National Baseball Report

Blue Jays have big plans for Brett Wallace

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said that the team has big plans for Brett Wallace.  The Blue Jays acquired Wallace from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for prospect Michael Taylor who they acquired in the Roy Halladay trade.  Wallace will play first base for the Bue Jays.

Wallace is expected to open 2010 in Triple-A.  He will be in major league Spring Training.  Currently Lyle Overbay is the first baseman for the Blue Jays.  He still has one year left on his contract.  The Blue Jays are hoping that Wallace and Aaron Hill form the right side of their infield for years to come.

The trade for Wallace took a long time to develop.

"It did not come together fast at all," Anthopoulos said. "Oakland did not give this player up easily. I think they deliberated on it for a long time. This was not a quick, 'Yes.' This took weeks. We had a lot of debate, too, because Taylor is a great player as well."

Larry Stone: Mariners Rumors

Larry Stone just released his latest column.  In this column, Larry addresses some of the rumors swirling around the Seattle Mariners right now:

• Larry doesn't believe the hype of Hideki Matsui joining the Mariners even if he does leave the New York Yankees.  Why would Matsui share his spotlight with Ichiro after being named the World Series MVP?  Also, the Mariners would probably want a DH who can play the field at times and Matsui's bad knees probably prevent that from happening.
• The Mariners would like to have John Lackey (who wouldn't?) at a reasonable price but they will not bid high for him like they have done with some in the past.  If Lackey's price falls because of market conditions then Larry expects the Mariners to take a shot at him.
• Jason Bay is from the Seattle area, but his agent recently said Bay will not limit himself to any area of the country.  Bay is expected to get more than $75 million so the Mariners are probably out of this one.
• If the Mariners are looking for a veteran backup catcher, Mike Redmond might be a good fit.
• Larry doesn't expect the Mariners to go after Orlando Hudson because of his Type A free agent status.  Signing Hudson would cause the Mariners to lose their first round draft pick.
• The rumors of the Mariners thinking about trading for Lyle Overbay are simply a negotiating tactic with Russell Branyan.
• Larry thinks Seattle might go after Rich Harden.  He was healthy last year and has a connection with the Pacific Northwest.
• The Mariners might look into trading for Bronson Arroyo.  The Reds are trying to dump contracts and the Mariners could use a workhorse.

Source: Larry Stone - Seattle Times

Mariners, Blue Jays discussing Overbay trade

The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly discussing a trade involving first baseman Lyle Overbay.  Overbay lives in the Pacific Northwest.  The Mariners are looking for a first baseman since Russell Branyan declined their recent offer for a one-year contract.

Source: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi - FOX Sports

Three-way trade involving Milton Bradley not likely

Ken Rosenthal reports that there are indirect conversations which would have Milton Bradley being a part of a three-way trade.  The rumor is currently described as a long shot.  The trade would send Milton Bradley from the Chicago Cubs to the Toronto Blue Jays, Lyle Overbay from the Blue Jays to the New York Mets and Luis Castillo from the Mets to the Cubs.

The three-team possibility, according to one source, has "some legs, but not much." The Jays are opposed to the deal, one source says — perhaps because new GM Alex Anthopolous does not want a trade for Bradley to be his first major move.

Diamondbacks - Blue Jays trade dead

Nick Piecoro reports that the Toronto Blue Jays called off their potential trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks over concerns about catcher Chris Snyder's surgically repaired back.  The Blue Jays were rumored to be giving up Lyle Overbay in the deal.

Not sure if Snyder "failed" the physical exam he was scheduled to undergo today or what the exact terminology is here, but we know that his condition was the reason Toronto called it off.

Diamondbacks - Blue Jays trade on hold

Steve Gilbert reports that the rumored trade talks between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays has been put on hold.  The rumor had the Diamondbacks sending Chris Snyder to the Blue Jays for Lyle Overbay.  The trade talks have reportedly hit a snag.

D-backs talking trade with Blue Jays

Nick Piecoro reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks are discussing a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.  The potential trade would send Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder to the Blue Jays for first baseman Lyle Overbay.

It is unclear how far along the trade talks are, but since Snyder underwent back surgery in September, the Blue Jays presumably will want him to undergo a thorough examination.

Snyder is owed at least $11.25 million through 2011 -- $4.75 million in 2010, $5.75 million in 2011 with a $6.75 million option/$750,000 buyout in 2012 -- so if no money changes hands in the deal, the Diamondbacks would save $4.25 million over two years.