Why the Blue Jays need to aim higher than Alex Bregman in free agency

"Entering the offseason, standing pat wasn't an option for the Blue Jays, who excelled in almost every facet this October. Investing in pitching at the start of the offseason showed Toronto's commitment to improving its existing weaknesses and the holes left by players who departed in free agency. Inevitably, the Blue Jays will also have to address the offensive hole Bo Bichette has left on the roster before pitchers and catchers report in February."

"In a formidable division like the AL East, complacency is a luxury because all five teams have historically been competitive aside from occasional oddities. This is why the Blue Jays have recently connected with Alex Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, in case they aren't able to sign either Kyle Tucker or Bo Bichette. Toronto has to sign an impact bat this winter to edge out their competitors, but signing Bregman as the big free-agent hitter is a move that could cost the Jays down the line."

"There is no question about Alex Bregman's defensive abilities. The 31-year-old's defence stood out with the 2025 Boston Red Sox, which led the league with 116 errors. Bringing an elite defender is a plus for Toronto, except that infield defence hasn't been one of the bigger issues for the team this past season. Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez each recorded 11.7 and 9.1 tallies on their defensive skills, according to Fangraphs, which is much higher than Bregman's 4.6."

The Blue Jays invested in pitching early in the offseason to address roster weaknesses after departures in free agency. The club must replace the offensive production of Bo Bichette before pitchers and catchers report in February. With the AL East depth, Toronto explored contact with Alex Bregman's agent as an alternate if Kyle Tucker or Bichette cannot be signed. The team faces a choice between acquiring an impact bat or prioritizing infield defence. Bregman is an elite defender who would project to third base, while Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez already rate well defensively, reducing the urgency for defensive reinforcement.

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