The Blue Jays have taken a significant step forward in 2020 and a promising young core gives them a good chance to stay competitive in 21 and beyond. That said, it doesn’t seem like Toronto is planning on knocking this off-season. On the contrary. The Blue Jays were
The Blue Jays have taken a significant step forward in 2020 and a promising young core gives them a good chance to stay competitive in 21 and beyond. That said, it doesn’t seem like Toronto is planning on knocking this off-season. On the contrary.
The Blue Jays have been linked, with a number of top free agents
If Toronto can get a deal with Springer in the coming weeks, it would hurt not only the team’s playoff chances for 2021 but the rest of the market as well. Here’s a look at what could happen if Springer joins the Jays.
Sox, Astros are fighting for Bradley
Teams in need of a center fielder essentially have two daily caliber options to choose from among the free agents: jumpers and
Bradley has spent the past eight years with Boston building a strong defensive reputation and at times delivering above average production on the plate. In 2020, the 30-year-old achieved an OPS + of 118, his highest since his only All-Star season in 16.
The Red Sox is seen as a potential landing spot for Springer, a Connecticut-based and UConn product whose parents still live in the state. But if Springer is no longer an option, Boston would likely try to bring Bradley back.
However, the Sox could face stiff competition from Springer’s former team. Athletic’s Peter Gammons reported earlier this month that the Astros were making Bradley a priority.
Astro’s people keep saying that Jackie Bradley Jr. is priority. Background information is all of the highest character. No doubt. And no one can play all the angles and curiosities of Fenways CF like JBJ. OF Defense wins @ Fenway, he would be a huge loss in rebuilding the pitching process
– Peter Gammons (@pgammo) November 13, 2020
Kiermaier on the block?
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Rays are open to left-handed trading
Snell is one of three players on the Rays list to make $ 10.5 million and between $ 22 and 23 to make $ 28.5 million in 2021
If Tampa Bay can’t find a Snell deal it likes, could the club find a buyer for Kiermaier? Feinsand said several executives believe the Rays would need to cover part of Kiermaier’s contract to move him, but there might be interest in the defensive whiz, especially if Springer is off the market.
Kiermaier has struggled with the bat for the past three years (82 OPS +) but he has continued to spread his presence in midfield. Inspired by his glove work, he recorded 6.2 wins over replacements (baseball reference) from 2018-2020, an average of 4.1 WAR per 650 record appearances over that period. The 30-year-old finished fifth in the MLB with 10 defensive runs saved and sixth among the outfielders with +5 outs above the average in 2020.
Blue Jays could explore the trading market
The Blue Jays may target Jumpers, but they don’t have to need his bat in their outfield.
Overall, the team’s outfielders took second place in the majors last season with 40 homers and third with an OPS of 0.873
Springer’s signing would create an outfield excess that Toronto could trade in to acquire a third baseman, starting pitcher, or helper.
While Grichuk will be signed for around $ 31 million over the next three years, Hernández (controllable until 2023) is entering his first year of arbitration, and Gurriel (controllable until 24) is still a year away from arbitration.
Mets limit their focus
With new owner Steve Cohen at the helm, the Mets are expected to be one of the most aggressive teams this offseason. In fact, ESPN’s Buster Olney recently reported that New York is looking to add several star players from the Springer group.
Braves have been aggressive so far and the Mets won’t be far behind targeting the best players available. A source says of the Mets targeting more than one of the big four of winter (Springer, Realmuto, Bauer, Lindor): “It’s all true.”
– Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 24, 2020
If Springer went to Toronto, it stands to reason that the Mets would step up their efforts on other fronts, trying to do deals with their other top free agent destinations and / or make a deal with the Indians for Lindor.
We could also see the team in that
LeMahieu was not on the list of targets in Olney’s report, but if Springer is off the table, the Mets may be able to re-evaluate.
Thomas Harrigan is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ HarriganMLB.
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