Blue Jays: Exorbitant asking prices holding up the market

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 2: Pitcher Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds smiles after a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers during game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on August 2, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 2: Pitcher Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds smiles after a 4-0 win over the Detroit Tigers during game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on August 2, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly had an interest in nearly every viable free agent candidate this offseason, however, exorbitant asking prices appear to be stalling free agency.

According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, pitcher Trevor Bauer is seeking a multi-year deal in the five or six year range that is north of $36-$40 million per season. That monstrous asking price may difficult to attain for a guy that had a 4.48 earned run average in 2019.

In his nine-year career, Bauer has only had an earned run average under 4.00 on two occasions and one of those is the pandemic shortened 2020 season where he won the National League Cy Young award with a 1.73 earned run average.

Bauer would definitely improve the Blue Jays starting rotation but it is a hard no for me at $40 million per season. Give me two Hyun Jin Ryu‘s at that price.

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Yesterday, it was reported that the Blue Jays and the Mets are still the front runners to land George Springer. There are reportedly multiple offers on the table for Springer in the $100 million dollar range but the latest reports have Springer seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $150 million and negotiations could drag on for another month.

Springer would solidify the Toronto outfield but they will need to outbid the deep pocketed Mets and up their offer if the former Astro is going to come north of the border this offseason.

Free agent infielder DJ LeMahieu is also seeking a deal worth $100 million and although he has been linked back to the Yankees, they are apparently $25 million apart in negotiations. The Jays have targeted LeMahieu all offseason but it appears he is using them as negotiating leverage to force the Yankees hand into upping their offer.

The San Diego Padres opted to circumvent the free agent market with the exception of Ha-Seong Kim by acquiring both Blake Snell and Yu Darvish in two separate blockbuster trades.

Next. Blue Jays: Potential under the radar free agent targets. dark

As we round into the New Year, the top free agents still remain and it is anyone’s guess where or how the market will play out.