Toronto Blue Jays fans remain patiently waiting for what they hope will be some massive improvements this offseason.
The Blue Jays, who hope to get back into the playoff picture in 2025, need upgrades in many positions. Perhaps the most glaring of all is their bullpen, which struggled immensely in 2024. They may look to free agency to improve it, as there are many options available.
Another area they need to address is their outfield. The Blue Jays’ position is highly questioned, and a few additions will likely be needed if they are to push for a playoff spot in 2025. Here are some free agents worth targeting.
1. Juan Soto
Juan Soto is not just the best outfielder available in free agency this offseason but the best player in general. The 26-year-old is receiving interest from a multitude of teams early on in free agency, and the Blue Jays are one of them.
Soto is reportedly seeking a deal upwards of $700 million, which will certainly take some teams out of the sweepstakes. The Blue Jays are a team that isn’t afraid to spend, however, as they proved by remaining in the Shohei Ohtani bidding right until the end last offseason.
2. Anthony Santander
Another big need for the Blue Jays is more bats in the lineup to support Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Anthony Santander would provide just that. The right fielder is a proven homerun hitter, having smacked a combined 105 longballs this past season, including a career-high 44 in 2024.
Santander will by no means come cheap, though he is plenty more affordable than Soto should the Blue Jays miss out on him. By no means would adding the 30-year-old be a bad consolation prize.
3. Teoscar Hernandez
The Blue Jays fanbase would be some of the most ecstatic people on planet earth if Teoscar Hernandez were to return. There are many who are still frustrated with the front office’s decision to trade him after the 2022 season, a move that Atkins would probably like a do-over on.
Hernandez agreed to a one-year deal with the LA Dodgers last year, but after not only winning a World Series but smacking 33 home runs and 99 RBIs is in line for a multi-year deal this time around.
4. Max Kepler
While Max Kepler may not be the 36 home run hitter we saw way back in 2019, he’s capable of putting up more than the eight he had this past season. Granted, he only played in 105 games, but it was still a disappointing total for a player who had 24 the year prior.
Though his hitting is inconsistent at times, Kepler is also strong defensively, helping him to a respectable 3.8 WAR over the past two seasons. He isn’t at the top of the Blue Jays list, but he certainly isn’t a bad option, either.
5. Tyler O’Neill
Yet another available outfielder who could provide some offensive help to the Blue Jays is long-time St. Louis Cardinal Tyler O’Neill. The 29-year-old is available on the free-agent market after wrapping up his one and only season with the Boston Red Sox.
After down 2022 and 2023 seasons, O’Neill had a much-needed resurgence this year, hitting an extremely impressive 31 home runs in just 113 games. The one concern is his lengthy injury history, albeit that will also allow for his contract to be much more affordable.
6. Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Profar picked the right time to have a career-best season. The 31-year-old was fantastic for the San Diego Padres this past season, hitting .280 along with 24 home runs. The big year was enough for him to earn his first All-Star Game appearance.
Profar is certainly a risky bet given that his 2024 season may have simply been an outlier, but if he is able to come anywhere close to replicating it moving forward, Blue Jays fans would gladly take him.
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