ORLANDO, Fla – Not only are the Toronto Blue Jays in touch with top free agents like Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, they’re checking in on some prominent trade candidates, too.
The price on Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte appears to be extremely high, but executives say the switch-hitter who has averaged 5.4 wins above replacement per season since 2023 really is available. Naturally, many teams are checking in on Marte, a list that reportedly includes the Red Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Pirates, Rays and Blue Jays.
As ever, the question then becomes, is this due diligence, or might there be real traction here? And the early conversations at the Winter Meetings suggest the Blue Jays’ involvement on Marte is more a case of being thorough.
Consider that Arizona appears to be seeking MLB-ready starting pitching in any trade for Marte. Unless Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen happens to love Adam Macko or Ricky Tiedemann, it’s a safe assumption that Trey Yesavage’s name would surface in any talks. And it’s probable that Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins would then tell his close friend Hazen, ‘thanks but no thanks.’
After all, the first month of the Blue Jays’ off-season has been spent deliberately building up pitching depth. Undoing that via trade would seem counterproductive for a team that can still spend.
Any front office acquiring Marte would also have to ask itself why a win-now team is willing to part with a player who’s both affordable and productive. The 32-year-old spent a few days away from the team on the restricted list last summer, an absence that prompted him to address his teammates, though manager Torey Lovullo later said he was “proud of” Marte, downplaying any concerns.
At the right acquisition cost, any team would be interested, the Blue Jays included. But putting this possibility through some common-sense filters, it starts to appear much less likely. As day two of the Winter Meetings unfolds, some in the industry believe the Blue Jays are on the periphery of Marte talks, not in the middle of them.
WAITING GAME
With all due respect to Steven Matz, who agreed to terms with the Rays Monday, day one of the Winter Meetings was a little underwhelming on the transactions front. And while one phone call can change everything this time of year, it’s possible more patience will be required and that top free agents like Tucker and Bichette will remain on the market for a while yet.
Tucker hasn’t yet completed his meetings with teams, so he doesn’t appear close to signing, according to people involved in that market. Bichette’s market isn’t necessarily tied to Tucker’s and a source described it as strong, with the Blue Jays one of many teams involved. Still, it’s possible a resolution here might still be weeks rather than days away for both players.
Such a scenario would require more patience from the Blue Jays, but they’re likely better positioned than most teams to wait if needed. For one, they’re willing to spend at a time that many teams are hesitating to invest, which instantly makes them a contender for most players they like, regardless of timing.
And having already made significant additions on the pitching side, the Blue Jays can likely be a little more patient and opportunistic from here if they so choose, maybe even letting the market come to them a little bit and trusting that they’ll find ways to add talent somewhere before spring training.
RAPID FIRE
Could left-hander Tim Mayza find his way back to the Blue Jays, perhaps on a minor-league deal? … Alex Bregman has some supporters within the Blue Jays organization — well, likely within every organization — but the Red Sox still look like a likelier destination for the third baseman … Andres Gimenez is preparing to play shortstop for now, but could switch to second base if needed, and either way the Blue Jays expect to assign him one position for the 2026 season.
