Blue Jays have 'strong interest' in bringing Price back

The Toronto Blue Jays' season is over and general manager Alex Anthopoulos said he was proud of the team's 2015 accomplishments in a press conference on Monday.

Although he said the team was "World Series caliber," he did state that the rotation is an area the franchise needs to address next season.

Anthopoulos said the team plans to strengthen its pitching next season, and the inclusion of left-hander David Price, who is one of the biggest free agents available on the open market, is something they're interested in.

"We have strong interest in David Price coming back here," he said. "We will be in the game."

Anthopoulos also touched on other members of the team's pitching staff in relation to the starting rotation, saying that right-hander Marco Estrada - who is also tabbed for free agency - is someone they're interested in having return, while right-hander R.A Dickey's 2016 option could be exercised.

"We're going to do everything we can to have him back here," Anthopoulos told reporters of bringing back Estrada.

"We don't win the AL East without what (Dickey) did for us during the second half," he explained of the knuckleballer. "He has put himself in a very good position."

The three starters combined for most of the rotation's success in 2015.

Anthopoulos also said that relievers Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna are long-term options as starters, but it's possible they're kept in relief roles for next season.

As for away from the mound, the GM said that next spring would feature a competition for the team's starting second-base spot between gifted defender Ryan Goins and Devon Travis, who began the year as the team's starter before a shoulder injury ended his season.

Anthopoulos also said that Toronto would "like to keep" backup catcher and pending free agent Dioner Navarro on the team next season.