With Spring Training fast approaching, most top-tier free agents have been signed—except for Alex Bregman. The two-time All-Star remains the best available player, yet as camp nears, there’s still no clear indication of where he’ll land in 2025, just as uncertain as it was back in November.
Throughout the offseason, teams like the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago Cubs have been linked to Bregman. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan ($), those clubs are still in the mix.
Among the interested teams, the Toronto Blue Jays arguably have the most urgency. They’re coming off a rough season, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entering the final year of his contract and little else generating excitement. Landing Bregman wouldn’t just boost their chances in 2025—it could also help persuade Guerrero to stay long-term.
Yet, despite their clear need for a player like Bregman, he remains unsigned, and Jeff Passan appears increasingly frustrated with Toronto’s hesitation to get a deal done.
The Blue Jays have run out of excuses for not signing Alex Bregman—and Jeff Passan knows it.
Not only is Bregman the best remaining free agent this offseason, but he’s also the top infielder who will hit the market for the next few years. Few infielders—including Bo Bichette, Luis Arraez, Brandon Lowe, and Nico Hoerner—have posted a 4.0 bWAR season over the past five years. Bregman, meanwhile, has hit that mark in each of the last three seasons and six of his eight full MLB campaigns. He’s a star, and the future free-agent market for infielders lacks his caliber of talent.
Still, as Passan points out, teams may be hesitant to meet Bregman’s asking price due to their internal options. The Tigers have Jace Jung and Matt Vierling at third, the Astros brought in Isaac Paredes, the Red Sox have Rafael Devers along with top infield prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer, and the Cubs’ best prospect, Matt Shaw, plays second and third. That leaves the Blue Jays, whose only real obstacle is a luxury tax payroll already around $270 million—one that would soar into Steve Cohen tax territory if they signed Bregman.
While other teams pursuing Alex Bregman have backup plans, the Blue Jays do not. Without Bregman, Ernie Clement is their projected starting third baseman—a major concern for a team aiming to compete.
Passan acknowledged that signing Bregman would push Toronto into the Cohen Tax, which is a valid consideration. But if their goal is to win in 2025, they should be willing to take that step.
The Blue Jays have made solid additions this offseason, bringing in Anthony Santander, Max Scherzer, Jeff Hoffman, and Yimi García. However, Bregman would be their most impactful signing, filling a clear hole at third base and adding much-needed power to a lineup that ranked 26th in home runs last season. Pairing him with Santander would significantly boost their offense, and his Gold Glove-caliber defense would be another asset.
Without Bregman, the Jays likely remain the fourth-best team in the AL East. With him, they could legitimately contend with the division’s top teams and make a deep playoff run. Considering their only major obstacle is payroll—something ownership can afford—they have little excuse not to get a deal done.