This off-season has moved at a snail’s pace, at least on the position player side of things.
There’s still one glaring issue with their roster construction – the lack of a bat. As you likely know, Bo Bichette’s contract came to an end after the season and he remains a free agent. The Blue Jays are reportedly still interested in Bichette, who is open to moving to second base. Moreover, the Jays are considered the favourites by some to sign Kyle Tucker. However, they could look at another position player in Alex Bregman.
Appearing on Michael Kay’s show on Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted that the Blue Jays are “very much in the mix” when speaking about Bregman. He also noted earlier in the interview that he doesn’t know which of the three players mentioned the Jays will land, but did note that they could perhaps get multiple big bats, something Passan has been saying about the Blue Jays all off-season.
It feels as if the Blue Jays have been searching for a permanent third baseman since Josh Donaldson was trading. Sure, they had Matt Chapman for two seasons, and both Barger and Clement filled in well there last season, but they haven’t had an All-Star calibre bat there in what feels like forever.
Bregman, 31, could be that player. Last season, he slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs in 495 plate appearances, giving him a 125 wRC+. There’s been a lot of talk about how Tucker fits the Jays’ lineup so well (he does), but the same goes for Bregman as he can take walks, hits about 25 home runs a season, last season not included, and puts the ball in play.
On top of that, Bregman is a strong defender at the hot corner, as he has 27 Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average at the position in his career. Funnily enough, he was named as the American League Gold Glove winner for the position in 2024, the same year Clement finished as a nominee.
While Tucker is easily the best bat available, and Bichette has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays, Bregman would be a great addition as well. Bonus points if the Blue Jays could somehow land two of the big bats available.