The proposed trade of outfielder Alex Rios for either San Francisco’s Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum rests with the Giants’ decision-makers, according to major-league sources.
The Jays are not optimistic a deal will occur; the Giants seem highly reluctant to move either pitcher. They turned down Delmon Young for Lincecum before the Rays sent Young to the Twins, one source said, and they could have kept Young for five years, while they would control Rios for only three.
The Jays will not add major-league pitching to their offer, sources say, and they also are unlikely to move right-hander A.J. Burnett in a separate deal.
Burnett, who can opt out of his contract at the end of the season, made 32 starts and pitched 209 innings the last time he was entering a free-agent year, in 2005. The Jays expect him to be similarly motivated next season. He’s coming off a 10-8 season with a 3.75 ERA in 165 2/3 innings.
Cain was 7-16 in 32 starts for the Giants in 2007 and had a 3.65 ERA in 200 innings. Linecum was 7-5 in 24 starts and a 4.00 ERA in 146 1/3 innings.
Rios, three years away from free agency, plays right field for the Jays. The Giants view him as a franchise-type center fielder. He is coming off a season in which he hit .297 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI. He also stole 21 bases and drew 55 walks against 103 strikeouts.