Blue Jays Facing Key Decisions as They Look to Regain Contention
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Mark Shapiro (left) and Ross Atkins (right) oversee a team coming off a last-place finish in the AL East. (Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)
guerrero will be six years younger when his next deal starts.He is a team leader, an improved defender, a player who was born in Montreal and professes to love Toronto. And the Soto contract, awarded to an outfielder who is not exactly regarded as a gifted defender, raises the bar for elite hitters. The Chicago Cubs’ newly-acquired Kyle Tucker, two years older than Guerrero and a superior all-around talent, will benefit as well. He, too, is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.So, what might Guerrero want? A $400 million deal would be barely half of Soto’s. A deal in the $500 million to $600 million range, excessive as it might sound to the average fan, probably is more realistic. Keep in mind, the Jays would need to pay a premium for preventing Guerrero from testing the market.And if they lose him, their already disgruntled fan base might revolt.
Bichette,who turns 27 on March 5,is another matter. He is coming off by far his worst offensive season, posting an OPS+ 29 percent below league average while missing almost three months with a right calf strain. The Jays do not appear nearly as interested in signing him as they do Guerrero. And circumstances have changed since Atkins told MLB Network’s Jon Morosi in November that his answer to trade inquiries on bichette was “an easy no.”
eight days ago, the Jays acquired Andrés Giménez,a Platinum Glove winner at second base,as a potential replacement for Bichette. Gimenez’s return to shortstop, his original position, seemed more likely to occur in 2026 than ‘25, Bichette’s final year of club control. But a trade of bichette this offseason, even though the Jays would be selling low, would make sense. If the Jays lose him as a free agent and exceed the $241 million luxury-tax threshold — they are within $13 million, according to Fangraphs — all they would receive as compensation is a pick after the fourth round.
Still, the Jays do not appear to be shopping Bichette. Executives from three rival clubs, granted anonymity for their candor, said the Jays are open to moving him, but only for a high price. Good luck,with Bichette coming off his down year,under club control for only one more season and set to earn $16.5 million in 2025. He also ended the season with a broken finger that required surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
As presently constituted, the Jays would line up with Giménez at second, Bichette at short and Ernie Clement at third. If they traded Bichette and signed Bregman, they could go with Bregman at third, Giménez at short and Clement at second. But numerous other possibilities exist. The Jays could sign free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes and trade either
Yankees Explore Budget-Friendly First Base Options
The new York Yankees are reportedly shifting their focus towards more cost-effective solutions for their first base vacancy, potentially steering away from expensive free agents like Pete Alonso or Kodai Senga.
Sources close to the team’s pursuit indicate a preference for a less expensive option, opening the door to a wide range of possibilities.Prominent free-agent first basemen Paul Goldschmidt, Carlos Santana, Justin Turner, Anthony Rizzo, and Josh Bell are all being considered.
The Yankees are also exploring trade possibilities, eyeing players like Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians, Nathaniel Lowe of the Texas rangers, and Yandy Díaz of the Tampa bay Rays.
“Signing Guerrero should be the priority. Signing Guerrero would be a start,” a source emphasized in regards to the team’s overall offensive strategy.
The allure of acquiring a player like Naylor, Lowe, or Díaz lies not only in their talent but also in the potential to secure their services without depleting the Yankees’ farm system or sacrificing future draft picks.
The Yankees recently invested heavily in free-agent pitcher Max Fried, forfeiting their second and fifth-highest draft picks in the process. Adding another free agent who rejected a qualifying offer, like Alonso or Senga, would further deplete their draft capital, costing them their third and sixth-highest selections for 2025.
This situation echoes a similar scenario from 2013-14, when the Yankees signed Carlos Beltrán, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brian McCann, all of whom had rejected qualifying offers.
With a considerable number of first base options available through free agency and trades, the Yankees appear well-positioned to address this need and solidify their lineup for the upcoming season.
