The offseason which some hoped would build upon last year’s isn’t exactly going so well. Shaun Marcum was shipped off to Milwaukee, John Buck bounced to Florida, and Scott Downs got the money he was looking for in LA. Kevin Gregg isn’t likely to come back either.
Overbay is now a Pittsburgh Pirate. Good luck trying to get five million dollars worth of value from him…
Aside from the Marcum trade, which is a bit of a head scratcher, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous seems to have made the right move with most of these guys. A 35 year old Downs isn’t worth as much as his two drafts picks and Buck was expendable.
But let’s be serious, the Jays aren’t that bad. In fact they’re pretty good. Not to mention on paper, two of the three teams in the AL East have gotten worse.
The Jays aren’t really that far away from a potential playoff berth. Alex Anthopolous seems to think this team is years away from playoff contention. He’s right, I wouldn’t expect to see the Jays playing next October, but they aren’t that far away.
One move that the Jays should look into is a potential trade for Prince Fielder. I know that might come as a ridiculous concept for some but his price isn’t going to be that high.
Just look at the Red Sox’ trade for Adrian Gonzalez. Sure Padres GM Jed Hoyer knew the Red Sox farm system like the back of his hand, but the powerful slugger only cost one top prospect and two fairly good ones.
The difference between Adrian and Prince? Adrian had a great year, Prince had a down one. Factor in the defensive abilities that Gonzalez brings and the two are quite different. And so are their prices.
The Brewers can shop Prince all they want but they won’t get big money prospects. Prince is good but with one year left on his deal, they’re not getting much for the fat first basemen.
This deal for me at least would be contingent on a contract extension since it would be a waste to have him for a one year rental. But even with that, this guy will not cost Toronto Kyle Drabek, J.P. Arencibia, or any other elite prospects.
The first basemen free agent class of 2011 once looked like one for the ages. Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, and Fielder were all set to hit free agency. For now Howard is the only one locked up, but Gonzalez is expected to sign an extension with the Red Sox.
With the Red Sox and the Yankees seemingly set at first base, the market for these powerful sluggers will not be what everyone thinks it will. You might expect teams like the Mariners, Nationals, Orioles, and possibly the Braves getting involved. But that’s about it. Extending Fielder isn’t going to be that hard, or that expensive.
Toronto is a great team that plays in a tough position. Toronto is also not a poor team. The Jays need to spend some money to get better. Fielder seems to be a great fit to plug the hole at first base left by Overpay. The Jays may not need to “overpay” him either.
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