Blue Jays Morning Brew: Rumors and Dealings

Welcome to the Morning Brew. The rumors are starting to pick up again surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays. Let’s see what the internet has to offer.

Well, Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos will have to get creative if he is going to improve his team while saving money. Would he go a familiar route and try and ‘catch lightning in a bottle’? You know, the reclamation project type signings Blue Jays fans have come to loathe. If so, he may be considering Johan Santana. According to Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, that may be exactly what is happening.

Apparently, the Blue Jays are one of a few teams who are exploring the idea of bringing back the now 35 year old who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2012. Santana has quite the extensive list of injuries to his resume. Most famously, he’s had shoulder surgery that cost him heaps of time. Most recently it was his Achilles. It is pretty safe to say that Blue Jays fans have seen their share of injured pitchers (Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson, anyone?) to be less than excited by this rumor.

Next: Are Blue Jays Interested in Burke Badenhop?

It took a while, but we found out where Colby Rasmus will be playing next year. There were rumors flying around about possible interest from several clubs, but it looks as though he’ll settle with the Houston Astros of the “No Tax” state. According to AP Sports (via Yahoo), the outfielder has agreed to an $8M deal. The Astros had a vacancy in CF after trading Dexter Fowler to the Cubs. This is an interesting deal for the ‘Stros. It will be interesting to pair Rasmus with another power/strike out hitter in Chris Carter. Combined these two hit 55 HR and 306 Ks. And, that is with Rasmus missing 58 games.

Oh, and for good measure, Colby takes a shot at the turf in a piece by Brian McTaggart of MLBlog Network. AMong the reasons for him liking Houston, he lists the warm weather, his brother playing for the Angels (also in the AL West) and that grass field. He says the turf “was pretty rough”. I suppose it could be worse. 

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From the Baltimore Sun (via CarrollCountyTimes.com) we hear some more info on the Dan Duquette saga. At first, it would appear that everything we read is a rehash and there is no movement on something that may be blown out of proportion. Except, this piece by Dan Connelly doesn’t have that feeling for me.

A couple things that stand out to me: 1) Duquette is quoted as saying: “At this point there really is nothing to say on the issue,” and “I will talk about it when the time is appropriate.” It’s the AT THIS POINT thing that grabs me. Does that mean there will be something happening and he’ll comment when it does? Or, does that mean he’s focussed on other things and will address it later?

The other thing that stands out is what Connelly suggests as the package for a potential deal to land Duquette. Rather than the usual prospects and/or cash, Connelly says that this deal would be a “landmark” tarde given Orioles’ owner, Peter Angelos’ very public stance. It would take a lot to get him to budge now. Connelly tells us to “Think an established major leaguer or two or some other mind-blowing package.” Really?

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

At Headlines and Global News (HNGN.com), Thomas Carannante brings us some info from Jim Bowden of ESPN. Unfortunately, Bowden’s piece is only available with the Insider subscription. Luckily, Carannante fills us in on the part that pertains to the Blue Jays. Apparently, they have been keeping in contact with the Philadelphia Phillies all winter about SP Cole Hamels.

This is intriguing, yes. But it would take a lot to pry Hamels away. Yes, he’s owed money and that would be part of the deal, but what else? More importantly, WHO else? Can the Blue Jays afford to pull from their human capital as much as it would take to land Hamels? It is worth noting that the Blue Jays are only mentioned in passing as an option, as seems to be the case with just about everyone available via trade, free agency or shady (bordering on tampering) phone calls.

The Blue Jays Winter Tour stopped in Calgary. Here’s a bit of a rundown:

During the Winter Tour, Marcus Stroman took the time to talk about his mentality and determination to prove that his height is not an issue. Not only did he brand his Height Doesn’t Measure Heart (HDMH) phrase, he is out to prove everyone wrong. It sounds quaint and inspirational until you hear him talk about it. It takes on a serious tone that is fierce. Allan Maki at the Globe and Mail brings us a little profile of the bulldog swagger of #StroShow. But, it is best to let Stroman’s words speak for themselves:

"“[At Duke], I wasn’t just short, I was ‘superundersized,’” Stroman said of the taunts hurled his way. “When I started in the minors, I was told I can’t hold up, that I would have too many injuries. Have coaches tried to change the way I throw? All my life.”"

Finally, if you are wondering, the Blue Jays will open up the 2015 season in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium on April 6th at 1pm ET. Their home opener will be a week later on April 13 at 7:07pm ET against the Tampa Bay Rays. This coming from a list of all 30 MLB teams and their opening schedules from SportingNews.com