Rumors are going around that the Cubs are talking to the Blue Jays about a trade of Milton Bradley for Vernon Wells. The thing that will make the Blue Jays’ brass consider making this trade is that they are on the hook for 5 more years and $107 million bucks for Wells. Bradley is owed 2 more years at $21 million bucks. The Cubs would want to split the difference on salaries meaning that the Blue Jays would have to send them $43 million bucks with Wells. Sure, Wells had one of the worst seasons in his career but does that mean you off him for the biggest head case in all of sports just to save $43 million bucks? I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision because I can see where it might tempt them especially if they think that Wells is going to continue to decline. Wells played in 158 games for the Blue Jays last season and he was 164 for 630 (.260 avg, .711 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 15 homers, 66 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,236 games in his career for the Blue Jays and he is 1,368 for 4,880 (.280 avg, .799 OPS) with 710 runs scored, 192 homers, 725 RBIs and 84 stolen bases. Don’t forget another factor if they do indeed pull the trigger on this trade and that is the Blue Jays would have to get another center fielder in either another trade or free agency because they don’t have anyone ready to take Wells’ place on the current roster.

31-year old switch hitting Milton Bradley would likely be the DH for the Blue Jays if he were to come to Canada. He played in 124 games for the Cubs last season and he was 101 for 393 (.257 avg, .775 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 12 homers and 40 RBIs. Bradley is a ticking time bomb every single day that he is on your baseball team and do the Blue Jays really want to deal with that just to save some cash? Bradley has now played in 941 games in his major league career and he is 904 for 3,260 (.277 avg, .821 OPS) with 501 runs scored, 115 homers, 439 RBIs and 76 stolen bases. The Blue Jays should just say no to Milton Bradley who is a injury prone team cancer.

If re-signing Marco Scutaro doesn’t happen for the Blue Jays this winter look for them to possibly scour the trade market. Two names to keep an eye on would be Reid Brignac of the Rays and Mike Aviles of the Royals. Brignac would likely require the Blue Jays to give up some pitching (likely relievers) to get him. A combination of two of the following pitchers: Jeremy Accardo, Brandon League and Brian Wolfe would probably get the job done. If the Blue Jays don’t want to give up that much for Brignac they likely could get Mike Aviles for Wolfe as the Royals really need help in the pen. I would make the trade with the Rays as Brignac is younger than Aviles.

The Blue Jays have claimed 28-year old lefty reliever Sean Henn off waivers from the Orioles. Henn pitched in 20 games (0 starts) for the Twins & Orioles last season and he was 0-3 with a 7.54 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. He has now pitched in 60 games (5 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-9 with a 7.56 ERA and a 2.01 WHIP. The Blue Jays have designated 33-year old righty swinging catcher Michael Barrett for assignment to make room on the roster for Henn. Barrett played in 7 games for the Blue Jays last season and he was 3 for 18 (.167 avg, .544 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI. The Blue Jays probably just wanted Henn to provide depth in the bullpen but this also could signal a trade as the Blue Jays are already loaded from the left side of the pen.

The Blue Jays have granted free agency to 28-year old lefty reliever Wil Ledezma. Ledezma pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Nationals and he was 0-0 with a 9.53 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP. He then worked in 29 games (0 starts) in A+AA+AAA ball for the Blue Jays and he was 1-3 with 1 save, a 3.49 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. Some team will take another chance on Ledezma as he still has a great arm but the Jays have a lot of lefty relievers that they like better than him.

The Blue Jays have some big holes to fill if they let all of their free agents walk. Starting shortstop Marco Scutaro might be too expensive for the Blue Jays to retain even though they would like to bring him back. Rod Barajas had a solid year as the catcher that played the most behind the plate for the Jays. He wants to come back but the Jays would be smart to check out other free agents at the position to see if they can improve a little bit. John McDonald apparently is highly sought after for his glove so the Jays will likely have to replace him. Kevin Millar had a bad year and he might be nearing the end of his career so the Jays won’t be likely bringing him back. Finally, Michael Barrett will also be out of town next year. Besides Barajas the Blue Jays should really consider guys like Ramon Hernandez (if the Reds don’t pick up his option), Bengie Molina, Ivan Rodriguez and Miguel Olivo. Cheaper alternatives that could pique the Jays’ interest are guys like Jason Kendall, Brian Schneider, Yorvit Torrealba and maybe even Jason Varitek (if he declines his option for 2010 with the Red Sox). If Scutaro is allowed to walk (which is likely based on the money he will get offered) then the Jays have to find a new shortstop. The top tier is likely out of the price range of the Jays. With that in mind I think that Juan Uribe would be a perfect match as he has some sting in his bat and he is a solid defender. If he goes somewhere else the Jays would likely consider bringing in guys like Adam Everett, Bobby Crosby or the depressed Khalil Greene. If the Blue Jays could hit better as a team the smart thing to do would be to re-sign John McDonald and make him the starter at shortstop because he is one of the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball…but he just can’t hit a lick. If McDonald leaves the Jays will need a new reserve infielder and they would likely choose from Jamey Carroll, Alex Cora, Craig Counsell, Geoff Blum, Mark Loretta or Omar Vizquel. Despite Randy Ruiz’ solid swinging at the DH in September the Blue Jays might not feel confident enough in him to give him the full time gig at DH. With that in mind the Jays might check the price on guys like Jim Thome, Aubrey Huff and Jason Giambi. The pitching staff is in good shape and the Jays might look the trade route to get a shortstop/catcher. This will be a very interesting winter for the Blue Jays.