Blue Jays met with Happ's reps about possible reunion

The Toronto Blue Jays may want to re-connect with an old friend to potentially bolster their rotation in 2019.

The Blue Jays met with free-agent lefty J.A. Happ's representatives on Tuesday, and general manager Ross Atkins said the team would be happy to bring him back, but admitted that there are likely multiple teams in the mix.

"J.A. is one of my favorite people in baseball," Atkins said, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "We'd love to have him back here. I would imagine there would be a great deal of competition for him."

Atkins expressed interest in signing Happ in early October, citing Happ's positive relationship with pitching coach Pete Walker as a reason he may be inclined to return.

The New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds have both emerged as potential suitors for the 36-year-old in recent days.

The All-Star left-hander has spent parts of six seasons over two stints in Toronto.

Happ went 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA as a member of the Blue Jays in 2018 before being traded to the Yankees for the stretch run. After the trade, he was spectacular in pinstripes, going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA in 11 starts.