The Toronto Blue Jays front office seems to be doing everything in their power to bring in some big-name free agents this offseason.
They’ve been linked to many of the top free agents available, including a recent report suggesting that they are targeting Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Blake Snell. While adding a starting pitcher of that calibre would be incredible, it’s not all they will need in order to contend in 2025.
The Blue Jays are also in need of some bats to help support Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was far too often the team’s only source of offence last season. Here are 11 hitters they should be — and in some cases, already are — looking to target in free agency.
1. Juan Soto
Though many don’t view them as a realistic contender, the Blue Jays are one of many teams targeting Juan Soto. The 26-year-old outfielder is one of the best players in baseball and is reportedly looking for a deal that will total north of $700 million.
Soto, who on four occasions has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, is coming off of a season with the New York Yankees in which he hit .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs. If the Blue Jays are to somehow land him, they would immediately be viewed as World Series contenders.
2. Pete Alonso
While the New York Mets aren’t out of the race, it is looking more and more like Pete Alonso could be wearing a different uniform for the 2025 season. The 29-year-old is one of the better power hitters in baseball, having hit 40 or more home runs in three of his six MLB seasons.
The one point to consider is that Alonso, like Guerrero, is a first baseman. However, there have been reports suggesting the Blue Jays are considering moving Vladdy back to third base, which would then make Alonso a great fit.
3. Anthony Santander
Though not as elite of a player as the two mentioned above, Anthony Santander is a very intriguing free agent who has a lot of pop in his bat. The 30-year-old right fielder hit a career-best 44 home runs with the Baltimore Orioles this past season.
Though Santander’s batting average did drop to .235 in 2024, it isn’t an issue to be concerned over, given that he put up 102 RBIs. Should the Jays miss out on Soto and Alonso, Santander would be a great consolation prize.
4. Alex Bregman
Another free agent the Blue Jays have been linked to on several occasions is longtime Houston Astro Alex Bregman.
“The Blue Jays had marginal production from third base last season after letting Matt Chapman walk as a free agent, so Bregman would be a solid upgrade,” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote in a recent column.
Bregman isn’t coming off of his best season, but has a combined 266 RBIs over the past three years, and would add some offence to a team that is in desperate need of it.
5. Willy Adames
Some might think Willy Adames isn’t a fit for the Blue Jays because he is a shortstop, but with Bo Bichette’s future remaining unclear, he is a potential option.
Not only is Adames better defensively than Bichette, but he is also a very solid hitter. The 29-year-old is coming off of a career-best season that saw him hit 32 home runs and an even more impressive 112 RBIs.
6. Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez, aside from Soto, may just be the name on this list that Blue Jays fans would be most excited to add. The left fielder was a big part of the Jays offence throughout his six-year tenure with the organization and is sorely missed by the fan base.
By his own admission, Hernandez loved his time with the Blue Jays, which suggests he would return should they offer him a fair contract. This past season saw him not only record 99 RBIs but help lead the LA Dodgers to a World Series championship.
7. Christian Walker
One free agent who isn’t necessarily generating as much chatter as the names above but will still be highly targeted is Christian Walker. Like Alonso, he is a first baseman who has plenty of pop in his bat.
Walker has hit north of 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons and puts up a relatively decent batting average. He wouldn’t be as exciting of an add as some others, but would be of help to the Blue Jays.
8. Tyler O’Neill
Tyler O’Neill picked the perfect time to have a big season. After hitting a combined 23 home runs in 2022 and 2023 (while injury-riddled), he exploded for 31 in just 113 games this past season.
The biggest concern when it comes to O’Neill is injuries, as he’s played north of 100 games just twice in his seven-year career. When healthy, however, he’s capable of helping the Blue Jays in a big way.
9. Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres isn’t as big of a need given that he plays second base, but, while not as productive as others on this list, would make the Blue Jays a better team offensively.
Torres isn’t coming off of the best of seasons but still hit a respectable .257 with 63 RBIs with the New York Yankees. Furthermore, he’s managed north of 20 home runs four times, including a career-best 38 in 2019.
10. Jurickson Profar
Has Jurickson Profar finally figured things out, or was his 2024 season a mirage? That’s the question many front offices will be asking themselves before signing the 31-year-old this offseason.
By all accounts, Profar is a highly skilled player, though he’d never had a ton of success at the plate until this past season with the San Diego Padres. If he can come anywhere close to replicating his 24 home runs and 85 RBIs, he would be an excellent addition for the Blue Jays.
11. Paul Goldschmidt
While signing a rather washed-up Paul Goldschmidt wouldn’t be a move that would get Blue Jays fans jumping out of their chairs, he would provide more help than some may imagine.
The seven-time All-Star is nowhere near the same player he was during his prime, but he is still a solid bat at the age of 37. In 154 games with the St. Louis Cardinals this past season, he hit a respectable 22 home runs along with 65 RBIs.
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