GARDY "A FIT" FOR THE BLUE JAYS?

Nah! It's crap!

May 10, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

It's funny how when the world is now waking up with hangover, this story (or non-story) just tends to slip through the cracks. That truth is, it's interesting, but I'm just not sure there's a lot here.  For one, the Yankees want something big in return for Brett Gardner. For 2... last time I checked the Blue Jays kind of needed a big bat.  Isn't Jose Bautista still out there?

Yahoo Sports offers this nugget that actually came from Hardball Talk:

"Two days ago, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the 36-year-old outfielder had engaged in contract discussions with the Blue Jays. It appeared to be a logical choice for both sides, as Bautista has a lengthy history in Toronto and the club wouldn’t have to forfeit a draft pick to re-sign their former slugger."

Oct. 13, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Then, there was more that happened. The Toronto Star wrote about the relationship between the Jays and Bautista:

Sept. 19, 2016 - Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

"The sides did meet face-to-face at the winter meetings in early December, with the understanding that the Jays have other trade avenues to explore involving outfielders Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson of the Mets, Brett Gardner of the Yankees and more before a Bautista alternative can be considered. Nothing has changed there."

Photo: Getty Images

So... you're saying there's a chance that Gardy could be a Blue Jay? Duh. Obviously, right? But what are the true chances of this happening.

OK, in all honesty, the Jays have no real reason to dismiss Bautista other than spending way too much money on him.  The Star's Griffin continued it's reporting with this:

Oct. 8, 2016 - Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America

"...if the 36-year-old finds that his best option is to return for one more season and then try it again, he can rationalize the short-term decision and make it sing. He can explain that:

1. He wants to be with a contender, and he has been a big factor in the Jays reaching the post-season for two straight years.

2. There are few power options expected to come out as free agents in 2017, and under the new collective agreement there would be no compensation required for a team that wants to sign him, because the Jays can’t make another qualifying offer...

...Bautista has not fallen off a cliff. His offensive numbers in 116 games in 2016 were better than people give him credit for. "

(May 19, 2016 - Source: Getty Images North America)

And so really the Gardner connection was more of just a mention, because as everyone knows in sports off seasons, all options are on the table until they're off.

Then go back to Hardball Talk who kind of buttons this nugget up as a waste of your last 2 minutes. Read the part in red:

"Without Bautista, however, the Blue Jays have several options going forward, including veteran Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Gardner is slated to receive $25 million through 2018, with a $2 million buyout on his $12.5 option in 2019...Whether the Blue Jays have serious interest in Gardner remains to be seen, and Griffin points out that Toronto could be in danger of losing its status as an “elite offensive team” if they can’t snag a hitter of Bautista’s caliber."

And so... sorry to make you read that during your hangover! hey, I did... I decided to make you suffer too.

It is interesting how these things escalate though, huh?

Happy 2017... a whole lotta that I guess...