The Blue Jays showed “strong interest” in second baseman Gleyber Torres early in his free agency, per a report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Petzold goes on to report that the Giants, Reds, and Guardians were among the teams to show interest in Torres before he signed with the Tigers. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe previously reported that the Red Sox showed interest in the infielder but never reached the point of making a formal offer, and Petzold confirms that interest.
The Blue Jays made plenty of sense as a speculative fit for Torres early in the winter, and he was even loosely connected to them earlier this winter. After losing Matt Chapman in free agency last winter and dealing away both Justin Turner and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa over the summer, the Jays entered the winter in need of infield help. In a thin market for infielders, Torres was among the better options not expected to command a long-term, nine-figure contract. In fact, Petzold notes that Torres emphasized to his agent this winter that he wasn’t interested in anything more than a strict one-year contract, even eschewing the possibility of a two-year deal with an opt-out clause.
Petzold adds that Torres took this stance in hopes of betting on himself and landing the aforementioned nine-figure deal he was sure to be locked out of this winter following an up-and-down platform season that saw him finish with a 104 wRC+ and just 1.7 fWAR. That desire for a one-year deal likely made him an especially attractive target for a Blue Jays team that not only faces plenty of uncertainty following the 2025 season thanks to the impending free agency of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but also thanks to the club’s group of young infielders who could theoretically play their way into regular roles in the future.
It’s not clear if the Jays’ reported interest in Torres persisted even after they traded for second baseman Andrés Giménez earlier this winter. Even if it had, though, Torres apparent preference for remaining at second base likely would have created a major obstacle for the sides, likely leaving Toronto in a position where they’d need to deal shortstop Bo Bichette and move Giménez to short in order to open up the keystone for Torres. While Bichette is coming off an even more difficult season (71 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR) than Torres’s 2024 campaign, Bichette had been a consistent four-to-five win player throughout his career prior to getting bit by the injury bug last year and would be a difficult player for the Jays to part with unless they got a hefty package in return.
As for the other reported suitors for Torres’s services, the Guardians likely only became a fit for Torres after trading Giménez to Toronto. Juan Brito, Gabriel Arias, and Daniel Schneemann currently figure to split time at the keystone for Cleveland in Giménez’s absence, but a clear everyday player like Torres would be a definitive upgrade over that timeshare between youngsters. What’s more, moving on from Giménez and his hefty $106.5MM contract likely helped free up payroll that would make signing a player of Torres’s caliber possible even for the low-budget Guardians. With Torres now off the market and headed to a division rival, it’s entirely feasible that the Guardians could now pivot to another second base option available in free agency like Jorge Polanco or Whit Merrifield.
The Reds, by contrast, are a somewhat surprising suitor for Torres. The club has plenty of infield options available already, with Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain currently locking up the middle infield while some combination of Noelvi Marte, Jeimer Candelario, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand handle the infield corners. Adding a pure second baseman who lacks positional versatility like Torres would’ve complicated matters, though it’s certainly possible to squeeze him in by shifting McLain over to the hot corner, utilizing Candelario at first base, and leaving Encarnacion-Strand and Marte to fight for plate appearances at DH or in a part-time role.
Given the club’s dreadful 87 wRC+ overall last year, even Torres’s diminished results from 2024 would provide the Reds with a substantial boost to their lineup. That boost may have made figuring out a way to squeeze Torres into the lineup worth doing, but the Reds appear to have already more or less maxed out their payroll and seem unlikely to have been able to match the $15MM salary Detroit offered the infielder. The Giants are another reported suitor whose interest in Torres comes with complications, particularly given the fact that the club landed shortstop Willy Adames on the eve of the Winter Meetings. It’s possible that San Francisco’s interest in Torres predated their deal with Adames, though it’s also feasible the club was willing to sign both players and push Tyler Fitzgerald into a utility role entering the season.
As for the Red Sox, the club certainly made sense as a fit for Torres given their wide open second base situation. Boston acquired Vaughn Grissom from the Braves last winter in hopes that he could lock up the position, but injuries and ineffectiveness led to something of a lost season in 2024. That leaves the position without a clear incumbent headed into 2025, with Grissom, David Hamilton, and top prospect Kristian Campbell among the internal options. Adding Torres to the mix would’ve eased the pressure on Campbell to perform immediately upon reaching the majors while providing an upgrade over Grissom and Hamilton who bats from the right side to help balance the club’s lefty-heavy lineup. Boston is also known to have some level of interest in top free agent infielder Alex Bregman, but it’s possible that their reported interest in Torres could signal a willingness to sign a hitter closer to the middle of the free agent market like Ha-Seong Kim.
tikiagedola
Once again, no one wants to play in Toronto.
tom brunanskys black sock
Spoken confidently by someone who’s never been there.
tikiagedola
You don’t need to have lived in East St Louis to know it sucks
tom brunanskys black sock
What does it take to change the essence of a man?
seamaholic 2
Toronto is an amazing city. Playing in Canada though does come with some financial penalties.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Toronto may be an amazing city, but having to travel in & out of Canada 30-40 times per season becomes a real drag, especially having to go through customs every time. Also, from what I understand, the tax rates are quite high there as well. Therefore, Toronto needs to overpay considerably to attract free agents to their wonderful city. I do feel badly for them in this regard, but they do have one of the richest owners in all of MLB and should be blowing players away with their contract offers. It appears they are not doing so as they’ve yet to sign a free agent who didn’t play for them last year. If they want Santander, the might have to approach Springer money to do so.
emt126
And you must conform to communism
RichardJarzynka
Jesus the Christ..
