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Ranking each of the players named in The Athletic's top 13 Blue Jays free agent fits
Which current players in the free agent market would be a good fit for the Toronto Blue Jays heading into the 2024 season?
In a recent article posted by The Athletic (subscription required), they took an in-depth look at 13 position players currently in free agency, outside of Shohei Ohtani, that could be a potential fit with the Toronto Blue Jays. They predicted that the team’s priorities will strictly lie in the positions for third base, outfield, and designated hitter due to the departures of Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, and Brandon Belt respectively from the team.
Here, we rank the potential compatibility of these 13 aforementioned free agents by The Athletic with the ballclub heading into the 2024 MLB season.
#13 SS/2B Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson is a proven eight-year MLB veteran whose main strengths include hitting for a high average and providing some speed on the basepaths over the years. However, he mysteriously suffered a severe power drop-off in 2023 that saw him put up some horrific offensive numbers, including just a single home run and 25 RBI in over 123 games played. He also set career lows in batting average (.245) and OPS (.582) in the process.
Based on his career track record, the 2023 season for Anderson appears to be an extreme outlier that he surely should be able to bounce back from this upcoming season. However, given his primary playing position is shortstop, that position is currently occupied by Bo Bichette, who will be part of the Jays’ organization for the foreseeable future and beyond. He did express recently that he is open to playing at second base in addition to shortstop, but with the Jays likely to go with an internal option for that position, Anderson would not be a good fit for the Jays.
#12 DH/1B Joey Votto
After spending his entire professional baseball career making a name for himself with the Cincinnati Reds, wouldn’t it be great to have Joey Votto coming home to the Jays to finish off his career? It would be the Jays’ biggest Canadian free agent signing since Russell Martin back in 2014. However, gone are the days in which he would constantly put up a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 90 RBI on a yearly basis. In fact, Votto is coming off two consecutive, less-than-stellar seasons in which he hit close to the Mendoza line. Nevertheless, his 14 home runs and 38 RBI in just 65 games played last season (which projects out to 35 home runs and 95 RBI over a 162-game schedule) clearly showed that he could still get it done in terms of overall run production.
Bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to the clubhouse could potentially do wonders for a competitive and growing ballclub like the Jays. However, at the age of 40, the effectiveness of his play both at the plate and in the field could be seriously in doubt.
#11 OF Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham was one of the highly-coveted outfielders at the trade deadline this past season, as he ultimately landed in Arizona to aid in their run to the World Series. He has been a solid offensive contributor for much of his career, as he should be good for 15-20 home runs and 60-70 RBI per season despite turning 36 by Opening Day in 2024. The more intriguing statistic is the fact that he still has the wheels, as he stole 22 bases on 25 attempts in 2023, so he could provide that extra added element to the Jays’ game in addition to solid offence.
In terms of defence, Pham may not be winning a Gold Glove any time soon along with a somewhat limited range, but he has provided adequate defence overall in the outfield for his career. His main strength comes from the strong throwing arm that he possesses, as demonstrated by his 15 outfield assists in 2022 alone. However, from the above description, his defensive profile would resemble that of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. during his time when he was still with the Jays. As a result, it is hard to see the Jays pursuing a route that they have already ventured through in the past and may wish to experiment with something different instead.
#10 OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Speaking of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., he happens to be among the free agent outfielders available this offseason as well. Gurriel put together an All-Star season in 2023 with the Arizona Diamondbacks by posting career highs in run scored (65), doubles (35), home runs (24) and walks (33). However, he was often a streaky player during his time previously with the Jays, along with being on full display once again last season in Arizona despite his stellar season. On the other hand, he has taken great strides in improving his defensive game with 14 DRS and no errors committed in 95 starts in left field last year.
The Jays’ players would certainly welcome back the comradery of Gurriel so that they can go to battle together in their championship aspirations once again. But bringing him back would imply that the Jays’ front office did wrong in trading him away the past offseason and wanting to correct their mistake. But if it was meant to be for the better of the team, they should still do it, as rekindling team chemistry can go a long way in terms of building team success.
