Blue Jays: Rumour train is just leaving the station post-lockout

While the past few months have been dreadful given the lockout and subsequent jarring between the league and the union, with a CBA now signed off and Major League transactions back on the table, these past few days have been like a major holiday of sorts. Free agents are starting to come off the board and a few teams have even made some trades and for the Toronto Blue Jays, the rumour train is at an all-time high and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

For starters, former Jays GM Alex Anthopolous, fresh off a World Series win with the Atlanta Braves, pulled off a massive trade that saw Athletics first baseman Matt Olson make his way to Georgia and a bevy of prospects head to the West coast (in true A.A. style). More importantly, this pretty much signalled the end for Freddie Freeman and his time with the Braves, which has Jays fans savouring at the opportunity of seeing the slugging first baseman suit up North of the border.

Insiders from across the league have stated that the Jays were interested in Freeman even before the lockout back in late November, with the slugger having ties to “our home and native land” as both of his parents were born in Ontario. Those rumours piqued earlier this afternoon when former big leaguer Carlos Baerga put out an Instagram post stating that he believes that Freeman will be signing with the Blue Jays either today or tomorrow. While this isn’t Jeff Passan or Ken Rosenthal level of insider info, Baerga did post about how Marcus Semien would sign with the Blue Jays last offseason and the Yimi Garcia deal back in November, so I wouldn’t be so quick to brush off his predictions/posts.

https://twitter.com/timandfriends/status/1503467610729496576

Adding Freeman to the roster would cost some significant cap space (something Rogers could afford to cover if they so choose) and while he wouldn’t necessarily be taking over a weak spot on the roster at first base, his left-handed bat and Gold Glove calibre defense drastically improves the Blue Jays World Series odds and makes them a top contender in the American League East. It should also be worth noting that Freeman is represented by Excel Sports Management, the same company that reps current Jays’ outfielder George Springer.

On top of the Freeman news, the Blue Jays are also reportedly interested in first baseman/outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who posted a strong 2021 campaign to put himself on the radar of any club looking for a strong lefty bat.

The offseason hot stove is at an all-time high for the Blue Jays, as the club is currently linked to free agents Freddie Freeman and Kyle Schwarber.

Adding Schwarber also makes the Blue Jays one of the most feared clubs in the AL, especially since he adds some depth from the left-side, an area the Jays are lacking at the moment. Factor in that he can play the outfield, and the Blue Jays could use some of their depth at the position to take a run at trading for a third baseman like Matt Chapman or Jose Ramirez. Should I also mention that Schwarber is represented by, you guessed it, Excel Sports Management?

Right now, the hot stove is at the boiling point as Blue Jays fans are clamouring about the possibility of adding a strong lefty bat before Opening Day rolls around. With the club poised to be a playoff contender over the next few years given the young dynamic core, adding a veteran like Freeman or Schwarber, along with the prior additions of Yimi Garcia, Kevin Gausman, and Yusei Kikuchi this offseason, is the type of move that separates a Wild Card team from an ALCS contender.

Question is, can the Jays convince either one to come North of the border? Maybe both (let’s get a bit crazy shall we)?

Buckle up Blue Jays fans, these next few days are about to get really interesting.