Jays may send catcher packingAugust 28
Toronto Star (scroll down) (registration required):
"Molina has a mutual option for $7.5 million next season (against a
$500,000 buyout) but it's highly unlikely the team picks that up. Zaun,
who has said he wants to retire a Blue Jay, and Phillips become
outright free agents."
Which skippers' jobs are in the crosshairsAugust 27
New York Daily News:
"Now, however, it looks like Manuel is safe for next year, given the
way the Phillies have rallied into wild card contention for him
post-Bobby Abreu. The same, however, cannot be said for Joe Girardi and
John Gibbons, both of whom had recent celebrated blowups - Girardi with
his boss, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, and Gibbons with pitcher Ted
Lilly (his second such incident with a Blue Jays player this year, the
other being with since-exiled third baseman Shea Hillenbrand)."
Will Gibbons and Lilly soon be southbound?August 27
Baltimore Sun (registration required):
"Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons and left-handed starter Ted
Lilly say their spat - which included a wrestling match in the dugout
tunnel Monday - is over. Now the question is whether their careers in
Toronto are also history."
Despite pecking at his Jays, Gibbons should stayAugust 27
Buffalo News columnist Mike Harrington:
" Gibbons' mound blowup with pitcher Ted Lilly that extended to the
dugout tunnel has turned talk radio and newspapers in Toronto into
all-Gibbons-all-the-time the last few days. Gibbons' $1 million
contract lasts through 2007 and team officials were quick to back him
after this latest incident, but you wonder if they'll think the same
way come October."
Jays caught in tight spotAugust 25
Toronto Sun:
"It may not be at the top of his off-season to-do list, but Blue Jays
general manager J.P. Ricciardi knows he has his work cut out for him
assembling a catching duo for 2007. That's not to say Bengie Molina or
Gregg Zaun won't be in the picture again in 2007."
Mile High WatchAugust 25
Rocky Mountain News (scroll down):
"THE ROCKIES' offseason focus will be on a center fielder who can beef
up the offense. The top-of-the- chart possibilities would be
Minnesota's Torii Hunter, who is a cousin of Colorado's Choo Freeman,
or Vernon Wells of Toronto. The next tier would consist of the likes of
St. Louis' Jim Edmonds or San Diego's Mike Cameron..."
Jays in forgive, forget modeAugust 23
Toronto Star (registration required):
"No blood, no foul. And, for Blue Jay left-hander Ted Lilly, no
designation for assignment, no suspension, no skipping a turn in the
rotation, no fine."
Jays eager to put cork in any talk of uproarAugust 23
Globe and Mail:
"Ricciardi gave Gibbons an unequivocal and candid vote of confidence
before last night's game against the Oakland Athletics, won 4-3 by
Toronto, acknowledging that while 'there will be pressure' on him to
fire Gibbons, 'I'm not [firing Gibbons].'"
Ricciardi standing up for his skipperAugust 23
Toronto Sun:
"Ricciardi said he sat in the manager's office after Monday's game with
both Gibbons and Lilly as they talked out their differences. He sees no
reason for any disciplinary measures."
Jays should KO GibbonsAugust 23
Toronto Star columnist Richard Griffin (registration required):
"For the second time in 34 days, Jays manager John Gibbons received a
vote of confidence from GM J.P. Ricciardi, following a physical
confrontation with one of his players. That's good news for Gibbons but
not so good for the Jays, who don't need that kind of attention heading
into free-agent hunting season."
Who'd want to play here?August 23
Toronto Star columnist Dave Perkins (registration required):
"Ricciardi — or Paul Godfrey or even Ted Rogers — is going to have to
change the landscape around here and do it quickly. The easy beginning
is to dump Gibbons and they'll likely do it before the winter shopping
season begins."
Gibby should keep his jobAugust 23
Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott:
" Caller to The FAN 590 yesterday afternoon: 'We have to get rid of the
manager ... he's a lunatic.' First things first. John Gibbons is not a
lunatic."
Expect a rotation makeoverJuly 28
Globe and Mail:
"Ricciardi also confirmed the Blue Jays had contacted the Kansas City
Royals about the availability of left-hander Mark Redman, the Royals'
all-star representative, who is 7-5 and has a 5.03 earned-run average.
'Haven't heard back from them,' Ricciardi said."
Redman drawing trade interestJuly 28
Kansas City Star (registration required):
"The Yankees are interested in Redman, perhaps intrigued by his work in
limiting archrival Boston to one run in eight innings recently at
Fenway Park. The Blue Jays and Rangers are also believed to be
interested."
Rays offer Lugo deal; counter comingJuly 28
St. Petersburg Times:
"The Blue Jays appear the most logical trade partners, given their need
for a shortstop and abundance of young pitchers they could trade. But
Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Wednesday his priority is
acquiring a starting pitcher."
Lugo Considering Rays' Extension OfferJuly 28
Tampa Tribune:
"Talks with the front-running Blue Jays hit a snag Tuesday when Toronto
offered the Rays a list of available players that included none of the
young pitching prospects the Rays were believed to be pursuing."
