Toronto Blue Jays reportedly interested in J.D. Martinez
By Curtis Panke
The Toronto Blue Jays could find themselves in the offseason sweepstakes for free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez.
As the baseball world has their eyes glued on where the Miami Marlins might trade Giancarlo Stanton, the Toronto Blue Jays apparently have their eyes set on signing former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder J.D. Martinez.
As reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Blue Jays could be a “dark horse candidate” in signing the star outfielder.
here's a new one that makes sense. with encarnacion gone and bautista going, jd martinez it's possible could wind up in toronto. https://t.co/ncihxyxzKM
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 20, 2017
The 30-year-old spent time with the Detroit Tigers and the Diamondbacks this season, batting .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 104 runs-batted in over 119 games.
Martinez was the league leader in slugging percentage and finished third in home runs this season.
If the Blue Jays are serious in pursuing Martinez, they will have to be prepared to open their cheque books to satisfy what he is demanding for his next contract.
The J.D. Martinez asking price to teams at GM Meetings:
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 15, 2017
Seven years, $210 million
Heyman also mentioned in his article that the Toronto Blue Jays are considering signing outfielder Jay Bruce, who is looking for an $80-million contract of his own.
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Bruce spent this last season with the New York Mets and Cleveland Indians, hitting 254/.324/.508 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI over 146 games.
Both players would be an upgrade in the Blue Jays lineup after losing Edwin Encarnacion last year to free agency and announcing in November the team wouldn’t bring back Jose Bautista.
What make these rumours interesting for Blue Jays fans is that according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays have not offered a new contract to upcoming free agent slugger Josh Donaldson:
Source: #BlueJays have yet to make formal multiyear extension proposal this offseason to Josh Donaldson, who will become a free agent after 2018. In fairness, there is no urgency to do so right now; most logical window is during arbitration talks after New Year. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 20, 2017
Next: Aaron Sanchez says finger is healthy
What’s your take on Martinez? Do you rate him and would you like to see him in Toronto? More to the point, how realistic is it to expect the Blue Jays to sign him ahead of the competition? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.