‘Good chance’ Melky Cabrera won’t be back with Blue Jays according to GM Alex Anthopoulos

Negotiations between free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera and the Blue Jays have stalled and as it stands Cabrera's return to Toronto doesn't seem likely according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

"There’s a good chance he doesn’t come back, we just don’t know," Anthopoulos told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi on Tuesday at the GM meetings in Phoenix. "We do want him back, we do believe he wants to be back, but he’s not a signed player. I think there’s going to be a lot of interest in him, he’s a very good player, we’re just not at a point where we can get a deal done."

Cabrera declined Toronto's $15.3 million qualifying on Monday and is reported to be looking for a five-year deal worth more than to $60 million.

The Blue Jays also have to address their opening in centre-field as Colby Rasmus will not be brought back. Anthopoulos shed light on how the team plans to fill the position with players already under contract.

"Unless an opportunity presents itself, which I don’t see occurring as we sit here today, that will probably be internal competition between [Anthony] Gose, [Dalton] Pompey, and [Kevin] Pillar," said Anthopoulos.

Heading into this week's GM meetings the Blue Jays were being linked with free agents Pablo Sandoval, Victor Martinez, and Russell Martin. The Toronto Sun also reported that they reached out to the Phillies to explore potential trades for starting pitcher Cole Hamels, second baseman Chase Utley, and relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo.

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