Fastball

MLB Insider Suggests Toronto Blue Jays Could Follow Same Offseason Plan as 2019

The Blue Jays are known to be in on free agent Juan Soto, but how might they pivot if a Soto deal were to fall through? Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has an idea.

Brady Farkas

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu (99) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field in 2023.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu (99) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field in 2023. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
In this story:

The Toronto Blue Jays are one of four serious suitors for free agent outfielder Juan Soto at this point of the offseason. The Jays are battling with the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for his services, and they could have an answer by the time the Winter Meetings roll around next week.

Once Soto makes his decision, the rest of the offseason can truly start. And according to Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic,' if Soto opts not to sign with Toronto, the Jays could replicate an offseason plan they've already done once before.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have been down this path before. In Dec. 2019, they pursued free-agent right-hander Gerrit Cole but ultimately signed another Scott Boras client, lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu.  It would not be surprising to see them follow the same blueprint if they failed to land Soto, adding Burnes or Fried as well as Hernández or Santander.

The Jays have been linked to the high-end starting pitcher market all offseason and have also been linked to top-end relievers. Should Soto sign elsewhere, the Jays will have money freed up to go do other things as Rosenthal suggests. We recently took a look at whether or not they should trade for former MVP Cody Bellinger, and they've been connected to Alex Bregman and Willy Adames at various points of the offseason as well. Santander, as Rosenthal mentions, is also a target.

The Blue Jays went 74-88, finishing last in the American League East.

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/News