Gregor Chisholm: The Blue Jays have a lot of work to do to improve their lineup. Luckily, they have several ways to do it - Toronto Star
Toronto has some positional flexibility with its lineup, meaning that while the team wants to acquire one or two sluggers, they can move several players across the diamond to make room for new additions.
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte would represent an intriguing option for the Blue Jays. While Marte suffered through controversy last season, he is a season removed from being the best slugging second baseman in the league, and he has family ties to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the Star. Follow him on X: @GregorChisholm or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca.
LAS VEGAS—The Blue Jays face the difficult challenge this off-season of upgrading Major League Baseball’s worst offence, but they can at least take comfort in knowing there is a variety of ways in which it could be done.
The versatility is by design. General manager Ross Atkins has long prioritized adding players who can move around the field, and this off-season that philosophy opens up multiple avenues for improving the lineup.
The Jays need to add at least one, preferably two big bats, and it could be done at second base or shortstop, the corner outfield spots and possibly designated hitter. Those moves become easier to facilitate when current players such as Addison Barger and Ernie Clement fit in different spots.
“I feel very confident that we are attractive to several demographics,” Atkins said on Thursday before he departed the annual general managers’ meetings. “I feel like we have learned more about individuals on the free-agent and trade side in every demographic that could impact us. I’m coming away feeling more confident than I did four days ago and we have a good starting point.”
Based on conversations with executives and agents during this week’s meetings, it’s clear that the Jays have genuine interest in Japanese sluggers Teruaki Sato and Seiya Suzuki. Which player becomes the preferred target will come down to price.
Questions previously had been raised about whether the Jays would have a spot to put Sato. The 27-year-old has played most of his career at third base, but he does have some experience in the outfield. According to a source, the Jays see a fit and would feel comfortable starting him in a corner position.
The market is still developing for both players. Sato hit 79 home runs over the past two seasons in Japan while Suzuki recently completed a successful five-year run with the Chicago Cubs that saw him slug 113 homers with an .823 on-base plus slugging percentage.
“It’s no secret how many guys we have coming off our books,” said Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins, who is expected to prioritize starting pitching over re-signing Suzuki while dealing with roster turnover. “We have guys who have to step up, currently with our club, there’s no secret about that either.”
Beyond the outfield, the Jays are engaged in negotiations for an upgrade to a middle infield spot, and while free agents Brandon Lowe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. remain possibilities, there is also interest in acquiring controversial second baseman Ketel Marte.
Marte has fallen out of favour in Arizona after he failed to show up for a series at Fenway Park earlier this year. It wasn’t the first time he went missing and the frequent drama has led to speculation that he will be moved this off-season.
Despite the red flags, the Jays are intrigued about the idea of adding a player who is just one season removed from being MLB’s top offensive second baseman. There’s also a connection to the Jays as he’s married to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s first cousin, which might convince him to waive a no-trade clause.
Marte slugged at least 25 home runs in three consecutive seasons for the D-Backs before he regressed to 22 with a .748 OPS in 2026. Arizona reportedly is scouring the market for left-handed bats and the Jays have a couple who could be made available in Barger and Sean Keys.
Another Jays’ area of need is the rotation, although how much they are willing to spend on another arm will depend on what happens with the offence. They have a meeting scheduled with ace Tarik Skubal, but expectations should be tempered about the Jays’ ability to sign the best available starter for a second consecutive off-season.
The goal is still to add a playoff-calibre starter. Trevor Rogers and Sonny Gray are possible fits while the Jays remain interested in a reunion with veteran Kevin Gausman on a short-term deal. Fellow free agent Freddy Peralta is expected to price out above the Jays’ comfort level.
“Where we stand in the baseball market has just gotten better and better,” Atkins said when asked about the Jays’ being a preferred destination for available players. “Everyone that I can see, because of the resources, because of the support we have had in so many different ways ... as far as I can tell we are an attractive destination and that helps us immensely.”
Atkins departed Las Vegas on Thursday afternoon without any transactions to show for his efforts, but he did gain more clarity on the path forward, and with fewer than three weeks remaining before a potential labour lockout, it won’t be that much longer until he makes a move.
Before the Jays’ roster construction is put on hold indefinitely, there will almost certainly be a new slugger in the lineup. With a bit of luck, there might even be two.
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Opinion articles are based on the author’s interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details
Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the Star. Follow him on X: @GregorChisholm or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca.
