The Blue Jays aren’t done shopping this offseason, and Alex Bregman might be their best remaining option to make a splash before Opening Day. After missing out on Pete Alonso, Toronto’s front office has shifted its focus to the former Astros star.
Bregman’s a perfect fit for what the Jays need right now. He’s a natural third baseman, which would let Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stay at his preferred spot at first base. That’s a much cleaner solution than the Alonso pursuit, which would’ve forced Vladdy to shift back to third.
“Bregman is a better player than Alonso and he would fill a bigger position of need,” writes Zach Pressnell of FanSided. “He has the ability to be a franchise-altering signing no matter which team lands him.”
The 30-year-old Bregman’s coming off another solid season, hitting .260/.315/.453 in 145 games while picking up his first Gold Glove. That’s on top of his two All-Star selections and Silver Slugger award. He’s looking for a long-term deal, and Toronto might be positioned to make the kind of offer he’s after.
What makes this especially interesting is how it could affect Guerrero’s future. The Jays are one of five teams reportedly in on Bregman, and landing him on a five or six-year deal might help convince Vladdy to stick around when he hits free agency next winter.
The market’s been slow to develop for Bregman, but that might work in Toronto’s favor. They’re still looking to make a major move, and he’s clearly the top talent left available. After coming up short on several other targets this winter, the Jays might be ready to get aggressive to close this deal.