Toronto and Wells to part ways?

[Kingdom]

TORONTO -- If All-Star center fielder Vernon Wells wants a contract similar to what Carlos Beltran got with the New York Mets two years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays won't re-sign him, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said Monday.

The team has called signing Wells to an extension their biggest offseason priority. He's due $5.6 million next year, the final season of a five-year contact.

Wells hit .303 with 32 homers, 106 RBI and 17 stolen bases while playing Gold Glove defense. He's a similar player to Beltran, who signed a $119 million, seven-year deal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2611097

[catman]

That would be a tough thing for the Jays to deal with. Losing their best player on top of the trouble they have had this season may be too much for their fans.

[Halladay_is_God]

This off-season is the time to either sign Wells to a huge extension or trade him, I really hope he signs.

[love_that_reefer]

A 7 yr deal? **** that noise. I would love to have him on the Giants and move Winn to left but no way he gets a 7 yr deal.

[Roy31]

Wells has been good on espn covering the playoffs.

[redsrbetter]

Its weird to see him in the ESPN studios with Ravech and others right now. But go ahead and leave and come to the Reds!

Wells is one of the most underrated players out there. I wonder what will happen here and if he will get the attention that guys with only half his talent do.

[Fishercat]

Wells is better than most of the analysts ESPN has.

This situation ought to be very interesting though. I'm guessing it will be a Beltran thing: he will be traded halfway through the season to a semi-contender to get them over the hump for a couple nice prospect.