What's next for the Blue Jays post Pete Alonso deal?

It's back to the drawing board for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The franchise was dealt a painful gut punch Wednesday night after learning first baseman Pete Alonso had decided to return to the New York Mets following a lengthy and public negotiation battle, settling on a two-year deal worth $54 million.

Assuming he stays healthy in 2025, it'll almost certainly end up being a one-year contract due to his ability to re-enter free agency next off-season via his opt-out.

For the Blue Jays, though, that doesn't provide any solace after missing out on another marquee free agent, nor does it put them any closer to completing their lineup retool before spring training arrives in just over a week.

So what now? Landing Alonso would've been massive for Toronto.

If he left New York, his arrival would've constructed one of the sport's most lethal middle-of-the-order trios between himself, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander.

Add a resurgent Bo Bichette, and you have the makings of a next-to-unstoppable quartet.

But enough fantasizing about what could have been. Since the «Polar Bear» isn't leaving the Big Apple, the Blue Jays are now in a tough predicament.

They still need to shore up their offence with at least one more meaningful addition before the 2025 season begins.

How they accomplish that feat, though, now becomes the challenging part.
With Alonso off the board, Alex Bregman is, without question, the top free agent still unsigned.

While Toronto would benefit from an upgrade at third base, the cost of committing six or seven years to the long-time Houston Astro - whose offensive production has trended downward over the last few seasons - will probably prove too lucrative for this front office.

In all likelihood, Alex Bregman will have a better chance of earning that type of contract from someone like the Boston Red Sox (if they don't acquire Nolan Arenado), Detroit Tigers, or Chicago Cubs.

Or perhaps his camp, led by agent Scott Boras, will reunite with the Astros on a deal that benefits both parties, just as Alonso did.

Where does that leave the Blue Jays?

Regarding free agency, there are slim pickings beyond Bregman.

They could try their luck with a 37-year-old J.D. Martinez, who's destroyed left-handed pitching throughout his career and could DH in those situations this season.

There are also a few intriguing right-handed-hitting outfielders still available, such as Mark Canha and Manuel Margot, either of whom would balance out the organization's outfield depth.

All those options would raise the floor of their offence rather than the ceiling, though.

Alternatively, management could explore the trade market and aim to leverage some of its position-player surplus for an impact hitter - and a left-handed reliever, too, perhaps.

As for who they may target, that could include Miami's Jesús Sánchez, Cleveland's Lane Thomas, Los Angeles' Taylor Ward and St. Louis' Lars Nootbaar.

None of them would provide the level of impact that Alonso or even Bregman would, but they'd at least help construct a more favourable lineup, which could receive further upgrades around this summer's trade deadline.

Plus, a trade would likely prevent a logjam from forming at triple-A Buffalo regarding infielders Addison Barger, Leo Jiménez, Davis Schneider, Orelvis Martinez, Damiano Palmegiani and Josh Kasevich as well as outfielders Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, Alan Roden, Steward Berroa, RJ Schreck and Will Robertson.

That's without including Will Wagner and Nathan Lukes, both of whom will likely begin 2025 in the majors but could also spend time with the Bisons as the season progresses.

The simplest path forward to improving the Blue Jays' lineup is likely via trade. They have pieces to move, and that avenue represents a higher chance of raising the offence's ceiling compared to the remaining free-agent market.

All they have to do now is find the right dance partner.

SOURCE: Blue Jays Nation
CREDIT: Thomas Hall