5 reunions the Blue Jays absolutely cannot pursue during the 2024-25 offseason

Previously, we had taken a look at some former Toronto Blue Jays players who would be a great fit returning to town through free agency this offseason. Not only do we believe that they would be valuable pickups for the Jays, they could even be potential difference makers for the club right away in the 2025 season.

However, not all of the former Blue Jays currently available on the free agent market this offseason fall under that category. In fact, there are some who Toronto might be better off without if they intend to return to contention for the upcoming season.

As a result, here we will take a look at five potential reunions that the Jays absolutely cannot pursue in free agency during this 2024-25 offseason.

5 reunions the Blue Jays absolutely cannot pursue during the 2024-25 offseason

Yan Gomes, C

Once a promising catching prospect within the Jays’ system, the career of Yan Gomes did not officially take off until after joining the Cleveland Indians in a surprising trade during the 2012-13 offseason. With the ability to put up double-digit home runs and close to 50 RBI while hitting for a decent average each season predominantly in a platoon role, Gomes became a force to be reckoned with in the league over the course of many seasons.

As a former All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, Gomes has managed to provide some consistent offensive production on a yearly basis, right up until this past year. Coming off a solid 2023 campaign in which he batted .267 with a .723 OPS, 44 runs scored, 20 doubles, 10 home runs and 63 RBI with the Chicago Cubs, they were expecting more of the same heading into the 2024 season.

However, Gomes suffered a power outage, along with a severe drop in his overall production numbers, as he hit a dismal .154 with a .421 OPS, with just seven runs scored, two home runs and seven RBI in his first 34 games of the season. Miguel Amaya eventually took over the starting catcher’s role full-time, while Gomes ended up being designated for assignment by the Cubs in June. Tomás Nido took his place on the roster as Gomes would be subsequently released from the organization.

With the Jays having a current catching tandem of Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman that could be up for debate heading into the 2025 season, they could easily use a solid upgrade at the position to help Kirk handle the load going forward. But at age 37 along with his steep decline this past season, Gomes will no longer be the answer to that question mark.