Blue Jays Rumours: Hot Stove already heating up

The MLB General Managers meetings are in full swing in Orlando, Florida as teams begin their offseason dialogue with free agents and respective brain trusts in regards to the availability of certain players one another may covet.

There has already been some Hot Stove action involving the Blue Jays as GM Ross Atkins addressed the media after day one shedding some light on their progress as the jockeying for players has begun. Atkins advised he was looking for a versatile middle infielder who can log 600 at-bats while playing multiple positions.

"“Our priority is complementing our infield in some way with versatility, someone that can not just play when needed, but someone who can potentially get 600 plate appearances across our infield in some form or fashion.”"

Atkins also informed that he has been in talks with free agent pitcher Tyler Chatwood. The GM did also manage to say that he plans on talking to every available free agent pitcher coupled with trade talks for starting pitching.

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Chatwood is an interesting arm having spent all but his rookie season with the Colorado Rockies in the hitting confines of Coors Field. Last season Chatwood went 8-15 with a 4.69 earned run average while fanning 120 in 147. 2 innings on the bump. The 27-year old also surrendered 20 gopher balls while accumulating a 2.2 WAR.

The former 2nd round pick of the Los Angeles Angels was acquired by the Rockies in 2011 for catcher Chris Iannetta. Chatwood earned $4.4 million dollars last season in the final year of his contract. He would be a nice addition to the back of the rotation over Joe Biagini and surely getting out of Colorado should lower his earned run average.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweeted yesterday that the Blue Jays and Mets have already reached out the free agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain. The 31-year old hit .300/.363/.440 with 15 homers and 26 stolen bases. Cain would bring some much-needed speed to the Jays lineup however the outfielder is headed toward his decline years turning 32 in April so the term of the new deal could be a sticking point for potential suitors.

Earlier last week it was said the Blue Jays were once again interested in Jay Bruce who is reportedly seeking a 5-year deal this offseason. The Jays would be crazy to offer Bruce anything more than two years and he is definitely not my first choice on the free agent to-do list.

Atkins also made some encouraging remarks about the Blue Jays impending pursuit of the Japanese sensation Shohei Otani. The Blue Jays may not have the most International spending to persuade Otani but they may have the best total package with resources, development and the desire to allow him to pitch as well as bat.

Next: Minor League Free Agents worth the gamble in 2018

We are not even through the GM Meetings and the hot stove is festering nicely, stay tuned to Jays Journal in the coming weeks for your rumour round-up surrounding the Blue Jays.