Amidst Cody Bellinger’s Free Agency, Matt Chapman’s Potential Blue Jays Reunion Might Threaten His $300 Million Sweepstakes

Have the Toronto Blue Jays recovered from missing out on Shohei Ohtani? While that’s not an easy spot to be in, the club has some alternative plans. It was no surprise when Matt Chapman declined the qualifying offer that the Blue Jays offered to him earlier this year. However, that does not rule out a possible re-signing. Could it be that he joins the Jays in 2024? 

Well amid speculations about Toronto eyeing Cody Bellinger, what are the likes of Chapmans’ potential re-signing affect this advancement?  Bellinger who signed with the Chicago Cubs last winter delivered real value, however, it was a one-year deal. And with him being one of the hottest free agents remaining, his chances of making Toronto his home are not bleak. But what about their budgetary constraints? 

Amid Talks of Re-signing, Will The Toronto Blue Jays Bag Cody Bellinger? 

The market this offseason has now seemingly begun shifting its focus to the center fielder. He is clearly the #2 position player on the free agent market this December. As per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, his agent Scott Boras and Bellinger, this winter, are on the lookout for a potential $300MM contract. That said, it is not to be forgotten that the Blue Birds have limited flexibility in their budget. 

Well, the Blue Jays do have a safety net in Chapman. And as noted by Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Chapman is open to re-signing with the Jays. For the Toronto Blue Jays, this is great news. When he left, he did so with lots to be desired in terms of his bat. Additionally he showed impeccable fielding on the hot corner. And, Chapman’s offensive season as a whole too was quite commendable. Probably this is what the Jays need. But can they afford not having (or even having) the 28-year-old? 

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They can either spend on the former Chicago Cub or go ahead with a re-signing with Matt perhaps. Additionally, there is another detail to this story. Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs are “still in the hunt” to re-sign outfielder Cody Bellinger in free agency. Now this is a tug of war between the two teams who are in need of serious bolstering. 

Tug of War Between the Cubs and the Blue Jays 

Now, it is no secret that the Cubs missed out on Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. Maybe voluntarily, maybe not. They hopes of acquiring Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Tyler Glasnow were too shattered as they made headlines with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Given that, rumors of Bellinger and the Cubs reuniting are starting to percolate.

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In the chase for Bellinger, the two teams competing (as per the latest updates) would be his former team the Chicago Cubs and Toronto. While Boras has work to do, it is only a matter of time that the decision is out. This could possibly be the New Year’s news.