One trade, one signing Blue Jays should make

After getting swept by the Minnesota Twins in the playoffs last season, the Toronto Blue Jays are a team that will be looking for answers as they try to keep up with the rest of the American League East in 2024. 

Equipped with a pitching staff that was one of the best in baseball last season, despite the major regression of 2023 AL Cy Young Award candidate pitcher Alek Manoah and two young stars entering the prime of their careers the Blue Jays are a few pieces away from being a serious contender.

Here's one trade and one signing the Blue Jays should make this offseason. 

Trade: Acquire third baseman J.D. Davis from the San Francisco Giants

With last year's starting third baseman Matt Chapman likely to be playing elsewhere in 2024, the Blue Jays are left with a big hole to fill at the hot corner. 

While they have added utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a two-year, $15M deal earlier this offseason, going out and getting an everyday third baseman is a big need for a team looking for offensive production outside of its two stars in shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

With the San Francisco Giants rumored to be pursuing Chapman, their current third baseman J.D. Davis could be a perfect fit for the Blue Jays on the trade market.

Chapman got off to a hot start in 2023 but was dreadful in the second half of the season leading to a .240/.330/.424 slash line with 58 extra-base hits and 54 RBI, compared to Davis who slashed .248/.325/.413 with 42 extra-base hits and 69 RBI while playing for the Giants in 2023.

While Chapman does have the elite defense at third base that Davis lacks, he is still more than capable with the glove and would be able to help replace Chapman at a fraction of the cost while they try to find their third baseman for the future. 

Signing: Add a power bat to the lineup in outfielder Jorge Soler

One thing that the Blue Jays need to add to their lineup outside of consistent hitters, is someone who will provide the pop to drive them in with one swing of the bat and free agent outfielder Jorge Soler is known for doing just that.

Coming off one of the best seasons of his MLB career in 2023, the 31-year-old hit 36 home runs while being selected to his first All-Star game for the Miami Marlins and played a big part in them making a surprising playoff appearance. 

Soler slashed .250/.341/.512 with 60 extra-base hits and 75 RBI in 137 games for the Marlins, adding a bat with the power he possesses would help take some of the pressure off of Guerrero Jr. and allow him to have some protection in the lineup. 

After ranking 16th in the MLB in home runs last year with 188, the Blue Jays are hoping to get back to the power they showed in 2021 when they led the MLB with 262 home runs as a team and Soler would be a great start. 

With the Blue Jays in the mix for Soler, Spotrac's calculated market value is currently projected at a deal of around four years, $55M for his services but most rumored deals have been in the two-year range.