Kuzul

According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com , the Blue Jays intend to get a good return for reliever Scott Downs and will ask for one of each interested club’s top prospects in return.

Here is more from Speier:

“The Jays can aim high on Downs in part because he likely will be a Type A free agent following this season, meaning that he could net two draft picks should he reject an arbitration offer and sign elsewhere in free agency, just as was the case with the Sox and Wagner a year ago. Even so, to date, the Sox and other clubs have balked at parting with a top prospect for a middle reliever, leading the source to conclude that any deal involving Downs seems unlikely “until just before the deadline if at all.”

The Yankees top prospects are probably catchers Jesus Montero , Austin Romine, and pitcher Manny Banuelos .

If they are set on getting a top organizational pick, then dealing either pitcher Ivan Nova or Zach McAllister might be an option.

We found out earlier in the day that the Yankees have “dangled” Montero for Joakim Soria and that the Royals turned the offer down.

After Soria there probably is no real No. 2 target, but Downs is one of the more talented relievers on the market. Downs has a combined ERA-plus of 182 over the past three seasons.

Related Stories

• July 25, 2010—Yankees Trade Rumors: Favorites for Scott Downs? (1)
• July 21, 2010—Yankees Rumor Roundup: Cervelli, Downs, Heredia, Maya (0)
• July 18, 2010—10 Potential Relief Trade Candidates for Yankees (3)

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There have been many rumours swirling about the Blue Jays, suggesting who they might be moving before the July 31st trade deadline.  Names like Scott Downs, Jose Bautista, John Buck, and Kevin Gregg are all being mentioned as possible trade chips.  The rumour mill on ESPN even suggests that they might be buyers.  So what are Jays fans supposed to draw from all of this?

Well, it certainly suggests that GM Alex Anthopoulos isn’t content to sit back and hope that the Jays regain the top spot in the American League East.  Toronto is currently 12.5 games back from the Yankees in the division and 9.5 back from the Tampa Bay Rays for the Wild Card spot. So, although they might gain on Boston, due to all the injuries the team has sustained lately, it is unlikely that Tampa and New York would struggle enough in the second half for the Jays to overtake them.

If the Jays are buyers, as ESPN suggests, who might they be after, and are they still dealing these names that are mentioned?  The Jays look like they are set with their pitching rotation, although Jesse Litsch has been struggling, so they could be after another arm with perhaps a little more experience.  But this seems unlikely, considering the young pitching depth that the Jays have.

So in what positions could the Jays use an upgrade?  Well, they have a few set positions right now filled in by the players that the team is going to build around.  Aaron Hill, Adam Lind, Travis Snider, and now Yunel Escobar are the Jays’ future and Vernon Wells is signed long-term and seems to be the leader of the club.  Both Fred Lewis and Jose Bautista are young enough and play important roles that could allow them to be a part of the Jays’ building. 

Then you have Brett Wallace and J.P. Arencibia tearing up Triple-A ball, waiting to get called up to fill first base and catcher.  So what does that leave?  Well, if Snider takes over right field in his return, that pushes Bautista to third base, which leaves Edwin Encarnacion the odd man out.  Encarnacion certainly has a powerful bat, and he is heating up lately with a nine-game hit streak, but on defense is where he struggles.  So if it is between Bautista and his league-leading 27 home runs, and Encarnacion’s streaky play, you can likely figure out who is going to win that competition.

Of course, this still doesn’t determine in which area the Jays need to improve the most, and if they were to be buyers, what would they be looking for?  With Snider’s inexperience, and Lewis’ streaky play at times, the team could be after another outfielder who could hit for average and be a threat on the base paths.  There is also the possibility that Wallace could still use some seasoning in the minors, and with Overbay becoming a free agent at the end of this year, they could deal their current first baseman for a more long-term solution, like they did in acquiring Escobar. 

Granted, this all seems rather unlikely.  The Jays are attempting to go with a youth movement right now and seem to want to allow their players to develop, and give their prospects a chance.  So if they make any moves, it would likely be dealing their veterans on expiring contracts for more prospects and draft picks.  If ESPN is right, and they want to be buyers, you can be sure that they would be pursuing a player signed for several years.  There is no sense in the Jays acquiring more players with expiring contracts for what would seem like an unlikely playoff run.

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There are 10 days until the MLB trade deadline and there are lots of rumors, but very little actual news. There have actually been so many rumors that a few have fallen through the cracks.

Here they are:

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that there are many teams that have been interested in catcher Francisco Cervelli. The Tigers wanted him in the Curtis Granderson trade last December.

