The Toronto Blue Jays have a lot going for them. They recently added Kazuma Okamoto to their list of bats that can knock the ball out of the park. Toronto has also agreed to new deals with Daulton Varsho, Ernie Clement, and Tyler Heineman, avoiding arbitration. However, they will head to an arbitration hearing with hurler Eric Lauer unless an agreement is reached before then. Despite this recent movement, things have been relatively quiet on the Blue Jays front in regard to Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Tucker.
The Blue Jays also lost pitcher Paxton Schultz. After being DFA’d to make room for Okamoto, the Washington Nationals claimed him off waivers. Given the recent additions of Tyler Rogers, Spencer Miles, and Chase Lee to an already crowded bullpen, it’s probably best for Schultz to have an opportunity elsewhere. Additionally, one veteran arm looks to be a person of interest for the Detroit Tigers.
Things should start picking up soon, considering some new information that has come out. The Los Angeles Dodgers chances of landing Tucker just took a hit as the Blue Jays chances have gone up.
According to several insiders, the Arizona Diamondbacks are keeping Ketel Marte. This will have a ripple effect in the market, starting with the Blue Jays.
UPDATE: Jon Heyman reports that Alex Bregman has signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. Here is where things were before Bregman signed.
How Ketel Marte Staying Put Will Affect the Toronto Blue Jays
According to MLB insiders Ken Rosenthal and Maria Torres of The Athletic, the Diamondbacks are going to be taking Marte off the trade block.
“The Arizona Diamondbacks ended weeks of speculation about the status of All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte on Friday,” Rosenthal and Torres wrote on January 9, 2026. “Determining they will not trade him, a person with the team told The Athletic. The D-Backs had been considering a trade of Marte to help address their pitching needs and possibly clear money to pursue free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.”
“The team will focus on supplementing its bullpen and adding a right-handed-hitting first baseman.”
Now, the Diamondbacks’ hopes of adding Bregman are much more difficult. This increases the Blue Jays’ chances of adding Bregman, which is good news for them.
Alex Bregman’s Market Before Signing
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen revealed that a trade for Marte “never ended up getting that close.”
With that in mind, where is the current market for Bregman?
“Word is, they are still open to Alex Bregman,” Jon Heyman wrote in an X post. “Who has a robust market (also Boston, Toronto, Cubs). D-Backs are a team that cares about winning.”
His post suggests that the Diamondbacks are still in on him, but so are the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Blue Jays.
Another MLB analyst has cited the Los Angeles Angels as a dark-horse candidate to acquire Bregman. They reason that the recent restructuring of Anthony Rendon’s contract gives the team the flexibility it needs to make something happen.
Bo Bichette Out, Alex Bregman In?
Recently, the Blue Jays were thought to be out of the Bregman sweepstakes. At the time, there was still hope that they could orchestrate a reunion with Bichette.
Sadly for Toronto, Bichette’s market has shifted.
Recent reports reveal that the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in Bichette. Heyman has reported that there will be a meeting between the Phillies and Bichette on Monday.
The Phillies have become a strong candidate to add the young slugger. Blue Jays former bench coach Don Mattingly has recently joined the organization, helping the club become a more desirable destination for this free agent.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that Bichette “expressed interest in playing for” the Phillies over the offseason. According to this report, Bichette’s interest has picked up since Mattingly joined the organization.
Fortunately for the Blue Jays, they could still add Bregman to their ranks.
Recently, ESPN insiders revealed that what the Detroit Tigers offered Bregman last year could be the framework for what the Red Sox have offered him. That deal was a reported six-year, $171.5 million deal.
While it is not known whether the Blue Jays have offered Bregman a deal or just expressed interest, this kind of deal is certainly one they can make.
In 2025, Bregman hit 18 home runs to go along with 62 RBIs in 114 games. He is two seasons removed from hitting 25 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 163 hits.
That kind of production is well worth the (potential) $171 million price tag attached.
Blue Jays Get Bad News as Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker Decision Looms