Blue Jays rumors: Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson, Marco Scutaro

Accoring to GM Alex Anthopoulos, the Toronto Blue Jays are setting their sights on upgrades to the starting rotation, second base and left field this winter, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet:

With some money to spend, gaping holes to fill (first and foremost in the starting rotation), and a very frustrated fan-base, Alex Anthopoulos will be grinding his fellow GMs and player agents in an effort to make something happen in the weeks to come...

"We have to be creative and we have to be smart about it. The focus will be on the rotation and second base is up in the air, left field, we still could be open to doing something there, the bullpen, I feel a little bit better about our depth. So really, the focus will be on the rotation more than anywhere else."

The Blue Jays' biggest weak spot in 2012, starting pitching, is likely where Anthopoulos will put much of his focus this offseason. Anibal Sanchez and Edwin Jackson could be at the top of the rotation wish list, as Toronto scouted both pitchers during the season, though no one is really out of the running at this point. Davidi speculates that Brandon McCarthy, Dan Haren, Francisco Liriano and Ryan Dempster are also possibilities for the Blue Jays.

At second base, Toronto could go with in-house option Adeiny Hechevarria, but Davidi believes that the club with look for help outside the organization. Marco Scutaro is the "most appealing target" at the position if he does not re-sign with the Giants, but Maicer Izturis and Ryan Theriot are also options.

Davidi speculates that Blue Jays will have about $11 million to spend this winter on free agents if they're willing to push their payroll up to $90 million, not leaving them with a lot of flexibility on the market.