The Blue Jays aren’t done yet. After landing Anthony Santander on a five-year, $92.5 million deal, they’re eyeing another big bat – Pete Alonso.
Toronto’s finally got some momentum going after missing out on Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, and Roki Sasaki earlier this offseason. Now they’re looking at ways to bolster their lineup even further while showing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. they’re serious about contending.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder thinks the Jays will land Alonso on a four-year, $100 million deal. That’d give them a fearsome power trio with Guerrero and Santander – something they desperately need to compete in the AL East.
“Moving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to third base would be a major mistake,” Snyder writes, “but they could easily switch Alonso and Vlad back and forth between first base and designated hitter.”
The timing might be right. The Mets and Alonso are stuck in contract talks after he turned down their three-year, $68-70 million offer. That extra year from Toronto could be exactly what gets a deal done.
Alonso brings serious power – he’s crushed 226 homers in six seasons. But there are some concerns. He’s 29, his exit velocity numbers are dipping, and carrying both his and Santander’s contracts could get heavy for the payroll.
That’s the kind of risk the Blue Jays might need to take, though. They’re trying to climb out of last place in baseball’s toughest division, and they need to show Guerrero they’re serious about winning before he hits free agency next year.
Between Santander’s switch-hitting prowess and Alonso’s raw power, Toronto’s lineup would suddenly look a lot more dangerous. The question is whether they’re willing to make that kind of financial commitment to two sluggers who might be past their peak years.
