Cody Bellinger? Matt Chapman? If the Jays are still looking on the free-agent market, these names could be on the top of the list.
Former NL MVP Cody Bellinger had a bounce-back year with the Chicago Cubs last year, and is looking for a big payday.
The team signed Justin Turner, the 39-year-old veteran of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, to a one-year deal Tuesday, filling a void left by free agents Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman.
With Turner off the board and spring training just weeks away, here’s the biggest names still left on the free agent market.
Blake Snell
Snell is by far the most appealing pitcher still available. His 2023 season speaks for itself: the National League Cy Young Award, 6.0 wins above replacement (according to Baseball-Reference) and an MLB-best 2.25 ERA. He also gave up the fewest walks and hits-per-nine in all of baseball.
Snell has been connected to the Red Sox, Phillies, Giants and Angels, while the Yankees have made him an offer, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Blue Jays are also “quietly monitoring” Snell’s market”, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
Cody Bellinger
Bellinger is the biggest bat left after turning his career around with the Cubs last season. After three seasons with a combined average of .203, Bellinger exploded in 2023 with a .307 average, 29 doubles and 26 home runs.
The centre-fielder is reportedly looking for north of $200 million (U.S.), according to Heyman, but he has yet to receive a formal offer.
Matt Chapman
The former Blue Jay third baseman’s market has been largely quiet this off-season. Although he had an up-and-down year offensively in Toronto, his defence is still among the best in baseball. He’s been targeted by the Cubs, Giants and Blue Jays, although Toronto’s additions of Turner and Isiah Kiner-Falefa make a reunion less likely.
J.D. Martinez
Martinez is years removed from his astounding offensive seasons of 2017 and 2018, but he still produced in 2023 with the Dodgers, where he played 113 games and posted a 134 OPS+. He struck out more frequently than he ever has, whiffing 31.1 per cent of the time, but regained some of his power, hitting his most home runs since 2019.
The 36-year-old has been linked to the Blue Jays, Mets and Angels.
Jordan Montgomery
Montgomery has been a quietly consistent starter over the past two seasons, starting 64 games and posting a 3.34 ERA with the Yankees, Cardinals and Rangers. He played a key role in Texas’ championship run in 2023, starting 11 games down the stretch and allowing just 21 runs.
The teams reportedly in on Montgomery are similar to those in on Snell, although returning to the Rangers is the “most likely” outcome, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Jorge Soler
Another name the Blue Jays have been linked to, Soler is a right fielder and designated hitter who hit 36 home runs with the Marlins last season. With Turner now on the roster, Toronto is less of a fit. The Mariners, Red Sox and Diamondbacks have also been linked.