Fever Pitch Guy
tlk – The media creates perception, and perception becomes reality.
You never hear about Ferguson/East StL anymore since Brown/Wilson.
Is that because it’s gotten so much better there since then?
Or perhaps because the media blew it out of proportion?
Moral of the story, Toronto is a great city. Sure it’s expensive and has lots of traffic, no different than LA and other MLB cities.
It’s the Jays team (front office and ownership) that is the reason why more star players haven’t signed there.
KnicksFanCavsFan
@Dorothy
It’s really not that big of a deal. The team traveling secretary handles most of the issues, and if they’re coming in on a pj, they don’t have to wait in line like everyone else. it’s a very expedited process.
Fever Pitch Guy
Dottie – The exchange rate more than makes up for taxes and cost of living …. right now 44% in favor of USD!!!
Can you imagine getting nearly 50% more for your money on …… everything?
Obviously it hurts the Jays though, since they are paying players in USD but their revenue is all in Canadian currency.
tikiagedola
Hahah. Yes, leading the country in murders is perception.
Motor City Beach Bum
I’m a Tigers fan but catch most of my games in Toronto and used to live there. Nothing wrong with Toronto dude. Lots to see and do there.
Bucket Number Six
It doesn’t exactly work that way as Canadian prices are higher though hotels and restaurants have been cheaper lately compared to the US.
Low IQ Angels Management
Just a bottle of Brut cologne.
Whyme
As someone who lives in Ontario nothing is amazing about Toronto.
Fever Pitch Guy
tlk – Nine of the Top Ten murder rate cities in the WORLD are located in Mexico, the only one that’s not in Mexico is New Orleans.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_homicide_r…
Among MLB cities in the Top 50 there’s Baltimore, Philly, Detroit, Cleveland and Milwaukee …. St Louis is nowhere to be found.
NoSaint
@Dorothy_Mantooth
You honestly don’t believe that “celebrities” queue up like the rest of us coming back from a 2 week vacation from Barbados?
BCleveland3381
That’s the key. Only Steve Cohen is richer than Toronto’s owner. They can overpay if they choose to. Or they likely aren’t getting free agents they want.
Fever Pitch Guy
Cleveland – Toronto is a hockey city, baseball is not appealing to most there. That’s why they sell tickets for $2 and hot dogs for $1, but even then the exchange rate kills them. Revenue in CDN and player payroll in USD.
Motor City Beach Bum
It looks pretty packed whenever I go to watch a game in Toronto. Hockey will always be first there but baseball and basketball still draw crowds.
Bucket Number Six
Wikipedia can be changed. Here’s a recent look at murders in cities:
freedomforallamericans.org/highest-murders-in-us-b…
wayler
I guess by communism you mean universal health care, where no one goes into poverty when they get sick.
dobsonel
I just looked into the taxes the other day. It comparable to living in California or New York so I don’t think it’s the taxes that keeps players from wanting to go there. The constant border travel could be a valid reason, not to mention the 8 month winter.
wayler
But unlike Cohen and a number of other wealthy MLB owners, Rogers, who owns the Jays, is a publicly-traded company which has to answer to answer to shareholders, rather than the club being a rich man’s toy.
Motor City Beach Bum
Wrong on the weather dude. Snow usually flies in December and leaves us in March. January and February are the bad winter months. Polar bears don’t roam the streets either…unless Toronto signs Alonso 😉
dasit
this escalated quickly…
tikiagedola
Hahaha. Wait lines are fun
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Well any country that creates such comedic genius as the Trailer Park Boys, SCTV, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, John Candy,,etc. IS okay by me and a country I would be proud to live in.
Ncsaint
@dorothy Customs? Do you mean passport control? Customs takes up more than zero time once in a few hundred flights, and that’s in the US. The Canada end can only be chiller
Ncsaint
@ tiki Leading Canada in murders is like leading the US in soccer teams. Cute, but not of international significance. Toronto is far safer than any big MLB market.
Fever Pitch Guy
Motor – They practically give tickets away for many games, that’s why my family and friends made the drive so many times when it was impossible to get tickets in Fenway.
But the best example of proof, Doc’s last game in 2009.
Everyone knew he was leaving, he pitched a brilliant 7-hit 0-walk shutout …… and yet paid attendance was only 20,668 with many of those paid seats empty. He deserved better.
