The Blue Jays were left at the altar by multiple key free agents over the years, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that might not be the case anymore.
After Shane Bieber surprisingly opted-in to the final year of his contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that the perception of the Jays organization is clearly changing.
The Blue Jays, a team where free agents once used in leverage, but avoid, suddenly has become the ultimate destination spot for free agents.
To Nightengale's point, the Blue Jays missed out on high-priced free agents Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in consecutive years. They also weren't able to get Max Fried, Roki Sasaki, or Pete Alonso to sign before the 2025 season, instead bringing in Anthony Santander on a five-year deal.
We will have to wait and see if the Jays are truly the "ultimate destination," but it's clear that a trip to Game 7 of the World Series can only help the perception of the organization.
Furthermore, the team shelling out a $500 million extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will resonate with fellow players who know the organization is committed and serious about winning.
And finally, the environment at Rogers Centre throughout the playoffs, and the clear support of an entire nation, will also help buoy players thoughts and emotions.
The big players in free agency
Nightengale's theory will get tested this offseason, with several high-profile free agents on the market. It starts with longtime Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette. Will he want to return to Toronto in order to finish what he started? Will the Jays be willing to pay him big money in order to return?
And how about Kyle Tucker, who Nightengale opines that Toronto could be the favorite for? Will the Jays be able to lure him away from the likes of the New York Yankees, and maybe his previous team, the Houston Astros?
Another thing to watch for
Bieber had been projected to get anywhere between $75 and $150 million in free agency before opting in to his $16 million deal with the Jays. He clearly took significantly less to stay in Toronto, will other players follow suit?
If players start taking less money to be a part of the Jays culture, that would be the ultimate sign that Toronto is the destination that Nightengale says it is.
What's next
The general manager's meetings begin this week in Las Vegas, so you could see some groundwork laid for big deals there, but the real dominoes likely won't start to fall until the winter meetings, which take place from Dec. 7-10 in Orlando, Fla.
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