7 biggest free agents Blue Jays have been linked to
The Toronto Blue Jays are doing everything possible to improve their team heading into the 2025 season.
After an ugly 2024 campaign, general manager Ross Atkins is looking to the free-agent market to help turn things around. The Jays front office, facing plenty of pressure, is even said to be desperate to land some of the biggest free-agents on the market. Here are seven of the best available that they have been linked to.
1. Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
Blue Jays fans continue to wait, hope, and pray that Atkins can somehow find a way to land Soto. By all accounts, they are willing to pay the 26-year-old phenom a boatload of money, just as they were with Shohei Ohtani last offseason. Some of the game’s best insiders don’t see them as a great fit.
However, until a signing is announced, Blue Jays fans are continuously monitoring this situation, and for good reason. Soto finished third in AL MVP voting this past season, hitting .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs while helping lead the New York Yankees to the World Series.
2. Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles)
The chatter of the Blue Jays going after Corbin Burnes started roughly three weeks ago when MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that they are indeed pursuing him. The 30-year-old is the best starting pitcher on the market this offseason and is said to have had an in-person meeting with the Jays this past week.
Burnes finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting this past season, registering a stellar 2.92 ERA in 32 starts with the Baltimore Orioles. He would bolster what should already be a strong starting rotation in Toronto.
3. Max Fried (Atlanta Braves)
Max Fried, who, in the eyes of most, is the second-best starting pitcher and remains on the market, has also been linked to the Jays on more than one occasion. The 30-year-old appeared in his second All-Star Game this past season.
In 29 starts with the Atlanta Braves in 2024, Fried had a 3.25 ERA and an 11-10 record. The ERA, which was very good, was his highest since the 2019 season.
4. Pete Alonso (New York Mets)
While Pete Alonso hasn’t ruled out a return to the New York Mets, it’s becoming less likely. He has been linked to many teams across the MLB, though the Blue Jays are one in particular that seems to keep popping up.
Jon Heyman mentioned the Jays as a team he wouldn’t be surprised to see land Alonso, mentioning that they would likely move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third base if they could pull it off.
5. Alex Bregman (Houston Astros)
After nine seasons with the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman will likely be wearing a new uniform in 2025. He, too, has had plenty of interest and will continue to until he signs, and the Jays have been viewed by many as a realistic option.
Bregman is a third baseman, a position in which the Blue Jays could use an upgrade. He also has a strong bat, which they desperately need. His long history with George Springer could help the Blue Jays pursue that goal.
6. Anthony Santander (Baltimore Orioles)
Should the Jays miss out on some of the real big bats mentioned above, Anthony Santander would be a very solid consolation prize. Less than a week ago, MLB.com’s Manny Randhawa listed him as a Blue Jays pivot should they miss out on Soto.
Santander has established himself as a true power hitter over the past three seasons, hitting 33, 28, and 44 home runs, respectively. This past season, in which he had a career-high 102 RBIs, saw him selected as an All-Star for the first time.
7. Willy Adames (Milwaukee Brewers)
The uncertainty regarding Bo Bichette’s future has resulted in several people linking shortstop Willy Adames to the Blue Jays. In mid-November, Jon Morosi listed the Jays as one of three teams he could see landing the 29-year-old.
Adames has hit north of 30 home runs in two of the past three seasons and finished 10th in NL MVP voting following his 2024 campaign. He’s not as exciting of a get as a few others on this list, but he would help take some of the offensive burdens off Guerrero’s shoulders.
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