Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Toronto Blue Jays have asked the New York Mets for top outfielder prospect Kirk Nieuwenhuis plus another player for Scott Downs. The Mets declined the offer.

Yesterday, there were a few rumors circulating regarding the status of the Blue Jays’ left-handed reliever. Apparently the Jays have drawn interest from the Red Sox, Yankees and the Giants with the team already asking for  right-handed pitcher Joba Chamberlain from the New York Yankees.

Downs has about $1.33 million left in salary for this year. He’s very effective against left-handed hitters with batters hitting .185 against him. Overall both left and right handed hitters are batting .240, so he’s pretty good overall.