Yankees Exploring Outfield Options,Including Cody Bellinger
The New York Yankees are actively pursuing outfield reinforcements,with free agent Cody Bellinger emerging as a key target. Bellinger’s versatility could see him patrolling center field or left field for the Bronx Bombers.
To solidify their infield, the Yankees might consider shifting Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base. This move would open up opportunities for internal candidates Oswaldo Cabrera and DJ LeMahieu to compete for the third base position.
The Yankees’ roster construction remains fluid, with other possibilities on the table. They could acquire another outfielder and deploy Bellinger at first base. Alternatively, they might opt to allow promising prospect Ben Rice to contend for the starting first baseman role during spring training.
Athletics Add Veteran Gio Urshela to Mix
The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with free-agent third baseman Gio Urshela,pending a successful physical. The deal adds a seasoned defender to the Athletics’ roster.
Urshela, who turns 33 this year, had a brief stint with the Detroit Tigers in 2022 before being released in August. He subsequently signed with the Atlanta Braves and finished the season strong, posting an OPS of .711, a significant advancement from his performance with Detroit.
This move marks Urshela’s sixth team in the past five seasons, highlighting his experience across the league.
Known for his above-average defense at third base, Urshela will bring a veteran presence and reliable glove to the Oakland infield.
This article excerpt discusses the Toronto Blue Jays’ upcoming contract decisions regarding three of their star players: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and the possibility of acquiring a big name like Jose Abreu.
Here’s a breakdown:
* **Vladimir Guerrero Jr.:** He’s entering his prime years, at age 27, and is eligible for a massive contract extension. The article compares his situation to Juan Soto’s record-breaking deal, suggesting Guerrero could command a deal in the $500 million-$600 million range. This seems financially daunting but keeping him is crucial for the Blue Jays.
* **Bo Bichette:** His future with the Blue Jays is less certain. He had a poor 2023 season, and with his contract expiring soon, the team might explore trading him, especially after acquiring potential replacement Andres Gimenez. While the Blue Jays are open to offers for Bichette,they are unlikely to trade him at a discount due to his potential.
* **Jose Abreu:** The article briefly mentions the possibility of the Blue Jays signing Abreu, a veteran first baseman.
The overall theme of the excerpt is the Blue Jays navigating a pivotal offseason with critically important contract decisions to make. They face a challenging balancing act: retaining their young core while addressing their roster needs within their financial limitations.
Let me know if you have any other questions about this article excerpt.
It looks like you’ve provided a snippet from an article discussing potential moves by the Toronto blue jays and New York Yankees in the upcoming MLB offseason. Let’s break down the key takeaways for each team:
**Toronto Blue Jays:**
* **Vladimir Guerrero Jr.:** Expected to seek a massive contract extension, potentially in the $500-$600 million range. The Blue Jays will likely prioritize retaining him to avoid losing him in free agency.
* **bo bichette:** Coming off a down year, his trade value is lower. While the Jays aren’t actively shopping him, they are open to offers, especially given his impending free agency and high salary.
* **Shortstop Options:** With Giménez acquired, the Blue Jays have flexibility at shortstop. They could trade Bichette and sign Alex Bregman,or go with Giménez at shortstop and Clement at second.
**New York Yankees:**
* **First Base:** Shifting focus to budget-kind options after pursuing expensive free agents like Alonso and Senga. Potential targets include free agents like Goldschmidt, Santana, Turner, Rizzo, Bell, and trade options like Naylor, Lowe, and Diaz.
* **Outfield:** Actively looking for outfield reinforcements, with Cody Bellinger as a key target. His versatility could see him in center or left field.
* **Infield Flexibility:** Could move Jazz Chisholm Jr.to second base, opening up third base opportunities for Cabrera and LeMahieu.
**Overall Observations:**
Both teams are facing roster decisions and trying to balance their needs with financial constraints. the Blue Jays are navigating contract extensions and trade possibilities for key players, while the Yankees are looking for cost-effective ways to address needs in the outfield and first base.
Let me know if you have any more questions about this MLB news snippet!
