Toronto Blue Jays Show Interest In Chase Headley

Jun 15, 2014; New York, NY, USA; San Diego Padres fan Dylan Headley meets third baseman Chase Headley (7) before the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

With the MLB trading deadline fast approaching on July 31, many teams contending for division titles or wild cards slots are beginning to make their push to upgrade their rosters to get into the postseason while others are looking to dump payroll.

It is being reported by Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union Tribune that the Toronto Blue Jays have discussed about acquiring Padres’ third baseman Chase Headley. The Blue Jays and other teams have checked with the Padres’ front office on Headley’s availability this weekend and to watch him closely to see if he is still being affected by his most recent injury to his back. 

Headley missed a week with a herniated disc that required epidural treatment before he returned to the lineup last Tuesday in the Padres’ victory over the Giants.

In 2014, Headley is having a dismal year batting .199 with six home runs and only 23 RBI. While the club still believed he would put up the same numbers he did in 2012 when he was fifth in the MVP balloting, they signed him to signed a one-year deal worth$10 million this year.

The Toronto Blue Jays might be the perfect fit for the switch-hitter. Most recently, the Blue Jays have been plagued with injuries to their third baseman Brett Lawrie, who is out three-six weeks with a broken index finger, and slugger Jose Bautista.

The Rogers Centre is definitely not Petco Park and it gives Headley the opportunity for a fresh start and the chance for the Padres’ to drop payroll. The Blue Jays, who hold a two game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, could use a third baseman that has the potential to hit and draw walks if they are willing to take on more than half of his 2014 salary.

Over the course of his career with the Padres’, Headley has shown flashes of talent but injuries and inconsistent hitting has certainly plagued him throughout his career. Headley has already been on the forefront of trade rumors since the beginning of the year, but with the Padres’ interviewing for the vacant GM position, ownership is moving in a different direction that does not include him at third base.