Unclemike1526
Toronto- Desirer of every FA, Lander of none.
dano62
Toronto is as far away from East St Louis as reality & your brain… players have gone to Toronto & found it wonderful. But as an organization it may not have the appeal of say Detroit (?)
uvmfiji
Also a communist
Low IQ Angels Management
Please provide a list of the players that found it “wonderful”
bestone
The lines are going to get longer with the new border patrols put into place…
Lindor's Bodyguard
He’s observing an obvious trend and making an obvious statement. Which part of his statement did you not understand?
tikiagedola
I have been there. It was amazing just like all blue diverse states.that is irrelevant though
Ncsaint
Er, not a blue state. It is a city in a foreign country
stymeedone
What does it have to do with having been there? He didn’t say anything negative about the city. For whatever reason, it seems Toronto’s front office has not been able to find players of caliber that want to take their money. San Francisco seems to be having the same problem. If you feel that’s an insult, that’s on you.
bronyaur
You don’t have to live there to see that the BJs are forever bridesmaids with free agents.
Fever Pitch Guy
Bron – I recently posted a long list of free agents signed by the Jays over the past 5 years.
Sure they’ve missed out on the top stars … but so has most teams including mine.
Black Ace57
The Hamptons and Malibu are nice. They are also in states with very high taxes and are very expensive to live there. Toronto is nice, but like those places between taxes, cost of living/housing, having to deal with both US and Canada taxes, etc living there isn’t ideal. I’ve seen garbage town homes and condos on sale for $1.5m. This isn’t even exclusively a Blue Jays issue. Canadian NHL teams are struggling at times convincing Canadians to want to play there. Focus on making your country a desirable place to live and move to.
Damn Yankee$
“Spoken confidently by someone who’s never been there.”
Players not wanting to play for Toronto has nothing to do with whether the city is nice or not.
Big whiffa
He doesn’t have to visit or live there to understand MLB players won’t sign there bc it’s Canada. This is a serious problem that MLB needs to address where they make a competitive balance adjustment for playing in Canada that will entice FA to sign there.
Over the past 2 days burnes and Torres passed up on 10s of millions each to not play there
enteluj88
Lots of free agents have signed in Toronto, so the argument doesn’t hold up even under the lightest scrutiny. I have no idea where this “because it’s Canada” nonsense comes from other than simple ignorance.
As for Burnes, he turned down the Jays and Giants because the notion of playing in the same city he lives in year-round, getting to sleep in own bed throughout spring training and home games, and having a young family, was too strong a pull. Burnes is an apples and oranges argument.
Assuming the Jays were in the same position financially as the Tigers for Torres, that’s the situation that is more concerning because it may be more about how well Torres can do this year to try to earn a huge deal next year in a thin free agent market. In other words, he may think Detroit’s lineup offers him better prospects of performing well than Toronto’s, and that’s on Toronto’s feckless general manager.
Big whiffa
You are completely downplaying the severity and intangibles of the situation.
Where did u see the giants offered a 7th year ? Bc it was only Toronto from what I’ve read and that’s 35 million he passed up PLUS it was the contract he publicly said he was looking for !! It was all over the news ! Yet he passed on the contract he was looking for to not play in Canada. And it jays are in on Torres – it’s going to be more than the tigers will be willing to pay. Just like how Baltimore was never in the conversation. And that’s just from this weekend ! Over time, every other big name free agent too has passed on playing in Canada. Are you blind man lol ?
Furthermore, the FA they did sign, where in years there wasn’t a lot of competition and they still overpaid for springer and gausman !
And is it more likely Vlad and Bichette have rejected privately offers to stay in Toronto long term over the past several seasons or that Toronto just hasn’t offered them reasonable extensions?
No clue how you can possibly deny this 88 ?
Instead of profit sharing with teams who pocket the money and don’t reinvest it into their payroll, why not give any FA who signs with Blue Jays an extra 10% paid by MLB as a cost of living adjustment ? Better money spent then lining small market teams pockets who refuse to compete in the FA market !
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
@Big Whiffa There are a plethora of reasons free agents don’t want to sign this winter in Toronto, but I tell you what the main ones are: still having Bichette & Guerrero there in lame duck status, having a wiped out farm system, having a losing record last season, and the continued presence of the ineffectual bros Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (Atkins-Shapiro) running things. The BJ’s are a shitshow right now with no direction. That’s most likely why nobody wants to sign up to play there right now.
Big whiffa
I agree that all those are contributing factors. They still start behind the 8 ball prior to all those factors bc they are outside the US. Detroit isn’t even that much further than Toronto yet Torres most likely passed on 30 mil and 2 additional seasons not to play there
garth16iorg
Toronto is better than any city in the US. Actually, no one wants to play for Shatkins.
bronyaur
lol, ok Dudley Dooright.
RandalGrichuksStubble
Absolutely not. T.O. has been going downhill rapidly over the last few years. 13% tax on sales isn’t exactly wonderful either.
bhd360
My god, ENOUGH ALREADY.
