How well would free agents Nimmo, Bellinger, Brantley fit Blue Jays?

TORONTO – At this level, it’s been obvious for some time: a left-handed hitting outfielder who can commonly play centre would profit the Blue Jays immensely. And whilst GM Ross Atkins expresses confidence in his choices, the Blue Jays are overtly in search of assistance on that entrance.

Such a participant would add stability to a righty-heavy Blue Jays lineup whereas additionally providing defensive insurance coverage after a season during which George Springer began 86 video games in centre. While Springer performs the place properly, there’s a necessity for depth as he enters his age-33 season.

Some of the Blue Jays’ finest choices exist by the commerce market, as they might deal from catching depth to acquire a controllable outfielder with upside. But free company is intriguing, too, with rising stars, bounce-back candidates and established veterans out there. Starting on the high of the market, right here’s a take a look at how some left-handed hitting free agent outfielders do or don’t slot in Toronto:

Brandon Nimmo, 29

The high free agent outfielder not named Aaron Judge is actually a match from a baseball standpoint. With elite plate self-discipline and a lifetime on-base proportion of .385, Nimmo’s a really perfect leadoff hitter. Plus, his defence has improved a lot that he’s now a reliable centre fielder.

So, actually, it’s in regards to the worth. If, as MLB Trade Rumors initiatives, the associated fee is 5 years and $110 million, there’s an opportunity this deal works out properly for the group that indicators him. The projections at Steamer forecast 4.7 WAR for 2023, and even when Nimmo generates extra like 3.3 WAR – his common over the past 5 seasons – we’re nonetheless speaking about an excellent participant, one who would warrant a $22 million AAV.

Yet there’s additionally threat in bidding aggressively for a participant who has performed 100 video games solely twice, particularly when that participant performs one of the bodily demanding positions on the diamond and makes a behavior of taking pitches off his physique (he’s been hit by a median of 15 pitches per 162 video games). If the associated fee goes past $110 million for the Scott Boras consumer, the chance turns into even better.

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::earlier than {
content material: “”;
place: absolute;
high: 45%;
left: 50%;
rework: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
peak: 0px;
border-top: 14px strong clear;
border-left: 22px strong #fff;
border-bottom: 14px strong clear;
margin-left: 3px;
}

None of which means the Blue Jays aren’t a match for Nimmo. He’d be nice. The Toronto entrance workplace will see that, too. Count on them to determine an inside valuation of what he’s value, have interaction with Boras a few potential match and see if there’s traction.

But bear in mind: George Springer had performed 100-plus video games 5 occasions when the Blue Jays signed him for $150 million. Kevin Gausman had made 30-plus begins 4 occasions when he signed for $110 million. And sure, the Blue Jays additionally signed Hyun-jin Ryu, one other Boras consumer with a historical past of accidents, however the dedication there was $80 million, not $100 million-plus.

So in addition to Nimmo matches, there’s a restrict to how a lot the Blue Jays will go for any participant. Behind the scenes, they need to determine the place that line sits.

Cody Bellinger, 27

From 2017-19, Bellinger bit .278/.369/.559 with a median of 37 house runs per season. From 2020-22, he hit .203/.272/.376 with a median of 14 house runs per season. Then, the Dodgers non-tendered him.

For groups in search of upside, Bellinger will in fact be intriguing. He’s a participant on whom the Blue Jays will do their share of background work. But that offensive dropoff is legitimately regarding, and it doesn’t look higher whenever you go behind the scenes. The 27-year-old’s strikeout charges and stroll charges have trended within the improper route in recent times and his max exit velocity has declined considerably, too, from 112.9 mph in 2018 to 107.3 mph this previous season.

Now, possibly the correct shoulder harm that Bellinger sustained a few Octobers in the past explains a few of that, however groups will presumably be asking Boras loads of questions in regards to the well being of that shoulder transferring ahead. And right here’s the opposite factor: how would Bellinger, a Scottsdale, Ariz., native who has at all times spent spring coaching in Arizona, really feel about taking part in for a Canadian group that trains in Florida? Maybe he loves that concept, who is aware of. But possibly not. As a free agent he has remaining say.

Joey Gallo, 29

Where Bellinger’s future is considerably unsure, you recognize what you’re getting in Gallo, the prototypical three true consequence bat. With strikeout charges approaching 40 per cent, there are clear limitations to what he can provide, however he crushes the ball tougher and extra typically than simply about anybody, which makes him tempting, particularly if he’s keen to think about a job the place he begins primarily towards right-handers.

Kevin Kiermaier, 32

There is also an easier reply.

Although Kevin Kiermaier gives not one of the offensive upside of Nimmo, Bellinger or Gallo, he stays an elite defender with 93rd percentile dash pace and 92nd percentile arm power. Offensively, he’d seemingly match towards the underside of the Blue Jays’ order, however with an OPS+ of 97 since 2020, he can maintain his personal on the plate. Within the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, Kiermaier’s depth and expertise might be positives as properly.

Some throughout the trade view this as a possible match, however it needs to be famous that after years of taking part in in Tampa, Kiermaier might need to lastly get off synthetic turf. It’s not possible to not speculate about Chicago, the place Kiermaier’s brother is the top groundskeeper for the Cubs, however the Blue Jays are much better positioned to compete in 2023, one thing that seemingly issues to the 10-year veteran.

Michael Brantley, 35

Two off-seasons in the past, the Blue Jays practically signed Brantley, a superb good friend of George Springer’s who got here up in Cleveland when Mark Shapiro and Atkins have been nonetheless there.

He’s 35 now, and a nook outfielder on a superb day, however Brantley’s hit instrument stays elite and he walked greater than he struck out in 2022. Adding him as a left fielder/DH wouldn’t clear up the Blue Jays’ centre-field difficulty, however it will actually deepen their lineup, and after showing in simply 64 video games final season, he’s seemingly taking a look at a one-year deal. This risk is value keeping track of, particularly later within the low season.

Andrew Benintendi, 28

Benintendi shouldn’t be the youngest or the oldest, the quickest or the slowest, one of the best hitter or the worst. He gained’t be the most costly choice listed, however he positively gained’t be the most affordable as he’s seemingly positioned to land a multi-year deal. Of course, the Blue Jays should discover this risk, and possibly it turns into extra fascinating because the winter progresses, however proper now it’s most likely not supreme for the Blue Jays to make an enormous dedication to an outfielder until he can play some centre discipline.

More from Sportsnet

Outfield commerce targets Blue Jays may take into account in wake of Hernandez departure

MLB Rumour Roundup: Blue Jays amongst groups eager about Bellinger after non-tender

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
hole: 20px;
}

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
colour: black;
}