The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams that many expect to continue spending big this winter. After spending $210 million on Dylan Cease and another $70 million or so on Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, the Blue Jays aren’t stopping now.
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They have been linked to Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette at the top of the free agency market, and while both remain options, Alex Bregman has emerged as an option according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
But what would the Blue Jays’ interest in Bregman mean for Tucker and Bichette? While the Blue Jays spend a lot, only one of these three is realistic for Toronto.
Blue Jays interested in Alex Bregman: Free agent implications for Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette
“Add the Toronto Blue Jays to the list of teams showing interest in free agent third baseman Alex Bregman,” Rosenthal writes. “…Team officials have been in recent contact with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, according to sources briefed on the conversations.”
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The Blue Jays are showing great interest in Bregman this winter. While it was previously the team’s backup plan if Tucker and Bichette were off the table, that is no longer the case.
With the Blue Jays showing interest in Bregman, approaching his agent about a contract, the chances of the Blue Jays landing a top free agent increase.
But they’ll likely only get one top-tier free agent. Tucker and Bichette would be ignored if they sign Bregman, unless one of their free agent markets collapses after the Blue Jays sign Bregman.
Further: Kyle Tucker seen at the Blue Jays facility, according to MLB insider
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Toronto might be looking for a left-handed bat, but Bregman would be a perfect fit, sliding into the third base spot and allowing Ernie Clement to move to second base.
If the Blue Jays end up going the Bregman route over Tucker and Bichette, then the best free agents on the market won’t have the Blue Jays’ huge payroll to bolster their offers.
His interest in Bregman is an interesting development this offseason. As the likely favorites to land Tucker, a deal with Bregman could dramatically change the free agent market this winter.
The former Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox third baseman is a realistic option for the Blue Jays, and if he signs a free agent contract, then Toronto would likely be out of the market for Tucker and Bichette.
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