The Blue Jays are positioning themselves for a big offseason move, but they’ve got to choose their target carefully.
It’s coming down to two names: bringing back Bo Bichette or making a run at newly available outfielder Kyle Tucker. Both make sense for different reasons.
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson broke down both scenarios this weekend, and the decisions aren’t as straightforward as you’d think.
The Tucker Case
Tucker’s the big fish. We’re talking about a deal that could push past $300 million, which is steep even for a market that’s gotten comfortable with nine-figure contracts.
Tucker represents “Blue Jays baseball” with all of the knobs turned up to nine. Granted, none of those knobs are turned up to “10” with a truly elite tool, but he’s a rock-solid hitter who stands at the top of this market for a reason.
That’s the thing about Tucker – he doesn’t have that one wow tool that jumps off the page, but he’s really good at everything. The kind of player that makes a lineup deeper and more dangerous.
Rogers ownership got a taste of those deep postseason runs, and once you’ve been there, it’s hard to go back to the old ways. The Blue Jays should have payroll flexibility to push beyond this year’s numbers, but Tucker’s the type of signing where the price can run away from you quickly.
Matheson sees Toronto being involved in Tucker’s market but not chasing if his number gets out of hand. Smart approach.
The Bichette Factor
Now Bichette brings something different to the table. There’s sentiment involved here, and while front offices try to keep those feelings out of it, fans remember what it felt like when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looked like he might walk a year ago.
“A great player,” general manager Ross Atkins said at the GM Meetings this week. “Bo has been a significant part of us being in a strong position today. He’s a reason that we’re coming off of five solid seasons of baseball and one really, really good year of baseball. He’s had a lot to do with it.”
Atkins didn’t mince words about thier interest.
“I know he’s going to be attractive to the market, and we’ll be in his market.”
Here’s where it gets interesting though. Bichette wants to stay at shortstop, and Toronto’s said they’d be open to that. But this is a better baseball team with Bichette at second base and Andrés Giménez at short.
Bichette’s market is going to have a massive range between its ceiling and floor. That creates opportunity, but it also means this could drag out for a while.
The Math Problem
There’s been some talk about whether the Blue Jays could land both guys. Based on how Matheson explains it, that doesn’t seem too likely.
They’re willing to raise their payroll, sure, but adding both Tucker and Bichette would be a crazy boost to their salary obligations. That’s the kind of move that changes your entire financial structure.
So it comes down to wants vs. needs vs. available spots. Tucker gives you that established star power and immediate upgrade. Bichette gives you continuity and a guy who’s already proven he can handle the pressure in this market.
Both paths make sense. The Blue Jays just have to pick one and commit to it.
If things go their way, this could be the kind of offseason that changes the trajectory of the franchise. But that’s a big if in a market where prices keep climbing and competition keeps getting fiercer.
