The Major League Baseball offseason charges on, just a day after news broke that Roki Sasaki has agreed to sign with the Dodgers. Plenty of quality free agents remain (free agent tracker) and there’s always the trade market. We’re less than a month until spring training starts but there’s work to be done, so let’s get to it here and round up the news and rumors for the day.
Notably, the Blue Jays lost out on Sasaki and missing on big free agents is becoming a theme with them. Where do they turn?
Jays talking Santander
The Blue Jays are “continuing to talk to” free-agent slugger Anthony Santander, reports the New York Post, also noting that the Jays are “eyeing” Pete Alonso along with any available pitchers.
The basic takeaway is the Blue Jays are still trying to upgrade their ballclub here late in the offseason.
That lineup could certainly use some additional punch. After Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, there aren’t many reliable hitters.
Santander is a 30-year-old switch hitter who slashed .235/.308/.506 with 44 homers and 102 RBI last season. Alonso is a career .249/.339/.514 hitter who has averaged 43 homers and 112 RBI for every 162 games. Either (both?) would be a nice get for the Blue Jays.
Jays also looking for pitching
Though there’s plenty of disappointment in whiffing on Sasaki, the Blue Jays “remain involved” in the starting pitching market, per sportsnet.
The rotation doesn’t look too bad for the Blue Jays right now, with Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis forming a nice top four, but it couldn’t hurt to add.
Jack Flaherty is the top remaining free-agent pitcher, but some others who could help are also still unsigned, such as Max Scherzer, Nick Pivetta, Andrew Heaney and José Quintana.
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