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Blue Jays have found their back up option if Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette sign elsewhere
Photo credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly been all in on Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, but there is a very real chance the Blue Jays miss out on both of them, if that happens the Blue Jays need backup options to fill the void they have left.
The Blue Jays are committed to spending the money needed to win the World Series, giving them many options if needed.
Who should the Blue Jays sign if Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette don't work out.
Thomas Hall of Blue Jays Nation reported on the options the Blue Jays should look at to fill the gap either star would leave if they sign elsewhere. They do have the liberty of picking up an infielder or outfielder similar to the Tucker and Bichette situation, so it gives them options. The first option would be Alex Bregman.
"Thanks to the positional flexibility on the Blue Jays' roster, particularly with Addison Barger (third base/right field) and Ernie Clement (second base, shortstop, third base), they'd be able to seamlessly insert Bregman at the hot corner without compromising anyone else's playing time. The 31-year-old infielder, who opted out of the final two seasons of his three-year, $120 million contract last month, isn't the elite hitter that Tucker and Bichette are. But, with his low strikeout, high on-base profile, he'd perfectly match the club's offensive identity next season and could provide middle-of-the-order protection for Vladimir Guerrero Jr."-Hall
Cody Bellinger would be another option, able to play outfield and first base, he was the second best player on the New York Yankees, behind only back-to-back AL MVP winner Aaron Judge. Again he wouldn't be on the same level as either Bichette or Tucker but he certainly would pull his weight.
Then there was of course Munetaka Murakami, who would bring an above average slugger to the roster. However he doesn't fit the defensive profile as much for the Blue Jays.
"The power upside that Murakami would bring to the Blue Jays' lineup is obvious, as a former 56-home-run hitter, who slugged .663 last season despite missing significant time due to an oblique injury. At the same time, the 25-year-old slugger - who must sign with an MLB team by 5 p.m. ET on Monday - has flirted with a 30-per-cent strikeout rate in each of the previous three seasons and profiles as a first base/DH type, complicating a potential fit in Toronto."-Hall
While there are options still out there for the Blue Jays, they are wearing thin, and the Bichette contract is taking much longer than expected. Meaning they are probably prioritizing Tucker, if he decides to go somewhere else the Blue Jays could be in a lot of trouble.
Source: Blue Jays Nation
Blue Jays: Free-agent alternatives if Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker sign elsewhere
Blue Jays: Free-agent alternatives if Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker sign elsewhere