I'd be surprised if the Jays didn't pickup Rajai's option.. Him off the bench would be very nice with his ability to hit LHP and pinch run.

BigLeagueChew wrote:

The Angels have explored the possibility of trading Dan Haren and Ervin Santana before Wednesday, the date on which option decisions are due, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Angels are not expected to exercise Haren’s $15.5MM option or Santana’s $13MM option.

A rival executive suggested to Heyman that it could be difficult to trade the pitchers given their disappointing performances in 2012. GM Jerry Dipoto wanted to trade Santana last winter, but owner Arte Moreno wanted to keep him, according to Heyman.

Here's my take: many teams are in need of starting pitching, so it’s possible that a club would look at the options and determine that they’re reasonable. They would be especially appealing to teams that are often spurned by free agents.

Also, a team that acquired Haren or Santana and exercised the option could make the hurler a qualifying offer following the 2013 season, assuming a rebound. That could net any acquiring organization a first-round pick in the 2014 draft.

hyper316 wrote:Can Ethier pitch or play 2B? /green

s e n s i F Y C wrote:

hyper316 wrote:Can Ethier pitch or play 2B? /green

no but he can play LF, a position that we desperately need to upgrade as well if we want any chance of competing next season

hyper316 wrote:

s e n s i F Y C wrote:

hyper316 wrote:Can Ethier pitch or play 2B? /green

no but he can play LF, a position that we desperately need to upgrade as well if we want any chance of competing next season

no, the blue jays are not that desperate for LF, there's gose, sierra, and rajai davis (if option picked up).

the jays are desperate in SP, next need is 2B but they can simply slide escobar to 2B and play hech