Blue Jays: Scott Boras confirms pursuit of top free agents

Super agent Scott Boras held his annual offseason state of the union address with the media yesterday and confirmed the Toronto Blue Jays are prepared to mark their mark on the free agent class.

The Blue Jays have been the talk of the offseason for their perceived interest in nearly any available free agent with a pulse. Unfortunately, they have only really signed pitcher Robbie Ray thus far so it was uncertain how much validity we should be putting into that plethora of rumours.

However, low and behold, Scott Boras confirms the Blue Jays are in pursuit of a group of players who could definitely add some talent to the core that is already in place. Here are a few quotes from his media address in regards to the Blue Jays.

"“They were ready and able last off-season, and this year they are able and assertive about what they want to get done.”"

"“I think they really feel this is a now time for them, and I said before that they built the lamp and now they’re looking for the right light bulbs,” he continued. “I think they’re in ready pursuit of a group of players that they think can be additions to the core that they built, and I think they’re very confident that those additions will lead them to levels that they haven’t been at for some time.”"

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I really enjoyed the comparison to the lamp where he offers that the brain trust built the lamp and are now looking for the right light bulbs for it. The agent had a few doozies yesterday also comparing his client Jackie Bradley Jr. to that of peanut butter and jam because he is “sweet, smooth and spreads all over.”

Just in case you were wondering, the Blue Jays have been reportedly interested in Bradley Jr. and would in all likelihood be the back-up plan should they fall short on George Springer.

Boras also addressed if Toronto is inherently behind the eight-ball in signing free agents due to being situated north of the border.

"“Once players are exposed to Toronto and they’re familiar with it, obviously it is a very cosmopolitan city, it’s very well-received.”"

Another interesting name linked to Boras is Canadian pitcher James Paxton. The 32-year old is fresh off an injury-prone 2020 season but there could be some mutual interest if the two sides can find some common ground contractually.

The British Columbia native made just five appearances last season but posted a respectable 3.82 earned run average in 29 starts with the New York Yankees in 2019.

It is anyone’s guess where the chips will fall in the coming weeks but it is nice to get some reassurance that the brain trust is at least playing in the same sandbox.