Jays outfield prospects

J.D. Martinez

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald hears that free agent slugger J.D. Martinez prefers to play in the outfield rather than serve as a designated hitter.

This news may put a crimp in the efforts of his biggest suitor, the Boston Red Sox, who have a crowded outfield and would likely want Martinez to DH. The Red Sox have been vocal about their interest in the best hitter remaining on the market this winter. Only five players (Mike Trout, Joey Votto, Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt and Josh Donaldson) have a better OPS over the last three seasons than Martinez's .943 mark. He slashed .303/.376/.690 with 45 homers and 104 RBI in just 119 games this year. He is reportedly asking for a $200 million contract and the Red Sox might have to pay him a bit extra to entice him to play DH. The Diamondbacks, Giants and Rockies are also believed to be angling for his services. 

 

 Carlos Gomez

 

 

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Blue Jays are showing interest in free agent outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Toronto is also reportedly in pursuit of Carlos Gonzalez. Gomez signed a one-year, $11.5 million contract with the Rangers last offseason and went on to bat .255/.340/.462 with 17 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 105 games. The 32-year-old should be able to secure a multi-year deal this time around. 

 

 

 

 Carlos Gonzalez

 

 

Carlos Gonzalez is drawing free agent interest from the Blue Jays, Astros, Athletics, Orioles, and Phillies, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported Tuesday that the Giants, Royals, and Rays have also checked in. Gonzalez is probably so popular because many teams view him as a good buy-low option, but this much interest could obviously work to drive up his price. The 32-year-old outfielder batted just .262/.339/.423 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI over 136 games for Colorado in 2017. He carried an outstanding .295/.353/.534 batting line between 2009-2016. 

 

 

 Anthony Alford

 

 

Blue Jays prospect Anthony Alford went 3-for-5 with a triple and a homer for Charros de Jalisco in the Mexican Pacific League on Tuesday.

Alford has only played in seven games in the MPL, but he has been red-hot in his time there; registering a 1.111 OPS in his 32 at-bats for the Charros. The 24-year-old outfielder got off to a miserable start to his 2017 campaign, but was back to looking like one of the better outfield prospects in the American League by the time the year was over. He should get a chance to compete for a starting spot in spring training, and he could be hitting at or near the top of the Toronto lineup before the end of the 2018 season. 

 

 

 Lorenzo Cain

 

 

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Blue Jays have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

It's been a slow-moving offseason for Cain, but the same can be said for many other free agent position players. The 31-year-old should eventually score a nice deal after batting .300/.363/.440 with 15 home runs and 26 stolen bases over 155 games with Kansas City in 2017. Heyman says Toronto would prefer a four-year contract. 

 

I am expecting that is Anthony Alford in right field and Michael Saunders in left field and Kevin Pillar in centre field.

 

The cheapos that are running this ball-club believe that spending money is abhorrent  and against their religion.

Nuff Said.