MLB Trade Rumors: Scott Downs Comes with Big Price for Yankees

According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com , the Blue Jays intend to get a good return for reliever Scott Downs and will ask for one of each interested club’s top prospects in return.

Here is more from Speier:

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"The Jays can aim high on Downs in part because he likely will be a Type A free agent following this season, meaning that he could net two draft picks should he reject an arbitration offer and sign elsewhere in free agency, just as was the case with the Sox and Wagner a year ago. Even so, to date, the Sox and other clubs have balked at parting with a top prospect for a middle reliever, leading the source to conclude that any deal involving Downs seems unlikely “until just before the deadline if at all."

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The Yankees top prospects are probably catchers Jesus Montero , Austin Romine, and pitcher Manny Banuelos .

If they are set on getting a top organizational pick, then dealing either pitcher Ivan Nova or Zach McAllister might be an option.

We found out earlier in the day that the Yankees have “dangled” Montero for Joakim Soria and that the Royals turned the offer down.

After Soria there probably is no real No. 2 target, but Downs is one of the more talented relievers on the market. Downs has a combined ERA-plus of 182 over the past three seasons.

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