The Toronto Blue Jays could decide not to sign Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette and sign another top free agent bat.
Toronto has been heavily linked to Tucker and Bichette, and many expect them to sign one of them. However, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that the Blue Jays are in the mix for Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox.
“I don’t know how much the Arizona thing is going to work,” Passan said to Michael Kay. “I think that the Blue Jays are very much in the mix there. It’s a little bit tougher for them because they’ve had Ernie Clement and Addison Barger at third base. Both have done well there.
“Clement could slide over to second, and Barger could play right field. Suddenly, that takes Anthony Santander out of the mix. I think the Blue Jays understand chemistry matters and leadership matters. They benefited greatly from the team they had last year. Alex Bregman is regarded as a very good clubhouse guy. And someone who could be a leader for that team going forward. I could see Bregman going there.”
Toronto hasn’t been linked to Bregman all that much this offseason, so it would be a surprise if he signed there. However, Passan believes the Blue Jays are interested in Bregman and could very well look to sign him to add another leader to the group.
Bregman is a three-time MLB All-Star.
What Will Bregman Get in Free Agency?
Bregman is one of the top free agents available and should be in line for a massive payday.
The star infielder opted out of one season with the Red Sox so he could look to get a more lucrative deal.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicted Bregman would sign a five-year, $160 million deal in free agency.
“Age is a massive factor in the math teams do to set the years and price they’re willing to pay to sign free agents. So five years is probably where things land if Bregman ends up getting a longer-term deal to his liking. I think teams with real interest would be fine with a roughly $30 million AAV at a four- or five-year term,” McDaniel wrote.
“My best guess is that negotiations will end up just above that because Bregman is the most consistent option (at least 14% above league average as a hitter every year of his career) of the hitters behind Tucker, with real age, defensive or consistency questions hindering the other hitters in contention for this kind of payday.”
Bregman hit .273 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs last season with the Red Sox.
Blue Jays Want to Remain Competitive
Toronto made it to the World Series last season, and the team is looking to continue that success going forward.
Blue Jays owner Edward Rogers said the team will continue to spend and be a competitive team for years to come.
“I’d say what we saw through the playoffs was that Bo performed well through the World Series run,” Rogers said to Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm. “But so many of our players came up, and I find teams that have deep Butds. Obviously, the stars shine. but a lot of other people need to shine to be a competitive team. And we have amazing depth.”
The Blue Jays have the sixth-best odds of winning the World Series at +1500.
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