Blue Jays advantages in dead Bruce-for-Saunders Trade

Still time to make a deal

While the Jays/Angels/Reds trade fell through, it does not mean that the Jays are done shopping Saunders or seeking an outfield bat. While he might not have been what the Angels were looking for, multiple teams could still benefit from having outfield experience.

The White Sox, Indians, and Orioles, to name a few. While it is unlikely that the Jays and Orioles will actively shop with one another, the Jays do have strong ties with the Indians. The Jays have been linked to trades with Cleveland since before Shapiro took control. While that hasn’t resulted in anything since, it does not mean that the coals are not still burning. Similarly, the White Sox could also seek out the Jays to help with their own outfield.

Furthermore, the Jays have the ability to deal from a position of strength, one they did not have a week ago. The additions of Brown and Rafael Soriano present legitimate upside players at little cost. While there is currently nothing between the teams right now, there is a lot of time to go before Opening Day. The death of this trade has created real depth for the Blue Jays. Not too many dead trades turn into signing to former All Stars for cheap.

Next: Blue Jays set to soar with the real Tulowitzki

Trade was a bad fit for the Blue Jays

Arguing about dollars and cents with Bautista and Encarnacion is not the time to bring on an ailing former star with a high price tag of his own. The Blue Jays dealt away Ben Rever to acquire bull en ace Drew Storen because they had the depth to do so. That trade fit the teams budgetary requirements and strengthened a problem, while slightly weakening a strength. That deal was a good trade off. The Bruce for Saunders deal was bizarre.

It contradicted what the Jays wanted to do as a team, and did not fill any holes. While fans have since fantasized about seeing Bruce’s bat in Rogers Centre, it’s not something they needed to see. The Blue Jays can already hit ball. One extra impact bat won’t change that, especially when Saunders represents one of the Jays best chances at an impactful leadoff batter. Eliminating him from the equation only makes a weakness weaker and a strength slightly stronger. The risk/reward for the trade was all wrong, and seemed like an oversight from a team that has insisted on making good investments.

In the week since this deal failed, the Blue Jays have become a much stronger team on both the Major and Minor League level. While no deal was done, the Jays still managed to come out winners.