The Toronto Blue Jays are poised to be one of the more aggressive teams in free agency this winter. While they're expected to go after Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, and plenty of other top free agents, there's always a chance they miss out on those options.
But, even if the Blue Jays can't land Tucker, despite being the favorite for the superstar outfielder, there's another option that would be an easy pivot for John Schneider and the Blue Jays.
If Tucker signs elsewhere, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan has the Blue Jays pivoting to New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. Even if Tucker doesn't sign with Toronto, the Blue Jays could land a strong outfield option and hurt the Yankees in the process.
Blue Jays could swipe Cody Bellinger from Yankees in FA
"Beyond the Yankees, who would like a return engagement with Bellinger..." Passan writes, "The Blue Jays see him as a perfectly good alternative to Tucker."
If Toronto can't land the top free agent outfielder in Tucker, the next best option would be for them to steal the Yankees' top free agent.
Signing Tucker would be ideal, but Bellinger, the 30-year-old outfielder, who's coming off a very strong 2025 season in New York, would be an incredible alternative.
Bellinger is coming off one of his best seasons of his nine-year career. The former 2019 Dodgers MVP had 160 hits with a.272 average, 89 runs scored, 25 doubles, five triples, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and an.813 OPS in 152 games for the Yankees.
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After spending time with the Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and now the Yankees, Bellinger could stay in the AL East but switch teams to the Blue Jays if they lose out on Tucker's market.
While there will be disappointment in not being able to land Tucker, it could come with the benefit of swiping the Yankees' top free agent priority this offseason.
With how aggressively the Blue Jays have been reported to be this winter, signing one of Tucker or Bellinger wouldn't be a surprise.
There are reasons to like both in Toronto, but there is some appeal in signing Bellinger, as it'd improve the lineup while hurting the Yankees in the process. It would be a win-win for the Blue Jays, even amid missing out on Tucker.
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