The Toronto Blue Jays could very well soon sign an impact hitter.
Toronto has been linked to the top free agents in Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, and Alex Bregman, and the Blue Jays could even sign multiple of them. Yet, all three have had a slow-moving market, but Toronto reportedly remains the favorite to sign one of them.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported on Thursday that the Blue Jays are the favorites to sign Tucker.
“The consensus No. 1 free agent of the offseason has had a relatively quiet market to this point. With his visit with the Blue Jays last month at their spring facility in Florida representing the biggest news of his winter,” Feinsand wrote.
“Toronto remains the favorite to land Tucker, sources said. Though the Mets can’t be counted out, given their need for outfield help and their general willingness to spend big when they feel it’s appropriate.”
The Blue Jays being the favorites to sign Tucker is a massive deal for Toronto. If the Blue Jays do land Tucker, it would further bolster Toronto’s lineup. It would also make them one of the World Series favorites.
Tucker hit .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs last season.
Tucker Could Sign Short-Term Deal
Entering the offseason, Tucker was expected to sign a lengthy deal worth over $400 million.
However, Tucker’s market hasn’t been that hot, and perhaps the star hitter signs a short-term deal. With Tucker still unsigned, it’s been reported that he may take a one or two-year deal to re-enter the market and rebuild his value.
“Tucker rejected a qualifying offer from the Cubs. So any team that signs him will surrender Draft picks, though that typically doesn’t have a huge impact on players like Tucker,” Feinsand added. “If the long-term deal that Tucker is seeking doesn’t present itself, he could opt to sign a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value and opt-out clauses. Allowing him to test the market again in the next year or two.”
If Tucker does go the short-term route, it could open the door for other teams to pursue the star hitter, which would be bad news for the Blue Jays.
Tucker is a four-time MLB All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
Blue Jays Expected to Land an Impact Bat
Toronto made it all the way to the World Series last season, losing in Game 7.
With the Blue Jays coming up just short, the team has been active this offseason. Toronto has added some impact pitchers, but now the focus is on hitting.
Toronto has been linked to Tucker, Bichette, and Bregman. MLB insider Jeff Passan believes the Blue Jays will land at least one of them.
“I don’t think the Blue Jays are done,” Passan said to Michael Kay. “I think they’re gonna get a big bat. Not sure if that’s Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette or maybe multiple of them.
“The Blue Jays right now are in a position where they are willing to spend, they feel like they have a window here, and they are going to take advantage of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s prime years.”
The Blue Jays have the seventh-best odds of winning the World Series.
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