#9 DH/OF Joc Pederson
Best known for his head-to-head battle with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby, Joc Pederson has dropped off quite a bit offensively in the past few seasons, outside of his All-Star season in 2022. However, he was instrumental in helping the Atlanta Braves capture the World Series championship in 2021 after coming over from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. In 2023, Pederson posted a .235 average, along with a respectable .764 OPS, with 59 runs scored, 15 home runs and 51 RBI.
His defence left a lot to be desired as well, as in his past two seasons playing in the outfield, he has a combined -20 DRS with 5 errors in 151 games. As a result, to minimize his play in the field, his most suitable fit with the Jays would be in the DH spot in the lineup, but given his career numbers being a lot stronger against righties than lefties, the Jays may need to implement a platoon for the position for full effectiveness in the end.
#8 1B/3B/DH Justin Turner
Justin Turner has been one of the more consistent hitters in the major leagues throughout his career. One can count on him to deliver 20+ home runs and 80+ RBI per season, along with a strong batting average that hasn’t dipped below .270 since 2012. Last season, Turner even set a career high in runs batted in with 96 playing for the Boston Red Sox.
However, Turner will be 39 when Opening Day rolls around in 2024, so how much longer before father time finally catches up to him will be anyone’s guess. In addition, his days manning the third base position will likely be limited, after seeing him commit 3 errors and posting a -3 DRS in just seven games played at the position last year. As a result, if he were to join the Jays, it will be in the role of the designated hitter. A potential one-year deal would be the most ideal offer for a reliable veteran heading towards his twilight years, but he may be able to land a multi-year pact elsewhere.
#7 OF Teoscar Hernández
Another fan favourite back in his time with the Jays, Teoscar Hernández had a productive season with the Seattle Mariners in 2023 despite becoming a strikeout machine in the process. He hit .258 with 70 runs scored, 29 doubles, 26 home runs and 93 RBI in 160 games played. More importantly, he was a star when hitting with runners in scoring position, sporting a .300 average with 67 RBI in such situations. At just 31-years of age, he should have plenty left in the tank to provide consistent run production for the next few years, which is exactly what the Jays need to re-ignite their offence and improve their clutch hitting for 2024 and beyond.
However, Hernández’s defence still remains an adventure whenever he plays in the outfield, and could become more detrimental to the team as it regresses even more in the future. So if the Jays really want to give Hernández another go, it should be only in the role as the team’s designated hitter going forward. Similar to Gurriel, bringing Hernández back to town could make things a little awkward as he was traded away the past offseason as well. But if the Jays' number one goal this offseason was to bolster their offence, Hernández certainly fits the bill.
#6 OF Jung-Hoo Lee
Jung-Hoo Lee is a Korean star outfielder that played for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO this past year. Lee is looking to bring his talents to MLB this upcoming season, following the likes of Hyun Jin Ryu, Ha-Seong Kim and others previously in their transition over to North America. He is known to be a solid contact hitter that rarely strikes out. However, he has displayed very little power as outside of his outlier performance of 23 home runs in 2022, he has averaged only seven home runs per season in six of his seven years of professional baseball.
It may be difficult to predict how Lee’s game will translate in the major leagues. But he may just be worth the risk. The Jays are looking to add offence while not necessarily subtracting on defence, so someone like Lee could fit that bill in a big way.
#5 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario
Just to give an idea of what the current market is for third baseman, Jeimer Candelario represents the next best option behind Matt Chapman for the 2023-24 class. Candelario has been a solid offensive contributor in each of the past three seasons. He can be relied upon for close to 20 home runs and 60 RBI of production per season, while maintaining a batting average around .240. This past season, he set career highs in both home runs (22) and RBI (70).
