The Blue Jays have worked to lock up young players to solidify their core and Colby Rasmus may be next in line.

Toronto has 13 players under contract for 2013, plus five others eligible for arbitration, including Rasmus. He will end the season with exactly four years of major-league service, meaning he can become a free agent at the end of 2014.

"Yes, right now, for sure," John Farrell said, when asked if Rasmus was key to the team's future. "He's got a chance to be an RBI guy. He's got a chance to hit the ball out of the ballpark. When you look at his skills and his tools, he's got as much talent as anybody in this league.

"This is an exciting player that is still searching for that consistency, day over day, week over week, month over month."