If anyone thought that the Toronto Blue Jays were happy just getting to the World Series last season and coming up short in seven games, the club behind president and CEO Mark Shapiro has done more than enough to dispel that notion — and according to a new report, they are not done yet.
The Blue Jays kicked off the offseason by signing the top free-agent pitcher on the market, former San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease. They followed by bringing in Korean Baseball Organization star hurler Cody Ponce, submarining reliever Tyler Rogers and, just over the weekend, power-hitting corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto, formerly of Japan’s Yomiuri Giants.
And yet, they remain “fully engaged” in talks with at least three more big-money free agents, according to the new report.
Blue Jays Leading Free-Agent Spending Race — By a Lot
In total, those four free agents will cost the Blue Jays $337 million over the life of their various contracts, ranging from three years in Ponce’s case to seven for Cease.
By comparison, 21 MLB teams this offseason have spent less than $60 million in the free-agent market — including the Blue Jays’ divisional rivals, the Boston Red Sox, who have not yet spent a dime. Another American League East rival, the New York Yankees, have shelled out just $29 million so far.
But according to a report published Monday by longtime MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Toronto’s shopping spree is still going on.
Blue Jays Still Looking to Add Big Bat
According to Nightengale, though they spent $60 million on his contract, the Blue Jays see Okamoto as a “super utility player” and are still in the market for another power hitter.
“The Blue Jays remain fully engaged in talks with infielders Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman, with outfielder Kyle Tucker also remaining a possibility,” Nightengale wrote. “While the Blue Jays are trying to be the Dodgers of the North, their competitors in the AL East — except the Orioles — are standing back in awe.”
The Baltimore Orioles signed former New York Mets franchise home run leader Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million free-agent contract, then added former St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley for two years at $28 million. They also re-signed starting pitcher Zach Eflin for one year at $10 million.
Adding any one of Bichette, Tucker or Bregman will almost certainly cost the Blue Jays another nine-figure expenditure.
Bichette Projected to Cost Up to $210 Million
Bichette would likely be the Blue Jays’ top priority, as a player who was drafted by Toronto as a second-round pick in 2016 and spent his entire career there until declaring free agency after the World Series.
Contract projections for Bichette have ranged as high as $210 million over six years. More realistically, however, the sports business site Spotrac estimates the 27-year-old’s market value at $186.4 million over six years.
ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel projects that Bichette will receive a five-year deal for $150 million. Even at that lower estimate, re-signing Bichette would raise the Blue Jays’ free-agent spending for this offseason to a whopping $487 million — a clear indication that Toronto has its sights set on another trip to the World Series, with a better result this time.
Blue Jays ‘Fully Engaged’ in Bo Bichette Talks After $60 Million Okamoto Signing