Blue Jays: The five free agents least likely to sign in Toronto

Bitter feelings from the past?

Back during the Jose Bautista era, the Blue Jays developed a few great rivalries with other AL teams. Part of that was the result of their being a contender for a few years, and mutual disdain was born between teams like the Rangers after meeting in the playoffs two years in a row.

Of course, it wasn’t just the Rangers that developed a rivalry with the Blue Jays and Bautista, and there’s one pending free agent that likely wouldn’t be thrilled about the idea of signing in Toronto. That would be Darren O’Day, who had a solid 2020 campaign with the Atlanta Braves, posting a 1.10 ERA and a 0.796 WHIP over 19 appearances. If the Braves don’t bring him back, there will be interest in the soon-to-be 38 year old’s services this winter.

Will that be in Toronto? I sincerely doubt it for a few reasons. One, the Jays seem to prefer relievers that fit a different profile than the side-winding O’Day, who is generally limited to one inning these days, and doesn’t throw particularly hard. That obviously hasn’t stopped him from getting great results, but I’d be surprised to see the Blue Jays pursue him unless there was a bargain to be had, which likely won’t be the case after his productive 2020 season.

More importantly, I sincerely doubt that O’Day would want to join the Blue Jays unless they were the clear leader with a contract offer. It sounds petty, but big moments like what happened between Bautista and O’Day can stick with some players, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the former Orioles’ memories at the Rogers Centre in Toronto aren’t that fond.

To be honest, I likely shouldn’t even have included O’Day on this list, as I expect that the Braves will exercise their 3.5 million dollar option on him for 2021. However, it’s fun to dig up old memories like the rivalry with Bautista. For that reason and more, don’t expect to see O’Day joining the Blue Jays’ bullpen this winter.