RealGM

CHICAGO -- The Blue Jays are in the market for a new second baseman, and one of their early targets appears to be Chicago's Gordon Beckham.

MLB.com has learned that the Blue Jays have interest in acquiring the White Sox second baseman, which dates back to last offseason, when the possibility of a trade was first explored. The interest has since been renewed with general manager Alex Anthopoulos intent on upgrading the position.

As per club policy, Toronto doesn't comment on potential transactions and has yet to issue any type of statement regarding its plans for the offseason -- besides admitting second base, left field and starting pitching are areas of need. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn declined comment on the matter as well.

The Blue Jays and White Sox appear to be somewhat ideal trading partners this offseason. Chicago is coming off a 99-loss campaign and is looking to rebuild its organization, while the Blue Jays are hoping to upgrade in an attempt to get into the postseason.

Toronto has the majority of its core locked up for the next two years and has a limited window of opportunity to build itself into a World Series contender. Beckham is eligible for arbitration this offseason and remains under club control through the 2015 campaign.

It's also possible that the Blue Jays would look to expand any deal involving Beckham to also include a starting pitcher. Chicago's Hector Santiago and John Danks are known to be available, and the Blue Jays have a clear need to upgrade their current starting unit.

Chicago's asking price is high for any type of package, and it's believed the organization is strongly interested in Blue Jays right-handers Aaron Sanchez or Marcus Stroman. Both of those pitchers are the prized assets of Toronto's Minor League organization and won't be easily pried loose, but it's possible the club will be open to potential deals considering its strong need to upgrade the roster.

Toronto is expected to have some financial flexibility this offseason to make the required upgrades to its roster. According to various reports, the Blue Jays could have upwards of $20 million to spend with a payroll that could potentially reach $150 million.

Wo1verine wrote:Iannetta, Conger, Beckham? Seriously, just sign players like this! Not worth giving up assets for these types

Graham's Cracker wrote:Chicago needs a catcher as badly as us. Maybe they could be hoodwinked into taking JP in a deal.

kwamebargnani wrote:Someone ban AA from trading.

Centre Court wrote:

kwamebargnani wrote:Someone ban AA from trading.

Not gonna happen.

2014 is a must-win season for Alex. Anything at or below .500 and he's the ex-GM.

Only way I see that AA can fix this roster to win next season is to trade - even if that means moving prospects.

Fairview4Life wrote:

Graham's Cracker wrote:Chicago needs a catcher as badly as us. Maybe they could be hoodwinked into taking JP in a deal.

"You saw how well Aaron Hill started to play after we traded him, right Kenny?"

kwamebargnani wrote:

Centre Court wrote:

kwamebargnani wrote:Someone ban AA from trading.

Not gonna happen.

2014 is a must-win season for Alex. Anything at or below .500 and he's the ex-GM.

Only way I see that AA can fix this roster to win next season is to trade - even if that means moving prospects.

How does trading for likes of Beckham help this team now or in the future? These players are available from FA, and you don't even have to overpay.

Centre Court wrote:It doesn't really. But AA has said before that he generally prefers acquiring assets through trade.

Centre Court wrote:It doesn't really. But AA has said before that he generally prefers acquiring assets through trade.

Schadenfreude wrote:

Centre Court wrote:It doesn't really. But AA has said before that he generally prefers acquiring assets through trade.

There's logic to that if i) you don't have an unlimited payroll, and ii) the player you are acquiring has a salary below what they would receive in free agency. Beckham, as a second-year arb player with two years of control remaining, may fit that bill...but only if he can be acquired rather cheaply, because he's a middling option at 2B.

dagger wrote:I'd offer Nolin and cheap relief help, of which we have plenty. Maybe an outfielder like Pillar or Gose, in a package, but Beckham isn't exactly an all-star and there is a limit to what we should offer. No frontline prospect is worth giving up for Gord Beckham. We're not talking Tim Beckham. I'd pay half of Ricky Romero's salary if they'd take him.

Garmfay wrote:AA has been linked to Gordan Beckham for like the past 3 years in a row now..