2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Blue Jays Focused on Gio Gonzalez

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Toronto Blue Jays are focusing their attention on Oakland A’s starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez.  The A’s have been actively shopping players, and many believe the club will trade Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey this winter.  Slusser notes that the Blue Jays may be able to offer the A’s some of their outfield depth in a package for Gonzalez.

Yesterday the Blue Jays traded for Phillies outfielder Ben Francisco.  At the time of the deal, many speculated that Francisco would act as a fourth outfielder for the club.  However, Slusser thinks that Blue Jays may look to shake up their roster and make a trade using some of their outfield depth.

At this point, the Blue Jays have a list of outfielders that includes Jose Bautista, Rajai Davis, Ben Francisco, Colby Rasmus, Travis Snider and Eric Thames.  The final three listed, Rasmus, Snider and Thames, are all 25 or younger and are considered to be high-upside players.  Oakland is set to lose all of their outfield to free agency this winter, and A’s general manager Billy Beane is said to be seeking athletic outfielders in return for his top veterans this winter.

Toronto, who owns one of the league’s top minor league systems, can certainly put together a package built around one of the three that should meet Beane’s requirements.  The A’s GM has made it clear that while he’s willing to trade top talent this winter, he’ll be looking for top talent in return.

Slusser has said before that the A’s are not necessarily looking to slash salary this offseason, but instead hoping to build a team that can contend in three years.  This would allow the team to be prepared to contend in time for when it hopes to relocate to San Jose.

For more on the Athletics, be sure to check out Swingin’ A’s.