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4 positions the Blue Jays need to invest in during free agency
By Edward Eng
When the 2023 MLB season concludes, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to have five players enter free agency. This includes Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Belt, Jordan Hicks, and Hyun Jin Ryu. There could also possibly be up to three more players heading to free agency, as Yimi García has a player option, Chad Green has a club option, and Whit Merrifield has a mutual option. As a result, there’s a big potential for a lot of moving parts during the upcoming offseason for the ballclub.
It is essential that the Jays spend wisely to ensure that they can put out an optimal lineup on the field when the 2024 season starts. To do so, they must make critical yet important decisions with regards to which positions they need to invest in, and which positions they could settle with a more economical, internal option.
In terms of fielding positions that appear to be set in stone already, Bo Bichette will be at shortstop, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk at catcher, with Daulton Varsho and George Springer in two of the outfield positions. Starting pitching has four of the five slots filled with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi and José Berríos. The bullpen will likely be armed with the return of Jordan Romano, Tim Mayza, Trevor Richards, Génesis Cabrera and Erik Swanson.
With that in mind, here we will examine the four areas the Blue Jays will probably need to invest in during free agency to make certain that they can remain a competitive ballclub for the coming season and the near future.