Quickshots: Blue Jays, Brantley, Cardinals, Hicks, Astros

the Blue jays continue to be interested in Michael brantley, writes Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Toronto’s best freefield target remains George springer, and Rosenthal leaves the possibility of the Jays signing the two players. Springer and Brantley have spent the last two seasons as teammates with the Astros, and Brantley has known Jays CEO Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins very well since their time in Cleveland. Signing both Springer and Brantley would make a somewhat awkward adjustment on paper, as Toronto already has a glut of outfield / designated hitter options. Still, it could allow the Jays to trade one of their young outside for a rotation aid, Rosenthal believes.

A little more around sport:

• Cardinals lifter Jordan hicks East “Ready to go“For next season, coach Bryan Eversgerd told reporters (including Anne Rogers of MLB.com). This is good news after a setback in Hicks’ recovery from Tommy John’s surgery contributed to his choice to retire from the 2020 season. The 24-year-old suffers from type 1 diabetes, which has no doubt played a role in this decision. In 106.2 career innings between 2018-19, the fireballer threw a 3.47 ERA behind an elite ground ball rate of 62.3%.
• the Astros have signed Ryne stanek and Pedro Baez This winter. Even still, they would like to continue adding to their enclosure, ideally by acquiring a more traditional closer, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. “This is something that I think we would all love to have, and it can certainly make you feel better in your enclosure than if you don’t have someone who may have done this in the past.“GM James Click said of a ninth inning option. “However, there are still guys taking on this role every year. There are new farmers every year, and our young talent on this list did an awesome job last season stepping in some roles that if we’re being honest I don’t think we thought they could have been. ready for, and our hand was forced for many different reasons.As Click alluded to, the Houston relievers box was decimated by injuries in 2020 and is only ranked 24th in the league with a 4.55 SIERA. One potential option is Brad Hand, with whom the club remains in contact, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com.