The Blue Jays are looking to further improve their roster in hopes of contending in 2015, while the Mariners have added another power-hitting outfielder to their wish list. Will they both execute trades this offseason?
Toronto added catcher Russell Martin last week for five years and $82 million, which could only mean the front office believes the team will be contending in 2015. The Blue Jays lost their first round pick when they signed Martin because he declined the Pittsburgh Pirates' qualifying offer, but if outfielder Melky Cabrera signs with someone else then Toronto will get that first round pick back.
Cabrera is expected to land a four-year, $64 million deal, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden, while Bruce is still under a six-year, $51 million contract that pays him $12 million in 2015, $12.5 million in 2016 and a team option worth $13 million in 2017. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports mentioned last week that Cincinnati has "engaged in preliminary discussions on deals involving two-time All-Star right fielder Jay Bruce, according to major-league sources."
The Blue Jays have reportedly inquired about Bruce, per Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Toronto is looking to add an established left-handed bat to their lineup, but he's primarily a right fielder and Jose Bautista currently holds that post. It's unknown where Bruce would exactly be utilized but the designated hitter position gives them flexibility at least. The trade talks haven't developed to the point where any other names were mentioned and Cabrera is still available, so it's all up in the air.
In Seattle, the Mariners have contacted the Boston Red Sox about outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. It's been speculated for quite some time now that Boston would send Cespedes packing because of their surplus of outfielders and their need of a starting pitcher. Morosi broke the news of the contact between the Mariners and Red Sox earlier today. Seattle has also spoken to the Dodgers about Matt Kemp and the Braves about Justin Upton, on top of expressing interest in free agents Nelson Cruz, Yasmany Tomas and others.
The intriguing bit of the Mariners-Red Sox talk is that Boston has shown previous interest in starter Hisashi Iwakuma. Seattle has fielded inquiries on Iwakuma this offseason and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported the Red Sox have had internal talks about the right-hander this offseason. Boston is desperately looking to rebuild their starting rotation and the Mariners are in need of a power-hitting corner outfielder. Although swapping an established starter for a solid power bat isn't the greatest move in the world, Cespedes has a bargain $10.5 million price tag for 2015 and Seattle can work to sign him to an extension.
Would Cespedes be the best acquisition for them since they have given out three contracts in excess of $100 million the past three offseasons? Most of the available free-agent outfielders will be costly and the other trade targets they've been exploring are more expensive as well.
The winter meetings (December 7-11) could provide us with more telling information regarding such transactions.