Please ping us Blue Jays fans if and when we sign somebody. So sick of the knife being twisted like this lol
0523me
Well, the Brewers don’t even engage in available players, so at least there’s that for you. On the plus side, resurrecting the scrap heap seems to be the Crew’s strong suit, it would still be cool to know they tried once in awhile
braveshomer
Yeah i must admit I’m beginning to believe these writers are just trolling Jay’s fans at this point lol
JoeBrady
Yeah i must admit I’m beginning to believe these writers are just trolling Jay’s fans at this point lol
==========================
Yup. It’s like posting that “The RS sign a AA prospect” knowing that it will get 300 comments.
Theodore
Of coarse there trolling them . Guys like Shi Davidi all work for Rogers when u come down to it . They have to tell people that Rogers and Atkins or Shapiro are busy when they are sitting on their dumb hands and asses doing nothing.
Fever Pitch Guy
bhd – It’s no different for us Red Sox fans. The “had interest” line is as old as Art Schallock!!
Let’s start calling it what it is.
Serious interest = One of the top offers made
Interest = Competitive offer made but the team knows it’s unlikely to be accepted
Pretending to show interest = No offer made
case
It really felt like the quotation marks around strong interest were intentionally mocking.
Fever Pitch Guy
case – Could be, who knows.
I found it absolutely ridiculous when it was reported the Sox “showed interest” in Torres, but never made an offer. If you’re interested in signing a player, you make an offer!
mlbnyyfan
Who has Toronto showed an interest in and actually got a player. I’m only thinking of Springer right now
tikiagedola
They haven’t bought a title like nyy
CravenMoorehead
tikiagedola
You act like the Blue Jays didn’t have the highest payroll in 1993 when they won their second straight title (they ranked 3rd in 1992….).
Rsox
Kevin Gausman or Chris Bassit might be the most recent players that they actually wanted to sign–and did
wayler
And Ryu.
Lindor's Bodyguard
Gausman?
Bassitt?
Berrios signed an extension.
Rsox
Berrios was already there though
enteluj88
In recent years, it was only Ryu, Springer, Berrios, Gausman. I feel like even Bassitt was a bit of a surprise. Even a case of someone like Bellinger, Ohtani or Soto – the Jays being open about their interest – is rare. They only seem to make moves out of the blue (Teo, Varsho, Gimenez).
YankeesBleacherCreature
IKF.
mad1
Jays show interest in everyone but can’t close the deal
garth16iorg
Worst front office in history.
NoSaint
@garth16iorg
The past White Sox FO asked me to hold their beer.
Low IQ Angels Management
Wrong…
amjr
Blue Jays are on everyone but sign no one.
Lloyd Emerson
Is there anyone that Toronto hasn’t been interested in this off-season? Is there a reason why the Blue Jays can’t make an offer that anyone wants to accept? Or are they just throwing this stuff out after the fact to give their fans a false sense of hope that they’re actually trying to compete?
Rsox
The Blue Jays are the drunk guy at the bar that thinks he has a chance with everyone, until it comes time to seal the deal and can’t quite rise to the occasion…
For Love of the Game
…they have medicine for THAT problem, but not for the ailing the Jays
Theodore
That’s exactly what they are doing. Atkins and Shapiro have made this organization the laughing stock of the league when it comes to front offices. What have these guys actual done in the drafting in the last 10 years , nothing , Vlad and Bo were drafting by original management. 10 year of no one that is of value . There trades in recent years and signing also terrible .
Simm
He wanted to play second, zero chance he would go to the jays after they traded for a 2b.
CTS4
Hey lousy incompetent GM shapiro and lackie atkins, how is the off season going ??
bestone
Hey….be nice….they did manage to unload their second best hitter from last year. Dude on second better not suck, other teams can’t be allowed to score.
Obviously, they’ve sold out the tickets already to corporations…no need to have any real fans in the building. The empty seats will be sold to fans from NY and Boston when their teams come to town.
Business model…no need to field a team.
mad1
Bichette a four to five win player twice in six seasons so not real consistent
Bucket Number Six
Go back and think about that one a little and you may change your mind.
stretcharmstrong1
Of course they did.
Lindor's Bodyguard
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Pete Cruise
SHOCKING!!!!
tikiagedola
Remember Rob Ford?
bestone
?
MysteryWhiteBoy13
I have been just as effective running the Jays front office the past couple of off seasons as Atkins has.
This front office gets more embarrassing by the day.
Darthyen
Blah Blah Blah
MoneyBallJustWorks
let’s just stop with the “Jays showed interest” nonsense. they have showed interest in most FAs
seamaholic 2
Whomever in the Jays front office keeps leaking stuff like this, just stop. You’re killing the team.
davidewhitt
The Reds should acquire him so we can move ANOTHER infielder to the outfield!!! We’ve already ruined Senzel and are in the process of ruining Steer! Are we saying the heck with CES, Marte and Arroyo?? Is there seriously not a right handed, middle of the order, every day outfielder available…for the 3rd straight offseason??
cwsOverhaul
Luis Robert has 1 guaranteed year (15mil) and 2yrs of club options (20/20). The trade price would likely be prospect Sal Stewart as the headliner, a good second (eg. Petty) and a young OF long shot many years away. Cincy should deal from depth. If Robert was more reliably durable, the price would be through the roof like they got for Crochet……but he’s not…..which makes the prospect return a slight sting rather than big.
