Just a quick word here on BA's new prospect list. I won't do a post on it, because i don't know enough about prospects to fully explain each players position on the list, and it's already been summed up pretty nicely over at The Southpaw, and The 5th Starter. With no further ado, lets venture forth into the A.L East portion of this (shitacular) list.
Baltimore Orioles
Luke Scott DH/1B
He certainly wouldn't be the Jays long term solution at first, but he could definitely keep the seat warm for whoever the Jays decide is the future of the franchise going forward at first. He would provide above-average pop (.235 career ISO), good patience (11.2% BB), and in general a good bat. His defence is a little shoddy, as is shown by his career UZR of -0.6, but I'm of the belief that you don't need a gold glove first basemen too win ballgames. He'd be a nice piece, but not something you'd build around. You don't necessarily have to acquire him now either, wait and see if (opening day 1st basemen) works out at first.
The Orioles are a rebuilding franchise, and while you'd obviously inquire about their young players, I doubt the Orioles would be entirely happy to part with them. Luke Scott works this way because he is roughly 30, and is a nice piece for the Orioles to get prospects back for. As large as my Man-crush on Brian Matusz is, I don't see the Orioles parting with him. Or Wieters for that matter. Really any of their kids would be off-limits, especially to a division opponent.
Tampa Bay Rays
B.J Upton CF/INF
B.J is the obvious choice when you think about the Jays. AA went after a similar player (similar as in they both had slightly down years, and basically nothing else) in Yunel Escobar. He provides average patience (11.3% BB), nice pop (ISO of .187 last year) and the speed of a gazelle, as witnessed by 40+ SB in his last three years. He's a good fielder, with a career UZR/150 of 5.8. He was converted to a CF in 2007, so his ability to play infield would be in question. If he could still play the infield though, it would prove a valuable commodity to John Farrell. With Upton, Wells would be pushed to right, Bautista would march over to third, AA could non-tender E5, or have him platoon with Adam Lind at first. Of course if they were to do that, I'd rather it be with Colby Rasmus in center, but that thought is for another day.
Dioner Navarro C
Sign him for cheap, keep him as a backup, then trade him for something when a team is analed during the season by catching injuries, simple as that. Or don't even wait that long, and trade to one of the teams you were bidding against for something this winter. (Note: make sure you're actually bidding against someone and he actually still has value.)
If you want to pursue Dan Johnson as your 2010 first base backup option, go ahead. I like some of Tampa's young pitching, but I also love the Jays young pitching, and doubt we need much more (starting) pitching. Maybe get Randy Choate just so Adam Lind can take him out behind the Jays clubhouse and pummel him.
Boston Red Sox
Jed Lowrie 3B/SS/2B
Here's a guy who is sort of blocked in Boston. They have Beltre at third, Scutaro/Iglesias at short and PEDroia at first. So it's logical that the Jays should try to pick up Lowrie, deal Hill while he still has some lingering value from 2009, and see what happens. Lowrie's poor 2009 season was partially caused by an injured wrist, and he rebounded nicely in 2010. He walked 12.7% of the time, and cut his strikeouts down to a manageable 14.6%. His ISO was a bit high, at .240 compared to a career .172, but thats pretty solid for a middle infielder. He is a much better fielder at second than short or third, so that would probably be his final destination in the field as a Jay.
Go after Daniel Bard if you want, but other than him, there isn't much on the Red Sox that would be attainable. And I will never cheer for Jonathan Papelbon.
New York Yankees
I actually don't see many pieces on the Yankees that are both helpful to the Jays and viable. I mean Robi Cano would be nice, but a kings ransom would be needed to aquire him. Joba Chamberlain was the obvious selection for this portion of the piece, but looking at his numbers, his one successful season, 2007, was incredibly lucky. Most of his value would have to be through starting, and I don't see him doing that successfully ever.
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