On Friday, we learned that the Toronto Blue Jays are one of several teams reportedly interested in signing free agent infielder Yoan Moncada.

The former top prospect in baseball, Moncada is now a 10-year veteran of the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels. He had 12 home runs in 84 games last season, and can be productive when healthy, but he's dealt with major injuries over each of the last four years. He's played over 100 games just once in that time (104 in 2022).

All things considered, I'm just wondering: Is the Jays' interest in Moncada legitimate? Let's dive in.

Moncada is a roster fit

We've covered the Blue Jays roster complexities all offseason, but the bottom line is this: Toronto can easily make room for one offensive player. No matter how you slice things, they have the ability to accommodate one offensive addition.

If the Blue Jays signed Moncada: He'd play third with Andres Gimenez at shortstop. Ernie Clement would slide to second. Addison Barger would be in right with Daulton Varsho in center and one of George Springer and Anthony Santander in left. The other would play designated hitter.

Moncada is also a switch-hitter, meaning he has the ability to play every day, regardless of matchup.

More Blue Jays stories

How the Blue Jays are impacting Team Canada at the World Junior championships

Kevin Pillar has interesting take on Bo Bichette's contract situation 

How Jays fans can help our website grow in 2026

What his signing would mean

His signing would end the idea of Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman coming to Toronto, which would be a major disappointment for fans. It would also complicate things on the Kyle Tucker front, who the Jays have also been linked to.

Moncada could come to Toronto as a bench player and make things easier, but that seems highly unlikely given his pedigree and reputation. He can start somewhere and teams like the Angels and White Sox are interested in him too - and they'd have starting opportunities.

Is this all about leverage?

Hard to say. The Blue Jays were reportedly interested in Moncada last offseason before he signed with the Angels, so there's a history there.

However, the Blue Jays have to have changed their calculus this time around. They are playing to win the World Series and Bichette or Bregman are much more accomplished players - and have a better track record of health. They should be the desired targers.

Perhaps the rumors of interest in Moncada is just a way to spur those two players into making a decision. Or, perhaps the Jays are just covering their bases in case they are unable to land either player.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!