Just in case you had an iota of doubt in your mind that the Vernon Wells deal was all about payroll relief, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays would like to trade Juan Rivera.
Rivera is set to earn $5.25 million this season after which he will become a free agent. Rosenthal writes that the 32-year-old outfielder isn’t in the team’s long-term plans, so Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has made him available. Of course, Anthopoulos has already flipped Mike Napoli -- the other part of the return for Wells -- to the Rangers for right-handed reliever Frank Francisco.
As of now, Rivera and Travis Snider project to play the corner outfield positions for the Jays, with Rajai Davis in center field and Jose Bautista at third base. Rosenthal doesn’t expect Rivera to be traded before spring training, but if there is a quick resolution, he speculates that the club could sign Scott Podsednik to be their leadoff hitter.
