The Blue Jays aren’t working with a lot of cash but they have a few needs. They need a couple of starting pitchers due to injuries to Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum that will cause them to miss most if not all of the 2009 season. The Blue Jays have a lot of live bullpen arms in lefties Fabio Castro, Brian Tallet and righties Brandon League and Jason Frasor who are available. Although Marco Scutaro and Joe Inglett played well for the Blue Jays last season they still need an upgrade in the middle infield for 2009. The Blue Jays could take a chance on Josh Barfield from the Cleveland Indians. The Indians would likely take either Frasor, Tallet or League straight up for him. If the Blue Jays want to spend a little bit more money they could go for Khalil Greene or Bobby Crosby. Either the Padres or A’s would likely jump at getting League or Tallet for Crosby or Greene. The Blue Jays could also move Russ Adams or John McDonald but neither of them have much value and would likely be nothing more than throw ins.

The Blue Jays have released 26-year old righty Jean Machi. Machi pitched in 21 games (9 starts) in AA-ball last season and he was 2-6 with 1 save, a 4.65 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. The Blue Jays won’t lose any sleep over this as Machi doesn’t have much of an upside.

The Blue Jays like what Joe Inglett and Marco Scutaro did last season for them but they need a legit offensive shortstop to hit near the top of the batting order. Rafael Furcal will probably be the Jays’ top target but other teams will be after him driving up the price tag. With that in mind the Blue Jays might make a play for Orlando Cabrera and he would be a solid addition to the team. The Blue Jays will likely need two starting pitchers behind Roy Halladay, Jesse Litsch and David Purcey. With that in mind look for the Blue Jays to consider Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, Braden Looper and possibly Kenny Rogers or Mike Hampton. The Blue Jays are too close to making the playoffs to go cheap now so it’s time to throw in some chips and make a run.

The Blue Jays have claimed 32-year old lefty Les Walrond off waivers from the Phillies. He pitched in 6 games (0 starts) with the Phillies last season and he was 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP. Walrond has now pitched in 23 games (2 starts) in his major league career and he is 1-4 with a 7.07 ERA and a 1.99 WHIP. It’s hard to see what the Blue Jays like about Walrond as he has allowed 43 hits and walked 28 batters in 35.2 career major league innings. He is a lefty but that’s likely the only thing he has going for him.

UPDATE: 11/20/2008 - The Blue Jays have released Les Walrond. Walrond hopes to hook on with a pro team in Japan soon.

31-year old righty starting pitcher A.J. Burnett is declining his options for 2009 and 2010 ($24 million bucks) deciding to become a free agent instead. Burnett pitched in 35 games (34 starts) for the Blue Jays last season and he was 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Burnett whiffed 231 batters this season showing what he can do when he stays healthy. Burnett pitched three seasons in Toronto covering 81 games (80 starts) in which he was 38-26 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Teams will likely be lining up to throw money at A.J. Burnett starting this week and the Jays will miss him.

The Blue Jays continue to be very active in the off season by claiming 28-year old righty Kelvin Jimenez off waivers from the Cardinals. Jimenez pitched in 15 games (0 starts) last season for the Cardinals and he was 0-0 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. Jimenez has now pitched in 49 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 3-0 with a 6.82 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP. Jimenez has a good arm and maybe the Blue Jays will be able to coach him up. This move was a risk worth taking for the Blue Jays.

UPDATE: 11/18/2009 The Blue Jays have lost Kelvin Jimenez off waivers to the Chicago White Sox. The Jays tried to slip him through waivers so that they didn’t have to keep him on the 40-man roster but it didn’t work.

The Blue Jays have claimed 25-year old righty swinging shortstop Angel Sanchez off waivers from the Royals. Sanchez played in 101 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 92 for 372 (.247 avg, .633 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 2 homers, 36 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. It will be a longshot for Sanchez to make the Blue Jays out of spring training but he will be able to compete for a roster spot.

UPDATE: 11/20/2008 - The Blue Jays have outrighted Angel Sanchez to AAA making him a free agent.