MLB free agency: Blue Jays could be in play for J.D. Martinez

The Blue Jays may be a team that could land free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Heyman says that the Blue Jays need a corner outfielder and that “they have at least considered” Martinez, who is coming off a breakout season for the Tigers and Diamondbacks in which he blasted 45 home runs and had 104 RBI while slashing .303/.376/.690 in 119 games. However, Martinez has mostly been rumored as a target for the Red Sox, the Dbacks, the Giants and the Cardinals and Toronto general manager Ross Atkins declined to comment about the Blue Jays possible interest in him.

Heyman says the Blue Jays ‘may be a bit leery” of Martinez’s price tag since he and his agent Scott Boras are reportedly seeking a $200 million contract. This has been evident so far this offseason, as they are reportedly likely to pursue Jay Bruce.

The Blue Jays could use either Martinez or Bruce (36 home runs and 101 RBI with the Mets and Indians) in both their lineup and the outfield, which was regarded as one of the worst in baseball this season. Slugger Jose Bautista, the team’s star right fielder, is not being brought back for 2018 and they have a below-average platoon in left field in Ezequiel Carrera and Steve Pearc. The Blue Jays are also a year removed from losing power hitter Edwin Encarnacion to the Indians in free agency.