The Globe and Mail

Could this be the year that the sign-and-trade comes to fruition in Major League Baseball? Possibly. That's one way a team like the Toronto Blue Jays that doesn't want to give up a draft pick to land a free agent can still do business in this market.

“Just like the NBA,” one general manager said recently. “It's something we ought to look at putting in the collective agreement.”

There's no subterfuge involved under the current agreement. It's been doable, but requires a great deal of trust and creativity. In fact, this is something that the Blue Jays have discussed with at least one and possibly two teams this spring, according to Major League sources. One of those teams is the Chicago White Sox, who, according to sources, were approached about re-signing Orlando Cabrera, the free-agent shortstop in whom they have no interest, then turning around and trading Cabrera to the Blue Jays for a reliever or a minor-league position player.

Here's what needs to happen: Teams cannot trade a recently-signed free agent earlier than June 15 unless the player signs a letter of consent allowing his contract to be assigned. In the past, most teams would rather sacrifice a draft pick than an established player, but with a surplus of free agents on the market it's an easy way for an agent and a veteran player to end up with a team that can offer him a chance at an everyday job. Cabrera has already turned down salary arbitration from the White Sox.

Obviously, a move like this requires a good working relationship between the agent and the two general managers, but in this market it makes sense for all concerned.

This makes sense for the Blue Jays, since they do not want to sacrifice a draft pick, especially now that president and chief executive officer Paul Beeston is indicating the team will go above slot to sign a draft pick.

(The “slotting” system is a way in which the commissioner's office suggests signing bonuses for each first-round selection. Teams routinely go outside it, but the Blue Jays haven't.) The Blue Jays also have some prospects as well as pitching depth.