Toronto started the season red hot, having the best record in the league for a couple of sims. Although they have cooled slightly, they’re a threat. Looking at their roster, there are a couple of places that they would benefit to upgrade, most notably the bullpen. Of every contender, they would benefit most from a top reliever. That being said, their biggest need in this esteemed writer’s mind is…
Need: Cap Space
Credit where credit is due – you can poke fun at some of the moves that this team has made but they are competing and have some really good performances. With $57,000 in cap space this season and $0 in cap space next season, this team needs to thread the needle between adding pieces to win now while addressing his significant cap issues.
Possible Targets
Bit different in this scenario, some thoughts about reshuffling that this team can do:
Shane Mack: Toronto is absolutely doing the right thing in marketing him. Rich Becker can take over for him. Mack, now a 9 in center field, is much better suited for left field which hurts value slightly. The ratings are appealing but how many teams are adding $680,000 in salary for 1997 while giving up value.
Mark Portugal: Splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen, his $126,000 salary next season is a luxury. With teams always looking for rotation depth, moving Portugal is a piece that this team wouldn’t miss.
Cal Ripken, Jr.: His fall has been sad to watch. While not tradable, is he able to be waived and possibly claimed by another team? Hard to say.