Shohei Ohtani's Home Run Supercut All 54 HR in the first ever 50-50 season
Blue Jays – Reflecting on last offseason free-agent targets and how they fared in 2024
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2024, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 10, 2024, 21:37 EST
One long year ago, the Toronto Blue Jays were targeting power hitters and outfielders to help them push for the playoffs for the 2024 season. While the wish list was full of free agents who could have propelled the Blue Jays to stronger contender status, many of these targets ended up signing with other teams while the Jays walked away with Justin Turner, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Kevin Kiermaier, and Yariel Rodríguez.
So, where are these free agents that the Blue Jays missed out on and how did they fare this past year? Below are some of the top names discussed during the 2023 offseason for Toronto and whether the team should breathe a sigh of relief or reflect on its past decisions to not try harder to sign the player in question.
Shohei Ohtani (DH/P) – signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 10-years, $700 million
Who is this guy again? Despite his “anonymity,” Ohtani garnered all the attention around the league and was the top free agent target last winter. What makes a player like Ohtani stand out is his home run power, base stealing ability, and the potential to hit 100 MPH on the mound when his elbow is working properly.
The only downside for this global superstar was that he was unable to pitch due to the below injury for the 2024 season. But that didn’t matter in the end because Ohtani crushed it this past season and only got better. His number was at the peak with .310/.390/.646 in production and he clobbered 10 more home runs as if hitting 44 home runs in 2023 wasn’t enough. Through his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani showcased his ability to truly become the powerhouse while being part of a well-rounded lineup while surpassing the 50 home run mark and 50 steals mark, the first player in history to do so.
Ohtani finally got his wishes when he won the World Series with his unstoppable Dodgers teammates and his fairytale is still only at its beginning.
How should the Blue Jays feel: This isn’t just for the Blue Jays but every team should feel some regret over not getting him on their team. He is a once-in-a-lifetime start after all so even those who couldn’t afford him should be thinking about the idea of “what if.”
Cody Bellinger (CF) – signed with the Chicago Cubs for three years, $80 million (opt-outs after the 2024 and 2025 seasons)
After slashing .307/.356.525 with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, OF/1B Cody Bellinger re-signed with the Cubs for a three-year, $80 million contract. With the hopes of making it back to the playoffs, Bellinger and Chicago were hopeful of boosting their status in the National League Central division. However, the reunion didn’t get off to a great start as the Cubs slowly tanked their way in the division while the Milwaukee Brewers took hold of the division lead gradually.
The centre-fielder also experienced a dip in his performance as he slashed .266/.325/.426, which was a significant decline from his 2023 numbers. A rib fracture and a finger fracture limited Bellinger to just 130 games but he struggled to find his 2023 form with the Cubs this season. Nonetheless, there is a chip on the shoulder for both Bellinger and the Cubs to prove something again in 2025 and onward, as Bellinger is remaining with Chicago for another campaign after not opting out of his deal for the 2025 season.
How should the Blue Jays feel: Toronto should be breathing a sigh of relief given how Bellinger couldn’t contribute as much productively in 2024. Nevertheless, if he can pull off an offensive comeback in 2025 and so on, that’s another story.
Matt Chapman (3B) – signed with the San Francisco Giants for three years, $52 million (opt-outs after the 2024 and 2025 seasons)
Unsurprisingly, third baseman Matt Chapman decided to return to his home state during the 2023/2024 offseason and signed a contract that guarantees $54 million over three years. Chapman turned back to California after two seasons with Toronto and the 2024 season proved that it did wonders for him. Compared to his slash line of .240/.330/.424 in 2023, the third baseman increased his production to .247/.328/.463 in 2024. Not only that, Chapman also hit 27 home runs this past season and improved his strikeout rate to 24.4%.
Golden Hour! Matt Chapman is the 5th active player to win 5+ Gold Glove Awards.
While Chapman’s defence was more or less similar to his 2023 production, he still earned a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2024. Overall, Chapman was a more consistent offensive contributor and a sharp tool in the corner infield. No wonder the Giants pushed to sign an extension with the third baseman and Chapman will be a fixture in the Bay Area for the next six years.
How should the Blue Jays feel: This one is a bit of a toss-up, as Ernie Clement worked out for Toronto at third base in 2024 and also earned a Gold Glove nomination but letting Chapman go may be something the team could be kicking themselves down the line given the third base market. At the same time, there wasn’t any guarantee that Chapman could have seen a bounceback as he did with the Giants had he stayed with the Blue Jays to play my own devil’s advocate. One thing’s for sure though: Chapman bet on himself in 2024 and is reaping the rewards.
Joc Pederson (OF/DH) – Signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for one year, $6 million (mutual option for 2025)
Pederson’s tenure with the San Francisco Giants from 2022 to 2023 had both its ups and downs and he decided to turn to a different NL West team last winter to fully right the ship, signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2024 season. The corner outfielder was making a bet on the young, resurgent Diamondbacks to help him make a deeper playoff run as the Giants failed to make it to October baseball during his two years with the squad while the Diamondbacks made it to the World Series in 2023.
Unfortunately for Pederson, Arizona failed to replicate their success in 2024 but he found a niche as a left-handed bat that could mash right-handed pitching. Even with a frustrating year from his team, Pederson improved his numbers considerably just in time for his free agency once again. This past season, the outfielder slashed .275/.393/.515 and even hit 23 home runs while mostly suiting up against southpaws. While his strikeout and walk rates have declined after he signed to play regularly in Chase Field, there is still potential for him to recreate his rebound in 2025.
OF/DH Joc Pederson has declined his end of a mutual option with the #DBacks, per @JesseRogersESPN Pederson will be a free-agent.
How should the Blue Jays feel: Given that Pederson isn’t the best defensive outfielder, Toronto didn’t miss out on that department in the team’s quest for a second AL Team Gold Glove Award. That being said, Pederson’s power bat would have helped the Blue Jays to come out of their offensive drought in 2024 and could have helped the squad with the numerous right-handed pitchers they faced this year.
Jorge Soler (COF/DH) – signed with the San Francisco Giants for three years, $42 million
After much speculation and interest, outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler joined Chapman and took his talents to the West Coast and signed with the San Franciso Giants. As Soler slashed .250/.341/.512 in 2023 with the Miami Marlins en route to a surprise playoff appearance, there was hope for the Giants to see similar production from the slugger in 2024.
With high expectations, Soler struggled to live up to his potential and landed on the IL in early May, missing a couple of weeks with a shoulder strain. The designated hitter did show some power but tapered off and was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves at the deadline – a team he has found some success with before. Generally speaking, Soler’s performance dived in the past season where he posted a collective .241/.338 /.442 slash line between both squads. But when taking his overall performance into context, his numbers still have been better compared to his 2020 to 2022 numbers.
Given his overall improvement in production starting in 2023, there is still a chance for Soler to reach his potential again. At least that’s the hope as he gets a fresh start with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025 after an early offseason trade a couple of weeks ago.
How should the Blue Jays feel: Soler’s power would have been a major benefit to the Blue Jays in 2024 but he would have been limited to the DH spot at the end of the day given his defensive liabilities. Considering the Jays struggled with the long ball in 2024, it is likely the risk of the limited options in the outfield would have been outweighed by his power even though his average and on-base percentage dipped compared to his 2023 numbers.