Blue Jays Trade Rumors: Who's Untouchable and Who Should Pack Their Bags?

As the dust begins to settle from the Colby Rasmus trade, an energized fanbase is beginning to wonder if GM Alex Anthopoulos has any more tricks up his sleeve.

According to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays haven't necessarily closed up shop but they are unlikely to make any more moves.

However, a contrary report from CBS Sports' Danny Knobler states that at the very least, Alex Anthopoulos will make a few moves using his relievers as trading chips once again.

With two days remaining until the July 31st trade deadline the Blue Jays have plenty of time to make an additional move or two.  Which begs the question; who's on the block and who can breath easy?

The following slides will look at several prominent Blue Jays and attempt to ascertain whether or not their days in Toronto are numbered.

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Jose Bautista

Joey Bats leads the league in HR's, OBP, SLG percentage and (obviously) OPS.  He's the MVP of the league so far and arguably the best player in baseball.

Let's just move on.

Verdict: Untouchable

Ricky Romero

Ricky Romero is the ace of the Toronto staff and an All-Star this season.

The 27-year-old lefty is on pace to set career marks in wins, ERA, WHIP, IP, B/9 and K's.  He's also recently signed a very team friendly five-year contract for $30.1 million.

He's not going anywhere.

Verdict: Untouchable

Brandon Morrow

Brandon Morrow, like Romero, is on pace to set career marks in several categories.  Most notably, wins, Innings pitched and strike outs.

Plucked from Seattle in the Spring of 2010, Toronto immediately converted the closer/setup man into a starter.  Morrow has since blossomed into a legitimate front end pitcher and arguably one the finest strikeout artists in baseball. 

Not only is his fastball is lethal, Morrow may possess one of the best sliders in the game.  However, signed to a one-year $2.3 million deal, he could find himself vulnerable to a trade if Toronto doesn't think they can resign him.

My gut tells me that Alexopoulos signs Morrow to a contract before he hits free agency.  Not to mention the fact that there is zero buzz around his name on the trade rumor mill.

Verdict: Untouchable

Brett Cecil

Brett Cecil has had an up and down season, to say the least.

First he had velocity issues in Sprint Training which led to control problems as the season started.  Sent to Triple-A after his fourth start (and a 6.86 ERA), Cecil struggled in his first few outings with Las Vegas.

However, he quickly turned that around and was called up in time for a June 30th start against the Pirates where he was shelled for six earned runs in six innings, raising his ERA to an unsightly 7.24.

Since then Cecil has locked it down and pitched extremely well, including two complete games, one of them a shut out against the heavy hitting Texas Rangers on July 24th.

Unless Alexopoulos is blown away with an offer I can't see this young man being dealt.

Verdict: Untouchable

Aaron Hill

First, allow me to begin this slide by proclaiming that Aaron Hill will not be traded in the next 48 hours.  The market for second basemen who hit .232/.282/.324 and play average defense just isn't there.

Having said that, an injury to a prominent two bagger on a contending team may force someone in to making a panic move.

Now that I think of it, how long is Ricky Weeks out?

Hill's contract is hideous from a team standpoint and few, if any teams would be willing to gamble on him with all his red flags.

Having said that, Jays fans heard the same thing about Yunel Escobar and Colby Rasmus.  Also, Hill was a 36/108 Silver Slugger All-Star in 2009.

Verdict: Trade Bait

Yunel Escobar

This slide is almost as ridiculous as Bautista's.

Yunel Escobar (or Yescobar as he's known up here), is not only providing great offense in the lead off slot, he's the finest full time defensive short stop Toronto has had since Tony Fernandez retired.

Verdict: Untouchable

Adam Lind

Adam Lind is well on his away to having his second 30/100 season in the past three years.

He's also signed to a team friendly four-year $18 million contract that expires after the 2013 campaign.  At twenty eight years old, Lind is both productive and contractually controllable during his prime years.

Verdict: Untouchable

J.P. Arencibia

Not only is Arencibia a rookie, he's second in the Majors in home runs by a catcher with 17.

Also, the ladies of Toronto would riot in the streets if the Blue Jays traded JPA.

Verdict: Untouchable

Eric Thames and Travis Snider

The Colby Rasmus trade has created a log jam in the outfield.  At first glance, it seems logical to move Jose Bautista back to third and slide Snider to Right Field to accommodate Rasmus.

However, with the imminent call up of super prospect Brett Lawrie (who will only play third base) there will soon be five starters fighting it out for three spots.

If you eliminate Edwin Encarnacion from the equation, either via trade or DFA, that still leaves one deserving starter on the outside looking in.

With Rasmus, Bautista and (assuming) Lawrie assured positions, that leaves Thames and Snider fighting it out for the final spot.

Although not necessarily a bad problem to have, I can't see Toronto moving forward long term with that kind of arrangement barring an unexpected shift to second base for Brett Lawrie.

Also complicating matters is the rapid development of Anthony Gose, who seems to steal basses at will and plays outstanding defense in center field at Double-A.

My gut tells me that either Thames or Snider gets dealt, possible as soon as Sunday.

Verdict: Trade Bait

Bullpen

Even after the trades of Jason Frasor, Mark Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel, Toronto could still move another bullpen arm.

The most talked about players are Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch.  Both Type-B free agents, Alex Anthopoulos will not trade these guys for anything less than exactly what he wants.  AA covets his compensations picks so unless Toronto gets a significant return, Frank and Jon are staying put.

Regardless, if Anthopoulos has a chance to get a decent package of prospects and/or young rosterable players with controllable contracts he'll pull the trigger.

Verdict: Trade Bait