Toronto Blue Jays Trade Rumors: Will the Jays Cash in on Veterans?

With the July 31st trade deadline steadily approaching the Toronto Blue Jays are not in the market to buy any players, they are looking to shop a few veterans around if anything at all.

The one trade angle the Jays appear to be open to is shipping off some of their veteran talent in exchange for either cash considerations or minor league talent that they can groom in their farm system.

Here are the four likely veteran players that the Jays will consider trading if they end up doing anything at all before the trade deadline.

1. Jose Molina

One player that obviously stands out on the Blue Jays roster as a potential veteran to be traded away is catcher Jose Molina.

The 36-year-old right-hitting and throwing catcher behind home plate has seen his starting minutes drop this year, as J.P. Arencibia has taken most of the catching duties this season after playing in just 11 games last year with the Jays.

Molina has proven that he is reliable behind the plate, but won't be worth much to a teams offensive load. Any team who is looking for a solid catcher but won't expect too much out of him on the offensive side of the ball, can get a solid player in Molina.

Molina has been linked to the San Francisco Giants as a possible destination to help with their need at the catcher position according to sfgiants.com.

2. Octavio Dotel

Octavio Dotel a 41-year-old pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays has not been anything more than an average relief pitcher for the Jays in his first year with the club.

Dotel has a 3.68 ERA with a 2-1 record, throwing 30 K's and walking 12, and would be a player the Jays could stand to lose seeing how Dotel stands to make $3 million this season—Dotel becomes a free agent after this season, making it a smart decision on the Jays part to get anything for him in a trade.

Any team that is in contention, and wants a pitcher who can give them a few solid relief stints to help sustain their bull pen will nab a good player in those circumstances.

According to Jon Paul of Fox Sports, the Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in adding to their relief depth, as they are in their first meaningful season in a number of years.

3.Jason Frasor

Another reliever that the Toronto Blue Jays are willing to part with is right-hander Jason Frasor.

As the case in Octavio Dotel's situation, Frasor will become a free agent at the end of this season, and obtaining any thing of worth in return for the reliever will be a good move by the front office.

The 33-year-old Frasor is 2-1 this year in his relief appearances and currently has a 2.98 ERA. Frasor would be a wise pick-up by a team that is in contention and in need of a little help in the bullpen.

According to Jon Paul Morosi the Pittsburgh Pirates are also taking a look at Frasor in their search for a reliever, as are the Arizona Diamondbacks.

4. Aaron Hill

Aaron Hill has had a down year on 2011 thus far, making him an expendable piece for the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time in his seven-year career with the Jays.

Coming off two impressive seasons in 2009 and 2010—where he hit a combined 62 home runs and drove in 176 RBI—Hill has hit a dismal four home runs and has only drove in 37 RBI so far this season.

Back in early April of this year, the Jays declined to pick up his options for the '12 and '13 seasons, making the probability of the Jays shipping him out of Toronto all the more likely.

The Jays have John McDonald, who can come in a take the place of Hill, and Hill is worth some sort of quality player or draft pick in return, which would make trading the second baseman with above average power almost a lock before the July 31st deadline comes and goes.

The Detroit Tigers have been linked to Hill as far back as June, and their need at second base could be filled (for this year at-least) with the slumping Blue Jay.