The Blue Jays’ strategy at last week’s trade deadline was centred on the belief that they will be able to turn things around quickly and contend for next year’s post-season.
Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and reliever Nate Pearson were the only players under contract next season who got moved. The other six trades involved pending free agents who could have left for nothing at the end of the year.
Fixing what has proven to be a flawed roster will be a daunting task for Ross Atkins or whoever happens to be the general manager next season. The departing players need to be replaced and significant upgrades must be found to have any shot in the American League East.
The Jays already have a projected  for 2025 with arbitration cases that will push the number closer to $190 million — more than $50 million shy of where they started 2024.
It hasn’t just been this little run. Guerrero has put all facets of his game together, piece by
It sounds like a lot of cash until one considers they need to add at least three regular position players, one starting pitcher and multiple arms for the bullpen. Here’s a closer look at which spots are up for grabs, the internal candidates and top free agents at each position:
Third base
The Kiner-Falefa trade cleared a spot. In-house options include Ernie Clement and Addison Barger, while recently acquired prospect Will Wagner has played there before but fits better at second or first. Alex Bregman is the top pending free agent, and Matt Chapman is a candidate to decline his player option. Then there’s a big drop-off with Eugenio Suarez ($15 million team option) and J.D. Davis among the candidates. One outside-the-box idea would be giving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. more time at third and signing a free-agent first baseman such as Pete Alonso, Christian Walker or Rhys Hoskins.
Designated hitter
The Jays are without a full-time DH after trading Justin Turner. They’ll likely fill this spot via free agency or trade, but they could use Spencer Horwitz there if they added a full-time second baseman. J.D. Martinez and Joc Pederson will be free agents for a second consecutive winter, while Alonso, Hoskins and Walker could fit but likely won’t want to give up their gloves. Free-agent outfielders Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander and Tyler O’Neill should be considered as well.Â
Second catcher
Alejandro Kirk became the undisputed No. 1 after Danny Jansen was traded, but there are legitimate questions about his ability to handle a full workload. Re-signing Jansen remains an option, but he’ll be one of the top catchers available and might get offers the Jays can’t match. Other options include Carson Kelly and Elias Diaz. Internal candidates Brian Serven and Nick Raposo aren’t going to cut it.
Starting pitcher
The Jays are expected to open next season with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, José BerrÃos and Yariel Rodriguez. That leaves one spot with recently acquired prospect Jake Bloss and Bowden Francis the top internal candidates. Injuries to Alek Manoah and Ricky Tiedemann eroded organizational depth and the Jays would be well served to add a legitimate starter as insurance. They won’t be shopping in the top tier of free agents which includes Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Walker Buehler and possibly Gerrit Cole, but a reunion with Yusei Kikuchi is possible. Other midtier free-agent options include Nick Pivetta, Michael Wacha, Michael Lorenzen, Andrew Heaney and Jose Quintana.
We move into August with the Jays having dealt away nearly one-third of their big-league roster,
Multiple relievers
Jordan Romano, Chad Green and Génesis Cabrera are the only locks, while Erik Swanson figures to get a do-over after struggling through much of this season. That leaves four jobs with Brendon Little, Ryan Burr and Zach Pop among those auditioning. There’s no need to pay for a closer such as Kenley Jansen, Tanner Scott or Carlos Estevez, but there will be plenty of setup men available including Yimi GarcÃa, Scott Barlow, José Leclerc and currently injured Kendall Graveman.
Left field and second base (maybe)
Whether the Jays need a left fielder depends on how Joey Loperfido performs the rest of the season. The 25-year-old Loperfido, who homered on Sunday and was acquired in the Kikuchi trade, has become a priority. If he excels as an everyday player, he could lock up left and leave the Jays looking for a backup. If he struggles, they will need to aim higher.
At second. Horwitz was one of the Jays’ best hitters throughout June and early July. He struggled coming out of the all-star break and will need to prove he can make the necessary adjustments. If he finishes strong, they could continue to sacrifice a bit of defence to keep his bat in the lineup. The free-agent market  is weak beyond Gleyber Torres, but targeting a shortstop such as Willy Adames could make sense because of Bo Bichette’s free agency in 2025.
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