Blue Jays Morning Brew: Jay Bruce, John Jaso & What’s Next?

Well, the Red Sox certainly have stolen some off season thunder, no? But, if there is one thing we know, it is that Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos is going to keep working. Let’s take a look at what has been going on in Blue Jay land.

At MLB.com, Gregor Chisholm explores what the Red Sox “splash” means for the Blue Jays and the rest of the AL East. Specifically, Chisholm points out that the Blue Jays still have work to do. And, while the rumors linking them to Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez were overblown, there is certainly room for wheeling and dealing. For example, the Blue Jays could use their pitching depth. Is it just me, or does that sentence just sound weird? Blue Jays and pitching depth. Let’s just take that in, shall we?

At The Sun, Bob Elliott is adding his two cents to the Jay Bruce rumors. He tells us that the Reds have been contacted by AA, but appear to be asking quite a bit for Bruce.

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Apparently, they are seeking cheap, major league ready talent. Well, who isn’t? Elliott suggests

as a possibility. But he also points out that if the Reds ask for any of

,

or

, the talks will certainly stop then and there. It always amazes me the high asking prices for “established” players. But, it amazes me even more that there are actually teams who will pay it. The Blue jays are not one of them.

None of this may even matter as Jay Bruce has a list of teams he can block trades to. The Blue Jays are on said list. As Jonah Birenbaum of The Score points out, this may be an easy fix if the Blue Jays commit to picking up his $13M option for the 2017 season. It would certainly be a risk. But, if Bruce can prove last year’s performance was just a blip and he can return to his power form, it is one that I’d be willing to take.

At Sportsnet.ca, Shi Davidi wonders where the aforementioned Sean Nolin fits in to the Blue Jays future movements. He could be a relief option or he could start. Or, he could be a trade chip. Davidi says that Oakland and Philadelphia have both checked on him to varying degrees. Davidi’s piece ends with a small interview with Nolin. It’s an interesting read. Personally, I feel that if the Blue Jays are going to make an impact trade this off season, it will have to include Nolin. It certainly isn’t going to include one of the 3 mentioned above.

Former pitcher and Sportsnet baseball analyst, the polarizing Dirk Hayhurst, offered up an interesting take on the John Jaso rumors that have been flying (if you can get through the seemingly pointless story of Ben Zobrist and religion). If you remember, the Blue Jays have been linked to him. I know, they’ve been linked to so many people, it’s hard to keep up. But, Hayhurst brings up some good points.

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Why go after another catcher? Yes, he can play some first base. But, mostly, they’d be getting him because he gets on base really well. But as Hayhurst points out, this would also give the Blue Jays a plethora of catching to go along with their seemingly large stockpile of pitching. And, he points out that teams always want those two commodities. Since there would be so much of it, could it be simply another way of getting what other people want? Would AA be controlling supply AND demand? Interesting.

And, in a move that surprises no one:

Do I really need to say anything here?

I would, however, be remiss if I did not mention the following. I have read and shared many pieces of work by Richard Griffin over my time here. His insight and contributions to baseball in Canada have been tremendous. It has been announced that he will receive the 2014 Jack Graney Award from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Brendan Kennedy of The Star gives us the details about Griffin’s contributions and his life. This award is given to those “members of the media who have “made significant contributions to baseball in Canada through their life’s work.” Congratulations, Richard!