This one belongs to the Reds
Dude is losing his mind, if he ever had one to begin with. More infielders than Carter had peanuts, and they tried to get another while avoiding the real problem areas once again.
wvsteve
Strong interest for a guy who ended up on a one year deal? They are really going after the the guys they want
For Love of the Game
Article said he wanted to bet on himself with only a 1 year deal.
Golfsucks
For the love all all things baseball MLB Trade Rumors “PLEASE” stop all articles about the Blue jays supposedly being in on anyone baseball related.
Their fan has to be put out of their misery.
This team run by tech geeks is in the toilet
Golfsucks
Their fan base has to be put out of their misery. I think that people probably got the point. LOL
Seriously though enough with these articles it’s just not cool anymore.
Toronto looks to be circling the bowl and it’s a filthy public toilet.
cwsOverhaul
FAs in higher demand won’t sign in Toronto b/c they are a last place team for foreseeable future (Yanks/RSox have deep pockets and Balt/TB overachieve spending less but developing players). Farm system also not looking good, team would actually be worse l-t if they signed Vlad Jr for hundreds of millions in desperation, etc.
They could get second tier guys by way overbidding. Example would be 5/125 for Santander if other clubs hold the line at 3-4yrs at similar 25aav.
Ducey
Exactly.
Niekro floater
Love how as soon as big ticket FA signs, teams come running to be 1st in line telling baseball world all bout how damn close they were. Jay’s been in on EVERYBODY n got nothing to show for it. Fan based propaganda purposely “leaked” to cover-up doing nothing n achieving nothing to appease there fandom. Pukes.
DanielDannyDano
The article states “The Jays never made a formal offer…” So, what are we talking about?
YankeesBleacherCreature
That the Blue Jays spoke with Torres’ reps.
Ducey
Which is what they are supposed to do!
The lack of a coherent plan, the inability to draft and develop, and the failure to sign or trade Vlad or Bo can all be criticized.
Talking to agents can’t
Edp007
If your moniker refers to Rob Ducey, just saying. .. a class guy
Heels On The Field
The problem for the Blue Jays is they have never shown the money to the type of free agent they could have signed and needed such as Manny Machado.
Deciding to drop $340 million (unless that is Canadian dollars) on the most overrated player in MLB (in MLB history?) would compound their mistakes.
Time to rebuild and then drop the really big bucks which they have always had on stud talent.
westcasey
The Guardians were never interested in Torres. Total BS released into Rumor. They aren’t spending money when they can claim replacements from within. Brito is next. Schneeman another guy, same for Martinez. Freeman another who is a 2B in house. Never were in on Torres.
Gumby82
Of course they did. According to MLBTR, they show strong interest in every FA on the planet who has risen above the T-Ball level
olmtiant
IDK… the only team linked to so many FA and really not sign any of them is Boston… WB one year aside…
HiredGun23
I had my eye on pancakes this morning for breakfast but ultimately went with french toast…
Yankee Clipper
But did you have….”strong interest” in the pancakes?
And, for the record, I would’ve gone with the French Toast too! Maybe some bacon and sausage on the side for, ya know, the health benefits and such.
HiredGun23
Yankee…I made it seem like I had strong interest but deep down it was always the French toast.
dasit
meanwhile a box of grape nuts sits on a shelf wondering why boras told it to reject a multi-year offer
sfes
Nope the bacon and sausage ended up signing with the Dodgers
Yankee Clipper
They’re ruining breakfast now, too?! Ugh, those Dodgers!
CravenMoorehead
I have strong interest in malt liquor today after watching my Jets get humiliated by the Bills
TrillionaireTeamOperator
If Torres has a bounce back season where he course corrects enough of his short comings- base running IQ, defensive capabilities, consistency at the plate, etc.- and say turns in a 1.0 WAR on defense and 3.0 WAR on offense and ranks in MVP voting, etc. and that leads to, say, a deal worth 8 years/$160M, which would be a middle of the road AAV nowadays, so completely achievable for him, I’ll…. well I won’t do anything but I will be surprised.
Yankee Clipper
If he stops staying up to play video games and focuses on baseball it’ll probably correct some of his issues…
holecamels35
Sweet, they’ve become a meme at this point. If you can’t pull the trigger on someone as mediocre as Torres, why bother?
Whyme
No one wants to play on a bad team with a bloated payroll no farm system and the most unlikeable management in baseball
dankyank
I know the article only briefly mentions the Guardians, but I still don’t think they were a fit for Torres before or after the Gimenez trade. Both Schneemann and Arias both need longer looks. Brito, if and when he gets promoted, profiles as a quality contact hitter with at least average power, capable of providing neutral defense at the keystone.
Gleyber was a much better fit for Detroit since he provides a small defensive improvement over Keith and helps at first by shifting the latter over. That in turn allows them to focus on fixing third base. I A one year deal should help keep Gleyber focused.
It’s hard not to feel sympathetic for Jays fans after they inexplicably keep getting their offers to seemingly any notable free agents. He would have also fit well in a Toronto infield that likes to mix and match.
dankyank
Edit: offers to seemingly any notable free agents turned down.
