Toronto Blue Jays Rumors: Playing Fact or Fiction with the Latest Talk

With the offseason underway, the Toronto Blue Jays have been connected to several rumors currently making the rounds in the media.

While most of these rumors are exaggerated, some of them do have a basis in fact and have a chance of being true.

For example, a few weeks ago, Toronto was rumored to be interested in free-agent catcher Russell Martin. That rumor was validated just a couple of days ago when the Blue Jays signed Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal.

So, are there any other rumors connected to the Blue Jays that could similarly be true? Let’s play “fact or fiction” with the latest talk.

The Blue Jays Are No Longer Able to Re-Sign Melky Cabrera

Now that Russell Martin has signed with Toronto, it has been widely assumed that the Blue Jays are no longer in the running to re-sign free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera. 

"

Signing of Russell Martin likely takes TOR out of a major deal w/Melky Cabrera. Lose a pick signing Martin, gain 1 if Melky signs elsewhere.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November'>https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/534468283509252096">November 17, 2014"

If the Blue Jays are willing to let Cabrera go in order to obtain a draft pick, that’s another matter entirely. But if it’s a matter of payroll commitments, Toronto is still very much in the running to re-sign Cabrera.

It’s worth noting that while Martin’s contract will pay him $82 million over five years, it’s very backloaded. According to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Martin will make just $7 million in 2015. This gives the Blue Jays additional flexibility to make more moves this offseason.

Toronto will also have most of its other contracts come off the books during the next two seasons. As of right now, the Blue Jays only have two contracts that are guaranteed in the 2017 season and beyond.

So, with Martin on a backloaded deal and Toronto not having to worry about long guaranteed contracts given to other players, the team should be able to offer Cabrera a competitive deal this offseason if it wants.

The 30-year-old Cabrera had a solid year with the bat in 2014, hitting .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 81 runs scored in 139 games. Losing him would be a big blow to Toronto’s offense.

Verdict: Fiction

The Blue Jays Will Make a Serious Offer to Jon Lester 

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Blue Jays are continuing to show legitimate interest in free-agent pitcher Jon Lester.

Lester was one of the top pitchers in the American League last season, posting a 16-11 record with a 2.46 ERA while racking up 220 strikeouts in 219.2 innings pitched. The southpaw has also spent the majority of his career pitching in the tough AL East.

Despite Lester’s numbers and experience, it seems unlikely the Blue Jays will seriously pursue the 30-year-old in free agency. Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors reports that Lester’s price tag is projected to be somewhere near six years and $150 million.

It doesn’t seem realistic that Toronto would want to pay that kind of money to Lester when the team already has a decent starting rotation headlined by veterans R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. The Blue Jays also have several young starters with high upside such as Marcus Stroman, Drew Hutchison and potentially Aaron Sanchez.

If one of Buehrle or Dickey is traded this offseason, however, then it would make sense for Toronto to pursue Lester. Until then, this rumor is probably unlikely to materialize into anything.

Verdict: Fiction

The Blue Jays Are Interested in Andrew Miller

Jeff Blair of Sportsnet.ca reports, via Twitter, that the Blue Jays are being “very aggressive” in their pursuit of free-agent reliever Andrew Miller.

Miller is arguably the top reliever on the market this winter. The 29-year-old posted a 2.02 ERA along with 103 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched in 2014.

According to MassLive.com’s Jason Mastrodonato, Miller is seeking a four-year deal with an “astounding” average annual value.

Though it will be a bit expensive, this is one area where the Blue Jays could be tempted into opening their wallets. Adding an elite pitcher like Miller would do wonders to a Toronto bullpen that ranked 25th in ERA in the majors during the 2014 season.

Despite’s Miller’s high asking price, he’s drawn interest from 22 major league teams, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

"

Andrew miller had 22 teams show interest, but it probably won't be the rumored cubs, who are looking only to lengthen pen

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 13, 2014"

The Blue Jays could beat out the competition by offering Miller a shot at the closer’s role during the 2015 season. Toronto will need a new closer if Casey Janssen leaves via free agency as expected and Aaron Sanchez moves into the starting rotation.

Verdict: Fact

*All stats are from MLB.com