Will Jays deal catcher, add pitcher?
While the Toronto Blue Jays are open to trading any of their three catchers, there is, well, a catch.
“None is cheap,” a rival executive says, referring to the acquisition cost in a trade, not the players’ salaries.
The Jays non-tendered Bobby Wilson on Friday night, leaving J.P. Arencibia, John Buck and Travis D’Arnaud as the remaining catchers on their 40-man roster.
Arencibia, 26, is the most likely to be moved — and the Jays previously have talked about him in trades for pitchers such as Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Wade Davis and New York Mets left-hander Jon Niese, major-league sources say.
The Jays might need to offer more than Arencibia to acquire such a pitcher, but aren’t necessarily eager to make that type of move. Arencibia is still a year away from arbitration, and the Jays control him for four more years.
D’Arnaud, the team’s top catching prospect, did not play after June 25 last season due to a knee injury. Buck, 32, batted .192 with a .644 OPS for the Miami Marlins last season.
As for starting pitching, it’s true that the Jays would like to find more even after acquiring right-hander Josh Johnson and lefty Mark Buehrle in their blockbuster with the Marlins.
The team, however, seems more inclined to add depth than find an upgrade over its fifth starter, lefty J.A. Happ, sources say.
Thus, the Jays could look to sign a low-end free agent as well as minor-league free agents, ensuring that they are better protected against injuries than they were last season.
— Ken Rosenthal
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I think the Jays starting rotation is good enough right now and would not be disappointed if they started the season with this rotation. If they cannot add a quality starter then I hope they don't bother. If David Price is available I would hope they aggressively go after him even if it means they have to give up d'Arnaud or Arencibia, Syndergaard, Lind or Cooper, Rasmus or Gose,McGwire or Jenkins, Sierra and maybe Alford as a PTBNL. Maybe they can pry a prospect away from TB as well. Unless it's someone of that caliber I hope they don't trade any prospects for Niese or Wade Davis. A six man rotation for the first 42 games I think would give them a chance to let their starters who have overcome injuries ease into the season. They could even use their side sessions in relief if needed. After they each have 7 starts under their belt ( mid May ), then go with the best 5 and put the sixth starter in the pen until needed to cover for injury or poor performance until Sept. then go back to a six man rotation to give some rest and to set up the 4 or 5 man rotation for the playoffs . That's assuming they make the playoffs.I'm exited about the team right now but if the chance comes to add an elite player go get 'em AA!.
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I for once 100% agree with a comment on a discussion board. Everything you said i agree with, however i do believe that there is still (at least) some work to be done in the bullpen. I don't want to see the jays trade away any more potentially valuable prospect/trade-chips unless they can secure an all-star player like David price, in return (although i doubt they will aim for/afford a player of price's caliber). I have seen the jays collapse far too many times before to know that our bullpen continues to be a major cause for concern, and despite the recent blockbuster trade including JJ and Burhle, there is still some vulnerability in our middle relief. I believe it is this very area that AA is looking to improve upon (especially in light of the injury plagued season the jays just came off of). I would support trading Arencibia (and perhaps a decent prospect) so long as AA can arrange a 2 for 2 trade that would aim to help the jays improve their relief pitching. Despite Arencibia's deceptively high/valuable batting average, he lacks the defensive ability behind the plate that Buck has consistently shown, and I believe he can be a very valuable trading chip. BUT PLEASE AA WHATEVER U DO... please dont trade Arencibia for the sake of trading him. Many teams need catchers so i believe it is in toronto's interest to hold onto Arencibia until a beneficial trade could be arranged. Plus, Arencibia has already mentioned his interests in staying to play in Toronto next season, so I don't see any rush for AA to look to move him, better that he waits for other teams to approach him. CANNOT WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON!!!!
