The Toronto Blue Jays are eyeing championship expertise with hopes of a return to the World Sequence.
The Blue Jays have expressed curiosity in free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, in keeping with a Saturday report from The Athletic.
Beforehand considered as a contingency plan if Bo Bichette bolts in free company, Toronto has been in “latest contact” with Bregman’s agent Scott Boras about doubtlessly luring the two-time World Sequence champion north of the border.
Ideally, writes Ken Rosenthal, the Jays need to add a left-handed hitter — specifically Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger — however both the right-handed Bregman or Bichette may higher tackle the crew’s run prevention efforts.
Bregman opted out of his three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Crimson Sox after one season, contemporary off hitting .273 with an .821 OPS, 18 homers, and 62 RBIs throughout 114 video games whereas offering stellar protection on the sizzling nook.
Nonetheless it’s not simply his Silver Slugger bat or Gold Glove protection that makes him some of the coveted infielders in the marketplace — moderately it’s his management, particularly for a membership with championship aspirations.
“Bregman is considered as a participant who helps make teammates higher,” wrote Rosenthal, “a difference-maker on and off the sector.”
Bregman can also be drawing curiosity from the incumbent Crimson Sox, in addition to the Cubs, Diamondbacks, amongst others.
However the marketplace for each infielders “seems intense,” in keeping with The Athletic, with Bichette remaining a goal for related squads — even flirting with Boston brass over Zoom in the course of the Winter Conferences.
Bichette, about to show 28, is projected by The Athletic to fetch a proposal round eight years, $212 million, whereas the 31-year-old Bregman may get one thing shut to 6 years, $171 million.
Sweetening Toronto’s bid for Bregman can be the potential reunion with former Astros teammates George Springer and Myles Straw, each of whom have turn out to be leaders within the Toronto clubhouse.
Toronto appears desperate to empty its pockets after falling to the Dodgers in Recreation 7 of the World Sequence, already bolstering their pitching depth with sturdy free-agent signings headlined by a seven-year, $210 million bid for Dylan Stop.
Former Cy Younger winner Shane Bieber may also return to the membership after exercising his $16 million participant possibility.
Toronto is keen to return to the Fall Basic, and a veteran chief in Bregman, who has twice superior all the way in which, will surely help that effort.
