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Inbox: Will Jays pursue Chapman?
Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
10/30/09 2:42 PM ET
I read somewhere that the Blue Jays had interest in going after Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman. Is this realistic? What would it signify for the organization if this was accomplished?-- Elie F., Ottawa, Ontario
The Jays were rumored to have interest in Chapman -- considered one of the top pitching prospects in the world -- but general manager Alex Anthopoulos said earlier this week that such a move was not realistic at this time. The 21-year-old lefty could command a contract in the neighborhood of $40-60 million.
Down the road, these are the type of things that Anthopoulos hopes to have Toronto involved in, though. In this particular case, Anthopoulos said the Blue Jays simply did not have enough scouting information on Chapman to seriously delve into any kind of negotiations, especially given the pitcher's price.
Anthopoulos has spent the early part of his tenure revamping the Jays' scouting and player development departments, and he has stressed the importance of having more of a scouting presence in Latin America. Down the road, he believes Toronto will be able to expand and become more of a player internationally.
Anthopoulos cited the case of Boston's pursuit of Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Before the Red Sox won the right to negotiate with the pitcher -- via Japan's posting system -- the club had scouted Matsuzaka for years. That is the model Anthopoulos wants to follow.
That is a main reason why Anthopoulos does not believe pursuing Chapman makes much sense at this point in time. Another factor is that -- besides re-organizing the front office -- the Jays are in the midst of detailing a plan for the upcoming season and beyond, a process that includes establishing payroll.
I was just wondering how long we have Adam Lind signed? He had a monster year and I hope he's locked up for the future without being able to jump to free agency any time soon.
-- Jeff M., North Bay, Ontario
Lind, following a breakout season in which he hit .305 with 35 homers and 114 RBIs, is not eligible for arbitration this winter. If he qualifies next offseason, that would put him on pace to become eligible for free agency for the first time after the 2013 campaign. For now, Lind is locked up for a while, giving the Blue Jays quite the bargain.
Do you think the Jays will be going after a free-agent closer like Billy Wagner or Fernando Rodney, or will they try to fill that spot internally?
-- Paul G., Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Blue Jays might look to upgrade the bullpen this offseason, but the club seems content on solving the closer situation internally. Manager Cito Gaston said he will probably split the duties between the right-hander Jason Frasor and the left-hander Scott Downs. Both are eligible to become free agents after the 2010 campaign.
Who do you think will be the Blue Jays' designated hitter next season? Should we take Randy Ruiz, based on his 10 homers in 33 games, put Lind or Travis Snider back in that spot, or pick up a free agent?
-- Jay T., Hamilton, Ontario
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Given Lind's showing as a designated hitter in 2009, and Gaston's belief that he and Snider aren't a great defensive combination in left and right field, respectively, the Blue Jays might opt to keep Lind in the DH role next season. In trying to improve the offense over the winter, it seems more likely that Toronto will look for help with a corner outfielder.
I heard the main reason Roy Halladay wasn't traded was because the Jays also wanted to ship Vernon Wells in the same deal. Is this true?
-- Seth M., American Fork, Utah
The Blue Jays might have floated the idea of including Wells in a trade proposal involving Halladay -- given the center fielder's performance and costly contract -- but I doubt that was the determining factor in getting a deal done. Former Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has denied that he tried to talk teams into also taking Wells as part of any swap.
What is the progress of first base prospect David Cooper at this time? When will he be ready for the big show?
-- Mark Z., Lancaster, Pa.
Cooper, who was the Jays' first-round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, hit .258 with 10 homers, 32 doubles and 66 RBIs in 128 games with Double-A New Hampshire last season. Currently, he is taking part in the Arizona Fall League. Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay's contract expires after 2010, so the hope is that Cooper is on pace for the Majors by 2011 or 2012.
How long does the Blue Jays' Las Vegas affiliation contract run, and has there been any discussions involving another location for the Triple-A team to be closer to Toronto?
-- Neal W., Thornhill, Ontario
Given the distance, Toronto's first choice was not to send its Triple-A affiliate to Las Vegas last year, but a chain of events made it the only solution for the Jays. Under the circumstances, Toronto and Vegas agreed to a two-year player development contract that runs through 2010. The club will likely look for an affiliate closer to its Major League home after this season.
Now that Snider is with the big club, I'm not excited about any of the prospects in the farm system. Could you give some insight on someone who could surprise us in the future?
-- Rick M., Niagara Falls, Ontario
Anthopoulos has expressed excitement over 19-year-old pitching prospect Henderson Alvarez (9-6, 3.47 ERA in 23 starts with Class A Lansing). Another arm to keep an eye on is 23-year-old Reidier Gonzalez, who posted a 2.90 ERA at Double-A and was in the discussion for a promotion to Toronto. Offensively, outfielder Johermyn Chavez, 20, impressed at Lansing, hitting .283 with 21 homers and 89 RBIs.
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
