Add the Blue Jays to the list of potential suitors for free agent Alex Bregman. Toronto officials have been in contact with Scott Boras, the third baseman’s agent, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Red Sox, Cubs, and Diamondbacks have also been connected to Bregman.
Toronto has already been a major player in free agency this offseason, though the additions have come on the pitching side. The club snagged one of the top starters on the market in right-hander Dylan Cease. They locked down reliever Tyler Rogers on a three-year deal. In a year with several intriguing arms arriving from overseas, the Blue Jays landed one of the highest-upside options in Cody Ponce. Toronto has been tied to some of the biggest bats on the market, including Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and Bo Bichette. Bregman now joins that esteemed group.
Boston is reportedly pushing for a Bregman reunion. The third baseman opted out of a three-year, $120MM deal with the club after one season. He had a strong campaign with the Red Sox, providing middle-of-the-order thump to go with steady glove work. Chicago is back in the mix after coming up short last year. The Cubs reportedly offered Bregman a four-year deal this past offseason, though the total value fell short of his agreement with the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks recently joined the race for Bregman. Arizona seems like a long shot to land the stud free agent, but the club does have a vacancy after trading Eugenio Suárez at the deadline.
Toronto’s current plan at third base seems to be a combination of Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, and Davis Schneider. Clement will be penciled in at second base with Bichette hitting the market. Barger is the top option for third base duties, at least against righties. Schneider could pick up second base reps against lefties, with Clement sliding to third. Infielders JoJo Parker and Arjun Nimmala are among Toronto’s top prospects, though they’re unlikely to contribute at the big-league level for a few more years.
The Blue Jays’ third basemen ranked 10th in OPS last season. Clement and Barger split the role fairly evenly, with Will Wagner and Isiah Kiner-Falefa occasionally mixing in. Barger emerged as a crucial cog in the middle of the lineup, launching 21 home runs in his first extended stint at the highest level. Clement bounced around the infield, seeing time at all four spots. He played in a career-high 157 games, providing league-average numbers at the plate. Clement also set a postseason record with 30 hits. Third base isn’t a position that seems like a glaring weakness, but a longer-term view of the roster makes Bregman a more sensible fit. George Springer and Daulton Varsho are both free agents after 2026. Their potential departures would open up outfield and DH opportunities for Barger, Schneider, and company.
While Clement and Barger are solid players, Toronto would have no issue reshuffling the lineup to make room for an addition like Bregman. The 31-year-old has a career 133 wRC+. After three straight seasons with at least 23 home runs, Bregman hit 18 in 114 games in his lone season in Boston. A quad strain cost him a month and a half, but he was on track to maintain his standard power numbers. Bregman was worth +3 Outs Above Average this past year. He’s now at +18 over the last five seasons.
The additions of Cease and Rogers, among others, pushed Toronto’s estimated payroll to roughly $272MM, per RosterResource. That’s already $14MM above the club’s 2025 mark. It’s well beyond the Blue Jays’ $217MM payroll from 2024. It’s a new level of spending for a squad that fell just short of bringing home a title this past year.
Photo courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images
I’m interested in Bregman as well…but only as a friend
That Bregman sure is an interesting guy
I keep seeing and hearing this rumor. Seems like anybody they really want or feel they really need to sign they can and maybe will pony up the cash to get it done.
I say let ‘em. I say sign Bregman for like 5 years/$190M, sign Tucker for 10 years/$425M.
Saddle yourselves with immovable monstrosities of albatrosses!
Albatross contracts until they aren’t. Add Bregman, Tucker and bring back Bichette and rear-end load the contracts. Put the Dodgers on notice. Why wait a year to replace expiring contacts, do it now while worthies are available. Rogers is the wealthiest owner in Baseball; show it, as you did with Guererro contract.
pingston: Put the Dodgers on notice? On notice of what and what does that even mean?
Rest assured that the Dodgers are not concerned with any team’s transactions other than their own.
425M for Tucker is insane. Just bring back Bo at $200M or whatever he gets at 2B.
It’s more Bichette’s decision than the Jays, depending on where he wants to play.
You can get Bregman and Bichette for less than what Tucker will cost. Only problem is no lefty bat.
To be honest I’d go Bichette and Bellinger. Barger and Bellinger in the corner spots. Clement 3rd, Bo second. Lineup of:
Springer
Bellinger
Vladdy
Bo
Barger
Kirk
Varsho
Clement
Gimenez
Great defence, great offence, great lineup balance.
Makes the most sense
Blue Jays decided to have themselves an off-season
Blue jays talking up bregman is just inflating his cost. Red sox doing the same with bichette.
sox interst in bichette should be legitimate not just to drive up the cost
Same for jays and bregman tbh
It really should have been mentioned in the article the Jays pursued Bregman last offseason too, reportedly offering a 6-year $160M contract.
I think now this is more of a message being sent by the Jays to the Sox, that if the Sox sign Bo then they may have to face Bregman up to 20 times each season (13 regular season and 7 in the ALCS). Seems like the “interest” from Toronto is being used as a deterrent, and also to drive up the price on Breggy Beer Man.
It’s a tough call for the Sox because both players have been injury-prone.
Bichette not injury prone. Injured last year. This year was hurt when 2rd base coach sent him home in a bad judgement ca;;. Bo did what he was told but there was no plate path… However, let’s hope the Sox think that way.
Sox ownership has some dark clouds on financial horizon, hence their imminent sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Their NASCAR investment may be hurting, too… Toronto ownership properties not as volatile.
ping – I agree with your last paragraph, but not your first paragraph.
He missed 31 games in 2020, and 27 games in 2023.
That’s 4 out of the past 6 season where he’s missed significant time.
Dark clouds? FSG bought the Penguins for $900M and in less than 4 years they will sell for $1.7B to $1.8B. Looks like they were made an offer they couldn’t refuse.
pingston: Wouldn’t it be a riot if the Jays didn’t end up with Bichette or Bregman? 🤣
Their payroll for CBT purposes is now $294M, just a touch short of the highest threshhold, and the maximum tax level. If the Jays go there they better have some success next year.
He’s willing to play 2B. I know of a team that happens to be looking for a 2B right now.
Boras trying to make it seem like there is more interest than there is.
No no no. Go back to Boston. Jays just resign Bo!
I think it would be funny if the Jays get neither guy.
Wait until hear the agents demands. It will be back off bugaloo time faster than you can say “Holy Diver”
As a Jays fan, I really don’t want Bregman. It has to be either Bo or Tucker. Anything else is a let down.
I hope the jays make him an offer he can’t refuse. They sign him,then jr can take him out for a few Bradors,then off to the Old maple leaf garden and a few laps around the rink. Sure would be swell.
Someone should put a “lid” on the six year contract rumors.
As a Mariners fan, would love for the Blue Jays to sign Bregman to a FAT six year $180 million dollar max it all out contract. They can then sign Tucker as well to a ridiculous max the credit card out $400 million dollar deal over 8 years. After that though, they better calm down. Which means they won’t sign Bo. (While I’m dreaming Bo can sign with the Mariners to play second base.)