Post by Silvio (Blue Jays) on Jul 6, 2014 19:48:12 GMT
With the trade deadline approaching soon, the Toronto Blue Jays will shift their attention to add an impact bat.
Over the last week or two, the Blue Jays lost Angel Pagan and Norichko Aoki to injuries. Pagan, a key free agent signing back in spring training, might be out for an extended period of time. Currently, the Blue Jays are starting Ichiro and Eric Young Jr in their outfield, both who have done a respectable job at filling the void over the last two weeks. However, general manager Silvio Sansano realizes that they need more power coming from their outfield spots.
"Even before these injuries, I think it was safe to say that adding an impact bat was at the top of our agenda."
The Blue Jays sit in the playoff race, despite their lineup struggling offensively as a whole. Ian Kinsler and Salvador Perez have been the saving grace, while the team is finally to start getting solid contribution from free agent pickup Curtis Granderson. The rest of the lineup however has greatly underachieved, including first baseman Eric Hosmer and designated hitter Billy Butler, who the Jays were heavily relying on as key pieces in their lineup.
Trading however won't be an easy feat. The Blue Jays sit right up against cap as most teams, meaning they have to shed more salary than they take on in order to land an impact bat - which won't be an easy task.
"The tight cap really makes things difficult, though we'll have to find a way around it. The thing is, other teams are right up against the cap as well, so it makes things tricky."
One of the Blue Jays strengths this season has been its starting pitching. The Blue Jays have built a solid foundation of arms, which they could look to trade from. Pitchers such as Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Wily Peralta, Jesse Chavez, Tim Hudson and even highly touted Danny Salazar could be moved if it meant adding that impact bat. According to insiders, Yu Darvish and Madison Bumgarner remain close to untouchable, unless it's for a bat the Blue Jays can't refuse.
When asked about if there is anything brewing, Silvio Sansano was quiet...
"We've had open discussions with teams all throughout the year. Nothing has really taken shape, though we hope some things start to develop very soon."
How soon?
"I'd prefer to make trades earlier rather than wait until the last minute of the trade deadline. It gives you more time to sort things out and plus you own the rights to that player longer for an extra couple of weeks which definitely improves your team quicker rather than waiting before it comes to late."
So for the rest of the month, look for the Blue Jays to be in the market for an impact bat. Whether they get one or not will be another story...
Over the last week or two, the Blue Jays lost Angel Pagan and Norichko Aoki to injuries. Pagan, a key free agent signing back in spring training, might be out for an extended period of time. Currently, the Blue Jays are starting Ichiro and Eric Young Jr in their outfield, both who have done a respectable job at filling the void over the last two weeks. However, general manager Silvio Sansano realizes that they need more power coming from their outfield spots.
"Even before these injuries, I think it was safe to say that adding an impact bat was at the top of our agenda."
The Blue Jays sit in the playoff race, despite their lineup struggling offensively as a whole. Ian Kinsler and Salvador Perez have been the saving grace, while the team is finally to start getting solid contribution from free agent pickup Curtis Granderson. The rest of the lineup however has greatly underachieved, including first baseman Eric Hosmer and designated hitter Billy Butler, who the Jays were heavily relying on as key pieces in their lineup.
Trading however won't be an easy feat. The Blue Jays sit right up against cap as most teams, meaning they have to shed more salary than they take on in order to land an impact bat - which won't be an easy task.
"The tight cap really makes things difficult, though we'll have to find a way around it. The thing is, other teams are right up against the cap as well, so it makes things tricky."
One of the Blue Jays strengths this season has been its starting pitching. The Blue Jays have built a solid foundation of arms, which they could look to trade from. Pitchers such as Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Wily Peralta, Jesse Chavez, Tim Hudson and even highly touted Danny Salazar could be moved if it meant adding that impact bat. According to insiders, Yu Darvish and Madison Bumgarner remain close to untouchable, unless it's for a bat the Blue Jays can't refuse.
When asked about if there is anything brewing, Silvio Sansano was quiet...
"We've had open discussions with teams all throughout the year. Nothing has really taken shape, though we hope some things start to develop very soon."
How soon?
"I'd prefer to make trades earlier rather than wait until the last minute of the trade deadline. It gives you more time to sort things out and plus you own the rights to that player longer for an extra couple of weeks which definitely improves your team quicker rather than waiting before it comes to late."
So for the rest of the month, look for the Blue Jays to be in the market for an impact bat. Whether they get one or not will be another story...