Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees celebrates hitting a double during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Edwin Encarnacion #30 of the New York Yankees celebrates hitting a double during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion

Baseball writers and fans from across the country got together to collectively clown the Orioles whenever they got a chance last season. Overlooked in the fact that Baltimore came close to losing over 110 games for the second year in a row was the fact that the Blue Jays also came close to losing 100 games and ranked right at the bottom with the O’s in many statistical categories.

The teams are taking different approaches to their rebuilding process.

The Jays graduated Vlad Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio — their three sons of former All-Stars — to the big leagues this year, so there’s more going on in Toronto to keep the fans interested than other rebuilding cities. Having those three won’t mean much, however, if the Jays are not able to develop a matching group of young pitchers. They still have work to do in building a farm system behind their top group of hitters.

Giving Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio as much help with their development should be the biggest focus for the Toronto front office this winter. All three had their moments last season, but they were in the middle of a lineup that had the fewest hits in the league, worst batting average and second-worst on-base percentage. Their development will go more smoothly with better protection.

Former Blue Jays star Edwin Encarnacion is nearing the end of his career and will have to decide if he values at-bats more than a chance to contend for a ring. The 36-year-old slugger has an outside shot at 500 home runs if he can land a job that will offer him a chance at 500 at-bats a year. He is 86 away and hit 104 over the last three years and had an OPS+ of 132 last season.

Encarnacion could find the at-bats he needs in Toronto and end his career in front of the fans that loved him for his best years.

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