MLB Rankings ratchet up the pressure for pair of Blue Jays free agents

The Toronto Blue Jays are enjoying the catbird seat. The Blue Jays took control of the AL East in early July and have had a difficult time relinquishing control. It has resulted in positive vibes emanating around Rogers Centre this season. The Blue Jays are molding into a dangerous team at just the right time and that bodes well for the free agents who are trying to post solid production in advance of free agency this winter.

MLB Rankings ratchet up the pressure for pair of Blue Jays free agents

MLB.com recently ranked players who are facing pressure to perform at their peak before they hit free agency and a pair of Blue Jays players are identified in this intriguing article.

The most prominent free agent on the Blue Jays is shortstop Bo Bichette. The 27-year-old, is enjoying the opposite season to his dismal 2024 campaign in which he struggled through injuries and under-performance. Bichette posted a .225./277/.322 in only 81 games last season for a 70 OPS+.

Just as the Blue Jays have executed a sharp turnaround, so too has Bichette. He is slashing .307/.350/.470 with 16 home runs, 86 RBIs and a 123 OPS+ over 131 games. It all adds up to a near-3.0 WAR campaign. While his defense isn't elite, his work at the position has been serviceable for a club that has posted much better defense this season.

Bichette has another month to continue adding to the lofty statistics and become a Blue Jay for life. Bichette is famously a player who raises his game in the month of September. The Blue Jays will need every ounce of his production to fend off not only the Boston Red Sox but also the New York Yankees in a loaded AL East.

Willy Adames earned a seven-year, $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants last winter at a slightly older age. One would have to figure Bichette's representatives would establish that number as the floor if their client does indeed reach free agency. If the bidding truly gets out of control, a contract north of $200 million could actually be on the table for the native of Florida.

Another high profile free agent facing pressure down the stretch of the regular season is Shane Bieber. Bieber faces the greatest volatility because of the circumstances surrounding his contract next season. In effect, Bieber will have to decide whether to opt out of a $16 million salary for next season and try to get a pay raise on the open market this winter.

Naturally, Bieber needs to pitch well in order to convince suitors that the 2020 AL CY Young Award winner is healthy after his layoff because of Tommy John Surgery. Bieber's first start since being acquired at the trade deadline against the Miami Marlins certainly raised expectations higher. Bieber's regular season results could matter less especially if he pitches well in the postseason.

The bottom line is that the Blue Jays have players who are motivated to perform well down the stretch. This is not a comfortable team of veterans simply looking to collect paychecks. It's a hungry group of players who are taking the field with a chip on their shoulder. The core of this team is still trying to experience what it feels like to win a postseason game! The more free agents feeling pressure is an optimal situation for the Blue Jays as they move into the final weeks of the regular season.