The Toronto Blue Jays have already made some aggressive moves this winter, landing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rigers. However, they also reportedly have their hand in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes.
Tucker has reportedly already visited the Blue Jays’ facility in Florida. He is the best free agent available right now, and many experts see the Blue Jays as favorites to land him. However, what will be the Blue Jays’ plan if they cannot land him?
Any answer seemingly starts with Bo Bichette. He is a homegrown star and has noted he wants to stay in Toronto. If the Blue Jays don’t spend on Tucker, they could put that money toward Bichette. However, they clearly have a desire to upgrade in the outfield and could pivot to a different star on the market.
Cody Bellinger could be a great fit for the Blue Jays, and according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, he is seen as a “fallback plan” for the Blue Jays if they fail to sign Tucker. Bellinger could be a great fit, especially if the Yankees are the team that signs Tucker.
Prediction: Blue Jays sign Bo Bichette to a six-year, $170 million deal and Cody Bellinger to a six-year, $180 million deal
Missing out on Tucker would obviously sting, but he could have cost the Blue Jays north of $400 million in total value. Instead, they could sign both Bellinger and Bichette, solidifying their infield while also adding a superstar in the outfield. Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 last season and hit 29 home runs, the most he’s hit in a season since his 2019 MVP campaign.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays know exactly what they are getting in Bichette. A contact-oriented hitter who puts the ball in play and racks up hits. He was leading all of baseball in hits prior to his knee sprain last season. His defense is not great, but the Blue Jays could move him to second base and shift Andrés Giménez to shortstop.
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