The Toronto Blue Jays came up inches short of winning the World Series, and have spent this offseason making sure that doesn’t happen again. However, they did suffer two huge blows: losing Bo Bichette, and whiffing on Kyle Tucker.
Now, with George Springer’s contract running out after this season, Toronto will need to swing big. Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes that with Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper’s comments about his own club, he might be a star trade candidate.
“I’d bet good money on Toronto placing a phone call. The Blue Jays are in constant pursuit of stardom and don’t face the same roadblocks in a trade as they do in free agency. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. obviously takes up first base, but there’s a world in which Harper moves back to right field — or takes over DH duties as the Jays prepare for George Springer’s potential departure next winter. Few teams are more motivated to spend money and resources in pursuit of winning than the reigning AL champs. Harper could author a nice final chapter up north,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Harper slashed .261/.357/.487/.844 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs, and 75 RBI in 132 games played. Insert him into a lineup with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the Blue Jays instantly make up for the bat of Bichette, and increase their slugging power.
Harper is also on a relatively team-friendly contract, as he signed a 13-year, $330 million deal in 2019, and only set to make $27.5 to $23.5 million per year for the final six years of it.
Hopefully, the Blue Jays consider this trade, and pick up the phone to see what it would take.
MORE MLB NEWS