Juan Soto free company: Three explanation why shock suitor Blue Jays often is the good match

The Toronto Blue Jays tried to make a monster splash final offseason of their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. They didn’t land him after which had been one of the vital disappointing groups in baseball in 2024. Is that this offseason only a carbon copy, solely changing Ohtani’s identify with Juan Soto? Are Blue Jays followers in for one more tease? 

Toronto is already being floated as a shock contender for the famous person free agent. That stated, any pessimism from the fan base is completely comprehensible. I might nonetheless speculate that no less than each New York groups have a leg up on the Blue Jays right here, too. But it surely can’t be denied that the Jays are set as much as land Soto. It is sensible. 

Deep pockets/giant market

The Blue Jays have loads of cash. It ought to be frequent information. If it is not, their inclusion as a finalist for the companies of Ohtani final offseason ought to inform us all we have to know. They have been within the high 10 in payroll in every of the final three years and so they had been nonetheless bidding on Ohtani. So, once more, that claims quite a bit. 

They do have a number of gamers signed to long-term offers and have publicly expressed curiosity in figuring out extensions with each Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, however they don’t seem to be in dangerous form shifting ahead. In salaried gamers, they solely have $65.9 million dedicated to 2026 after which simply José Berríos’ $24.71 million in each 2027 and 2028. There’s truly room for Soto, Bichette and Guerrero there, if the entrance workplace is feeling aggressive. 

Let’s additionally maintain this in thoughts: Toronto is a megamarket. It ranks behind solely Mexico Metropolis, New York and Los Angeles in North American metropolitan space inhabitants (Chicago is fifth). 

Poised for a bounce again

Sure, the Blue Jays had been a significant disappointment final season, however that they had a lot go mistaken. Kevin Gausman’s spring coaching harm form of set the tone for the season. He had a tough first half earlier than returning to his outdated self after the All-Star break. He’ll probably be again to ace type in 2025. 

Assuming Gausman is again to his traditional ranges for the entire season, Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis observe him within the rotation for a reasonably good high 4. 

Bichette entered final season a carer .299/.340/.487 (126 OPS+) hitter. He posted 4.9 WAR in 2023. In 2024, he hit .225/.277/.322 (71 OPS+) with -0.3 WAR. He’s solely 26 years outdated. There’s each cause to imagine final yr was an injury-riddled outlier and Bichette is again to being a stud in 2025. 

Bichette being his outdated self together with Guerrero provides the Jays two game-changing stars within the lineup. Soto would clearly be a 3rd. 

Including the great model of Bichette again together with Soto and having a stout high 4 within the rotation ought to simply transfer the Jays from 74 wins into no less than the mid-80s. It is simply that easy. Bear in mind, nearer Jordan Romano goes to be again after elbow points ruined his 2024 season too. 

They would want to fill the roster round this group, clearly, however there are already loads of different good items. Daulton Varsho won’t ever stun you along with his batting common however he does every thing else very effectively. Alejandro Kirk has been an excellent hitter earlier than and is barely 26. Spencer Horwitz confirmed flashes of upside with the bat. 

Roster match

Juan Soto is such a expertise that any roster ought to work round him, however he is an ideal match for the Blue Jays proper now. There’s a gap in left area whereas George Springer is on his final legs in proper. Springer is barely signed by means of 2026 and will at all times be used as a DH. If the Blue Jays did signal Soto, the Opening Day lineup would possibly look one thing like this (and, take note, that is assuming no different outdoors additions): 

1. Bo Bichette, SS
2. Juan Soto, LF/RF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
4. Daulton Varsho, CF
5. George Springer, RF/LF
6. Spencer Horwitz, DH
7. Alejandro Kirk, C
8. Will Wagner, 2B
9. Ernie Clement, 3B

With a top quality rotation and Romano again anchoring the bullpen, that is a reasonably darn good lineup. 

The Blue Jays have an opportunity to show issues round fairly considerably one yr after a significant disappointment. 

Their followers will simply be hoping this is not one other tease.