Toronto Blue Jays looking at outfield, pitching in trade market

It’s hard to imagine that the Toronto Blue Jays could actually add more pieces, but that’s reportedly a possibility.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopolous told Canadian radio station Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Monday that the club is looking at fourth outfield candidates as well as starting pitching upgrades.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

• Toronto Blue Jays: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays proving to be perfect partners at MLB Trade Deadline
• AL East: 1 screw up the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays can make at the MLB trade deadline
• The Toronto Blue Jays are due for an offensive breakout
• Toronto Blue Jays rumors: Interest in Cubs hurler would deepen rotation

“We have had some discussions, taking a look at fourth outfielder candidates,” Anthopoulos said. “That’s something that we’re currently working on right now and if we can upgrade in the rotation, we’d like to do that as well. But this time of year … very few guys clear (trade waivers) and the ones that do probably have massive contracts which pose their own problems.”

One obvious candidate if the Jays were truly set on making a rotation splash would be Padres starter James Shields, though the $67.25-million (or potentially more) owed to the veteran through 2018 will likely make obtaining him difficult for a Toronto team that has already taken on the big salaries of David Price and Troy Tulowitzki in the last month.

A surprise candidate who could fill the outfield void would be Twins outfielder Torii Hunter. While sentiment might force Minnesota’s hand to keep Hunter in a Twins uniform until he retires, the team has quickly started to fall out of the Wild Card race and could move Hunter to get younger players some at-bats in preparation for 2016. Other candidates include Cincinnati’s Marlon Byrd as well as Baltimore’s Gerardo Parra, who could become available if the Orioles fall out of contention by the end of the month. Recently-released Jordany Valdespin, who hit .293 with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate this year, could also be a cheaper option for Toronto.

Payroll constraints will make adding an impact acquisition in August tough for the Blue Jays, though there are several potential options if money’s no object. With Toronto in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, perhaps ownership will open up its pocketbook to find another piece to put the club over the top.

Next: Blue Jays Need Dave Dombrowski

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals