Featured Video
Tolle's Immaculate Inning โ›ฝ
New York Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu prepares to take batting practice before Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu prepares to take batting practice before Game 3 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Matt Slocum/Associated Press

MLB Rumors: Justin Turner, DJ LeMahieu Among Blue Jays' Free-Agent Targets

Adam Wells
Nov 24, 2020

Coming off a surprise playoff appearance in 2020, the Toronto Blue Jays could be looking to make a big splash in free agency.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Blue Jays are pursuing free agents at a "breakneck pace," withย DJ LeMahieu, Justin Turner, George Springer and Michael Brantley among the players they have interest in.

The Blue Jays are in a prime position to sign at least one marquee free agent, as their core is built around young players coming off mostly strong seasons and under team control for multiple years.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Rowdy Tellez and Teoscar Hernandez are all going to be 28 or younger at the start of next season andย postedย an OPS+ of at least 115 in 2020.

It's not surprising to see Toronto's front office looking at third basemen, as the Blue Jays only got a .210/.281/.347 slash line from the hot corner.

LeMahieu is the best hitter from that group of free agents, as he led MLB with a .364 batting average and had an AL-high .421 on-base percentage for the New York Yankees.ย It could be difficult for the Blue Jays to lure him away, though, asย Ken Davidoffย of theย New York Postย noted the 32-year-old "prefers to remain in the New York area."

Turner could come with a lower price tag than LeMahieu or Springer as a 36-year-old free agent, and he posted an excellent .307/.400/.460 line in 42 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Springer is arguably the best free agent available, as he's a capableย defensiveย center fielder who has hit .270/.361/.491 with an average of 25 homers per season since 2014.ย 

Brantley continues to quietly put up great numbers no matter where he plays, as the four-time All-Star hit .300/.364/.476 in 46 games for the Houston Astros last season.

The Blue Jays made the playoffs in 2020 with a 32-28 record but finished behind the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in the AL East. Since both teams figure to remain contenders next season, Toronto knows it can't coast in the offseason.

Tolle's Immaculate Inning โ›ฝ