That was just speculation. It doesn't mean we chose Vernon over Rios.

It's funny. I'm of the mind that I'd really like to see Johnson come close to replicating last year's performance before I truly believe that he has turned a corner. As such, I have no trouble projecting my skepticism onto others and therefore question his trade value. On the other hand, an even older Gary Matthews has proven that one good year may well be enough to erase the memory of a ho-hum career.

Matthews does have a highlight reel-induced rep that undoubtedly helped his cause on th FA market, while Johnson's season was carried out in quiet, workmanlike fashion with precious little fanfare.

I wonder what Johnson's trade value would be. Given an option, I'd rather have Johnson in 2007 than Matthews. I wonder if even one GM feels that way.

I was one of the only posters I remember from last year who didn't want to trade Rios away because he was and is one of the team's only high upside youngsters (All-Star potential).

Of course, had I been on Battersbox years ago, I would have posted the same thing about A-Gone.

Of all of the OFs the Jays could offer for pitching, Reed Johnson is the best bet. He's the perfect 4th OF, and he's earned a look-see to see if he's more, but he's not going to make an all-star team (Matthews, DeRosa, and Patterson v.2006 type surprises aside).

Realistically, we all know the Jays need pitching. Halladay, Chacin, and Burnett are locked in. There are several candidates for 5th starter/injury replacement starter.

Possibly, one low-commitment FA could do it. Two more pitchers would be preferable (with the 2nd starter capable guy in the pen or someone good enough to make Chacin a reliever), but with any luck at all with youngsters, one starter should suprise in a good way this year.

Zambrano would be good, but he might be hurt going into the year. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want him; it just means we'd need someone else anyways.

JP strikes me as someone capable of duplicating last year's Molina on a starter who waits too long in this market. Mulder strikes me as someone who could find himself without a job late into the off-season; he's not going to come that close to his old salary, and his performance really doesn't justify a raise. He might have a hard time accepting that. Come January, he might accept $6 or 7 with incentives and a very attractive player option for 2008.

Is Reed Johnson someone who could get a Heilman type in return? A good arm in the pen who can line up for starts if and when the injury bug strikes? This might be wishcasting entirely on my part though.

Heilman and Mulder would be a boon.

The deal is expected to include full no-trade protection .

Argh!

and an opt-out clause.

This seems to be the new big thing -- it's a security blanket for players (and more likely, their agents) that they won't lock themselves out of a booming market down the road. JD Drew got one and took full advantage. Frankly, I'm not really worried that Burnett (and Wells, if this comes to fruition) opt out down the road, because this team as currently constituted figures to be a serious contender just in 2007-09 only, and that's assuming they can find some pitching.

Sources say that if Wells signs his extension the team will try to package one of two outfielders (Reed Johnson or Alex Rios) and a pitching prospect for an established, middle of the rotation starter. [From Blair]

The preferred trade candidate from Toronto's position should be Johnson, who had a career year in 2006 -- if the Jays could pick up a reliable pitcher for him now, they shouldn't hesitate. Of course, other teams know that too, and Rios would likely bring much more at this stage. But five-tool players earning close to the major-league minimum are not assets you give away easily. I imagine Dustin McGowan's days in the organization are now drawing to a close, and that Adam Lind won't be a Skychief this year.

Anyway, no-trade aside, I'd be happy if this deal were signed -- the Jays are a better team with Wells than without him, and the trade market for him clearly hasn't given the front office much satisfaction that they can improve the team by dealing him. I doubt this contract will hamstring the Jays financially -- as has been said before, $18M to Wells is a better investment than $20M to Lilly and Meche. As a major-leaguer, Wells does look to have turned a corner -- I don't think we'll see 2004-05 again (though it would be nice to have a World Baseball Classic every spring to get him warmed up earlier). And from a fan's perspective, it's nice to think that Wells could be a career Blue Jay.