5 free agents, the Blue Jays focus on solving their power issues

The Jays have had plenty of poor performances in 2023, but none are more confusing than the club’s lack of a long ball.
In fact, the Blue Jays (Vlad Guerrero Jr., Daulton Warshaw, George Springer, Matt Chapman) struck out a lot less than expected.
It’s late October, long after the Blue Jays made the playoffs and the road to the World Series was paved with home runs.
The Texas Rangers advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2011 after Adolis Garcia hit five home runs and had 15 RBIs in the ALCS. The NLCS was also a fun celebration of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber killing the baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.

All things considered, the Blue Jays need to sign players looking for power, even if it’s one of their only tools.
Here are five free agents Toronto should consider.

Teosca Hernández

Fans will be excited to meet one of the most beloved sluggers of the last decade of Blue Jays baseball.
But the short-term deal with Hernández is not just about appeasing disappointed fans.
“Theo” maybe 30 more home runs in a season.
Toronto desperately needs this.
The 31-year-old regressed for the Seattle Mariners in 2023, posting a .741 OPS and a career-high 211 hits, but his 26 home runs would have tied Guerrero for the most home run- hurries with Jays.
There’s always risk in going deep with Hernandez, and he’s also a fantastic career hitter (.887 OPS) against lefties, hitting .300 with runners in scoring position last season.
Defensive tackles will be uncomfortable.
Hernández could play left, while Warshaw and Springer would be in center and right, respectively.
But the sweet, sweet sauce will make it worth it.

From Jake Pederson

Pederson has hit under .400 in eight of his 10 seasons, but has dipped below that mark just 18 games into his rookie season and the shortened 2020 season.
That consistent pop goes a long way to the meat of the Blue Jays organization.

Obviously, Pederson would improve all 30 batting orders in the major leagues, but he would be especially useful in Toronto.
As a defensive liability, the California native can serve as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching and distract from the odd episode at the corner outfield spot.

Plus, he’s a postseason hero.
Pederson hit .256/.332/.482 with 12 home runs and 29 RBI in 79 playoff games.
He would be a great addition for the Blue Jays on a one or two year deal.
From Hunter Renfrew

I can already picture Renfro in a Blue Jays uniform. The 31-year-old has been inconsistent with his approach at the plate, but with adequate playing time, he could hit 25 to 30 home runs a year. Mix up his cannon in right or left field and you’ll find that he fits perfectly in the 7-8-9 part of Toronto’s order.

Let’s take a look at this year’s Renfro, Kevin Kiermaier’s version of The Amazing World. Kiermaier is fast and average, while Renfro is slow but knocks his socks off with incredible speed.
This has implications for the Blue Jays’ ranking, and Renfroy’s poor batting average will be easier to overcome if he ranks in the club’s top three in home runs.
1B/DH Joey Votto

I can hear the Blue Jays fans laughing maniacally.
Votto’s time in Cincinnati appears to be over, and there’s little doubt he’ll return to Toronto and be benched for 80 to 90 games. Call me Brandon Beltwright.

The Blue Jays need to have a contingency plan beyond Votto.
There’s a chance he’ll hit .180/.300/.350 in 50 games, but the 40-year-old is only interesting because of his power potential.
. From 2019 to 2021 (definitely not the prime of his career), Votto posted an .839 OPS and 31 home runs on the year.
The front office should have dug deeper to justify this, but there are worse options. At least Votto is a good press officer and “atmosphere boss” for the Blue Jays, who are losing some veterans this season.
1B/O Joey Gallo

I may be taking this rule too literally, but Gallo actually has a point. Blue Jays fans, please don’t hurt me. I have a lot to give.
Gallo is Gallo.
He can hit between .170 and .230 and hit 20 to 35 home runs.
In 111 games with the Minnesota Twins last year, he hit 21 bombs and had a .741 OPS (0.5 WAR).
Don’t try to tell me the Blue Jays can’t use the bat at any point in 2023.

As much as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Twins have gambled over the past two years, Toronto will have to build on the 29-year-old’s upside and pray for the best for him.
Galo for the Blue Jays in 2024 would be a masochist’s dream, but it would be worth all the pain if Toronto gets a playoff win or two.