Blue Jays ‘most likely’ to land World Series-caliber infielder
The Toronto Blue Jays are now in a neck-and-neck race to land standout third baseman Alex Bregman this winter.
Blue Jays are at the head of the pack to land Alex Bregman
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported on Wednesday afternoon that Bregman’s decision will “most likely” boil down to the Blue Jays or the Detroit Tigers (h/t Tigers Torkmoil).
The Tigers were reported to be all in on the two-time World Series champion earlier this week. Now, the Blue Jays could increase their efforts to add the reigning Gold Glove Award winner to their infield and shut the door on the Tigers’ chances. He’d strengthen their infield rotation that includes superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., two-time All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette, and third baseman Ernie Clement.
Bregman can add incredible value to Blue Jays roster
Bregman is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign where he set the standard among all third basemen with league-leading peripherals including 103 putouts, 242 assists, 23 double plays turned, and a .972 fielding percentage. At the plate, the New Mexico native hit 26 home runs — his highest total since 2019 — while batting .260.
Toronto is a franchise that could be on the upswing if they land a player like Bregman. The Blue Jays finished with a 74-88 record last time out. With his decision looming, the two-time All-Star’s 4.1 WAR from a season prior could help them be more competitive in a tight American League East division next time out.
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The Toronto Blue Jays are on the edge of falling off a cliff this offseason. Toronto was heavily in on the free agency sweepstakes of Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Juan Soto, and a few other top stars. But the Blue Jays have left each of these sweepstakes empty-handed. Now, they can tuck their tails, enter a rebuild, and struggle.
Or they can go out and acquire talent among the players remaining in free agency and on the trade market. R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports predicts Toronto to choose the latter. Anderson recently predicted the Blue Jays to sign Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander in free agency, stealing him from the hated American League East rival. “Santander’s market seems a little too quiet for a 30-year-old switch-hitter coming off a 44-homer season. Such is life anymore for non-elite corner bats,” Anderson wrote.
“I’m penciling in the Blue Jays here because they’ve been connected to several top free agents this winter, suggesting they’re at least somewhat open to making further additions. Plus, Toronto could certainly use an upgrade in the corner outfield or at DH.” Santander would be a huge upgrade for Toronto, especially after the franchise missed out on Teoscar Hernández and Soto. Santander smashed 44 home runs last season as he was one of the better power hitters in baseball. Jon Heyman of the New York Post projects the switch hitter to sign for $100 million, which is well within the Blue Jays’ budget.