The Yankees have “significant interest” in Blue Jays LHP Scott Downs, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse.

The Yankees have been very quiet on the IFA front so far, but are reportedly targeting elite Mexican pitcher Luis Heredia. The expected bonus is at least $2 million.

Another IFA, 28-year-old RHP Yunesky Maya, who has been connected to the Yankees multiple times in the past, has signed with the Washington Nationals.

I’m not surprised to hear that teams are interested in Cervelli. I bet there are a couple of teams that might even use him as their starting catcher. However, I doubt the Yankees would be willing to deal him. At least not this season, but maybe during the winter. The Yankees could technically use Jorge Posada, Jesus Montero, and Austin Romine as a catching trio in 2011, which would leave them with very little need for Cervelli.

I kind of find it hard to imagine the Yankees landing Downs, but with Damaso Marte on the DL, it is certainly possible. I think the cost will just be a little too high.

Related Stories

July 18, 2010: 10 Potential Relief Trade Candidates for Yankees (1)

July 1, 2010: Cervelli Makes Me Wonder if the Yankees Should Call Up Montero (4)

June 4, 2010: With Johnson’s Return in Doubt Keep an Eye on Jesus Montero (1)

May 19, 2010: Yankees Interested in Cuban RHP Yunesky Maya (2)

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

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The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are currently competing for the services of Toronto Blue Jay Reliever Scott Downs. According to AOL FanHouses’ Ed Price, both teams have demonstrated “big-time” interest in the soon-to-be free agent Southpaw from their division rival.

Downs has actually been on the block for some time as Toronto continues a virtual fire sale they began when Roy Halladay was dealt last year. Last week SS Alex Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Catcher John Buck is reportedly on the block as well, and Boston has been suggested as a possible destination.

Downs joins fellow Toronto Relievers Kevin Gregg and Jason Frasor as possible targets for contenders needing a boost out of the bullpen, but as the most effective of the three, Downs is obviously garnering the most interest.

Aside from shuffling around the walking wounded, Boston Manager Terry Francona’s greatest dilemma this year has been bridging the gap between his excellent starting rotation and his All-Star closer.

Outside Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard, the Red Sox bullpen has been as great a weakness as it was once a great strength. The lefty setup man Hideki Okajima, the resurgent Rule-Five pick Ramon Ramirez, and the local flamethrower Manny Delcarmen haven’t lived up to their former selves.

While the Red Sox called up Michael Bowden and added him to the pen this week, they will need to find relievers via trade if they are to assemble the arms necessary for a postseason run.

Downs is one of the best available options. This year, Downs has put up a 2.56 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over 38.2 innings of relief work. He’s achieved ratios of 6.98 K/9 and 1.86 BB/9.

Downs is concluding a three-year, $10 million deal and has a $4 million 2010 salary.

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Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions about the picture that opens the slideshow, you can relax, because Mariano Rivera isn’t going anywhere.

However, there have been plenty of rumors that have centered around relievers, most of which any team would love to have in their own bullpen for the stretch run.

There are some better than others, some that will cost more in return, and even more that can be had for not much at all.

However, whether they cost major league talent, top prospects, or your run of the mill “player to be named later,” we’ll see plenty of relievers moved at the deadline make a huge impact on their new teams as they make a run to the division titles and into the playoffs.

The following list is the 10 relievers who would make the biggest impact to any team that wants to make it deep into the playoffs.

Begin Slideshow

The Texas Rangers made, arguably, one of the biggest trades in franchise history for a guy that was called the “biggest impact pitcher” since Nolan Ryan wore a Rangers’ uniform.

Rangers’ general manager Jon Daniels decided that first baseman Justin Smoak was expendable, and was able to sneak in under the radar and bring Cliff Lee to the Rangers.

But, just when it seemed like the Rangers could be done dealing, there are rumors and rumblings to the contrary.

While Chris Davis will be their starting first baseman of the future, at least for now, it wouldn’t hurt for Daniels to go out and land another player that could spell Davis at first and not lose much offensively.

If you’re asking for my opinion, the Rangers’ bullpen still needs a lot of work, as does their rotation.

Sure Neftali Feliz gives the team a lockdown closer, Darren Oliver and Darren O’Day have had better than expected years, but besides that they don’t have another pitcher that makes teams fear the late innings.

So, here are my list of players that the Rangers should look at as well as explaining what they would bring to the team. The team isn’t done dealing, they still have moves to be made, these are just a few players they should or could look at.

Begin Slideshow

When it comes to the July 31st trading deadline, left-handed relievers are in fashion like white pants are for females during the summer. And I must say, the person who said it was fashionable for females to wear white pants during the summer, I would like to personally thank.

