The Toronto Blue Jays came about as close as any team in baseball history to winning a World Series without actually lifting the trophy.
After having the lead with one out in the ninth inning and coming within inches of a walk-off fielder’s choice in the bottom half of the frame, the Blue Jays headed into the offseason with a bitter taste in their mouths. That could make them a very dangerous foe for the other 29 teams to compete with when it comes to free agency.
A reunion with shortstop Bo Bichette certainly makes a lot of sense for the Blue Jays. But based on one insider’s latest report, Bichette may not be the highest-priced free agent the Blue Jays target — or acquire — this offseason.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 4: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Chicago Cubs takes the field during player introductions prior to game one of the National Le…
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that rivals view the Blue Jays as the favorites to land four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is coming off an injury-affected season with the Chicago Cubs, but is still the clear prize of this year’s free-agent class.
“In all likelihood, (Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle) Schwarber’s signing will precede Tucker’s,” Passan wrote. “Because of his expected contract number and the associated 10-year-plus deal, Tucker’s offers will be more limited — but still plenty ripe.
“The Blue Jays, coming off their first World Series berth in more than three decades, have no plans to slow down. They are considered the favorite by other executives to land Tucker.”
Passan also mentioned the Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants as potential fits and/or expected suitors for Tucker, some more serious than others.
If the Blue Jays wind up with Tucker, it will probably because they flex their financial might in a way no other team is willing to do in this particular case. The Athletic’s Tim Britton projects the Cubs star to land a 12-year, $460 million contract this winter, which would be three times the size of the Blue Jays’ largest free-agent deal ever handed out (George Springer, $150 million).
It’s still early in the offseason, but the expectation that the Blue Jays will go after Tucker signals, at the very least, that Toronto will be one of the main characters of the story that eventually unfolds.
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