5 players the Blue Jays need to sign ASAP now that Cody Bellinger is off the market

Throughout the 2023-24 offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays had been looking to add some power bats to their lineup to enhance their offensive potential for the upcoming season. So far, they have managed to grab one solid, run-producing, everyday bat in veteran Justin Turner, but they shouldn’t just stop there. As the free agency market quickly began to ramp up, many prolific hitters were snatched up by other contending teams, including most recently perhaps the best free agent hitter still available at the time in former NL MVP Cody Bellinger.

With Bellinger now off the market, there are now just slim, yet still solid pickings that remain for the Jays to recruit. As a result, this is where the Jays need to act fast now before the market completely dries up. Let's take a look at 5 free agents that are still available that would fit the Jays’ ultimate goal of injecting some power and offense into their 2024 roster.

Robbie Grossman

As an MLB veteran of 11 years, outfielder Robbie Grossman would make for an intriguing addition for the Jays. Grossman is just three years removed from his career-best season back in 2021 with the Tigers when he set personal bests in runs scored (88), hits (133), home runs (23), RBI (67), walks (98), and total bases (231). However, he has regressed a bit the past couple of seasons, including in 2023 where he batted just .238 with a .734 OPS, 56 runs scored, 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 49 RBI in 115 games played.

The Blue Jays shouldn’t let that fact deter them in pursuing Grossman, because his role on the team would essentially be a platoon role with Daulton Varsho in the outfield given his extreme splits. Grossman is a career .282 hitter with an .808 OPS against left-handed pitching, compared to just .229 with a .692 OPS versus right-handed pitching. He could also see time in right field when George Springer needs an off day or the DH role on days Turner is given a rest day or plays in the field to keep his power bat in the lineup. As a result, Grossman would be a valuable option whenever the opposition sends a southpaw to the mound.