HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 01: George Springer #4 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 01, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t been shy about changing up the roster after reaching Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shortly after their season ended with an American League pennant but short of a championship, the Blue Jays emerged as the busiest team of the winter. They have already welcomed back former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber and added free agent Cody Ponce to the rotation.
But their biggest move, which marked the largest free agent commitment in franchise history, was the announcement of a seven-year, $210 million contract for frontline starter Dylan Cease. And the fact that they made such a large commitment so early in the offseason suggests much more could be to come.
“The Jays almost certainly aren’t done,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “They’ve been loosely linked to Kyle Tucker and have interest in re-signing Bo Bichette.”
On Wednesday, the team’s link to Tucker grew a bit stronger with FanSided’s Robert Murray reporting that the superstar outfielder visited the Blue Jay’s training facility in Florida. And as the team’s pursuit of Tucker heats up, one of the Blue Jays’ veteran players spoke out about his team’s busy free agency period.
“Our team was special and is special to me,” George Springer said, according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “There’s a lot that goes into playing this game. For guys to want to come here and to want to sign up for as long as they have, it means a lot to us and shows who they are, as well.”
Springer’s message seemed directed primarily at Cease, given his seven-year commitment to sticking with the Blue Jays. But his emphasis on the special nature of the club could be a bit of a recruiting line for any of the other free agents on the market who might be making their decision in the near future.
When it comes to Tucker, the most coveted player available, a decision will most likely come down to some intangibles between identical, top-dollar contract offers. After missing out on premier free agents like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in recent years, the Blue Jays could be prepared to offer Tucker a top-tier contract and could be banking on the “special” nature of their organization to push a deal over the finish line.
If Tucker ultimately does choose the Blue Jays over other likely suitors like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, it would mark a major coup for the Canadian club and go a long way in boosting their hopes of returning to the World Series.