The Toronto Blue Jays are 2 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for first in the American League East and currently hold the second AL wild card spot with a two game-lead on the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. With other teams having already made moves, the Jays are in prime position to be buyers before Thursdays trade deadline. There has been speculation that the Jays have made a recent push in trying to acquire the services of Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. The problem, however, is whether or not the Jays are willing to go all in this year and sell their most highly-touted prospects. According to TSN Baseball Analyst Steve Phillips, "the Red Sox will ask for Marcus Stroman or Aaron Sanchez and are going to add more prospects on top of that; probably a three-player package with one of those starters and big arms in the deal going back to Boston." The Red Sox would not necessarily be against dealing Lester to their divisional rival because the likelihood of the 30-year-old re-signing with Toronto is slim. "I think they [Red Sox] would trade Lester to the Blue Jays to get the best package in return, understanding theyre not really going to compete against Toronto to re-sign Lester next year. Theyre not worried about winning this year; theyre worried about winning next year." The Red Sox starting pitcher - who was pulled out of his scheduled Wednesday start against Toronto late Tuesday night - is 10-7 with a 2.52 earned-run average this season. Phillips believes the Blue Jays are also considering other options at lower prices to add to their pitching depth, including a possible reunion with Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. "I think theyre in on A.J. Burnett," said Phillips. "But you might also see them in on Ian Kennedy, you might see them in on a Bartolo Colon or a Tommy Milone from the As, so there is a number of things that can still happen with some pretty good pitching available." Burnett spent three seasons with Toronto from 2006 to 2008. This year with the Phillies, hes 6-10 with a 4.15 ERA in 149.2 innings pitched. The option is more appealing if the Jays are not willing to part with Stroman or Sanchez. Stroman has become one of their hottest starting pitchers over the last two months. The 23-year-old has allowed two or less runs in seven of his last nine outings. Since being called up on July 22, Sanchez has pitched four innings out of the bullpen and has yet to walk a batter. Regardless of the young talent, other teams in the American League are getting better through last season trades. The Yankees acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres and Brandon McCarthy from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this month. The Mariners re-acquired Kendrys Morales, the Athletics traded for Jeff Samardzija and the Tigers picked up Joakim Soria. Phillips thinks its the Jays time to show the American League that they are in it to win it. "This is the year for the Blue Jays to go for it;" Phillips explained. "When can you predict again that youre going to have the Red Sox in last place in the division, the Rays struggling under .500 and the New York Yankees trying to figure out who they are and if they can truly compete. "John Gibbons was in the Mets organization when I was general manager and he used to say to me all the time Steve, you only get a chance to go there every so often. Go for it when you have the opportunity. Gibbons is probably saying the same thing to Alex Anthopoulos." Cesc Fabregas Jersey .com) - Intrastate rivals collide Saturday as the Texas State Bobcats hit the road to take on the eighth-ranked Texas Longhorns in a non-conference battle at Frank Erwin Center. Pedro Jersey .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. http://www.chelseafcproshop.com/Kids-Cesar-Azpilicueta-Jersey/ .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes hope they now have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around. Alvaro Morata Jersey .com) - Bradley Beal deposited a season-high 33 points and John Wall posted another double-double as the Washington Wizards went on the road and beat the Houston Rockets, 104-103. Davide Zappacosta Jersey .com) - Quarterback Cardale Jones will return to Ohio State next season.FIVE QUICK HOOPS THOUGHTS 1. SPURS WIN TITLE: The model NBA franchise. Bottom line, Im hopeful that everyone saw how beautiful the game is when its played with the team concept in mind and thats the right way to play. In a society where if very "Copycat" aligned, this could be a really good development for the game as a whole on all levels. Every coach out there has the blueprint that we all witnessed for the sacrifice and selfless play that is the core principle of the sport. Now its on every coach to demand that the game be played (and important for folks in authority to back this concept and their leaders) in the proper fashion with We/Us always coming first before I/Me and a guys nonsensical "brand". Youre a player, not a "brand". Its a TEAM game - always will be. Fingers crossed that young players across the globe and particularly here in North America (where some have a warped view of what the sport is) see this as a cool way of playing the game and that the "pass" is a great way of "expressing yourself". 2. LEBRON JAMES (Heat): Im tired of the knuckleheads that bash him vs. Michael Jordan. Hes a totally different player in a different era. The guy plays hard, is a great teammate and is the only reason the Heat even were able to compete in short stretches. I saw no Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, Toni Kucoc, John Paxson or Steve Kerr out there for Miami in this series. The guy was fighting many times on his own. Hed be a guy that I would be honoured to coach and Id say more than 99 per cent of players - current and retired - would love to have him as a teammate. Is he as good as Jordan? No. So what? Its not like he isnt laying it on the line each night. Hes still terrific and not the problem. Im far from an apologist. He has made his fair share of mistakes but at the core, he carries himself properly and values the team concept. I would take him any day of the week on my team. 3. CARMELO ANTHONY (Knicks): I said this after Game 4 and Ill say it again, I think the Melo to Miami rumours were a distraction to the Heat - particullarly to guys like Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.dddddddddddd By the way, the two of them played poorly to say the least (24 points combined on 26 shots in Game 5). Not sure where he ends up but hes a wonderfully talented player who is an amazing scorer who Im not totally sold understands the 10-man (5-on-5) game and the value of team play. He needs a very strong coach and point guard to get him to see the light. In my opinion, Jason Kidd really helped him last season in his final year as a player, allowing him to understand the right way to play. With him though, its a daily fight to continue to get him to shake off bad habits and buy in to the value of the team game. He knows right from wrong - hes a big boy with tons of talent and money. Accountability is key with him. You keep him on the right path and he can really help you but you have to battle him every day. Ask George Karl - thats tiring. It can be done though. You need great energy and persistence to get him to do it each day. Teams need to decide if they want to fight that fight. 4. SHANE BATTIER and RAY ALLEN (Heat): Battier has already announced his retirement (guys actually retire? Not too often these days - normally guys hang on for anther deal as long as possible) and Allen might choose the same path. Both of them are FIRST CLASS, top-notch professionals who got everything out of their games. They had work ethics off the charts and are coachable. Wonderful examples of the best the game has to offer. Have always admired their approach. When you think of all the lucky guys who had a chance to play with these guys over the years, it has made the game better. Their influence and maturity were impactful, as was their play. 5. DAVID BLATT (Coach): Has had great success overseas and in international competition. Happy to see his name mentioned for the Cavaliers head coaching job as well as the top assistant job with the Warriors. Long overdue. Hes a top-notch offensive coach and gets a ton out of the talent level at his disposal. Very adaptable and creative. Would be a nice addition to the NBA coaching fraternity in some role. 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