Blue Jays nearly had deals for Ian Kinsler, Brett Anderson, per report

For a team that finished in last place in 2013, the Blue Jays have been incredibly quiet this offseason, but not for a lack of trying. Toronto had separate deals for Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler and Athletics' lefty Brett Anderson fall apart earlier this winter, as Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports.

Those deals would have helped bring back some of the excitement Toronto fans had for the team after their blockbuster with the Marlins a year ago. Anthopoulos and the Jays might have missed on their primary targets, but they have other targets they continue to pursue, or "Plan D" as Davidi calls it.

A bargain deal for Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana could be what the team is waiting for, and Anthopoulos sounded enthused about his team's chances on the free agent market.

A trade for Jeff Samardzija is also something the Jays have considered this winter, but Chicago is likely asking for one of Toronto's best young pitching prospects in return. If this asking price drops, expect the Jays to be one of the frontrunners for Samardzija.