Blue Jays rumors: Toronto prefers to keep J.A. Happ

While he’s competing for a reduced role, the Toronto Blue Jays would rather use left-hander J.A. Happ out of their bullpen or stash him in Triple-A rather than trade him, according to Andy Martino of The New York Daily News. Entering the offseason, it appeared Happ could be in line for a shot at a rotation spot with the Blue Jays in 2013. However, Toronto acquired Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle from the Miami Marlins and R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets. This trio will be paired with in-house arms Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero to make up the Jays’ starting staff. Instead of competing for a starting spot, Happ is fighting for a place in Toronto’s bullpen with fellow left-hander Brett Cecil. Happ has expressed his frustration with his current role, as he continues to feel he is a major league starter. Toronto doesn’t necessarily disagree, as they’d like to keep him around as insurance. They could do this by stashing him in the ‘pen, or using him...