The Toronto Blue Jays came into this offseason with big ambitions-and for a while, it looked like they might pull off something special. But over the past week, that momentum took a serious hit.
First, Kyle Tucker-long rumored to be a top target for Toronto-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That move alone stung.
Tucker would’ve brought a potent left-handed bat and elite outfield defense to a team that could use both. But the real gut punch came when Bo Bichette, a homegrown star and fan favorite, inked a deal with the New York Mets.
Bichette had spent his entire career in Toronto, and there was hope he’d be a foundational piece moving forward. Now, the Jays are left with a retooled pitching staff but a lineup that still feels one big bat short-especially when it comes to easing the load on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The free-agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with game-changers at this point in the offseason, but there are still a few names out there who could inject some life into the Blue Jays’ offense. Let’s break down five of the most intriguing options still on the board-and how (or if) they might fit in Toronto.
1. Cody Bellinger - OF, Age 30
2025 Stats: 152 games, .272 AVG, 29 HR, 98 RBI
Bellinger is the biggest name still unsigned, and for good reason. The 2019 NL MVP bounced back nicely with the Yankees in 2025, putting together a solid season and finishing 14th in AL MVP voting.
He’s no longer the 47-homer phenom he once was, but he doesn’t need to be. What Bellinger offers now is a balanced offensive profile, left-handed power, and the ability to play all three outfield spots.
The Yankees are still considered the favorites to retain him, but as this drags on, the door remains cracked for other suitors. For the Blue Jays, Bellinger checks a lot of boxes.
He brings pop, positional versatility, and postseason experience. If Toronto is serious about adding a bat that can slot behind Guerrero Jr. and change the shape of the lineup, Bellinger might be their best shot.
2. Eugenio Suárez - 3B, Age 34
2025 Stats: 159 games, .228 AVG, 49 HR, 118 RBI
Suárez is a one-dimensional hitter-but that one dimension is power, and he’s got it in spades. His 49 home runs last season, split between Arizona and Seattle, tied a career high and marked the sixth time he’s topped 30 in a season. He’s not going to help your team batting average, but if you’re looking for someone to hit the ball out of the park, Suárez delivers.
The problem? Toronto’s infield is already crowded.
Even with Bichette gone, the Jays have internal options they’re committed to, and adding another corner infielder could create more problems than it solves. Suárez is a tempting name, but unless something changes with the roster makeup, he’s probably not a realistic fit.
3. Luis Arraez - INF/DH, Age 28
2025 Stats: 154 games, .292 AVG, 8 HR, 61 RBI
If you’re looking for a pure hitter, Arraez might be the best contact bat left on the market. He’s hit over .300 in six of his nine MLB seasons and consistently finds ways to get on base. He’s not going to hit for power, but he’s the kind of player who can lengthen a lineup and wear pitchers down with quality at-bats.
Arraez also brings defensive versatility-he can play first, second, and third base-but that’s a double-edged sword in Toronto’s case. The Jays already have plenty of infield depth, and while Arraez could slot in as a DH, the team has often used that spot to rotate players and manage workloads. It’s hard to see a clean fit here, even though the bat is undoubtedly appealing.
4. Harrison Bader - OF, Age 31
2025 Stats: 146 games, .277 AVG, 17 HR, 54 RBI
Bader doesn’t come with the star power of a Bellinger or the raw thunder of a Suárez, but he’s quietly put together a strong case for himself. After being dealt from the Twins to the Phillies, Bader was one of Philadelphia’s most reliable players down the stretch in 2025. He plays a solid outfield, brings speed, and offers a bit of pop.
From a roster construction standpoint, Bader might be one of the more realistic options for the Blue Jays. He wouldn’t necessarily be a headline-grabbing addition, but he could provide value as a complementary piece. The question is whether he represents a true upgrade over what they already have-or just more of the same.
5. Marcell Ozuna - OF/DH, Age 35
2025 Stats: 145 games, .232 AVG, 21 HR, 68 RBI
Ozuna was a force in 2024, finishing fourth in NL MVP voting and looking every bit like one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. But 2025 was a different story. His production dipped significantly, and his declining defense means he’s now viewed almost exclusively as a designated hitter.
That’s a tough sell for a Blue Jays team that likes to keep the DH spot flexible. Still, Ozuna’s upside is undeniable.
If he can rediscover even a portion of his 2024 form, he could be a steal this late in the offseason. But it’s a gamble-and one that would require Toronto to commit to a more static DH setup than they’ve typically preferred.
The Bottom Line
The Blue Jays still have time to make a move, but the margin for error is shrinking. With Tucker and Bichette off the board, the lineup needs another presence-someone who can take pressure off Guerrero Jr. and help balance out the offense. Bellinger is the obvious name to watch, but if that doesn’t materialize, Toronto will have to decide whether it’s worth rolling the dice on a player like Ozuna or Bader-or standing pat and hoping internal options step up.
There’s no perfect answer at this stage of the offseason. But if the Jays want to keep pace in a loaded AL East, standing still probably isn’t the play.