The four big hitters on the MLB free agent market, remain on the market as the offseason moves slowly along. In a recent report from ESPN, some contract predictions were released for those top four free agent hitters. Since the Toronto Blue Jays are constantly being linked to the majority of them, now feels like a good time to rank them based on who makes the most sense for Toronto this winter.
Ranking the ESPN contract predictions that make the most sense for the Blue Jays
Kyle TuckerEmpty heading
First up is Kyle Tucker. This one was a bit difficult to decide, but ultimately it makes more sense for the Blue Jays to land Tucker over Bo Bichette this winter. As much as the fan base would love to see Bichette back in Toronto, bringing in Tucker would make them a much deeper team overall.
If they can add Tucker, it would make one of their outfielders expendable, such as Anthony Santander. He would also address the need for a left-handed power bat in the lineup behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Last season, Tucker had 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, a .266 batting average, 133 hits in 500 at-bats, and posted a 4.6 WAR.
Bo BichetteEmpty heading
Next up is the aforementioned Bichette, who to many Blue Jays fans is the top target. However, it appears Toronto’s plan was to let him test the market, see what his asking price looks like, and then potentially match it. There have also been reports that some teams are concerned about his injuries over the past two seasons, which could impact the size of his next contract.
It still feels inevitable that he and the Blue Jays find a way to get a deal done. He and Guerrero Jr. have been close for years, which should help Toronto’s case. On top of that, he remains one of the best contact hitters in the league, and if they can move him to second base, it becomes a win-win situation.
Last season, Bichette had 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, a .311 batting average, 181 hits in 582 at-bats, and finished with a 3.5 WAR.
Cody BellingerEmpty heading
In the third spot is Cody Bellinger. While it is unlikely that the Blue Jays prioritize him, he could be a fallback option if they miss out on Tucker. Bellinger is another left-handed bat with power and has the ability to play the outfield at a solid level.
The downside is that he is not better defensively than Dalton Varsho, meaning he would likely need to play a mix of the outfield and designated hitter, similar to George Springer. Because of that, it does not seem overly likely that Toronto goes this route, especially given their internal outfield options. Last season, Bellinger posted 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, a .272 batting average, 160 hits in 588 at-bats, and a 5.1 WAR.
Alex BregmanEmpty heading
Lastly is Alex Bregman, who could be one of the top players on the market but does not appear to be a fit for the Blue Jays. With the emergence of Ernie Clement and the team’s defensive strengths on the infield, it does not make much sense for Toronto to pursue Bregman.
With that said, he could end up returning to the Boston Red Sox or even land with the New York Yankees. The odds of him signing with the Blue Jays feel extremely slim. Last season, Bregman recorded 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, a .273 batting average, 118 hits in 433 at-bats, and a 3.5 WAR.