Dustyslambchops23
I love MLBTR but these articles are pointless
Yankee Clipper
NO, sir! Do not lump “strong interest” in a player with “interest in a player”…. Miles and miles apart!
I mean, with strong interest you call at least three times, verses the two calls that accompany simple interest.
Dustyslambchops23
Also the ‘ no one wants to play in Toronto’ people are dopes, the type to not even have a passport.
It has nothing to do with the city and everything to do with the franchise. Jays have a bottom 5 farm, no stars besides berrios locked up, a bad manager and play on turf.
Has nothing to do with Toronto and everything to do wi tbh the Blue Jays.
rocky7
Given that you take on the Blue Jays may be spot on, but you’re being naive regarding spending half your year in Canada playing ball with its Socialist government, higher taxes, healthcare issues (waiting for doctor appointments for months) and the diversity amongst the provinces…….Canada is a new deal man and not for everyone…..
Dustyslambchops23
Rocky with all due respect, you were probably saying the same thing about the US the last 4 years and 8 of the last 12.
I appreciate some people are really in to politics, but not every player is American and the super rich aren’t really concerned with politics.
Toronto has similar issues to most major cities in the US
JoeBrady
Players and wealthy Canadians don’t wait in line for doctor’s appointments. They often don’t even see Canadian doctors. They come to the US.
My boss’s grandson tore up his knee playing hockey and was told it would be a 6-8 wait for an MRI. He called up company owner, and the MRI was done the next day. And they had the operation done in the big MN hospital.
Dustyslambchops23
Life expectancy in Canada is 3 years higher vs US.
Canadian health care is far from perfect, needs lots of improvement, but let’s not get carried away
JoeBrady
I’m just telling you the story. And even when my boss had medical issues, he still flew to the US for the treatment.
And the life expectancy issue, imo, is entirely related to the poor lifestyle choices we make. I am fortunate to have good access to healthcare, but it is up to me to make better choices.
bronyaur
@Lambchop Maybe it is the 13% income tax rate on high incomes that discourage them.
I have a doctorate in economics and travel internationally extensively – in my world, you are the ignorant hayseed, Buford.
Dustyslambchops23
A doctorate of economics and that’s your level of understanding? Where is the degree from, university of Phoenix online?
The top income tax rate in Ontario is within 3-5% of NY, CA. Add to the fact that they only pay that tax rate on home games, and it’s negligible.
Then add to the fact that they get to spend USD in Canada, which gives their dollar currently 30% more buying power. Next time you want to call someone ignorant, atleast have some self respect and come with some facts chump
Ncsaint
“I have a doctorste in economics”
A. No you don’t
B-z. Nobody cares
Taxes are definitely a knock for Toronto, but probably not a serious one. We went through a season when they weren’t allowed to play home games. Meanwhile most of the big money MLB teams play in NY or Cali, which also have super high taxes. There are better reasons to avoid the Blue Jays.
Spaced-Cowboy
Organization needs a strong right arm.
Shapiro’s track record speaks for itself; only Grichuk and Berrios have been extended by this regime. Arguably two of the worst contracts in Blue Jays recent history (sorry BJ Ryan)
30 Parks
The Jays’ reluctance to extend Vlad Jr. and the franchise’s inability to deliver a winning culture – these are the central issues with ‘playing in Toronto.’ Waiting to extend Vlad post-Soto-deal is incompetence on display. We’re back in the JP Ricciardi days of endless excuses from the Jays’ brass. If the Jays demonstrated an actual pursuit of winning, not the PR garbage of signing Ohtani & Soto, these free agent issues vanish. Jays fans deserve better.
Theodore
100 percent dead on . These guys Atkins and Shapiro have said on camera they do not believe Vlad is a superstar yet . On his next signing we will see what rest of league thinks 550 million plus on the low side . Good luck getting him back on jays .
Indianfan
Please tell me the value of these post-signing (elsewhere) “were interested” stories. Once the ship has sailed, it’s sailed.
Jim Carter
The Jays are matching the Orioles for being interested.
rocky7
Are all these stories regarding Toronto’s “interest” being paid for by their marketing department to stave off fan unhappiness with the off season……
sufferforsnakes
I’m just here to hear Jays fans defend their toilet of a country.
For Love of the Game
It’s a lovely country with kind people, but they keep electing bad governments.
Dustyslambchops23
With arizonas education system I’m just surprised you can read
SFGRab
“:…it’s also feasible the club was willing to….. push Tyler Fitzgerald into a utility role entering the season.”
Posey said they would prefer not to do that, but for arguments sake they could still be in on one of the Kim’s to man 2nd base. That would fit with the stated desire to get back to pitching and defense. Still need to do something about the pitching beyond the hope that one (or more) of their unproven youngsters can turn into a viable rotation piece.
