Craig - Toronto: The feeling in T.O. is that Vernon Wells leaving after next year via free-agency is a done deal. ANY chance V-Dub gets signed to a long-term deal to stay north of the border?
Keith Law: No, no chance at all.
Wayne (Toronto): You serious about Wells not being back? If they have to trade him, who do they get in return?
Keith Law: Wells is a FA after 2007, so if they trade him, it has to be this winter. And I don't see any way they can trade him this winter and make themselves a better club in '07. I think they keep him and try to win next year, and let him leave as a FA after the season. Given their huge salary commitments to the Big Four after 2007, that would be the best strategy.
Scott (Toronto): With Rios as a natural CF do you see Toronto looking to move Vernon Wells in the offseason. If so... what will Toronto be looking for in return?
Keith Law: No, I don't see that. Wells is signed to a ridiculously low salary for 2007, and the Blue Jays' best chance to win is next year. They have $48 million committed to four players (Halladay, Ryan, Burnett, and Glaus) starting in 2008, and Wells will be gone by then, so winning 2007 has to be the strategy.
Will Wells be Traded in the Offseason? Thursday, August 17, 2006
From an ESPN chat with Keith Law. Several people asked Law about the status of Vernon Wells, if they will be able to resign him after 2007 or if the Blue Jays will look to trade him.