Blue Jays reportedly lowering asking price for J.A. Happ

According to New York Yankees writer Andy Martino, the Toronto Blue Jays have lowered their asking price for veteran starter J.A. Happ.

J.A. Happ has been linked to the Mariners, Cubs, and mostly the Yankees over the past month. Happ is almost certainly going to get moved before July 31^st, but to who? The Yankees have prospects they can move in any trade they make, but they also have Clint Frazier who seems to be gathering interest. It was reported last week that Clint Frazier was available in a JA Happ trade. It was also reported though that the Blue Jays were more interested in the Yanks pitching prospects.

The Jays have Grichuk and Pillar under contract for the next few years, they have Dwight Smith Jr going up and down between AAA and the majors, and they also have Pompey and Alford in AAA. The Blue Jays don’t really need another outfielder in Clint Frazier, but Atkins and the Blue Jays organization tend to go for the “best player available” mentality, instead of looking for specific positions.

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If the Yankees want to make a run this postseason and be a legitimate contender, their starting rotation has to get better. Their starting rotation has a combined ERA of 4.14. Not bad, but is that good enough for a World Series run? To put it in comparison, the Red Sox starting rotation has an ERA of 3.95.

With Sabathia battling injuries for the majority of the season, Sonny Gray being unpredictable all season, Domingo German unproven, and Tanaka and Severino the only two they can count on to give them a good game every time they take the mound — the Yankees starting rotation needs an upgrade. Whether it be JA Happ or Chris Archer, it needs an upgrade.

Next: Blue Jays: Roberto Osuna joins Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo

It’s almost unquestionable that Happ isn’t a Blue Jay come August — where he goes to isn’t so certain. Happ is most likely a New York Yankee following the trade deadline, although he has also been connected to the Cubs and Mariners. No matter which team lands J.A, one thing is certain – the  Jays should be receiving a couple of good prospects in return.