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Blue Jays: Way Too Early 2021 Free Agent Targets

By Callum Belshaw

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets makes the throw to first base for the out in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets makes the throw to first base for the out in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Francisco Lindor

Francisco Lindor is a name that was tied to the Blue Jays a lot last offseason, and I think he will continue to be linked to the club until he signs a new contract, whether it be with the Mets or someone else.  The fit makes sense for both sides.  Lindor is familiar with Blue Jays management from their time together in Cleveland and he’s not from the United States, so should have less ties to the country preventing him from signing outside of it.

The fit for the Jays is that Lindor is one of the best players in baseball and you add those whenever you have the chance to.  Unlike last offseason, Lindor will be a free agent next winter so the Jays will only have to give up money to bring him in and not prospect capital.  Considering they were interested in acquiring the four time All-Star last offseason, I think it’s safe to say that their interest will remain the same if he does wind up a free agent.

Now I am a believer in Bo Bichette, and I think he has the tools to develop into an adequate shortstop or better.  Lindor may be the only player in baseball that I would be willing to move Bichette off of short for, due to his age, and abilities with both the glove and bat.  Bringing in Lindor would give the Jays an elite defender at shortstop and someone who’s a legit threat at the plate who can hit from both sides.

You would have to pay a pretty penny to get Lindor, which would presumably take you out of the pitching market, but bringing him in may make someone like Cavan Biggio more expendable and could make him part of a trade for a player like Luis Castillo.

The Jays should be interested in adding good baseball players and Lindor is just that.  Even though shortstop isn’t a huge need for the club at the moment , if the opportunity arises to sign Lindor, you don’t think twice about it and figure out where everyone plays later.

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