Jays Shaping Up to Be Buyers at Deadline, Targeting Johnson, Ramirez

According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Jays will be buyers at the trade deadline.

Early Tuesday morning, Morosi tweeted the following:

"

#BlueJays remain in buy mode, believing they can finish second in AL East this year. And I agree with them. (Fixed.)

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2012"

Hours later, Morosi returned to Twitter with some more specific details:

"

#BlueJays interested in both Josh Johnson and Hanley Ramirez. Source says they have stronger desire to land JJ because of pitching need.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2012"

The Blue Jays have already made a splash in July—albeit a minor one—participating in a 10-player swap with the Houston Astros.

Prying either Johnson or Ramirez away from the Miami Marlins would not likely be cheap. Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos would probably have to pillage the team's renowned farm system to get a deal in place.

Travis d'Arnaud, Jake Marisnick, Adeiny Hechavarria, Noah Snydergaard, Justin Nicolino and Aaron Sanchez embody the most value in the Jays' minor league organization. It is probable that at least two from that list would have to be included in a deal to land one of Miami's big guns.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox have also shown interest in Ramirez, so any hope of buying below market value may be dashed by the apparent competition.