Blue Jays trade rumors: Toronto interested in Alex Rios reunion

The Toronto Blue Jays have interest in reacquiring Texas Rangers' outfielder Alex Rios, writes CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. Rios, of course, was drafted and developed by the Blue Jays before a monster contract extension and subsequent poor performances put a damper on their relationship and led to Rios being traded.

After emerging as one of the best young players in the game and making two All-Star teams in 2006 and 2007, the then 27-year-old Rios was locked up to an enormous seven-year, $69.84 million deal following the 2007 season. Rios would continue his fantastic production in 2008, but saw his performance fall off significantly in 2009, and the Blue Jays were ultimately able to unload Rios when the Chicago White Sox shockingly claimed him off waivers, taking on a contract many saw as impossible to trade.

Rios had an up and down tenure in Chicago, but he posted perhaps the best year of his career in 2012, and was playing well enough last season to justify a mid-season trade to the Texas Rangers. In his first full year with the Rangers, Rios is having a strong season, hitting .302/.330/.435 with a 110 OPS+, .330 wOBA, 0.9 WAR, and league-leading 8 triples.

Rios is making $12.5 million this season, and carries a $13.5 million club option for 2015 that is a near lock to be picked up. The extra year of control and limited availability of high-quality bats makes him one of the more attractive commodities on this year's trade market.

The Blue Jays have been crippled by injuries, and have watched as the Baltimore Orioles surged past them in the AL East. Toronto is currently without key lineup pieces Brett Lawrie, Adam Lind, and Edwin Encarnacion, and could use another middle-of-the-order bat. The Blue Jays are reportedly not on Rios' six-team no-trade list.

Toronto has been one the most discussed teams this summer, popping up in a wide variety of trade rumors. They had been rumored to be heavily interested in Chase Headley, but he was lost to a division rival yesterday, taking another option off the market for Toronto. It's also unclear just how much money the Blue Jays are able to spend.

Toronto isn't alone in wanting to add Rios. The Royals and Mariners have both shown interest, and the Giants are likely to pursue him as well.