The Toronto Blue Jays have set their sights on some high-profile targets this offseason. While their pursuit of Juan Soto has been well-documented, the team is also interested in signing Max Fried, Anthony Santander, and two standout players from the Houston Astros: Alex Bregman and Luis Severino. The Blue Jays are leaving no stone unturned as they look to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.
At 31 years old, Bregman is one of the top free agents available on the market. With a career batting line of .272/.366/.483 and a 135 wRC+ (indicating he’s been 35% better than league average at the plate), Bregman brings both consistency and power to any lineup. His strikeout rate has remained impressively low throughout his career, never exceeding 13.6% over the past six seasons. Additionally, Bregman is highly regarded for his defensive skills at third base and is even willing to make the switch to second base if needed. His leadership qualities in the clubhouse make him an attractive option for any team.
The Blue Jays currently have some uncertainty at both third base and second base positions. While Ernie Clement performed adequately at third base last season with a .263/.284/.408 batting line (94 wRC+), he wouldn’t be an obstacle if someone like Bregman were to join the team. Spencer Horwitz and Davis Schneider split playing time at second base alongside Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has since departed from the team. Horwitz has shown promise with his bat but lacks experience at second base, while Schneider is coming off a down season.
Although there are other players on the Blue Jays’ roster who can play third or second base, such as Addison Barger, Orelvis Martínez, Will Wagner, and Leo Jiménez, none of them have significant major league experience. With the team eager to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign, acquiring an established player like Bregman would provide stability and experience to their infield.
In addition to Bregman, the Blue Jays are also interested in Luis Severino to bolster their rotation. Severino was once considered a rising star with the New York Yankees but has been plagued by injuries in recent years. However, he showed signs of a resurgence with the New York Mets last season. Making 32 starts and throwing 182 innings, Severino allowed an average of 3.91 earned runs per game while maintaining strikeout and walk rates close to league average.
While Severino may not generate as much excitement as other pitching targets like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried, he presents a more cost-effective option for the Blue Jays. MLBTR predicted Burnes would command a $200 million guarantee and Fried around $156 million, whereas Severino’s projected deal is valued at $51 million over three years.
The Blue Jays have already established a solid rotation nucleus with José Berríos, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt. They also have promising prospects like Bowden Francis waiting in the wings. However, adding someone like Severino would provide additional depth and experience to their pitching staff.
Financially speaking, the Blue Jays are projected to have a payroll of $189 million next year. While Mark Shapiro, the team’s President, has indicated that they intend to maintain a similar payroll as in 2024 ($225 million), there is still some flexibility to make significant signings within their budget.
It’s worth noting that each of the players mentioned – Soto, Bregman, Severino, Fried, Burnes Santander – rejected qualifying offers from their respective teams. As a result, signing any of these players would come with penalties, including surrendering draft picks and international bonus pool space. However, the Blue Jays seem willing to navigate these considerations as they aim to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
The Blue Jays are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to assemble a winning team for 2025. With their sights set on Alex Bregman and Luis Severino, among others, Toronto fans can expect an exciting offseason filled with potential acquisitions. The team’s interest in these high-profile players demonstrates their commitment to fielding a championship-caliber squad.