The $200 million Alex Bregman sweepstakes is taking over baseball. There are only a few teams left who could realistically sign the infielder and none of those teams are the Houston Astros.
Instead, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has revealed who he believes to be the top three in the Bregman sweepstakes: the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. Surprisingly, Nightengale revealed the Blue Jays were showing the strongest interest in Bregman.
“Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been vocal in his desire to sign him, and the team has spent only $52.5 million,” Nightengale wrote. “Yet, with Rafael Devers not wanting to move from third base, Triston Casas at first base, and Vaughn Grissom and top infield prospects on the way at second base, GM Craig Breslow is hesitant.
“The Detroit Tigers, with manager A.J. Hinch lobbying for him, certainly have an opening. The Toronto Blue Jays, who continue to be left at the altar among free agents, have shown the strongest interest, but just how much more do they have to pay him than the next highest bidder with their high tax rates and distance from his home in Phoenix?”
The Blue Jays haven’t been as closely connected to Bregman as the Tigers or Red Sox have been over the last few weeks. But Toronto has a lot of money to spend and it needs to add talent however possible.
I’d expect to see the Blue Jays in on Bregman as well as Pete Alonso and the other top free agents. If they don’t add serious talent before opening day, they’re going to be in the basement of the loaded American League East.
Toronto Blue Jays reportedly showing interest in former New York Mets pitcher
The Blue Jays have a ton of issues with their bullpen as Alek Manoah will not be back until halfway through the season at best and the team is looking to move Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen for 2025.
The Blue Jays are closing in on free agent Jose Quintana
While the starting pitcher free-agent market has lost some of its best talent in the last couple weeks, there is still a few solid options left for the Blue Jays, and Jose Quintana in one of them.
According to MLB insider Hector Gomez, the Blue Jays are very interested in acquiring Quintana as he is still a free agent that would be a great fit in Toronto.
According to a report from Hector Gomez, the Toronto Blue Jays are showing interest in veteran left-hander Jose Quintana. -Farkas
Quintana is coming off a solid season in New York where he finished with a 10-10 record along with a 3.75 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 170 innings pitched.
Quintana, 35, will turn 36 before the end of January. He made 31 starts last season for the New York Mets, helping them advance to the National League Championship Series. He went 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA, tossing 170.1 innings and striking out 135. -Farka
If the Blue Jays were to sign Quintana, he would likely fight into their number five slot in the rotation behind Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Bowden Francis.
For the Blue Jays, Quintana would figure to slot into the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis seem to have the top four spots on lock. If Quintana joins them, it would probably bump right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to the bullpen. -Farkas
