Blue Jays lose star left-hander to Yankees and turn attention to other arms

The MLB Winter Meetings are moving smoothly along with blockbuster deals left and right. The Blue Jays appear to be just missing out on the action as they lost a bidding war to another star player. First it was Juan Soto signing with the Mets, but now it is Max Fried, who is signing an eight year deal worth $218 million with the New York Yankees.

Toronto was indeed interested in the star left handed pitcher from the Atlanta Braves, along with the Red Sox, but he ultimately decided to join New York. The Blue Jays remain active in the pitching department, looking for a guy that can immediately improve the starting rotation. Still, it's hard to ignore the fact that their top targets are coming off the board at an alarming rate.

Blue Jays miss out on Max Fried, who signs a massive contract with the Yankees

Fried would have been at the front of the Blue Jays rotation after delivering a 3.25 earned run average, a WHIP of 1.16, and 166 strikeouts across 174.1 innings in 2024. On another note, him being left handed would have provided Toronto a big boost because they currently are without a southpaw in the projected rotation.

Now they have to look elsewhere for another starter, but there could be another ace caliber arm that the Blue Jays target. MLB Insider, Ken Rosenthal believes that Toronto will make a strong offer to Corbin Burnes. In 2024, Burnes posted an earned run average of 2.92 with 181 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.10 through 194.1 innings. That should be Toronto's number one target now that they missed out on Fried, despite him being another expensive right hander.

This offseason race in the American League East is continuing to get tighter. The majority of the teams in the division awaited the decision of Soto, but now all of them have stormed ahead of the Blue Jays this offseason. Toronto did add Yimi Garcia to a two-year deal and acquired Andres Gimenez and Nick Sandlin from the Guardians, which is a great start, but it is not enough.

To be a competitor in 2025, the Blue Jays must continue to target these top players in free agency. Missing out on Fried hurts, but they should not give up. The front office is proving they are willing to spend money this offseason and they must keep offering it out to these big time players.