After finishing last in the AL East for the first time in 11 years, the Toronto Blue Jays (74-88) are expected to make a splash in free agency this offseason to address offensive issues.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman could be a big name in play.
On Tuesday morning, Olney spoke on TSN1050’s First Up to discuss the Blue Jays’ possibilities of making a trade for Bregman, as well as other teams interested in the veteran.
“He’s a proven winner, he’s a really good third baseman, he can hit, he would help to lengthen out their lineup,” Olney said of him.
Bregman, 30, is coming off the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract with the Astros. The two-time All-Star has gotten Most Valuable Player votes in four of his nine MLB seasons and was a member of the 2017 and 2022 World Series winning teams.
He concluded the 2024 season with a.260 batting average, 26 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 79 runs scored.
“We know the Blue Jays have been looking to fill the third base spot more permanently for the past couple of years,” Olney told reporters.
“They made [former Blue Jays third baseman] Matt Chapman [an] offer for about $125 million early in the 2023 season, and Bregman fits [the team’s needs] in a lot of ways.”
This season, Toronto scored 4.14 runs per game, ranking 23rd in the MLB. They scored one or less runs in 32 games last year, accounting for 31 of their 88 losses.
According to FanGraphs, the Blue Jays finished 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 anticipated to be one of the most appealing free agents this winter, and the Blue Jays will face stiff competition to sign him, 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’re managed by A.J. Hinch, who previously handled Bregman in Houston. They have plenty of payroll flexibility… I think, given their late-season success, the greatness of their players and what they’re creating there, and Hinch’s influence, it wouldn’t surprise me if they made a run at Alex as someone who might be an anchor for these young Tigers players,” Olney said.
The Tigers made a surprising run to the playoffs, winning 32 of their last 48 games to go from 54-60 to 86-76. Like the Blue Jays, they struggled to produce from third base, with 11 home runs ranking fifth from the bottom in the majors.
Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made 11 starts at the hot corner for the Blue Jays this season, and if all else fails, he might be a third base option for the team in 2025.
“I signed as a third baseman, so it is my favourite position,” Guerrero stated in June. “Regardless matter whether third place is my preferred position, I’ll be ready. “First or third, wherever the team needs me.”
