The Toronto Blue Jays have missed out on high-profile free agents this winter, including Juan Soto, Max Fried, Blake Snell, and Corbin Burnes, once again failing to make a significant splash in the offseason. The team entered the winter hoping to bolster its core of Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are both approaching free agency in the coming years. But under GM Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays have done little to convince either star to commit long-term, leaving the organization in a precarious position. It may be wise for Toronto to consider trading one or both of them for major league-ready talent before they walk for little more than a compensation pick.
However, there’s still time for Atkins to act. Guerrero Jr. has expressed willingness to discuss an extension but insists the talks must happen before Opening Day, putting pressure on Atkins to prove that Toronto is a top-tier free agent destination. Signing someone like Alex Bregman could help, but it might also be a costly misstep for the wrong reasons.
Bregman is expected to command a contract close to $200 million, with the Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers emerging as the main contenders for his services. While Boston showed interest, his price tag could be prohibitive. Even if Toronto lands him, Bregman’s numbers have been trending downward. His .768 OPS last season was only slightly above league average, and though he’s a respected clubhouse leader, his addition alone won’t push the Blue Jays into championship contention.
Signing Bregman might buy Atkins some breathing room with ownership and fans desperate for success, and it could improve the team’s chemistry and possibly even help with Guerrero Jr.’s contract talks. But at what cost? Bregman’s deal would eat into Toronto’s financial flexibility moving forward, and while he’s a solid player, he doesn’t make the Blue Jays a true contender. That’s the root of the problem with Atkins’ approach: Making moves for the sake of appearances doesn’t address the larger need to build a sustainable, championship-caliber team.