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Blue Jays have sticker shock over free agent closer demands

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos laughs during practice at their spring training facility in Dunedin

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos laughs while watching players practice at their MLB American League spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida February 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Cassese (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL HEADSHOT)

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Toronto is in the market for a veteran closer, but Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun writes that they’ve “been shocked at the dollars” free agents are asking for and general manager Alex Anthopoulos indicated that they may turn to the trade market instead.

Anthopoulos talked specifically about not wanting to give out a four- or five-year deal to a reliever and suggested he’ll be shopping “prospects” in an effort to land a closer under team control for a more reasonable cost.

Elliott speculates that Toronto will still be in the mix for Heath Bell, Ryan Madson, and Joe Nathan as free agents and it’s unclear who exactly they’d be going after via trade, but some obvious possibilities are Drew Storen, Brandon League, Carlos Marmol, Huston Street, and Andrew Bailey.

This year Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch split closing duties for the Blue Jays with underwhelming results and they’re both free agents.