TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 25: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
George Springer could be headed north of the border this offseason.
Arguably the best power-hitter on the market this offseason is Houston Astros center fielder George Springer, who will give any team a dose of pure hitting ability, solid defense, and championship experience if his price can be met. With the Toronto Blue Jays fresh off acquiring Hyun-Jin Ryu and making the postseason last year, Ross Atkins wants to make sure Springer ends up north of the border.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi mentioned how Springer, who is expected to leave Houston this offseason, has “given a lot of serious thought” to playing in Toronto.
George Springer could turn the Blue Jays into a playoff contender
Springer, who has been linked to the New York Mets, is coming off of a season in which he slammed 14 home runs and finished 13th in MVP voting. While there was no All-Star Game this year, Springer made an appearance in that game in each of the three prior seasons.
Toronto is fresh off a 32-28 season that earned them a Wild Card spot. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio in the lineup, the Blue Jays’ group of second-generation studs could help them contend in the AL East.
Toronto had one of the more productive outfields in the year last year between Randal Grichuk, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Teoscar Hernandez. If the Blue Jays are comfortable with shoehorning one of them into a DH role and forcing Guerrero to play the field, Springer could make them one of the deepest lineups in baseball.
With the Yankees always hanging out near the top of the division and the Tampa Bay Rays finding new ways to contend, Toronto has decided that splashing the cash for big free agents to supplement their young core is their formula for success. If they get Springer, it’ll be a sign that the Blue Jays’ philosophy is attractive to the best free agents in the game.