It’s now more evident than ever that the Toronto Blue Jays are one of the many teams involved in the off-season catching sweepstakes. GM Alex Anthopoulos continues expressing interest in free agents and listening to trade offers for his current backstop, J.P. Arencibia. This much is clear: Arencibia will not return in a reserve role in 2014.

“We’ve never talked about that as an option,” Anthopoulos said on Prime Time Sports Tuesday. “It’s all about alternatives; it’s all about who else is out there.”

Carlos Ruiz’s three-year, $26-million agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies means there’s now one less player available to teams seeking catching—and one less suitor for remaining free agents. And, according to player agents, that could set the off-season catching market in motion.

With Ruiz back in Philadelphia, this is where the market stands with respect to free agents and trade targets. To start, here’s a look at interested teams, including a few that could be fits for Arencibia:

Teams seeking catching

Toronto Blue Jays – They inquired on Ruiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, A.J. Pierzynski and Jason Castro.

Boston Red Sox – Brian McCann and Pierzynski have both been linked to the Red Sox, who may prefer a left-handed hitter capable of complementing David Ross.

Texas Rangers – Viewed as a leading suitor for McCann, the Rangers have Geovany Soto in place for now.

New York Yankees – After a year of forgettable offence from their catchers, the Yankees could spend big.

Colorado Rockies – They pursued Ruiz intently but could simply decide to rely on Wilin Rosario and Jordan Pacheco.

Minnesota Twins – Now that Joe Mauer is officially a first baseman, the Twins could use a catcher.

Los Angeles Angels – GM Jerry Dipoto has reportedly shown interest in upgrading behind the plate. They could spend big on a free agent such as McCann or Saltalamacchia.

Seattle Mariners – They have interest in adding catching even with former first rounder Mike Zunino on the roster.

Chicago Cubs – Viewed as a potential suitor for catching entering the off-season, they now seem more inclined to skip the free-agent market to rely on Welington Castillo and Eli Whiteside.

Teams that could target Arencibia

Since Anthopoulos is asking about free-agent catchers and Arencibia won’t return as a backup, it stands to reason that he could be traded. So which teams would have interest? GMs facing pressure to win in 2014 seem unlikely to target Arencibia for a starting role after his disappointing 2013 campaign, ruling out many of the teams listed above.

While Arencibia’s projected earnings of $3 million are relatively modest, most small-market teams prefer to spend less on backups. We can probably rule out clubs like the San Diego Padres for this reason. Yet teams seeking power and right-handed bats might target Arencibia. Here’s a speculative look at three suitors:

Miami Marlins – Could the Miami native blossom with the Marlins? They don’t face pressure to win now, and are said to be seeking power-hitting catchers after their backstops placed last in MLB with a .529 OPS in 2013.

Minnesota Twins – GM Terry Ryan must find a catcher, and after losing 96 games he might prefer upside over certainty.

Chicago White Sox – Chicago’s catchers posted the lowest OPS in the American League in 2013 (.564). They could use a catcher as much as any team in baseball, and they don’t need to win in 2014.

Available Free Agents

Brian McCann – The top free agent catcher available could sign for as much as $100 million. The 29-year-old has played in at least 100 games and hit at least 20 home runs six consecutive times.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia – The switch-hitting 28-year-old has youth and power on his side. He hit 40 doubles and 14 home runs in 2013, posting an .804 OPS in 121 games. Interested teams will note that he’s much better against right-handers (.795 OPS) than left-handers (.599 OPS). A four-year contract for $10 million or so per season could be within reach.

A.J. Pierzynski – If Ruiz got a three-year deal at age 34, can Pierzynski get a two-year deal at age 36? He hit 17 home runs with a .722 OPS with the Rangers in 2013.

Kurt Suzuki – Struggled at the plate in 2013, posting a .627 OPS for the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals. A one-year deal would allow the 30-year-old to re-build his value.

Dioner Navarro – Hit 13 home runs with an .856 OPS in a part-time role for the Cubs last year. Still just 29, the switch-hitter has positioned himself for a raise from last year’s $1.75-million salary.

John Buck – Hit 15 home runs in 2013, but posted an OPS of .648.

Jose Molina – The 38-year-old remains durable, and caught 201 total games from 2012-13. Viewed as an above-average pitch framer, he offers little as a hitter.

Henry Blanco, Ramon Hernandez, Kelly Shoppach and Miguel Olivo are among the other veteran free agents who could be available on relatively modest deals.

Possible Trade Targets

Ryan Hanigan – Now that the Reds have signed Brayan Pena, they don’t need Hanigan and are expected to move him. The Blue Jays inquired on the 33-year-old, who has a career .359 on-base percentage.

Matt Wieters – The Orioles would listen on Wieters, whose salary will jump to the $8-million range in 2014. Now two seasons away from free agency, the switch-hitter reportedly seeks a contract worth more than $100 million. Even so, Baltimore may simply elect to keep Wieters.

Jason Castro – While the Astros say they don’t expect to trade Castro, they stopped short of calling him untouchable.

J.P. Arencibia – Anthopoulos described the 27-year-old as an offensively skilled player ready to rebound from a difficult season.