The Toronto Blue Jays fell out of the American League East race long ago, but their talent evaluators are out in full force as the team prepares for 2013.

The Blue Jays had two scouts at the final two games of this week’s Tigers-Athletics series in Detroit. Each game included a starting pitcher who could switch teams this offseason: Oakland’s Brett Anderson Wednesday (trade candidate) and Detroit’s Anibal Sanchez Thursday (free agent).

Anderson could be expendable this offseason because of the A’s pitching depth. He left Wednesday’s start in the third inning with a strained right oblique but is 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA in six starts this season since returning from elbow surgery.

The Blue Jays had interest in then-Oakland lefty Gio Gonzalez last offseason, and they will need to acquire one or two front-line starters this winter if they want to contend in the AL East next year. Toronto starters have a 4.77 ERA this season, which ranks in the bottom half of the league.

The A’s and Blue Jays appear to match up well in trade talks. Toronto has a surplus of position player prospects, particularly at catcher, and Oakland ranks near the bottom of the AL in runs scored.

— Jon Paul Morosi