Mr. Pessimist
Once again I don’t think it’s about players not wanting to play in Toronto – except for the idiot moron PM Trudeau making things very difficult for the fine folks in Canada (which I’m sure is somewhat of a small factor since most major cities in the US are also under the full control of crazy liberals with ridiculous costs of living) – but it’s because the complete lack of direction from clueless jackasses in Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro who’s goal is to take pleasure in destroying ballclubs and alienating loyal fan bases , i.e. Cleveland and now Toronto.
Can’t blame Vlad nor Bo if they have no interest staying with these complete bozos running the asylum! Absolutely shameful. Theres a reason neither player have signed long term which is perhaps the main reason nobody is choosing to join the Blue Jays. If one or both were locked up for a while then there’s a good chance that either one of Soto, Burnes, Torres, Bregman etc would be in Toronto. Perhaps even Ohtani!?
terrymesmer
This is a lie.
Mr. Pessimist
How so? What do you think is the main problem? Don’t you agree that it’s 100% Atkins and Shapiro to blame?
Mr. Pessimist
Trudeau’s government of Canada probably deserves some blame too, perhaps 5% blame. The rest of the 95% blame falls on Atkins/Shapiro.
AM21
Seems like the Blue Jays are the bridesmaid to every major FA…
Mr. Pessimist
Or do you mean the Jays’ interest in Torres is BS to begin with? Lol
AL34
Yeah same thing always with Breslow and the Red Sox. We were in on it, we had serious interest, we made an offer, heard all this bs from this front office for the last 5 years. All it is is mouth service and eye wash for the fans.dame crap every year from Chaim Bloom to Breslow. They were never going to sign Soto and do not hold your breath on Sasaki. These agents on these good players must laugh when Breslow calls with his lowball Rube Goldberg offers.
JoeBrady
They were never going to sign Soto and do not hold your breath on Sasaki.
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IMO, Soto never made any sense for a team with two good lefty outfielders, one good righty OF, and a top-tier lefty OF prospect.
And Sasaki will not be our choice, it will be his.
the wizard shawn
My issue is, why does this pop up when it has no baring on any other MLB team but the Tigers? I mean he signed, who cares who wanted him. We all lost the player, or was saved from getting him. Reds fan here so I could care less who went after him.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Because fans want to know the extent of actions in attempt to sign a player. Can you imagine that they’re would be no follow-up info regarding the Yankees’ pursuit of re-signing Soto? Or Votto’s plans after the Reds gave him his walking papers. It’s the premise of this website so I find it silly that users here are complaining about rumors.
SFGRab
On one hand that is true, but I think the interest lies in hearing what clubs might be thinking and what moves they might make after missing out. Those teams in on Gleyber might then pivot to another 2nd baseman/infielder. That’s my 2 cents.
the wizard shawn
I get it, but it is no longer a trade Rumor. It’s a trade or a pick up. I’d much rather see what teams may do, not what they have done. Or in the case of the Red’s not done. If the trade or pick up happens, that’s fine, I just say, don’t come back a week later saying these people tried. I’d rather see what’s happening next. But then again, to each their own.
basquiat
Typical Mark Shapiro tactic. He teases the fans with blockbuster deals so they’ll buy season tickets. He’s always ‘kicking the tires’ on the hottest player available, only to be outbid at the last minute. (BTW, one of the tritest phrases in sports writing.) Mark is a BS artist.
smkelly1970
of course the Red Sox made no offer- that would involve spending money on someone who isn’t coming back from TJ or other surgeries.
Salvi
Red Sox make little sense for a Torres. With Grissom, Hamilton, Campbell and Story all capable of playing there. Add in, Torres would probably be looking for a multi-year deal. Locking up 2B for at least 2025 and 26 on him makes little sense, when the team is in much greater need of a power right-handed bat wouldnt be wise.
If Torres would be willing to come for a one-year deal, it could be a fit, but I really doubt he’d come to Boston on a short-term deal.
JoeBrady
The fans look for something to complain about. Hamilton had a fine season, and I think Grissom is still a viable prospect. If I am spending $15M, it should be in the BP.
BlueJays Fan
The Jay’s front office will likely need to sign Vladdy if they want to attract talent. Reality is, star players will not go to a team that does not show that it is intent on winning. And yes, they are likely to need to overpay some players just to get them to go to Toronto. It is not like the Bluejays organization has been getting glowing reviews over the past few years.
dasit
taxes, travel and cost-of-living are important factors when deciding where to sign but i have to think a winning culture and/or an upcoming championship window could overcome those factors. blue jays just have a negative vibe about them right now
Theodore
Also 100percent true who wants to come to an organization we’re Vlad and Bo become free agents and leave after one more season. Shapiro and Atkins have said that has no effect on who signs here this off season . More ignorance from a hated front office staff.
WideWorldofSports
Giants and the Blue Jays always interest never chosen.
Joer
Toronto is always interested in this or that
No player is going to sign if Vladimir is not sure to stay alone in Toronto.
For me the worst management in MLB, the only team in Canada is sad.
Doug Dueck
I don’t see Vlad Jr receiving a valid offer as that would mean that management would have to spend all kinds of money to upgrade the team around him to make it worthwhile to spend the more money that he will cost the team. I don’t see it happening. I am sure they will say they offered him a competitive offer but it won’t be the right amount nor the length to his liking as there will be other teams that will ante up for him.
