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The Toronto Blue Jays are in the throes of yet another offseason of coming in second place for most of their free agent targets.
The Roki Sasaki and Juan Soto chases, among many others, ended brutally for Toronto, but the team's luck began to turn with the acquisition of longtime Oriole and 44-homer slugger Anthony Santander. On Jan. 23, a flurry of rumors about Pete Alonso and Max Scherzer let Jays fans think they'd get lucky again.
Tim Healey of Newsday Sports reported that Alonso and the Blue Jays were in "deep talks," and the two sides are progressing toward a deal. Other rumors accompanied Healey's report as well. But Jays fans' excitement didn't last long.
Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet quickly reported that there is no momentum toward a deal for either Alonso or Scherzer.
Nicholson-Smith later clarified that Toronto is still interested in both players, but the talks between the parties are "not progressing." The Blue Jays are in the mix for Alonso and Scherzer, but any potential deals between them still seem far off.
Blue Jays' talks with Pete Alonso, Max Scherzer not progressing as fast as some reports claim
Lots out there today. Pete Alonso & Max Scherzer could be fits for the Blue Jays in time.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 23, 2025
But sources tell @shidavidi & me that there’s no momentum toward a deal on either player right now. Wouldn't be accurate to say talks are progressing.
After the Jays posted a losing season and a last-place record in the American League East in 2024, the team needs to go above and beyond to get out of the basement and hold onto its stars. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are impending free agents, and winning in 2025 could be critical to keeping them in Blue Jays uniforms for the foreseeable future. Guerrero set a hard deadline at the start of spring training to sign an extension with Toronto, and add Alonso and Scherzer could show the commitment to winning needed to convince Guerrero to stay.
Guerrero and Alonso could be a deadly combination in Toronto's batting order. Guerrero's all-around capabilities, combined with Alonso's power presence, could create a well-oiled machine atop the order. The two players combined for 64 homers last season, and if Santander can maintain his 2024 production, they could give the Jays a much-needed lift en route to contention in a competitive AL East.
But for now, temper your expectations, Jays fans. It seems we're still a ways off before that news officially hits the timeline.