The Toronto Blue Jays started the offseason strong with a series of major roster additions, but have struck out on a pair of major pursuits as they aim to reload and return to the World Series.
The Blue Jays could have a chance to turn their luck with a shot at Cody Bellinger, though one insider shared that it would come at a high expense. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Monday that the Yankees have a large standing offer to Bellinger — one that the Blue Jays can choose to beat.
One insider believes the Blue Jays should jump at the chance, despite the high price tag.
Blue Jays Get Another Chance to Improve Roster
The Blue Jays had been connected to Kyle Tucker and reportedly had a short-term offer for Bo Bichette to return, but both ultimately landed elsewhere. Nightengale reported that the Blue Jays would have a chance to land Bellinger if they are willing to go over the top of the existing offer from the New York Yankees.
“The Yankees open the week still waiting on decision by Cody Bellinger,” Nightengale reported in a post on X. “They are sitting with a 5-year, $160 million offer with no deferrals and two opt-outs. If the Toronto Blue Jays or Mets decide to beat it, theyâll be hit with 110% luxury tax penalties. The standoff continues.”
The Blue Jays will still face some fierce competition, as the Mets have been particularly active. They made a significant offer to Tucker and later scooped up Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. The Mets are undergoing a major roster change, parting ways with longtime veterans Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo.
The Yankees have also been active, including the $160 million offer to Bellinger that could ultimately be too high for the Blue Jays to top.
Blue Jays Urged to Jump at Chance for Cody Bellinger
Reporter Billy Heyen of The Sporting News suggested that the Blue Jays should jump at the chance to top their division rival and land Bellinger, despite the high cost to the organization.
“Toronto missed out on Kyle Tucker, and Bellinger would go into the books as a cheaper but similar version of Tucker (and Bellinger can actually play centerfield if desired),” Heyen wrote. “The Blue Jays had such an exciting start to the offseason when they landed Dylan Cease for their pitching rotation. “They kept it going with the signing of Japanese star infielder Kazuma Okamoto.”
The tides shifted after the Blue Jays lost out on Tucker and Bichette, but Heyen suggested they could still find an improvement by signing Bellinger.
“The Blue Jays could use one more win. There’s really only the one remaining major victory in the form of Bellinger,” Heyen wrote. “His sweet lefty swing was great in the Bronx, but it appears the Yanks are dug in on their offer. All Toronto (or the Mets) has to do is beat that deal. If the Blue Jays were prepared to go $350 million over 10 years for Tucker, they surely can beat $160 million for 5 years that the Yanks are offering Bellinger.”
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