Now that Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto are off the table for the Toronto Blue Jays, it is time to explore other options for the 2024 season. While both Soto and Ohtani would have been phenomenal additions to the Blue Jays lineup, there are still other quality players out there that the Jays can try to add to their roster. While fans have been frustrated and disappointed with striking out on two superstars, it is evident that Ross Atkins has been busy this offseason trying to bolster the Blue Jays offense. The fact that the Blue Jays were finalists to get Ohtani is huge. But now that the Ohtani train has made its way to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s time to move forward. Let’s look at what players are still available for the Blue Jays and who makes the most sense for them to target for 2024.
Possible Blue Jays Targets for 2024
Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger would be a grand signing and acquisition for the Blue Jays as they want to spice up their offense. Bellinger could be a potential replacement for Matt Chapman at third base. His name continues to float near the top of Toronto fans’ wishlists. Bellinger was available during the trade deadline in the 2023 season, and was a desired Jays target then also. Adding him to the 2024 roster would be a massive step in the right direction. He finished the 2023 season with 26 home runs, 97 RBI, and a .307 batting average. The Blue Jays need more hitters hitting .300 or above in the lineup.
J.D. Martinez
In 2023 with the Dodgers, J.D. Martinez finished the season with 103 RBI and recorded 117 hits. Martinez previously spent time with the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2011. Martinez would be a solid veteran that the Blue Jays could add to their lineup. His batting average has been decent throughout his career, and he has spent many seasons hitting .300 or more.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a popular name linked to the Blue Jays, along with many other teams. While he can land anywhere, it would be compelling to pick him up. Although the Blue Jays’ focus is on offense and not pitching, considering that Alek Manoah‘s 2023 performance is leaving many nervous about pitching in 2024, adding a strong pitcher to the roster will help boost the lineup. Yamamoto is just 25 years old and is a star pitcher in Japan who is testing MLB free agency.
