Tip of the Tower
Fansided

A Look at Toronto Blue Jays Rumors from Winter Meetings

By Chris Okrainetz

facebooktwitterreddit

It was an interesting first day at the MLB Winter Meetings for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team was once again linked to coveted free agent slugger Chris Davis, and they also received some news about Edwin Encarnacion.

Here’s a look at the news and rumours surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays after day one of the MLB Winter Meetings:

Edwin Encarnacion sets extension deadline of spring training

According to a report from Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, and from Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston, the Blue Jays have until spring training to negotiate a contract extension with Edwin Encarnacion or else he will test free agency following the 2016 season.

Bradford says this is a notable development for the Red Sox because sources have suggested there would be mutual interest between EE and the Sox if he were to become a free agent.

Before Jays’ fans start to panic, there is a lot of time between now and spring training. Also, according to Tony LaCava, the Blue Jays have not been informed of an opening day deadline for Encarnacion.

Considering Encarnacion has been a bargain for the Blue Jays over the last couple years, you can bet that he will want a raise on his next contract. It will more than likely all come down to term, however. Encarnacion will turn 33 this winter and any sort of long-term deal beyond four years seems unrealistic.

Would EE be willing to sign for a three-year deal? Or could he get a four to five-year deal elsewhere?

Chris Davis, Chris Davis, Chris Davis

In case you somehow didn’t hear, the Blue Jays are once again being linked to Chris Davis.

Unfortunately though, this move is very, very unlikely.

In fact, when I spoke with somebody very familiar with the Blue Jays situation, he chuckled when I asked about Crush Davis, and said it makes for good “click bait”. Sportsnet’s Mike Wilner also reiterated this on Twitter.

There are a number of angles you could take when approaching this rumour, but the bottom line remains the same: unless the Blue Jays payroll increases, and we’re talking a significant increase, or they make a trade to create financial flexibility, Chris Davis is not coming to Toronto.

More from Tip of the Tower

Ownership could up payroll and allow the Jays to make a serious run at Davis, but if they were unwilling to do that for David Price, why would they all of the sudden be inclined to do it for Davis?

Davis won’t command the same kind of deal Price did, but he will more than likely draw a contract ranging from $18 to $23 million AAV. That’s not exactly in the Blue Jays ballpark financially.

As is usually the case with Boras’ clients, rumours around them generate a ton of buzz, and the Davis to Toronto rumours have done just that. But again, unless something drastically changes within the Jays payroll situation, Davis is a long shot at best.

Blue Jays said to be “active” at Winter Meetings

According to a source I spoke with who is at the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays were “active” on day one and engaged in talks throughout the day with both free agents and teams. Based off LaCava’s comments, it would support that notion, but what “engaging” means is subjective.

With top free agent relief pitchers like Darren O’Day, Joakim Soria, Mark Lowe and Ryan Madson no longer on the market, the Blue Jays will shift their focus to the second-tier group of relievers, which likely was their plan all along.

Live Feed

MLB rumors: Shohei Ohtani's decision timeline revealed
MLB rumors: Shohei Ohtani's decision timeline revealed /

FanSided

  • Is this the offseason the Blue Jays finally pull the trigger on long-time outfield target? Jays Journal
  • With opportunity to build a super-bullpen, the Blue Jays should call on newly-available Guardians closerJays Journal
  • Blue Jays sign Andrew Bechtold, a worthwhile project, to minor league dealJays Journal
  • Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette earns well deserved praise for his improved defense in 2023Jays Journal
  • Blue Jays radio personality suggests Blue Jays could shop George Springer this winterJays Journal

    • Pitchers like Tommy Hunter, Joe Blanton, Neftali Perez, Tony Sipp and Al Alburquerque are all names to keep an eye on. Another name to keeps tabs on is San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner. The Padres are said to be shopping Cashner, Ross and Shields, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Blue Jays inquired about Cashner. He’s entering the final year of his contract and he could be the kind of buy low option the Jays are after. 

    The Padres could use a prospect in the outfield, which is something the Blue Jays have in their farm, so the Padres are certainly a team Jays’ fans should keep an eye on. I understand Andrew Cashner isn’t as appealing as Tyson Ross, but he would undoubtedly the easier of the two players to acquire. The Padres did “aggressively scout” the Blue Jays this summer, so perhaps a deal wouldn’t be difficult to reach.

    Blue Jays are targeting low cost, high value relievers

    Aside from the second-tier relief pitchers mentioned above, reclamation projects like Steve Cishek are also worth keeping an eye on. Other possible low cost, high value candidates include: John Axford, Ernesto Frieri and Neftali Feliz.

    Blue Jays want a utility bench player who can play shortstop

    With Devon Travis expected to miss the start of spring training, and possibly longer, the Blue Jays are in the market for a utility bench player who can play shortstop, according to manager John Gibbons.

    Next: Clock Ticking on Encarnacion's Time in Toronto

    A few players the Jays might look at are: Clint Barmes, Stephen Drew, Joaquin Arias, and Mike Aviles.

    Home/Toronto Blue Jays