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Every Single 2020 Free Agent the Blue Jays could be Interested in

By Reuben Gasee

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 29: General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays poses with new manager Charlie Montoyo who was introduced to members of the media and president Mark Shapiro on October 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park on September 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox won 5-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 08: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a game against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park on September 8, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox won 5-2. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

J.T. Realmuto

J.T. Realmuto is arguably the best catcher in the modern era to hit the open market as a free agent. There was Joe Mauer, but he never became a free agent as he spent his whole career with the Minnesota Twins and agreed to an extension with that organization before his contract was up.

Realmuto is both good behind and at the plate, and since there are very few catchers who are dual threats, he will be in high demand. He is apparently seeking a contract similar to Paul Goldschmidt’s, which he signed for five years and $130 million. He will also look to have the highest annual average value (AAV) ever given out to a catcher, which this title currently belongs to Mauer with an AAV of $23 million a year.

This past season, he slashed .266/.349/.491 with 11 home runs in 47 games. In 2019, he played in 145 games and put up a slash line of .275/.328/.493 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and 148 hits in 145 games.

In his career, he’s slashed .278/.328./.455 with 95 home runs, 156 doubles and 749 hits in 732 games played. He can also run as he has 44 career stolen bases, which is especially good for a catcher.

Behind the dish, he has a fielding percentage of .993 and catches runners stealing at a rate of 35.8%. He also has experience playing first base where he has yet to make an error at that position.

He has a few career accolades to his name as he’s a two time All-Star, has two Silver Slugger awards, and was a Gold Glove recipient in 2019.

All that said, there are still reasons why signing him may not be the best idea for the Blue Jays.

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