3 remaining free agent bats that makes sense for the Blue Jays as a last-minute add 

During this offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays offense took a huge hit when they ultimately lost Bo Bichette to the New York Mets in free agency. Nevertheless, the Blue Jays fully expected a healthy returning Anthony Santander to bounce back this coming season to help make up for a lot of the offensive void left by the departed star shortstop.

However, when it was recently learned that Santander will be out for the next five to six months due to surgery on his left shoulder, it has left the Blue Jays in a deep hole once again for their offensive attack going forward. As a result, it makes sense for Toronto to potentially make a last-minute add for a power bat to boost their lineup while Santander is out.

3 remaining free agent bats that makes sense for the Blue Jays as a last-minute add 

Nathaniel Lowe

If the Blue Jays cared only about replacing the offensive numbers, Nathaniel Lowe would be an intriguing add for the team. After all, Lowe has compiled a career .264 average with a .771 OPS, while averaging 77 runs scored, 21 home runs and 80 RBIs over a full 162-game schedule pace per season. Certainly not Bichette-type numbers, but respectable enough to make up for a fair chunk of it. More importantly, Lowe has mashed right-handed pitching as a lefty, posting a career OPS close to .800 against righties.

The main caveat though is the fact that the 30-year-old plays primarily at first base or in the DH slot. Of course, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won’t be moving from first any time soon, meaning Lowe would need to fit in as a designated hitter, pushing an aging George Springer back into the outfield on a more permanent basis. However, if it significantly enhances the Blue Jays offensive potential for 2026, it may be a move that they need to risk taking.

Jesse Winker

Another more ideal fit for the Blue Jays is 32-year-old outfielder Jesse Winker. His name might not scream elite, but he was a former All-Star back in 2021 with the Cincinnati Reds when he posted career highs in batting average (.305), OPS (.949), runs (77), doubles (32), home runs (24) and RBIs (71). Even though his production may have decreased in recent years, Winker has still managed to maintain a career .261 average, .802 OPS, along with close to 20 home runs and 70 RBIs per season over a full schedule pace.

More interestingly, he suddenly developed some hidden speed with 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts during his 2024 campaign after turning 30. Having missed the bulk of the 2025 MLB season with the Mets due to injuries, Winker should be refreshed and ready to go once again in 2026 with hopes to rediscover at least some of his solid form from 2024. In addition, as a lefty bat, he would help provide balance in the Blue Jays lineup.

Michael Conforto

As one of their offseason targets a few years ago, Toronto could finally make 2025 World Series champion Michael Conforto a Blue Jay this time around. Conforto may be coming off one of his worst seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year where he amassed just a .199 average, .637 OPS, 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 138 games played. But he is just one year removed from his solid 2024 campaign with the San Francisco Giants in which he registered a .237 average, .759 OPS, together with 56 runs scored, 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 130 games of action.

As a former star player that topped 33 home runs and and 92 RBIs, obviously the Blue Jays shouldn’t expect him to produce at those astronomical numbers anymore at age 33 entering the 2026 season. But Conforto should be good for 20+ home runs and 60+ RBIs while providing decent defense in the field with his career .986 fielding percentage in the outfield.

More significantly, just like his predecessors above, he is also a righties masher, with a career .811 OPS against right-handed pitching. Given that Conforto has accepted a semi-reserve, platoon role in recent years, he would fit in the Blue Jays outfield rotation perfectly until Santander makes it back later this season.