Now That Fowler is Off The Market, Could The Jays Target Inciarte?

After countless days and weeks, and the whole winter meetings, the Blue Jays and their fans have been waiting quietly and patiently to sign the new lead off man, Dexter Fowler. During the winter meetings, it was believed that the Blue Jays offered Fowler a 4 year, 60 million dollar contract ($15 a year average). Even though that price was $12 million less than Fowler was asking for, he was still expected to accept. Now that the winter meetings are over (just about), the Blue Jays leave without a true lead off hitter, and the Cardinals leave with a brand new lead off hitting center fielder.

Over the past 2016 season, the Blue Jays had a good season, making the semi final and losing to the Indians who ended up losing in a tight world series to the Cubs. After this Indians-Blue Jays series, everyone knew why Toronto didn't advance further:

They couldn't get any hits.

During the series, the Blue Jays pitching was truly amazing. The entire pitching staff should be proud. Fielding by the Blue Jays was also very strong, another thing that they should be proud of. But the hitters, they have nothing to be proud of. Over the series, the entire team struggled to get on base (via hit), which led to all their low scoring games. Game after game the team would only score a couple runs (usually coming of home runs).

Not only during this series did the team have trouble hitting for contact, but they also had trouble running. The team pretty well wasted a roster spot for their speedy center fielder Dalton Pompey. During this series, Pompey was only used to run. No at bats, no playing time in the field. Just to run. This is mostly because the Jays have no players that can run, like a true lead off hitters that most teams have.

During the off season, Ross Atkins tried to fix the Blue Jays lead off problems by going for the speedy contact hitter, Dexter Fowler. But this was unsuccessful. Now that he is out of the picture, here is a new player to think about: Ender Inciarte

Inciarte (26) is the starting center fielder for the Atlanta Braves. 2016 was his third year playing in the major leagues, giving him three year more control. Inciarte should be a prime target for the Blue Jays going forward as he is a traditional lead off guy, which is proven by his .291 batting average in 2016 (.292 career), his 16 stolen bases, and his 24 doubles in just 522 at-bats (131 games).

Trading for Inciarte would help the Blue jays because it would give them another outfielder (desperately needed RF and LF, and he can shift to either), and a lead off guy that hits for contact, and can run. Another large benefit to Toronto is that he is a left handed hitter, which would fit in perfect with the Jays right handed heavy lineup. In the case that Inciarte was to come to Toronto (via trade), he would have to shift to right field to keep Pillar in center.

If Toronto was to go after Inciarte, the only problem would be his price tag. Inciarte is still a young player with a lot of potential that the Braves would love to keep a couple more years for when their young prospects start to dominate the league. In order to successfully trade for him, Toronto would have to give up quite a bit. Here are some possible deals:

1. If the Jays are only willing to ship off prospects, they would likely need to give a Sean Reid-Foley (RHP, #2 prospect according to MLB.com), D.J Davis (OF, #24 prospect according to MLB.com), and Conner Greene (RHP, #10 prospect according to MLB.com) type deal (possibly one more mid level prospect).

2. If the Blue Jays felt that that could be draining their system too much, and they are willing to give up MLB players, than a possible deal could include Marcus Stroman (RHP), and Harold Ramirez (OF, #5 prospect according to MLB.com). But in the case that this trade were to go through, Toronto would likely need to sign a new starting pitcher.

In these two trade senarios, ATL would be happy as in #1, they get the Jays NO. 2 overall prospect who is a starting pitcher (which they do need), a young outfielder to fill in for Inciarte (eventually), and another relatively high rated prospect (NO. 10) who is another pitcher. In the second deal, the braves would be getting a young starting pitcher who is MLB ready, and a higher rated outfield prospect than in the first deal.

If either of these trades were to happen, both teams would benefit as both would get what they want and need. The deal (either of them) would be crucial for either team as they both fill needed positions in good ways. The Blue Jays get a fine, young lead off hitting outfielder who is desperately needed, and the Braves get more young players and prospects to keep build on what they already have.