MLB Trade Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays Looking to Move Yunel Escobar This Winter

The first domino has already fallen in Toronto.

Manager John Farrell is on his way back to Boston, while utility infielder Mike Aviles will be joining the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013.

It appears Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos is looking to keep the offseason moves coming.

According to Jon Heyman of cbssports.com, the Blue Jays are looking to move their 29-year-old shortstop, Yunel Escobar.

This shouldn't come as a total surprise to Jays fans, considering Escobar's late-season controversy and subsequent press conference, surrounding his decision to wear eye paint that included an anti-gay slur.

With Adeiny Hechavarria just about ready to make the jump to the major leagues and the recent acquisition of the aforementioned Mike Aviles, Escobar is a fairly expendable commodity.

After a few years of average play in Toronto, it looks like the Blue Jays are ready to move on and try something new.

In fact, this won't be the first time that Escobar's actions have gotten him into trouble with his team.

When the Jays traded for the shortstop back in 2010, he was having some major problems getting along with then Braves manager Bobby Cox and his teammates, who were quick to criticize Escobar's lack of hustle on the field.

Despite his attitude problems, however, it appears as though a few teams are interested in the services of the Cuba native.

As Heyman mentioned in his tweet (linked above), the Oakland A's could be suitors, seeing as their current shortstop Stephen Drew will be a free agent this offseason.

Danny Knobler, also of cbssports.com, suggests that both the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks may be interested in Escobar as well.

As it stands, Anthopoulos may be in a better position that he thought he'd be in at this point.

A potential bidding war for the controversial shortstop's services could be a huge advantage for the Blue Jays, and one they hadn't anticipated.

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