Blue Jays: Best Free Agent Fits in Positions of Need

2 of 3

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 07: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits his second solo home run of the game, against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in game four of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium on October 07, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /

The Blue Jays enter the 2019-2020 free agent market with plenty of payroll to work with. So, who are the best fits to fill the positions of need?

Before outlining the best free agent fits for the Blue Jays, it’s important to first note the positions that need an upgrade. Three glaring holes immediately come to mind: outfield, starting pitching, and first base. I’ll list the best possible, the most realistic, and the most intriguing free agent names that the Blue Jays can sign to fill their holes.

1. Outfield

Best: Marcell Ozuna, Nicholas Castellanos

Marcell Ozuna would solve a lot of problems for the Blue Jays. He’s an above-average hitter (112 career wRC+), plays good defense, and is young enough (29 in 2020) to be a part of the emerging core. In 2017, his best season, Ozuna batted .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs. The combination of high potential and high floor is the reason why he should be atop the Blue Jays’ wish list this winter.

Like Marcell Ozuna, Nicholas Castellanos will be a very popular name in free agency. He’s always been a good hitter, and he’s taken his offensive game to the next level in the last couple of years (126 wRC+). The one knock on Castellanos is that he’s a poor defensive outfielder. It’s why he should be below Marcell Ozuna in the list of free agent outfield options for the Blue Jays.

Marcell Ozuna was given a qualifying offer today. @mlbtraderumors has the Giants signing him for three years and $45 million pic.twitter.com/j0THIbDx3g
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) November 5, 2019

Realistic: Avisail Garcia

Given the lack of premium outfield options in the 2019-2020 free agent pool, the cost of signing Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos might end up being too rich for the Blue Jays. The next name that they might look to is Avisail Garcia. Garcia is a solid, albeit unspectacular outfielder. He’s also young and has shown potential for reaching that next level (4.2 fWAR in 2017). However, though Garcia might be the Blue Jays’ most realistic option, it’s hard to justify adding a short-term fix if it’s going to take away opportunities from guys like Anthony Alford and Derek Fisher.

Intriguing: Yasiel Puig

It doesn’t seem too long ago when the Yasiel Puig looked like an emerging superstar for the L.A. Dodgers. Though he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations, Puig remains a highly productive player. He’s never had a season where his wRC+ was under 100 or fWAR under 1.0. In 2020, Puig will still only be 29 years old. Given his tantalizing ceiling, the Blue Jays would be wise to keep an eye on Yasiel Puig’s market this winter.

CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 13: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

2. Starting Pitching

Best: Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg

Yeah, not happening.

Realistic: Jake Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson

Though Jake Odorizzi and Kyle Gibson aren’t the aces that fans would like, they are still very valuable pitchers. Odorizzi is coming off of his first All-Star selection, and Gibson is coming off a solid 2.6 fWAR season himself. Both pitchers are very similar in terms of talent: middle-of-the-rotation starters who you can trust every fifth day to give the team a chance to win. Gibson (32) is a bit older than Odorizzi (29) but won’t come with a qualifying offer attached. And, because of a lower ceiling, Gibson will likely command far less money than Odorizzi.

Intriguing: Alex Wood, Josh Lindblom

Alex Wood is the definition of a bounce-back candidate. From 2013 to 2018, Wood had a 3.29 ERA and 3.36 FIP in 803.1 innings of work. However, in 2019, Wood was uncharacteristically hit hard and finished the season with a 5.80 ERA and 6.38 FIP. His struggles appear to be injury-related as he missed the first half of the season with a back injury. Furthermore, Wood’s 2019 fastball velocity did not experience a decline.

The one concern with Wood would be his durability. He’s never pitched 200 innings in a season before and has only reached the 150 inning plateau four times in his seven year career. Still, Wood is reasonably young (29 in 2020), and his bounce-back potential should be very appealing for the Blue Jays. On a cheap, one or two year contract, Wood could be a perfect signing this off-season.

한국시리즈 1차전
[선발투수 예고]
10/22(화) 잠실 키움전 / KBS 2

두산: 린드블럼
키움: 요키시#doosanbears pic.twitter.com/DNG1wmGqFM
— 두산베어스 Doosan Bears (@doosanbears1982) October 22, 2019

Unlike the players mentioned above, Josh Lindblom is not a name that Blue Jays fans would be familiar with. That’s because Lindblom has pitched in the KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) since 2015. In a league that’s famous for its offence, Lindblom put up fantastic numbers: a 3.55 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 823.1 innings of work. And just last year, Lindblom had his best season yet, going 20-3 with a 2.50 ERA and 189-to-29 K/BB ratio.

Though he’ll be 33 in 2019, gambling on Lindblom wouldn’t be such a bad idea for the Blue Jays. If it works out, the Blue Jays would add a strong starter on a very reasonable contract. If it doesn’t work out, then the minimal commitment to Lindblom would not have a significant impact on the long-term payroll.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks off the field after his team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of the season in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 29, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

First Base

Best: Jose Abreu

Jose Abreu is a great first baseman, but he’s not a good fit for the Blue Jays. He’s a bit too old (33 in 2020), too expensive, and has declined the past two years.

More from Jays Journal

Realistic: Justin Smoak

One of the main reasons why Jose Abreu isn’t a good fit is because Justin Smoak is a free agent option. Smoak is the same age as Abreu, will cost less, and is highly respected in the Blue Jays clubhouse. The one concern with re-signing Smoak, or signing any free agent first baseman for that matter, is the possible timeshare dilemma that will arise with Rowdy Tellez‘s presence on the roster. And, though Smoak is a leader and can make positive contributions to the team, he’s too old to be a part of the future core. Would he accept a leadership role while only playing on a semi-regular basis? It’s a storyline to keep an eye on as the Blue Jays negotiate with Smoak this offseason.

Intriguing: Howie Kendrick

Howie Kendrick is coming off of a World Series championship. In 2019, his age 36 season, he was still electric as he batted .344/.395/.572 with 17 home runs in 121 games. Those offensive numbers were backed by an elite exit velocity (91.6 mph, 92nd percentile) and hard-hit percentage (48.3%, 94th percentile).

Next. Free agent game: How would you spend 35 million?. dark

Given Kendrick’s age, it’s hard to imagine he’ll ask for a big contract. If the price is right and Justin Smoak is off the market, then Kendrick should be a name that the Blue Jays pursue as their part-time first baseman and utility player, if he doesn’t choose to retire or return to the World Series champion Nationals.

Home / Toronto Blue Jays News