Lidle's Command PerformanceJuly 28
Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jim Salisbury (registration required):
"So did scouts from the top three American League East clubs - the
Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays. All three are looking for starting
pitching, and the Phillies have a couple of arms available in Lidle and
Jon Lieber. The AL East clubs - and a few other interested teams (the
Mets?) - saw Lieber beat the D'backs on Wednesday night, hours before
Lidle did the same."
Lidle, Utley star in Phillies victoryJuly 28
Camden Courier-Post:
"Lidle -- along with Wednesday starter and winner Jon Lieber -- has
been the focus of numerous trade reports that have him going anywhere
from Boston to Toronto to Los Angeles, but the veteran right-hander has
gone through this before and admits he can't get caught up in that
because in the end he may be going nowhere."
Lidle backs up Utley in victoryJuly 28
Delaware County Times:
"Although Lidle (8-7, 4.74) doesn’t have a 20-win season to his name
like Lieber, he has about $1.2 million remaining on his $3.3 million
contract this season, and that light price tag makes him appealing to
many contending teams. The Blue Jays in particular have interest in
Lidle, who won 12 games for them in 2003."
Lidle raises stockJuly 28
PhillyBurbs.com:
"Where Lidle will pitch next is anyone's guess. He's scheduled for
Tuesday in St. Louis, but there's a better chance he'll be elsewhere.
The Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers and Padres are among
the teams looking for pitching, and each supposedly has some level of
interest in Lidle."
J.P.: Just PitchingJuly 27
Toronto Sun:
"Ricciardi reiterated yesterday his hope first and foremost is to
acquire a starting pitcher by the non-waiver trade deadline Monday."
Jays Need StarterJuly 27
Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott:
"This year, the Jays need another starter and they have talked to the
Baltimore Orioles about Rodrigo Lopez and to the Philadelphia Phillies
about Cory Lidle."
Jays ask about LidleJuly 27
Globe and Mail (scroll down):
"Sources with both the Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies confirmed
yesterday that the Blue Jays are among a group of a half-dozen teams
that have called about Cory Lidle, a veteran right-hander who will be
traded for the best available prospect... In addition to Lidle, the
Blue Jays have also expressed an interest in Rodrigo Lopez of the
Orioles and Tony Armas, Jr., of the Washington Nationals..."
Sources say Blue Jays show interest in a deal for LidleJuly 27
Philadelphia Daily News (registration required):
"League sources indicated yesterday that the Phillies are discussing
trading No. 3 starter Cory Lidle to the Blue Jays for prospects."
Lugo willing to talk with Rays about stayingJuly 27
St. Petersburg Times:
"Shortstop Julio Lugo said he is open to forgoing free agency to stay
with the Devil Rays and thinks a long-term contract could be worked
out... The Blue Jays and Red Sox are considered the teams most
interested in Lugo..."
Shealy in limboJuly 27
Denver Post (scroll down):
"With Monday's trade deadline creeping closer, speculation has Shealy
being traded to Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore, Toronto, Boston or
possibly Anaheim, though the Angels have not contacted the Rockies this
month."
Holes to fillJuly 18
Philadelphia Inquirer (scroll down) (registration required):
"The Phillies are expected to need a new catcher and third baseman next
season... Toronto's Benjie Molina would be the best available catcher,
but the Jays have a $7.5 million club option."
Skid creates shake-UpJuly 18
Denver Post:
"Trade talk percolated around Shealy over the weekend as he was being
scouted by the Blue Jays, Orioles, Giants and Royals, who have
relievers Elmer Dessens and Jeremy Affeldt that the Rockies have
inquired about."
Moseley, Saunders will be on displayJuly 17
Los Angeles Daily News:
"The Blue Jays would prefer a proven starter over a young guy like
Moseley or Saunders, but trade options have been limited... In addition
to a young pitcher, the Angels might be willing to part with another
free-agent-to-be, Adam Kennedy, in a package for a hitter, but the Blue
Jays are likely to prefer Howie Kendrick."
Making dealsJuly 16
Newsday (scroll down):
"The Mets continue to inquire about shortstop Julio Lugo, who could
play second base, but the Devil Rays seem inclined to keep him unless
they are overwhelmed by an offer; they asked for Aaron Heilman during
negotiations last winter for Danys Baez. The Blue Jays failed to land
Lugo with an offer of Aaron Hill or Russ Adams."
Blue Jays Best Fit For LugoJuly 16
St. Petersburg Times (scroll down):
"The Blue Jays appear the most logical suitor of Lugo, though the Mets,
who would use him at second base, continue to monitor the situation."
Lined upJuly 16
Toronto Sun (scroll down):
"Padres general manager Kevin Towers has as many as 15 teams calling
for set-up man Scott Linebrink. They have talked to the Indians about
third base prospect Andy Marte. They have looked at either Corey Koskie
or Billy Hall of the Brewers and are hoping that the Cubs decide to
move Aramis Ramirez. They have talked to the Braves about Wilson
Betemit too. The Jays should be in the chase for Linebrink, who is 6-2
with a 2.68 earned run average, or ex-Jay Scotty Cassidy (5-4, 2.79),
who the Padres just demoted and have to deal."
