The Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to a number of starters - Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir, etc. - who are soon-to-be free agents, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos addressed the trade rumors and said he'd prefer to acquire someone under contract beyond 2015.
A few names that fall under that category include San Diego Padres' starters Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner. We mentioned this possibility in a previous piece, but it mainly focused on a package deal involving Craig Kimbrel. Given Toronto's tight payroll situation, it would be difficult to inherit the remaining (approximate) $30 million on Kimbrel's contract.
"The San Diego Padres, should they look to refashion themselves as significantly as the whispers suggest, might fit the mould there, with a mix of potential free agents like Ian Kennedy and Joaquin Benoit, plus starters like Andrew Cashner, with one season of control after this year, or Tyson Ross, with two more years of control," writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca.
But there could be a problem with making a deal for a starter under club control beyond this season.
"The thing most likely to keep it rolling, of course, is better pitching, and the Blue Jays would love to add a couple of starters before the deadline hits," adds Davidi. "Easier said than done, when word is they're being regularly asked for Marcus Stroman in return by potential trade partners, even for rentals."
This has to frustrate Anthopoulos because he's in search of acquiring starting pitching - not depleting the crop of quality starters he has at the MLB level. And if teams who are shopping rentals are asking for a player such as Stroman, one can only think that's something the Padres are considering since Ross and Cashner are established arms with at least another year of club control.
However, there is little-to-no chance Anthopoulos gives up Stroman, so let's not even bother with that.
One name to look out for is Jeff Hoffman. The pitching prospect was promoted to Double-A last week after a successful stint at Class A Advanced Dunedin (3-3 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 11 starts). It was said a number of teams, including the Padres, were scouting the right-hander recently, which could mean these clubs are aware Stroman is off-limits. After all, the Blue Jays have plenty of prospects to offer and most of the teams willing to trade big name players need to rebuild.
Another interesting thing to think about, as mentioned above, is Toronto acquiring multiple starters before July 31. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported yesterday that the Blue Jays are one of three teams "who have been most aggressive in the pursuit" of Cincinnati Reds' starter Johnny Cueto. With Drew Hutchison's 5.33 ERA and no clear No. 5 starter with Aaron Sanchez still recovering from a lat strain, it wouldn't at all be surprising if Anthopoulos goes after a rental such as Cueto and another arm that can remain with the team for at least another year.
This would put the team in an excellent position to snap its 21-year postseason drought and Sanchez can slip back in to a relief role, which is what the Jays might prefer at this point.
The trade deadline is 16 days away and it's still not completely known who will be on the block and who won't. Just know the Blue Jays will more than likely be aggressive as they still remain in contention in the wide-open American League.
