"Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays have been through this song and dance before. The prospective top player on the free agent market is being linked to the Blue Jays. It happened with Shohei Ohtani. It happened with Juan Soto. It's been happening for years as players' agents seemingly float Toronto out to teams as a potential landing spot, in an effort to drive up their clients market."
"They've got money to spend, they sometimes have matched or surpassed what rival teams have given, and there has been a clear need to add a free agent for their own competitive outlook. All of those things are true again heading into 2026, but will this finally be the time the Blue Jays actually land the big fish they are after? Or is this years' top free agent once again using the Blue Jays as bait?"
Players' agents have long floated Toronto as a potential landing spot to drive up free-agent markets. The Blue Jays now possess payroll flexibility and have matched or outbid rivals while needing impact talent for competitiveness. Kyle Tucker is the consensus top free agent, expected to secure a deal north of $350 million largely because of competition. Projections forecast an average-to-good 2026 season (.273/.373/.493, 23 homers, .866 OPS), with 2025 partly diminished by injuries despite a 4.6 bWAR and 143 OPS+. Fully healthy Tucker could reach 30 homers and an OPS above .890, and ballpark context can affect his power output.
Read at Jays Journal
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