BigGarg
LOL this is a meme at this point.
Diggydugler
1 year of Torres is much better than 5 years of Gimenez at $90M+ and they would still have Horwitz. Safe to say Atkins and Shapiro are the worst in baseball. Sadly the Rogers board of directors dont even know the Jays exist so they wont be making changes anytime soon.
dasit
even for mlbtr this comment thread is hilarious
Doug Dueck
Being a Canadian and living in Canada, close ( 8 hour drive) to the home of the Minnesota Twins has allowed me to appreciate MLB in person. I was lucky enough to travel to see the Twins play a series with my father and other adults when I was young years ago (not sure who the opposition was). As I grew older I was able to follow MLB playoffs mostly on radio as TV service here was sketchy at best. So the NY Yankees became my team as they were always in the playoffs. It was suggested that I HAD to become a Blue Jay fan when a franchise was granted to Toronto because I am Canadian. Jays being placed in the AL East didn’t help matters; so I am a rebel in Canada cheering for NYY. Signing an extension with Vlad Jr will not happen as then the Blue Jays would have to spend all kinds of money to improve the team and Rogers Sportsnet will not do that. They are a business that is in business to make money. So after all this yapping by me that is my point – not going to happen as Rogers is happy making the profits they are making with the Jays the way they are.
JoeBrady
I am a rebel in Canada cheering for NYY.
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I grew up within walking distance of Yankee Stadium and became a RS fan. Cheers to the rebels.
YankeesBleacherCreature
The place I often stay at in Boston is within two miles of Fenway. I take the T there to go see the visiting teams. I’ll go to a bar on Landsdowne and wait until after the game starts to buy my ticket.
Doug Dueck
Just a footnote regarding money Canada vs US; I am planning a winter vacation to Mexico and have purchased US currency to have available in Mexico. I purchased $150.00 US that cost me $219.05 Canadian which is a rate of 1.4603 yesterday Dec 28/24.
Dustyslambchops23
Players are paid in USD
YankeesBleacherCreature
You’re going to get a better rate using a Mexican bank ATM not at the airport. Check with your Canadian bank if they charge a transaction fee. My U.S. bank doesn’t for int’l withdrawals.
JoeBrady
You’re going to get a better rate using a Mexican bank ATM
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But you’re probably better off not even being seen at a bank in Mexico (probably depends on what part). The exchange loss on $150 is likely to be $15 or less.
I loved Mexico when I use to go there, but it is no longer on my bucket list.
griffey9988
If President Trump conquered Canada and made it the 51st state then perhaps players would view it as a more desirable location
Doug Dueck
conquered??? At least wait until January 20 till he is sworn in; sheesh
YankeesBleacherCreature
GL committing economic suicide and being tossed out from and starting a World War with NATO.
JoeBrady
I’ve always maintained that Canada should join us as states #51-56, with a couple of the smaller provinces combining with each other or with US states on population issues. Let the Native American territories vote on whether or not they want to join.
I’d go one step further and let Mexico join us at some point.
ZUFFAHD
i give up on the jays just horrible another last place finish and to top that were losing Vladdy.
84LeFlore
Something that may support Carlos Baerga’s tweet Friday night that Bregman would sign with Tigers (Baerga is supposedly buddies with Joey Cora):
“I know Detroit is doing a really good job this offseason,” Torres said. “They brought me to the team but I really believe they are looking for a couple more options.”
JoeBrady
Blue Jays Showed “Strong Interest” In Gleyber Torres
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I seriously doubt it. This isn’t like Soto or Burnes, where it just gets too expensive after a while. A $15M player is someone you sign or you don’t. If they had a “strong interest”, he’d be a Blue Jay right now.
baseballguru
Redsox have ZERO interest in Gaybar Torres lol we have plenty of studs in Grissom and Campbell, Mayer, Arias, Romero, Zanetello and besides we’re signing Bregman soon to play 2b and when Yoshida and the DH spot opens Bregman shifts to 3b, Raffy DHs. Casas hits 40 bombs at 1b…life is good!
JPR
Toronto was interested in player X who just signed somewhere else. Run this everyday with a different name plugged in for X.
greg1
On the Toronto comments.
1) Players only pay Canadian Tax rate for the days that they are in Canada. The tax rate in Ontario is steep, but no more so than NYS or California, both of which players flock to.
2) All players have Global Entry, and a travel secretary to take care of the details of crossing the border. There is no challenge on this.
3) I’m not a fan of the City itself, but many a tonne of MLB and NBA players have come to Toronto over the years and have fallen in love with the city. Many started off weary of moving here.
4) The weather in Toronto is better than many in the US, including Chicago, Boston, and Minny. It’s in line with NYC, if not better. It was 58 where I live yesterday, and it’s going to be 40+ for most of the balance of the week. There were more days over 60 in December than below 32. Last February’s average temperature was 41.
The reason players are not coming to Toronto is the current state of the team and its management.
bravesfan
Again, Blue jays fake showing interest in someone lol