The Toronto Blue Jays are being considered one of the “longshot” teams in the running for superstar free agent Juan Soto. While there’s no indication that Soto has ruled them out, it’s believed that Toronto is unlikely to land him.

If the Blue Jays miss out on Soto, they’ll need to shift to a backup plan, which involves finding an outfielder to fill the gap left by Soto. While no one player can truly replace Soto, there is a talented outfielder available on the trade market at a much lower cost than Soto’s rumored $650 million contract.

Jacob Mountz of FanSided has suggested the Blue Jays pursue a major trade for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. this offseason. Robert, who has one year left on his $15 million deal, also has two club options worth $20 million each for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

“Continuing with their search for an outfielder, one elite name should come just behind Soto in the offseason market. Luis Robert is a potential five-tool player, but his career has been plagued by injuries, limiting his ability to fully showcase his talent,” wrote Mountz. “In another injury-riddled season, Robert posted a .224/.278/.379 line with 14 home runs. However, in 2023, we saw Robert at his best, as the 27-year-old center fielder hit 38 home runs and posted a .264 batting average.”

Robert comes with a hefty price tag, likely requiring a significant prospect package to acquire. However, the Blue Jays bolstered their farm system at the 2024 trade deadline by dealing away expiring contracts, which could give them the prospect depth needed for a trade. This move would also allow Toronto to save money compared to signing a high-priced free agent, freeing up funds to address other needs on the roster.