Inbox: Why don’t the Blue Jays chase Trumbo?

Why don’t the Blue Jays forget Jose Bautista and seriously go after Mark Trumbo? — Shae H., Edmonton, Alberta

Trumbo isn’t really a good fit for a lot of the same reasons that it was hard to envision a spot for Edwin Encarnacion deep into the future. To get the most out of Trumbo, he should be used at either designated hitter or first base, and those are two positions the Blue Jays currently have locked down, at least in their view. Trumbo did make 95 appearances in right field this past year, but his defense out there is a liability and would likely deteriorate even further over the course of a long-term deal.

The one thing Trumbo would bring to the table is power, and that’s something the Blue Jays do need. Bautista, Encarnacion and Michael Saunders combined to hit 88 homers last year, and while some of that production has been replaced by Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce, this is not the type of lineup that is typically associated with Toronto. Even so, there has yet to be any indication the Blue Jays are seriously interested in Trumbo, and I highly doubt they make a big play here.

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I don’t know what to make of this Encarnacion situation. There have been so many rumors and reports coming out after he signed with Cleveland. What I really want to know is: Who’s to blame here? — Dylan S, Waterloo, Ontario

There’s a certain level of damage control being done by both sides, and that should be expected. Encarnacion eventually signed for fewer years and less guaranteed money than Toronto’s $80 million offer prior to the start of free agency. Encarnacion wanted to come back, the Blue Jays wanted to bring him back, and the fact that it didn’t happen is a bad look for both parties.

Here’s what we know. Toronto felt it maxed out on the $80 million offer. Encarnacion and his agent Paul Kinzer were given a few days to weigh the proposal, and when it wasn’t accepted, Toronto informed them it would be speaking with other potential fits. At the time, Kinzer felt he could get a better offer, and he called the Blue Jays’ bluff about moving on to other targets. …

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