The Toronto Blue Jays were anticipated to be a major contender in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, but recent rumors suggest they are now seen as longshots to acquire the superstar. While this could be partly accurate, the Blue Jays were also involved in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes last year, so it’s too soon to rule them out until Soto officially signs elsewhere. That said, Toronto should have backup plans in place in case they miss out on Soto. Regardless, the team remains committed to staying highly competitive, whether or not they secure their top target.
Jacob Mountz of FanSided has proposed an excellent alternative strategy. He suggests that, as part of their backup plan in case they miss out on Juan Soto, the Blue Jays should target a trade for Philadelphia Phillies All-Star. Spotrac forecasts that Bohm will sign a seven-year, $142 million deal when he becomes a free agent in 2027.
“There were some concerns about his defense, however, Bohm has made some great improvements at the hot corner. If needed, the Jays could also slot him into first base where he is a more reliable defender, but at that point, he might be relegated to the DH spot since Vladdy fields first,” Mountz wrote. “Bohm won’t fix all their problems, but he can be a valuable addition to the Blue Jays’ batting order. He will make an estimated $8.1 million next season and will enter free agency after the 2026 season.”
Alec Bohm had an impressive 2023 season, batting .280 with 61 extra-base hits, including 15 home runs, 97 RBIs, and a .779 OPS (117 OPS+) over 143 games. Defensively, he contributed five defensive runs saved across the two corner infield spots, placing him in the 87th percentile. While there have been rumors suggesting that Philadelphia is open to offers for Bohm, it remains unclear what the Blue Jays might offer in return. It’s likely that the Phillies would prefer a deal involving major league talent rather than just prospects. Toronto could potentially look to build a package around Chris Bassitt and top prospects if the trade idea progresses beyond just speculation.
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