The American League champion Toronto Blue Jays are throwing another curveball at the MLB free agent market. Adding to their interest in Kyle Tucker and their own Bo Bichette, the Jays have now entered the Alex Bregman Sweepstakes.
Insider Ken Rosenthal writes in The Athletic that talks are already underway.
(Jays) Team officials have been in recent contact with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, according to sources briefed on the conversations…
Adding to the possible fit with Toronto: Two of Bregman’s former Houston Astros teammates, (George) Springer and outfielder Myles Straw, are among the leading voices in the Jays’ clubhouse, which already is one of the game’s most cohesive.
This would be a stunning move for Toronto if they were to sign Bregman. It would likely mean the end of any possibility of Bichette returning. The lineup arrangement with Bregman in tow would place the former World Series champ at third base for the Jays, with Ernie Clement moving to second, and Addison Barger playing right field. Slick fielding Andres Gimenez would stay at shortstop.
Bregman’s value extends off the field as well as on it
Bregman is a Gold Glover at third (2024), and carries a .272 career batting mark with a .365 on-base percentage and an .846 OPS. He wasn’t far off from all of those numbers in 2025 with the Boston Red Sox, though he was limited to 114 games due to injury.
However, he is valued around baseball not only for his offensive and defensive contributions on the field, but also for his leadership.
“Bregman is viewed as a player who helps make teammates better, a difference-maker on and off the field,” writes Rosenthal.
The only downside for Jays of going for Bregman vs. Bichette or Tucker
The former Astro & Red Sox third baseman, however, will be 32 on Opening Day, while Bichette, a lifelong Blue Jay, is four years younger at 28. Tucker is also still smack in the middle of his prime, as he will enter 2026 at age 29.
The Blue Jays have already made some huge strides in addressing their pitching staff this offseason. They’ve signed top-end starting pitcher Dylan Cease for $210 million, Korean League MVP Cody Ponce for $30 million, and elite submariner Tyler Rogers for the bullpen at $37 million. In addition, former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber picked up his $16 million option.
As Rosenthal concludes, “Toronto seems destined to add one of the big free-agent hitters. And Bregman seems as reasonable a possibility as any.”
