Should Blue Jays shop around the Cincinnati Reds sale?

Jun 29, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (34) throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at AT&T Park. The Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Chance Options –

Homer Bailey – 

Homer Bailey is a tough player to figure out. The former first round pick had a breakout 2013 season where it looked like Bailey was a lock to be a consistent number two starter, pitching a career high 209 innings with a 3.49 ERA, and a 4.1 WAR. Bailey would sign a extension early in 2014, for six years $105 million  with a $25 million dollar team option in 2020. After a huge contract year, Bailey would be sidelined in 2014 due to forearm fatigue only making twenty-three starts. When it was time for his bounce back season in 2015, it was revealed that Bailey required Tommy John surgery, only making two starts in 2015.

The health concerns may be cleared up, but there’s no sure thing with guys who have logged well over 1000 Major League innings on their arms. The Blue Jays are looking for depth in their starting rotation, maybe not top line talent, but a potential four or five starter is more in the mix. Thats why trades for Jesse Chavez make more sense for the Jays at the moment. It doesn’t seem like it’s in Shapiro’s DNA to spend this kind of money on a pitcher who is locked up for three more seasons, making more than twenty million a year, who has a shaky injury past. If the price is right though (too soon?), who knows what kind of deal you could get. Bailey is the kind of player who the Reds would be looking to get rid of.

season.

Next: Have Soria and Madson Deals Hurt Blue Jays?

Billy Hamilton – 

It would be odd adding another outfield option to the already deep pool of outfield players the Blue Jays have right now. A subtraction of Ben Revere or Michael Saunders would have to happen to even consider trading for Billy Hamilton. The 25 year old Hamilton, has a lot of upside to his game. His defense over the past two years in centre field has been superb, posting a 14.5 UZR in 2015, committing only two errors in over 2200 innings in the Majors.

The biggest upside to Hamilton’s game is his ability on the base paths, stealing over 50 bases a season the past two years. Getting on base however can prove to be difficult. In his first two seasons, Hamilton has a .238 AVG, and a .283 OBP! That OBP can be difficult to wrap your head around, but Hamilton has a lot of difficulty hitting fastballs, as he’s prone to hit a lot of pop-ups. Something Blue Jays hitting coaches would be able to work on with Hamilton.

With the right mix of prospects, Cincinnati might consider trading Hamilton. The only drawback, is Hamilton is signed to the league minimum, and should be the kind of player who Cincinnati wants to build a future around.

Stats Provided by Fangraphs