The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a critical make-or-break season.
After a disappointing 2024, and with star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, this could be the team’s last opportunity to build a competitive roster around its current core before being forced into a full rebuild.
In an effort to strengthen the lineup around Guerrero, the Blue Jays have entered the race to sign superstar slugger Juan Soto this offseason.
“Soto is beginning meetings with teams in California this week, and the Blue Jays will be the first to meet with him, according to major league sources,” reported ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “After pursuing Shohei Ohtani last winter, Toronto is committed to adding a star to join Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and has set its sights on Soto.”
Adding Juan Soto on a long-term deal would significantly improve the Blue Jays’ chances of contending, but a true championship run would likely require further reinforcement. To that end, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer predicted the team would also target veteran left-hander Max Fried with a six-year, $160 million contract.
“Despite being a two-time All-Star and World Series champion, Fried might still be somewhat underrated,” Rymer noted. “Over the past five seasons, he’s been 51 percent better than the average pitcher, accumulating 659 innings. He minimizes walks and makes it difficult for batters to generate significant damage. He averages a strikeout per inning and ranks in the 96th percentile for ground balls and the 95th for exit velocity this year.”
After eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves, the 30-year-old Fried is hitting free agency following a stellar 2024 season in which he posted a 3.25 ERA, two complete games, and a shutout across 29 starts. Adding him would provide a valuable left-handed arm to a veteran Blue Jays rotation that already includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, and Chris Bassitt. With the team trading away Yusei Kikuchi at the 2024 deadline, another dependable starter is a pressing need.
As one of the top pitchers available, Fried will command a sizable contract in the nine-figure range. The Blue Jays hope to sign Soto while maintaining the financial flexibility to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term deal. With few other major long-term commitments, this goal appears achievable.
“Toronto, of course, aims to extend Guerrero, but that would require a massive offer,” noted MLB Trade Rumors. “However, the team’s payroll could comfortably accommodate both Soto and Guerrero, given their relatively few other long-term financial obligations.”