Blue Jays actively scouting Athletics players

Jun 10, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) and second baseman Jed Lowrie (8) talk against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) and second baseman Jed Lowrie (8) talk against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays were one of a number of teams who had executives and scouts in attendance for Sonny Gray’s start on Sunday in Chicago according to A’s beat writer Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland A’s pitcher Sonny Gray has been the subject of trade rumors for some time due to his team friendly contract that has two years of control remaining on it after this season. The 27-year earned $ 3.575 million in 2017 and is arbitration eligible after this season but won’t hit free agency until 2020.

Gray has been the shell of his former-self struggling to regain his All-Star form from 2015. The A’s will understandably be asking for a package of high-end prospects to pry his services from the bay. Gray was impressive for all in attendance on Sunday limiting the White Sox to one run over seven innings while fanning seven.

It may be more conceivable that the Blue Jays were actually scouting Athletics infielder Jed Lowrie who could take over the reins at second base for the injured Devon Travis. The 33-year old Lowrie is enjoying a fine season at the plate slashing .283/.355/.476 with 8 home runs. The former first round pick is earning an affordable $6.5 million this season with a $6 million dollar team option for 2018.

The former first round pick is earning an affordable $6.5 million this season with a $6 million dollar team option for 2018. Lowrie is expendable with the emergence and promotion of former Blue Jays prospect Franklin Barreto last week.

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The price tag for Lowrie would be more in the Jays wheelhouse than mortgaging the future on a hurler who has struggled for a season and a half. The report from Slusser also stated that the Cubs, Mariners, Braves and Red Sox were also in attendance for the contest.

Reliever Ryan Madson could be a valuable addition to the Blue Jays bullpen as the veteran is enjoying a great season with the A’s posting a 2.45 earned run average in  31 relief appearances this season. The only sticking point with Madson is the $7.6 million he is owed next season.

The Jays could have also been there to scout White Sox players who are no doubt available in trade. Perhaps a reunion with Melky Cabrera or a stab a closer David Robertson could be in the cards as the trade deadline gets closer.

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Glad to see the Jays are doing their due diligence and exploring ways to upgrade the current squad, hopefully where there is smoke, there is fire.