I always know it is going to be a good day when I am walking to work and see a bunch of good-looking girls in white pants. Okay, let me control myself here and get back to the topic at hand.

The topic at hand is left-handed relievers, and the left-handed reliever of the moment is the Toronto Blue Jays’ Scott Downs. With the Blue Jays falling from playoff contention once again in the American League, it looks like Downs will be one of the most sought-after relievers on the market.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the 34-year-old out of Louisville, and the teams that could potentially be interested in him.

Pros

Over the last three and a half years, Downs has been one of the most consistent left-handed relievers in the game. Over this time span, Downs has a 2.33 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 212.2 innings.

Downs is especially tough against lefties, which is obviously key for a left-handed reliever. Downs is holding lefties to a .208 BAA in 2010.

Downs also does his best when there are men on base, which is key for relievers. When entering the game with runners on base, or when he puts them there himself, Downs is holding batters to a .188 average.

The last pro for Downs is that his contract expires at the end of this year. If a team acquires him, they won’t have to worry about paying him past 2010.

Cons

I think the biggest issue teams will have when thinking about acquiring Downs is how is he going to react in a pennant race? Pitching in front of 10,000 people against the Baltimore Orioles is a lot different than pitching in Boston or New York come October.

How is he going to react when he gives up the game-tying home run in the bottom of the eighth at Yankee Stadium or in Texas? I guess there is only one way to find that out, but it is something to consider.

You also have to wonder about Downs’ decreased K/9 rate. His 6.9 K’s/9 is the lowest of his career. Pitchers who have a tough time striking people out usually have a rough go of it in the playoffs.

Now that we have looked at the pros and cons of Downs, lets take a look at what teams might be interested in the former Kentucky Wildcat.

Boston Red Sox

Hideki Okajima isn’t himself, and the Red Sox need another bridge to get to Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels desperately need bullpen help, and Downs could be the lefty they have been missing since Darren Oliver left.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals need starting pitching depth, but Downs would be an upgrade over Dennys Reyes and Trevor Miller.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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The MLB trade deadline is just weeks away, and the Toronto Blue Jays new GM, Alex Anthopoulos, is expected to continue putting his stamp on the team.

With that in mind, here are the players Anthopoulos should consider trading:

John Buck

He was not meant to be much more than a stopgap catcher until a prospect (like JP Arencibia) comes up through the system.

Arencibia has been simply outstanding from the batter’s box, hitting 25 home runs with a batting average of .319. His on-base percentage could improve, as its a paltry .369 and one of the main reasons his slugging is only .661.

However, if he works at better plate discipline, he could be an outstanding hitter. In the end, Arencibia is ready to be called up.

Trading John Buck while he is still hitting this great is crucial. The Blue Jays can get top-flight prospects if he continues playing this well.

They need to trade him while his value is still high, after all, he was only a backup for Kansas City last year. What are the chances of him keeping this up?

Lyle Overbay

Not because of Brett Wallace. I fully expect Wallace to be a great player and to be absolutely solid, but he is finally finding his groove defensively.

This, however, has cost him in offense, as his slugging is a paltry .497. He has an average of .296 with 14 home runs, but I think he needs a bit more seasoning.

The main reason for this trade is that Overbay’s contract is up at the end of the year, so we may as well see if we can get something for him now as a rental player.

I don’t think he would get us any compensation picks with the way he played this year. That’s not set in stone yet, though.

Alex Gonzalez

Before people realize he’s a one-trick pony (all he can do is hit home runs), we can see if we can sell him to the highest bidder for top-level prospects.

Once again, nobody is probably ready to go from the minors, so we would have to acquire a bad SS as part of the deal.

The Entire Bullpen

Seriously, if we can get Brandon Morrow for Brandon League, we should see if we can get a bunch of solid starting pitching prospects almost ready to go for them.

What’s the harm after all? If we have a weaker bullpen, we can send in all these starters as relievers.

They would be much more effective, and if someone like Morrow is available (I’m looking at you, Matt Cain), then we have to take him.

Vernon Wells

The main guy. This guy has cranked it up a notch and has been hitting home runs like crazy, much like the entire Blue Jays offense. His slugging and OPS leave a little bit to be desired, but he has been solid this year.

If someone takes his fat contract (I’m thinking of a team with a payroll higher than $175 million, you get three guesses) we can have lots of money to spend.

Also, if we get a top-flight prospect like Jesus Montero, we can also use him as a catcher sooner rather than later.

With all the money we would have to spend, Anthopoulos can truly build this team the way he wants.

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