Blue Jays Mentioned As Top Landing Spot For Rumored Yankees Target

Could the Blue Jays actually land the former MVP this offseason in free agency?

It sounds like one of the New York Yankees' biggest rivals could be pursuing a superstar to help bolster the outfield.

The Toronto Blue Jays entered the offseason looking to make a major move. Toronto attempted to land two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and even was mentioned among the top suitors for him. Although that is the case, the Blue Jays ultimately lost out to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now Toronto is looking for a new way to improve the club and has been linked to rumored Yankees target Cody Bellinger. MLB.com's Will Leitch even pegged the Blue Jays as the top landing spot for Bellinger.

"What better way to ease that lingering disappointment over (Shohei Ohtani) than by bringing in the next-best free-agent hitter? Bellinger certainly won’t cost the Jays $700 million, and he is the left-handed bat this lineup needs to go with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer," Leitch said. Bellinger could play left field, or he could play center and move Daulton Varsho to left -- either way, those are big upgrades both defensively and offensively.

"(With Kevin Kiermaier a free agent, Toronto’s third outfield spot is currently up in the air.) The same justifications for bringing in Ohtani hold for bringing in Bellinger, and it would be the jolt this franchise seems to need right now."

New York was seen as the favorite to land Bellinger over the last few months but seemingly isn't interested anymore after landing Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham. Although this is the case, the Yankees still are viewed as a top landing spot for Bellinger. 

Toronto already was solid last season. If the Blue Jays could land Bellinger this offseason, it would just make the American League East more competitive.