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9 free agents Toronto Blue Jays may target after whiffing on Soto

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Dec 10 2024, 7:30 pm
9 free agents Toronto Blue Jays may target after whiffing on Soto
Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images

Fans envisioning Juan Soto wearing a Toronto Blue Jays uniform in 2025 and beyond were disappointed on Sunday night, as the 26-year-old agreed to a monstrous 15-year deal with the New York Mets.

The Blue Jays now find themselves in an eerily similar position to where they were last offseason after they missed out on the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. They failed to make the correct pivot afterward and wound up finishing the 2024 season with a 74-88 record.

The good news is that while they missed out on the biggest fish, there are plenty of top-tier free agents up for grabs. Here is a look at nine they can turn to with Soto no longer available.

1. Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles)

The Blue Jays have Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Jose Berrios locked into their starting rotation for 2025. They also have a number of others vying for spots including Alek Manoah, Bowden Francis, and Yasiel Rodriguez. Given some uncertainty with that group, they are believed to be targeting a starting pitcher in free agency.

The best available is Corbin Burnes, who pitched in his fourth-straight All-Star game this season and finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting. The Blue Jays reportedly had an in-person meeting with him recently.

2. Max Fried (Atlanta Braves)

While Burnes is seemingly the top pitching target on the Blue Jays’ radar, he isn’t the only one they’re said to have interest in. Another they have been linked to is eight-year veteran Max Fried.

Fried’s 3.25 ERA this past season is the highest he’s had since 2019, proving how dominant he’s been. He was named an All-Star for the second time in his career this past season and finished second in NL Cy Young voting in 2022.

3. Pete Alonso (New York Mets)

While not as elite of a hitter as Soto, Pete Alonso has been a very productive bat since his rookie season with the New York Mets in 2019. The 30-year-old is coming off a 2024 campaign that saw him hit 34 home runs and 88 RBIs.

Just over a month ago, New York Post columnist Jon Heyman wrote that the Jays have considered moving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third base to make room for Alonso, who plays first.

4. Alex Bregman (Houston Astros)

The Houston Astros are still hoping to find a way to re-sign two-time All-Star Alex Bregman, but it’s increasingly looking like the highest bidder will win his services. The 30-year-old hit .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs in 145 games this past season.

The Blue Jays are reported to have interest in Bregman, who would be their everyday third baseman should Guerrero remain at first.

5. Anthony Santander (Baltimore Orioles)

Anthony Santander has been heavily linked to the Blue Jays since missing out on Soto. He too is an outfielder, a position that the organization lacks depth in.

Santander is coming off a career year with the Baltimore Orioles in which he had 44 home runs and 102 RBIs. While by no means the same calibre of player as Soto, Santander could help the Blue Jays in many areas.

6. Teoscar Hernandez (LA Dodgers)

Blue Jays fans have been clamouring to bring Teoscar Hernandez back, and yesterday, general manager Ross Atkins admitted to having an interest in doing so.

“We are definitely interested in figuring out a way for that to be a possibility,” Atkins told reporters yesterday.

Hernandez has continued to be a big offensive producer over the past two years. He’s coming off a 2024 season in which he hit 33 home runs and 99 RBIs en route to helping the LA Dodgers win the World Series.

7. Christian Walker (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Another first baseman who would help the Blue Jays from an offensive perspective is Christian Walker. The 33-year-old first baseman has become a very productive player over the past three seasons, hitting a combined 281 RBIs over that span.

The Jays getting Walker wouldn’t only be great news from an offensive standpoint, but also the fact that the New York Yankees are said to have major interest in him. Being able to scoop him up over a division rival would help boost the mood of a currently dejected fan base.

8. Jack Flaherty (LA Dodgers)

Jack Flaherty is a tough pitcher to get a read on, as he’s been quite consistent over his eight-year MLB career. When at his best, he is capable of being a major difference-maker.

Flaherty began this past season with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Dodgers in late July. He pitched to a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts split between the two organizations.

9. Tanner Scott (San Diego Padres)

In the eyes of many, Tanner Scott is the best relief pitcher on the free-agent market. He was money as the closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, putting up a minuscule 1.18 ERA through 45.2 innings.

After being traded to the San Diego Padres, Scott worked as a set-up man. His numbers took a hit but were strong nonetheless, as he compiled a 2.73 ERA through 26.1 innings.

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