Blue Jays Rumors: This AL East rival wants Alex Bregman ‘badly’; Vlad not going anywhere

Spring training is here for all 30 MLB teams, and Alex Bregman has yet to decide which team he’ll join. Could that change soon?

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan put out a spring training free agency update (subscription required), which shed some light on Bregman’s free agency market and how it relates to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Could an Alex Bregman signing be imminent?

Passan’s report confirmed the Blue Jays are one of five clubs with strong interest in Bregman (along with the Tigers, Astros, Red Sox and Cubs) and that Red Sox manager Alex Cora wants Bregman “badly,” which makes sense considering Bregman played under Cora when he was the Astros’ bench coach.

That said, it remains to be seen if the Red Sox front office would financially support that interest, as Boston has spent just $52.3 million on free agents this winter.

The Red Sox aren’t the only Bregman suitor with a reason to pivot.

Both the Tigers and Cubs have prospects they can put at third base (Jace Jung and Matt Shaw, respectively). The Astros just traded for a third baseman (Isaac Parades). The Red Sox have Rafael Devers.

But, as Passan points out, the only factor in the Blue Jays’ pursuit of Bregman is financial. 

“The Blue Jays really have no excuse, beyond a luxury tax payroll already around $270 million that would leap into Steve Cohen tax territory with Bregman,” writes Passan.

While Bregman is still seeking a six-year deal, it remains to be seen if the Blue Jays (or any of the other interested clubs) would give it to him, considering the last two players to sign contracts of $150+ million in the February of a non-lockout season were Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

With spring training due to start, it remains to be seen how long Bregman will stick to his guns and ask for a long-term deal.

That’s not the only factor that could dictate a Bregman deal. Nolan Arenado has asked to be traded from the Cardinals and would waive his no-trade clause to end up with the Red Sox, per Passan.

But, like Bregman, Arenado ending up in Boston isn’t a guarantee since Red Sox ownership doesn’t appear to be willing to take on a big chunk of his three-year, $64 million contract. 

All this is to say that the market appears to be moving in the Blue Jays’ favor. It remains to be seen if Toronto’s ownership will pounce. 

Vlad’s not going anywhere

Elsewhere in his article, Passan touched on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and offered great news to Blue Jays across the world:

He’s not going anywhere.

"For those who think perhaps Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would become available if he can't come to terms on a contract extension before his Feb. 18 deadline: The Blue Jays continue to insist to other executives that the slugger isn't going anywhere. There is a price for everyone, yes, but Guerrero's would be exceptionally high,” writes Passan. 

While it remains to be seen if the Blue Jays will be able to reach a contract extension with Guerrero before Feb. 18, their reported lack of interest in trading Guerrero is at least one sign of good news when it comes to the slugger’s future in Toronto.