"If you’re rational on every free agent, you’re going to finish third on every free agent" – MLB podcaster questions Blue Jays’ tepid offseason plans

It has been an offseason to forget so far for the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans. Last season, the Jays struggled to get much of anything going aside from a strong year from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which led to the team trading off some of their veterans at the deadline.

After missing the postseason altogether, the Blue Jays front office entered the offseason with the intention of pursuing many high-profile free agents to revamp the roster. Unfortunately for the club, they have struggled to land any of their targets despite reportedly being heavily invested in signing them, including the likes of Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Gleyber Torres and Teoscar Hernandez.

The team's inability to land a notable free agent this offseason has left many fans and experts questioning the front office and their approach to free agency. One of those experts is MLB insider and podcaster Mike Wilner, who spoke on the latest episode of "Foul Territory" about how Toronto has operated this offseason.

"This offseason feels to me like that old Andrew Friedman line back when he was with Tampa Bay," Wilner said. "I think it was something like, 'If you're rational on every free agent, you'll finish 3rd on every free agent.' That seems to be the course the Blue Jays are going with."

It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue as Toronto will either need to get more aggressive about signing some remaining free agents or enter the new season with their current. The latter might not go over well as the club finished last in the American League East in 2024 with a disappointing 74-88 record.

"If you're not willing to go all the way, then don't even bother getting in and concentrate your efforts on other people," Wilner added. "It doesn't seem like the Blue Jays are comfortable with keeping up with the way that this market has changed."

Toronto Blue Jays have failed in securing big names free agents for several years now

While some other factors may be at play, including being the only team based in Canada, the Jays have been unable to land a big fish in free agency in recent years. The team was reportedly in the running for Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto before both players signed elsewhere.

The front office will face another significant test this upcoming season as Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are set to become free agents at the end of the year. It will be interesting to see how president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins will approach the futures of both stars, especially if the team falls out of contention early in the year.