5 players the Blue Jays will wish they had acquired this offseason

In recent weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays had their sights set on some big name players, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and even Juan Soto. However, they came away empty-handed despite their valiant efforts. In doing so, the Jays may have inadvertently missed out on some key players that were at one time available during this offseason. These players could have played an important role on their 2024 roster had they chose to take them into consideration.

As a result, we take a look at five players the Jays will wish they had gone after this offseason who have now joined other teams since.

DH/C Mitch Garver

With news on the Brandon Belt front as quiet as a mouse, it is looking more and more likely that the Jays will not be getting him back as their designated hitter for the 2024 season. While they have waited patiently on addressing their DH spot this offseason, one prime target came off the board in Mitch Garver, who recently signed with the Mariners. Garver would have been a great fit for the Jays with his ability to hit for both power and average at the same time. As a catcher by trade, he also would've provided some necessary insurance at the position after seeing both Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk endure in some injury woes in recent years.

Garver broke out in 2019 with the Twins when he hit .273 with a stellar .995 OPS, to go along with 31 home runs and 67 RBI. His impressive performance enabled him to capture his first Silver Slugger. Last season with the Rangers, he mustered 19 home runs and 50 RBI in just 87 games, while adding another 3 home runs and a whopping 15 RBI in 14 games in the playoffs to help the team win the World Series for the first time ever.

More importantly, Garver was money when hitting with runners in scoring position for 2023, as he batted .306 with a .981 OPS, 5 home runs and 34 RBI in such situations. Even more impressive was that fact he was even more clutch when hitting with two outs with RISP, going 11-for-31 for a .355 average, 1.169 OPS and 19 RBI in the process. Garver would have addressed the Jays’ lack of productivity in the clutch, which has ailed them for much of the past couple of seasons, but that opportunity is no longer available now.