MLB Rumors: Why Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino Won't Be Blue Jays in 2012

Let the rumors fly.

We are now just 35 games into the 2012 season, and already names are being thrown around as potential trade bait.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies have had discussions surrounding soon-to-be free agents Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino.

Unfortunately for Blue Jays fans, the chances of this deal actually happening are slim to none.

Let's take a look at why that is.

The Cost

While the thought of adding a top-of-the-rotation arm like Hamels and a top-of-the-order bat and solid outfielder in Victorino may be enticing, we have to remember what the Blue Jays will have to part with in order to acquire those types of assets.

It will definitely cost the Jays players who can fill in immediately for Hamels and Victorino. Think Travis Snider and Drew Hutchison.

In addition to those two, the Jays will likely have to part with some top tier talent from the farm system. I would think either Anthony Gose or Jake Marisnick would be one of those pieces, while a pitching prospect like Deck McGuire or Asher Wojciechowski would be the other (guys like Daniel Norris, Justin Nicolino, Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard are probably untouchable at this point).

While the return for those players and prospects would be incredible, Jays fans must ask themselves if they're willing to trade away so much.

The Contracts

The second reason that Victorino and Hamels won't be donning Blue Jays gear anytime this season is because of their contracts.

First off, the two combine to make over $20 million this season. That is a big price tag, especially when the players you're trading away hardly make anything, meaning Toronto's payroll will become a lot more expensive.

Secondly, both these players are "rentals," meaning they will be free agents this offseason.

With no indication that either of them would be willing to re-sign, the Jays would be giving up a good amount of talent, taking on salary and would also be taking a huge gamble on whether they'll even be able to keep either player around.

If Hamels and/or Victorino would commit to staying in Toronto for five to seven years, this trade would make a little more sense and be easier for Jays fans to swallow.

The General Manager

Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays are no strangers to rumors (see Prince Fielder).

And even though Anthopoulos hasn't made an official statement regarding the Hamels/Victorino rumors, on Saturday's edition of Jays Talk (the postgame show where host Mike Wilner fields questions and comments from Blue Jays fans), Anthopoulos made a guest appearance and addressed the rumors by telling Jays fans to be cautious with their optimism, as nearly every rumor that has started during his tenure has been false.

Jays fans should also consider the fact that Anthopoulos has always been about building the team by acquiring top young talent and developing that talent using Toronto's farm system, and has never been one to trade away an abundance of prospects for short-term gain.

Even if he had not all but dismissed the rumors on live radio, there would be plenty of reason to believe that this isn't the type of deal Anthopoulos would pull the trigger on anyway.

What's your take? Think this deal will happen? Would you like to see it come to fruition? Sound off in the comments section below.

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