The Toronto Blue Jays could turn their attention to a surprising bat after Kyle Tucker signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Toronto was interested in signing Tucker and was linked to adding him on a long-term deal. However, he opted to sign a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers.
Following Tucker’s decision, Blue Jays insider Shi Davidi believes the team could turn to Cody Bellinger to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and add a left-handed bat.
“Bellinger, a left-handed bat the Blue Jays have flirted with over multiple off-seasons, could also help create the type of continuity Tucker or Bichette would offer. Providing Guerrero an elite complement in the lineup while helping to fill in an outfield facing the potential departures of George Springer and Daulton Varsho next off-season,” Davidi wrote.
“They’re part of the roughly $93-94 million potentially coming off the books after the season. Although given that the Collective Bargaining Agreement also expires Dec. 1, what that means exactly for 2027 and beyond is up in the air. Last year, the Blue Jays paid $13.6 million in taxes on a CBT payroll of $286.1 million.”
With the Blue Jays potentially losing some key players next offseason, Toronto could look to add an impact hitter this year. Bellinger would fit the bill nicely as a left-handed bat and could hit right before or after Guerrero.
Bellinger Wants Long-Term Deal
Entering free agency, it’s been reported that Bellinger wanted a long-term deal to likely be his final deal.
Bellinger has bounced around three teams in the last four seasons, so he’s looking for some stability. MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the Yankees have offered Bellinger a five-year deal.
“The Yankees are believed to have offered Bellinger about $155 million over five years, confirming The Athletic report that it was more than $30M annually,” Heyman wrote. “But with Bellinger looking for seven years, the sides are trying to find new ways around the gap over term. … Bellinger is believed drawing interest from at least the Dodgers, Giants and Mets, and the Blue Jays could make sense depending on their other big pursuits (Tucker and Bichette).”
Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs with the Yankees last season. Not only would he bolster the Blue Jays’ lineup, but it would also hurt New York’s team.
Blue Jays Could Use Another Bat
Toronto has put an emphasis on pitching this offseason, but the team could use another bat.
The Blue Jays did sign Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto to bolster their lineup. But, after losing out on Tucker, the team could sign another big fish.
Toronto has been linked to Bo Bichette and Bellinger, and manager John Schneider said during the Winter Meetings that the team could use more offense.
“Probably a bat of some sort,” Schneider said at the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9. “We are coming off a really, really good offensive year in a lot of different ways. We did it and scored runs. There was a time we did it without Tony (Anthony Santander). A time we did it without Bo for a little bit. You feel good about your offense, but adding would be nice, and I think that is a priority.”
If the Blue Jays can land another impact bat, it would make their roster that much better.
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