Blue Jays lurking in the weeds with sights set on big names

According to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays are quietly lurking around some of the high profile free agents like J.D. Martinez and Lorenzo Cain.

The Blue Jays have had an unusually uneventful offseason thus far however that could all change according to Heyman who tabs the Jays as an under the radar team with interest in J.D. Martinez and would give Lorenzo Cain consideration but aren’t necessarily in the market for a center fielder.

Heyman also divulges that the Jays have had discussions with free agents Carlos Gonzalez, Eduardo Nunez and could see Howie Kendrick making sense. Discussions with the Padres have also occurred with the Jays focussing on the Friars relievers including Brad Hand.

Here is a look at Heyman’s Blue Jays related comments in his most recent article:

"The Jays are an under-the-radar team with interest in J.D. Martinez, as was mentioned here first. He makes sense with Edwin Encarnacion gone and Jose Bautista as good as gone.They have also talked to Carlos Gonzalez.They’d consider Lorenzo Cain, but they don’t really have a center field need since they have Kevin Pillar.They’ve talked to the Padres about relievers, including Brad Hand.They’ve talked about Eduardo Nunez. Howie Kendrick could make some sense there, as well."

Martinez is reportedly seeking a contract in the neighborhood of $160-$200 million and although he provides a potent dynamic bat, his defense sometimes gets called into question. Martinez would slot well into the Jays outfield lineup with the loss of Jose Bautista, however, the term of the deal may be a hard sell for Ross Atkins and company.