Latest: Blue Jays to land star 3B man this offseason to bolster squad depth

After finishing last in the AL East for the first time in 11 years, the Toronto Blue Jays (74-88) are anticipated to make significant moves in free agency to strengthen their offense. ESPN’s Buster Olney highlighted Houston Astros third baseman as a potential target for the Blue Jays.

During an appearance on TSN1050’s “First Up,” Olney discussed the likelihood of the Blue Jays pursuing Bregman and the competition they might face. “He’s a proven winner, a great third baseman who can hit and would help lengthen their lineup,” he noted.

The experienced player is coming off the last year of a five-year, $100 million contract with the Astros. A two-time All-Star, he has received MVP votes in four of his nine MLB seasons and was part of the World Series champion teams in 2017 and 2022. In the 2024 season, he posted a .260 batting average, with 26 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 79 runs scored.

Olney mentioned that the Blue Jays have been seeking a permanent solution at third base for several years. They previously offered former Blue Jay Matt Chapman about $125 million early in the 2023 season, and Bregman aligns well with the team’s needs.

 

Bleacher Report has fierce Astros' rival as a sleeper candidate to sign Alex  Bregman

 

Toronto ranked 23rd in the MLB with 4.14 runs scored per game this season, managing one or fewer runs in 32 games, which contributed to 31 of their 88 losses. They also placed 20th in home runs hit by third basemen (16), 22nd in runs scored (66), and tied for 18th in wins above replacement (2.1) in 2024.

Bregman is expected to be a sought-after player in the upcoming free agency, and the Blue Jays will face considerable competition to secure his services, according to Olney.

“Here’s the thing: Not only does Houston want him back – and I do think there are limits to what the Astros can offer him – but there’s another team that’s on the rise in the American League that also could use a third baseman, and that would be the Detroit Tigers.”

“They are managed by A.J. Hinch, who was Bregman’s manager in Houston. They’ve got a lot of payroll flexibility … I think, given their late-season success, given the excellence of their players and what they’re building there, and given Hinch’s influence, it wouldn’t at all surprise me if they made a run at Alex as someone who could be an anchor for these young players on the Tigers,” Olney said.

The Tigers made a surprise run to the playoffs after winning 32 of their last 48 games to surge from 54-60 to 86-76. Like the Blue Jays, they were sorely lacking for production out of the third base spot, as their 11 home runs from the hot corner ranked fifth from the bottom in the majors.

Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. even made 11 starts at the hot corner for the Blue Jays this past season, and if all else fails, he could be an option at third base in 2025 for the team.

“I signed as a third baseman, so it is my favourite position,” Guerrero said in June. “Regardless of if third is my favorite position, I’ll be prepared. First or third, wherever the team needs me.”

 

 

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