http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4384253 A waiver claim has been placed on Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios, according to Major League Baseball sources. At a time when most teams have very little financial flexibility, it could be within the realm of possibility that the Blue Jays will consider a trade of Rios, who still has six years remaining on a seven-year, $69.35 million contract he agreed to in April 2008, or simply waive him to the team that claimed him. It is not yet known which team has been awarded the claim on Rios, but Rios might be on his way out of Toronto, one way or the other, because the Blue Jays may embrace the opportunity to shed his contract -- much in the same way they unexpectedly allowed the San Diego Padres to take reliever Randy Myers in a waiver claim more than a decade ago. The Blue Jays, it appears, have three options, and must make a decision by Tuesday, because the waiver period will roll through the weekend: ? They could work out a trade with the team that claimed Rios. ? They could pull him back from waivers, and keep him for themselves the rest of this season. ? They could simply allow the team that claimed him to take him, at no cost. Undoubtedly, the decision to place a waiver claim on Rios will stun rival executives, at a time when the prices on free-agent outfielders have plummeted. The most lucrative deals for corner outfielders in the most recent offseason -- other than Manny Ramirez -- were for Raul Ibanez, for three years and $31.5 million, and Milton Bradley, for three years and $30 million. "That's an incredible opportunity for the Blue Jays to get out from underneath that contract," said one team official. Part of the reason the Blue Jays had considered trading Roy Halladay is the lack of payroll flexibility into the future, created in part by their obligation to Rios. The 28-year-old Rios is batting .261 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs this season. He has never had an OPS higher than .865, and currently has an OPS of .728. Rios is making $5.9 million this season, and he is set to earn salaries of $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011, $12 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013 and $12.5 million in 2014. The Jays hold a club option on Rios of $13.5 million for 2015, with a $1 million buyout. The San Francisco Giants have been looking for outfield help all season, and just 20 months ago, they mulled a possible swap of eventual Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum for Rios. The New York Mets also have been looking for help that won't cost them significant prospects, but leading up to the trade deadline, they hadn't expressed much willingness to take on a major salary. Rios' contract would cost any team that acquired him about $2 million for the rest of this year. --- This would be a steal for fucking free.
Probably just a risky block by a team. I don't think he's going anywhere unless the Jays want to just give him away which I doubt.
well a lot of people think they are, for something as little as a PTBNL. they just want out of his contract.
I don't really care for Rios either way......but if Ricciardi gives him away....I'll kick his nose off his face, like a Feely FG.
Do you really have a choice? Rogers Media is looking to slash payroll about 20%, I don't see what leverage Ricciardi would have.
oh..i'm sure he'll be gone....but not for nothing. I'm sure they'll be a trade worked out or JP will pull back the waiver and get look to deal him in the offseason. JP isn't too sharp...but he's certainly NOT coorslightcans.
It'll be for organizational filler at most. No one wants that contract, especially in this economy. Ricciardi should be fucking estatic than there was someone desperate enough to claim him. This is a Dewayne Robertson esque contract.
no way it will be for anything that is young and/or talented. i like rios, he has shown some flashes, but his contract is brutal.
agreed...his contract is certainly a dealbreaker for most teams. But somebody will bite...I'm sure of it.
I could see the Sox making a move like that... Rios has been a good player for the Jays up until this season but he is always getting hurt. Honestly I hate the the Yankees for going out and overpaying for FA's every year but teams like the Pirates, Jays and Nationals are just to blame as well by not even attempting to be competitive..... I don't think there should be a salary cap but for years the Royals have gotten more in luxury tax then they've spent on payroll. That is an issue that needs to be addressed.... maybe no cap but a floor to prevent teams from being a minor league roster with guys making 300K taking up 17 of the 25 roster spots and just as there is a cap hit there should be a penalty to be below say 50 million in salary
I must have been thinking of Wells... didn't Rios miss a buncgh of time due to a staph infection or something last year?
well..the Jays are dumber than i thought. They let Rios go to the White Sox...for nothing. I'm glad they cleared cap space....but geez......for nothing??!! http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=287338
The Blue Jays got a steal here. Rios is a VERY replaceable player and they got out from one of the worst contracts in baseball. Now they need to find someone dumb enough to take Wells.