Jays in no rush with WellsJuly 15
Toronto Star (registration required):
"A bigger issue than the short-term question of whether the Jays will
be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline is what will become of
Vernon Wells and why is he not already among the quartet of Jays signed
to long-term deals — 2009 and beyond?"
Angels should stand patJuly 14
Los Angeles Daily News columnist Steve Dilbeck:
"The Angels need help on the corners. Maybe they pursue a Jeff Conine
or a Joe Randa, or if the cost is not too high, aim higher for a Sean
Casey or a Shea Hillenbrand. Even a Craig Wilson would help."
Jays hovering near the topJuly 9
Boston Globe:
"One pitcher who may become available is Atlanta's John Smoltz, who
could be had for a small ransom, in prospects and the remainder of his
salary, now that the Braves are out of the picture... Ricciardi also
knows that if Greg Maddux (2-8, 6.72 ERA in his last 12 starts) is
going anywhere, it's to a West Coast team (though he doesn't have a
no-trade clause)."
Not a team is stirring . . .July 9
Newsday (scroll down):
"Starter Ted Lilly and catcher Bengie Molina would be interesting trade baits in such an unlikely scenario."
Trade talkJuly 4
Denver Post (scroll down):
"A trade involving Colorado Springs first baseman Ryan Shealy still is
possible, but Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd discounted a report
that said a trade with Toronto was imminent."
Weaver demotion still smells badJune 25
Orange County Register (registration required):
"Obviously, Stonehead (I think that's his name) is trying to trade
another starter before next month's non-waiver deadline - Sports
Illustrated reported this week the Angels 'already rejected Toronto's
offer of outfielder Eric Hinske' for Jeff Weaver - but that's still no
excuse for punishing Jered Weaver for his 1.000 winning percentage."
Trade TalksJune 24
Rocky Mountain News (scroll down):
"Boston, Baltimore and Toronto have shown interest in first baseman
Ryan Shealy, currently with Triple-A Colorado Springs and blocked from
the big leagues by Todd Helton. The Rockies, though, are looking for
what they feel is similar value."
Jays, Rockies talkJune 24
Toronto Sun:
"The Blue Jays are in the midst of trade talks with the Colorado Rockies in an attempt to acquire first baseman Ryan Shealy."
Jays need to pick up starter at trade deadlineJune 24
Toronto Star (registration required):
"As likeable and as pleasant a surprise as 24-year-old Casey Janssen
has been for the Jays thus far, there have been warning signs of late
for a worried front office. The cracks in the Janssen armour are not
unlike those of any young pitcher making his way around the league for
the first time."
Boone wasn't there just to catch a gameJune 23
Newsday:
"The Blue Jays also are expected to be active players this trading
season, and it's no coincidence that Boone was there on a night when
New Hampshire started highly touted lefthander David Purcey, Toronto's
2004 first-round pick."
Rangers Q&AJune 21
Dallas Morning News (registration required):
"You mentioned Torii Hunter. Vernon Wells could be a trade target after
the season if Toronto doesn't make the playoffs. If not, Wells will be
a free agent after 2007."
Zito, Willis May Be Too Expensive To MoveJune 18
New York Post (registration required):
"Thus, one advanced scout speculated, 'Zito could only go to a
big-market team with the confidence it will win a bidding war to keep
him long-term.' Don't discount Toronto, however."
Angels Looking For A BatJune 18
Hartford Courant (registration required):
"Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, Blue Jays center fielder Vernon
Wells and, of course, Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano are also
outfielders Stoneman could be trying to get."
Trade rumours fly as GM Ricciardi hunts for hurlersJune 15
Toronto Star (scroll down) (registration required):
"The latest rumours suggest Angels GM Bill Stoneman wants a top flight
right-handed bat, and is willing to part with 23-year-old starting
sensation Ervin Santana. The price, in terms of the Jays, is Wells,
which simply won't happen."
Angels could ship Santana to TampaJune 14
Orange County Register (scroll down) (registration required):
"They also have told teams they would be willing to trade 23-year-old
right-hander Ervin Santana to acquire an impact hitter. One such player
might be Tampa Bay left fielder Carl Crawford... The Angels have
included Crawford in a group of 'impact' bats they have targeted, a
group that also includes Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells."
Several teams looking for bullpen helpJune 14
Newark Star-Ledger (scroll down) (registration required):
"Not many teams have dropped out of contention, and other teams
(Atlanta, Boston, Toronto, the Chicago White Sox) are also seeking
bullpen help. Pittsburgh has Roberto Hernandez, in whom the Yankees had
some interest when he was a free agent over the winter."
Boston's OKJune 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press (scroll down) (registration required):
"But Hunter, in the final year of his contract, said Tuesday that he
would waive the clause if Boston were to pursue a trade for him this
season... Hunter said he would not approve a trade to the other teams:
Detroit, Tampa Bay and Toronto."
