While Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are often the players discussed most when it comes to Blue Jays and long-term contracts, there’s another homegrown member of their core who can soon reach free agency.
Danny Jansen has established himself as a high-quality Major League catcher. He’s strong defensively, calls a good game, and can hit for power.
We’re right into the off-season and the sweepstakes for various free agents are in conversation. The Blue Jays are focused on filling multiple holes on their roster, including third base, the outfield, and possibly the back end of the starting rotation. Among the spots where the Blue Jays are solidified for next year is behind the plate.
We know Jansen and Alejandro Kirk will be the team’s two primary catchers in 2024, but what about beyond? Jansen is arbitration-eligible this winter and he’ll be eligible to hit free agency for the first time in his career after next season.
It goes without saying that the catcher is a pinnacle part of this team. Putting up personal best numbers despite experiencing injuries this season, Jansen was graded a “B” while smacking 17 home runs and driving in 53 runs. Besides his above-average offensive and defensive capabilities, Jansen has stellar relationships and working a rapport with a chunk of Toronto’s pitching staff, building synergy and unity. Pitchers are comfortable with his game-calling and compatibility.
That being said, it doesn’t appear as though the Blue Jays and their veteran catcher are anywhere close to a contract extension. Jansen appeared on The Scott Mitchell Show last week and said that the two sides have agreed to see how things go during the season.
“We talked a little bit and then both parties agreed to carry on and see what happens throughout this year and all. That’s been the extent of that. It’s definitely been a bumpy road this year a little bit with some injuries, but I’m proud of everything I’ve done and overcome this year.”
Jansen, who turns 29 years old in April, is the go-to backstop on the staff and could be an important part of the Blue Jays for years to come. A contract extension would be fair, however, Toronto also has other priorities this winter that will require large contracts, so locking Jansen in right now might not be the ideal move.
After making $3.5 million in 2023, Jansen is projected by MLB Trade Rumours to earn $5.2 million for 2024, a very inexpensive number for the Blue Jays given what he brings. Beyond that, though, Jansen could be looking at a huge free-agent deal. The top contract for a catcher last winter was five years, $87.5 million for three-time All-Star Willson Contreras, while veteran Christian Vasquez got a three-year, $30 million deal.
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