NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – Things you hear at the winter meetings roaming around the lobby at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center:
• A couple of industry sources say the market for Jose Bautista is picking up. That doesn’t mean anything is imminent, but with short-term bats like Carlos Beltran and Matt Holiday off the board, Bautista is sure to become more appealing for teams looking to add an impact hitter without being tied down to an extended term.
• Don’t read too much into Cleveland’s interest in Edwin Encarnacion. A front-office that is always on the hunt for value is surely looking to see if it can fit the slugger into its limited payroll structure. The AL champions aren’t likely to have enough money to entice him. At least right now.
• Brandon Morrow is back in free agency as a reliever after posting a 1.69 ERA over 18 appearances with the San Diego Padres last year. The former Blue Jays right-hander had surgery to repair a shoulder impingement after a strong opening to the 2015 season as a starter, worked his way back from the injury last year to enjoy a strong couple months out of the bullpen. Having definitively made the transition to relief, he’s an intriguing value play.
• One industry source Monday afternoon on whether the Blue Jays and New York Mets had anything going on outfielder Jay Bruce: “Nothing as of now.”
• For some industry observers Joaquin Benoit‘s $7.5 million guarantee reinforced the notion that quality relief help won’t come cheap at this stage in the off-season. The Blue Jays had some interest in retaining Benoit, but the Philadelphia Phillies ultimately moved aggressively to obtain the veteran, who has resumed running after his season ended with a calf injury.
• Among the other right-handed relievers the Blue Jays have at least checked in on: Brad Ziegler, the side-armer who spent the 2016 season with the Diamondbacks and Red Sox. Now 37, Ziegler posted a 2.25 ERA in 68 innings this past season.
• On the Blue Jays’ minor-league side, Ken Huckaby, the manager at advanced-A Dunedin in 2016, is the organization’s new catching co-ordinator while Jeff Ware moves up from pitching coach at low-A Lansing to replace the fired Sal Fasano as pitching co-ordinator. John Schneider moves up from manager at Lansing to replace Huckaby in Dunedin. It sounds like former triple-A manager Gary Allenson will take over at double-A New Hampshire, likely to specifically work with the group of players expected there.
• Freddie Freeman is interested in joining Canada at the World Baseball Classic next spring but Atlanta will only let him go if he’s playing first base. That won’t happen if Joey Votto and Justin Morneau are on the team and both are interested although they haven’t yet committed. The decision for Morneau hinges on whether the free agent is guaranteed a 25-man roster spot with his next team.
• Steve Pearce underwent September surgery on the flexor tendons in his right elbow but Ross Atkins didn’t anticipate that leading to any throwing issues. The Blue Jays GM said the team “feels good about the recovery” and will take it slow with Pearce’s throwing from the outfield early in the spring to avoid complications. Most of his action is expected to come at first base and left field, positions where Atkins said he rates as an “average defender.”
• What does Pearce mean for Justin Smoak? Well, Pearce could potentially get the bulk of his playing time in left field if Smoak is productive at the plate. If not, Pearce could see the majority of his action at first base.
• One rival executive liked the Blue Jays’ deal with Pearce, while another had expected Kendrys Morales to land a two-year deal, rather than the three-year commitment he obtained in Toronto. The first base/DH market remains crowded, with Encarnacion the top player available.