NEWS » a big point of emphasis getting A.J. involved.

TORONTO – General manager Alex Anthopoulos was evasive on the subject of the Blue Jays budget parameters as baseball moves closer to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. “Were having dialogue with teams,” said Anthopoulos. “Ultimately what we end up doing, if we do things or get things done, well never get into specifics. I dont think weve ever given out a number when it comes to payroll and things like that.” Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the answer to the question on fans minds: can the ballclub add salary? Can it take on an increase in payroll? Can it make a small dent in the bottom line in order to improve the team? “We can add players,” said Anthopoulos. “We have the ability to have that dialogue at any time. I dont see any reason why we wont be able to add players and obviously players make money. No one plays for free.” What about the belief that any deal must be dollar in-dollar out? Also known as revenue neutral? “I would never get into the specifics of that in terms of how we would make things work and where things fit in our payroll projections. Those are things we keep in house,” said Anthopoulos. “I understand why you guys are asking. I totally respect it. Its just things that we keep that stuff internal.” The proof will be in the actions of the ballclub, not just in the next 11 days leading up to the first trade deadline but also through August, when deals can still be made but not without the players involved first clearing waivers. In most cases thats a formality. “I think you could see, this is just a feeling, I think theres potentially going to be more activity in August this year than in years past,” said Anthopoulos. “You saw last year guys like (Justin) Morneau and (Marlon) Byrd got moved, (Alex) Rios got moved after (July) 31, I think thats where, from a contractual standpoint and because of the extra wildcard, some clubs just need to wait a little while longer.” According to baseball-reference.com, the Blue Jays have $135.4 million committed to player salary in 2014. A quiet trade deadline will lead to finger pointing at Anthopoulos, which would be unfair. There will be blame to go around; ownership would be at the top of the list. The general manager is aware there are holes in his lineup. Theres a need to acquire an infielder. Theres a need to upgrade the bullpen, an attempt at which will be made internally with the likely promotion of top prospect Aaron Sanchez. There are few teams in baseball that wouldnt add an arm to the starting rotation. Anthopoulos, with support of ownership, changed the course of the franchise in the offseason of 2012 when he made blockbuster trades with the Miami Marlins and New York Mets. The Blue Jays went from a franchise with a large haul of prospects building with youth to a win-now ballclub thanks to acquisitions of the likes of R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle. Now, with a veteran laden lineup, the Blue Jays could use an acquisition or two to cement the clubs footing in the pennant picture. But with ownerships new CEO, who inherited a multi-billion dollar investment in another sports property, the landscape has changed. Anthopoulos finds himself with a win-now lineup. If his jobs on the line, as has been suggested, it would be strange for ownership to fire the general manager if it stood in the way of moves Anthopoulos would and could have made. Ownership needs to be win-now, too. Some trade deadlines are interesting for their activity, some not so much due to inactivity. For Blue Jays fans, the next five weeks, regardless of the degree to which the ballclub is active, will be quite intriguing. Bob Gibson Jersey . CBS Sports Jon Heyman is reporting that Santana will sign a one-year deal, likely in the next two days with one of a trio of suitors, with the Toronto Blue Jays believed to be heavily involved. Brett Cecil Cardinals Jersey . Leave it to Matt Niskanen, the newly proclaimed Eddie Haskell of the Washington Capitals. http://www.authenticcardinalspro.com/car...n-boyer-jersey/. Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Bob Gibson Cardinals Jersey . Completely. Two days after releasing Peyton Manning, the longtime face of the franchise, the Colts announced they were cutting four fan favourites: running back Joseph Addai, linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvin Bullitt and tight end Dallas Clark. Tyler ONeill Jersey . The CFL unveiled its 2014 schedule Wednesday and the Redblacks will play their first-ever regular-season game in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers on July 3.TAMPA, Fla. - Go ahead and snicker.While it may seem laughable that Sundays game between Tampa Bay (2-9) and Cincinnati (7-3-1) is just as important to the playoff aspirations of the struggling Buccaneers as those of the AFC North-leading Bengals, its also true.The surging Bengals, whove won four of five, clearly are in a position to control their own fate in the NFLs tightest division race.Our guys, they know the urgency, Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said.The Bengals, whove won the past two weeks on the road, are one of a record 16 teams with at least seven victories through 11 games.Division rivals Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh are all 7-4 — a half game behind the Bengals — making the AFC North the first division in league history to have every team at least three games above .500 at any point in a season.We know every week is important, so you dont want to have any slip-ups because if you do . you can go from first to last really easily, Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton said. We know every week is so important, so it just brings that extra focus to the game.Despite being seven games under .500, the Bucs still have a chance to salvage their season in the under-performing NFC South. Amazingly, theyre only two games out of first place while also remaining in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in next years draft.Its crazy . but the reality of our division right now is its still up for grabs, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown said. Were not in a favourable position, but were not out of it.Atlanta and New Orleans lead the NFC South at 4-7, with defending champion Carolina just behind them at 3-7-1.The Bucs face even longer odds of winning the division because theyve lost twice to the Falcons and once to both the Saints and Panthers, who theyll face again down the stretch.You dont want it to come like this, with this kind of record, but at the same you want to be playing meaningful games in late November and December, McCown said. Hopefully we can continue to put ourselves in position to do that, and it starts by beating Cincinnati.Things to watch while the Bengals try to hang on to firstt in the AFC North and the Bucs try to climb back in the NFC South race:KINGS OF THE ROAD: The Bengals are trying to win three straight road games for the first time in franchise history.dddddddddddd. Its the ninth time theyve played at least three consecutive road games, the first since 2003. Theyve moved ahead of the NFLs tightest division by winning in New Orleans and Houston.Honestly if we can go into Tampa and take care of business, then the month of December will be exactly what we expected the month of December to be for us, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said.RISING STAR: Bucs WR Mike Evans leads NFL in November with 505 yards receiving and six touchdowns through the air. He leads all rookies with 841 yards receiving overall and eight TD catches.MORE OF AJ: Receiver A.J. Green missed three games and most of another because of an injured right big toe, and was a nonfactor in his first two games back. Hes been back in form during the last two games, getting six catches for 127 yards in New Orleans and a career-high 12 catches for 121 yards in Houston.Well try to get him 13, 14, 15 — however many we can, Dalton said, jokingly. But you know, it was a big point of emphasis getting A.J. involved. We got a lot of good looks for him to make plays and he made the plays. So when youve got a guy like that, youve got to give him his chances.BETTER D: Since returning from its bye week five games ago, Tampa Bay has made strides on defence, allowing 302 yards per game (fourth lowest in the NFL over the stretch) and 19.2 points per game (11th).STOPPING MJ: Defensive end Michael Johnson left Cincinnati as a free agent and signed with Tampa Bay. His former teammates are looking forward to their reunion Sunday. Bengals end Carlos Dunlap talks with Johnson every week to keep up on their personal lives and their careers.Its going to be fun to go out there and compete against him, Dunlap said. Were going to have our little friendly dispute going on who gets the first sack or who gets the most sacks like we always did when we were here.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '