4 of the Blue Jays' best backup plans if they miss out on Juan Soto

If they can't get Soto, who should the Blue Jays turn to for Plan B?

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Alex Bregman, 3B

As the best third base option in free agency, Alex Bregman would be a massive upgrade for any contender that manages to pick him up this offseason. Bregman sports an impressive resume so far in his MLB career, as he has been a two-time All-Star, former MVP finalist and Silver Slugger winner, along with capturing two World Series titles along the way. Just for good measure, he proved this past season that he could get it done on the field as well by winning his first-ever Gold Glove Award.

Bregman has also shown to be quite consistent in terms of offensive production during his past three seasons, averaging more than 79 runs scored, 23 home runs and 75 RBI all while batting close to .260 in the process. If it hadn’t been for a strained left quadriceps injury that ended up keeping him out for over two months in 2021, it would have been even four straight seasons with such offensive production.

Bregman had been a massive impact player during the MLB postseason for his career. In 99 career playoff games, he has scored a whopping 63 runs along with registering 88 hits, 17 doubles, 19 home runs, 54 RBI, 53 walks and 64 strikeouts. With two championship titles under his belt, he knows exactly what to do to make a team a winner.

That breadth of postseason experience, together with his solid production on the biggest stage when his team needs him most is exactly what the Jays need to take them to the next level. Especially after their early playoff exits in three of the past five seasons.

Both Buster Olney of ESPN and more recently Mark Feinsand of MLB.com have named the Blue Jays as a potential landing spot for Bregman. Although Toronto hasn’t been in hot pursuit of the star third baseman just yet, any deviations in their plans to land Soto should quickly make them pivot to this can’t-miss difference-maker at the hot corner. Nevertheless, initiating preliminary talks with Bregman and his camp would be a wise move to ensure that any potential sudden pivot would go smoothly.

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