His offensive production may mirror that of Chapman’s in his past two seasons with the Jays, but his defensive play will certainly pale in comparison to the four-time Gold Glover. If the Jays intend to use Candelario as a stop-gap solution until one of Orelvis Martinez or Addison Barger is ready to take over full-time duties at third base, then a short-term deal makes the most sense. But if Candelario is seen more as a long-term project at the hot corner, the Jays should stay away from him due to his low average, high strikeout rate, and passable defence.
#4 OF/DH Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler bounced back in 2023 in a big way after enduring one of his worst seasons in his career the previous year. In 2022, he hit only .207 with 13 home runs in 72 games before being sidelined for the rest of the season due to a back injury. This past season, he rebounded by batting .250 with a strong .853 OPS, along with 36 home runs and 75 RBI in 137 games played, helping to lead the Miami Marlins to their first postseason berth in three years.
Despite also being quite streaky throughout his career, Soler’s power and production would give the Jays the much-needed boost to their offence for 2024. However, with a career -55 DRS over 10 seasons in the outfield, his defensive abilities will be a far cry from what Kiermaier provided the ballclub. As a result, Soler would be best suited in the designated hitter position with the Jays, with the odd start in the outfield from time to time to help give the starters some rest.
#3 1B/DH Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins had a year to forget in 2023, as he tore his ACL on a defensive play during Spring Training that took him out for the entire season. That could put him at a disadvantage heading into free agency given the uncertainty and risk that could be still involved in his recovery. However, given his proven track record of putting up strong numbers over his six-year playing career in the majors, there is no doubt that he should remain a solid offensive contributor once fully recovered when the 2024 season comes around. If he could regain his dominant form prior to his injury, he could potentially be the best value pickup in free agency this offseason.
In a recent podcast by “The Baseball Insiders”, MLB insider Robert Murray even suggested that the Jays are the team to look out for in terms of the eventual landing spot for Hoskins. If it does indeed come to fruition, he won’t be taking over first base with Guerrero around. So if he were to join the Jays, it will be similar to the situation this past season for Brandon Belt, where he will primarily be a designated hitter, with occasional starts at first base to spell Guerrero. That scenario could be ideal for Hoskins as well, to minimize the burden he would have playing in the field following a year-long layoff from his ACL surgery to preserve his health.
#2 DH/OF J.D. Martinez
After suffering an unexpected power outage in 2022 in which he produced only 16 home runs and 62 RBI in 139 games played, J.D. Martinez returned to his usual consistent form for the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Impressively, he bounced back by almost doubling his totals with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in just 113 games played. His successful season helped the Dodgers capture their 11th NL West division title in the past 12 years.
Given his familiarity with the American League throughout his career in the past playing for the Astros, Tigers, and Red Sox, there should be no worries when it comes to his productivity and adaptability in moving back to the AL East to join the Jays. However, at this stage of his career, he should be mainly utilized as a designated hitter. In such case, he would represent a significant upgrade in terms of both contact hitting and power in comparison to the departed Belt.
#1 OF/1B Cody Bellinger
Perhaps one of the top free agents available this offseason aside from Ohtani and reliever Josh Hader, Cody Bellinger proved once again in 2023 that he could bring top-notch offensive production to any ballclub that ends up signing him. After all, he had a massive bounce back season with the Chicago Cubs that saw him smash 26 home runs, along with driving in 97 runs, while posting a career-best .307 batting average. His performance resembled his dominant form shown back in his early years with the Dodgers in which he captured both NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP honours.
Bellinger would be a perfect fit for the Jays, both in the lineup and on the field. With the Jays struggling for much of the 2023 season hitting in the clutch with runners in scoring position, Bellinger excelled in that category, hitting a stellar .323 with an .898 OPS, six home runs and 71 RBI. In addition, he would fit in seamlessly into the center field position, replacing Kiermaier while keeping Daulton Varsho in left field. Or if the Jays really wanted to, they could move Varsho to center and have Bellinger in left field where he had seen action before earlier in his career. Either way, Bellinger can provide solid outfield defence as a former Gold Glove winner back in 2019. The main part now would be can the Jays entice him to join the team for 2024 and beyond.