Blue Jays Rumors: Encarnacion, Johnson and Frasor

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in trading potential free agents, such as first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, second baseman Kelly Johnson and reliever Jason Frasor, for players who can help them win next season, not long-range prospects, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

While speculation persists that the team could sell, the Jays are not interested in trading potential free agents for long-range prospects, according to major-league sources. If they make deals, the idea will be to acquire players who could help them win next season.

Rosenthal notes that the Blue Jays have the potential to be buyers and sellers this summer. Toronto is in last place in the American League East, but they entered the day a game over .500 and 2 ½ back of the final wild-card spot.

Rosenthal does say that if the Blue Jays buy, they will not look to overpay in order to "go for it." He says Toronto’s general manager, Alex Anthopoulos, isn’t interested in rentals, which would seem to indicate the Blue Jays wouldn’t be interested in a pitcher such as Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels or Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke unless they have an extension in the works.

And if the Jays buy, they are unlikely to make a "go for it" trade in which they would overpay, one source said. GM Alex Anthopoulos covets players that he can control, not rentals who would amount to temporary fixes.

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Which player(s) should the Blue Jays target if they decide to buy?

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