MLB Insider Guesses The Toronto Blue Jays Might Look to Sign Right-Handed Bats
The left-handed batters Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Joc Pederson have all been out of the Blue Jays’ grasp thus far this summer. Being a lefty, Brandon Belt served as Toronto’s main designated hitter in 2023 before hitting free agency in November.
Rosenthal suggested the Blue Jays aim to acquire a righty instead of pursuing any of the lower-tier, elderly left-handed free agents, such as switch-hitter Aaron Hicks, Mike Moustakas, Joey Votto, or Eddie Rosario.
JD Martinez, Justin Turner, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, Tommy Pham, and Adam Duvall are the right-handed batters whom Rosenthal identified as possible choices for the Blue Jays.
Since Chapman has been the team’s regular third baseman for the last two years, Toronto is most familiar with him. In contrast, the previous two seasons have seen Martinez, Turner, Pham, and Duvall play for the Boston Red Sox, the Blue Jays’ AL East foe.
Martinez, who finished 2023 with 33 home runs, 103 RBI, a.893 OPS, and 1.9 WAR, is coming off an All-Star season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Spotrac, the 36-year-old slugger may earn $15 million in compensation in 2024.
After Martinez was moved to the starting lineup in Boston, Turner enjoyed a breakout season as the 39-year-old hit.276 with 2.1 WAR, 96 RBI, 23 home homers, and a.800 OPS. Slugger Jorge Soler, who will turn 32 this summer, hit.209 and qualified for his first career All-Star game with the Miami Marlins last summer.250 with 1.8 WAR, 75 RBI, 36 home runs, and a.853 OPS.
In 2024, the Blue Jays’ lineup may still form in a variety of ways, depending on where their new bat fits in at designated hitter or in the field.