Toronto Trade Bait

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, the Jays are still in the race for the East this year rather then the customary 15 or so games back they were since they won the World Series. There's only one position everyone is really looking at (besides their terrible infield gloves) and that's starting pitching.

The Jays have lots of bats on the roster. It would be safe to guess they would give up one of them for a pitcher. The top candidates would be Hinske, Hillenbrand, Molina or Zaun, and possibly the franchise boy, Vernon.

"Crazy!" you say, "not Vernon Wells!" that's right Vernon Wells. He has an expiring contract and it's the Jays outfield that's the most crowded part of the lineup. The Jays might just move him for the right pitcher.

Former rookie of the year and current "O.C." award-winner (The O.C. award - it's given to players who have one great season and struggle to recapture that magic since, just like the show!) Eric Hinske is the other top name in trade talk. Like Wells, his address is the outfield with Cat, Rios, Johnson who are all batting 0.300. With the Rios injury, he's made the most of his time.

Looking at the possibilties for these two, you might see the Twins make a move. Theoretically, they can still make the wild-card spot, although it won't be easy. They lost both Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart to injuries making their outfield a bit thin. If they don't weather this, then they could see their playoff hopes disappear faster than that Heather Graham sitcom. Liriano only has a one-year contract, but is also their best pitcher right now, there could be some sort of package deal.

The Twins make the most sense as well. An AL Pitcher would be the safest bet for JP, a Billy Beane disciple. Considering that the AL has dominated the interleauge matchups so far (except the Jays incidentally), the Jays might think twice about looking to the NL for a deal.

And if the Jays are really hurting, I hear Canseco is playing again in the Golden Baseball Leauge. Not only is he a DH, but a pitcher as well, I smell contract...

Finally if worse comes to worse, you could always deal with Isiah Thomas. I mean since Balkman was a reach, why not Jamal Crawford on the mound? He'd probably even give some draft picks up.