If you want to see what it could cost a team if they don’t have a Plan B, the Toronto Blue Jays are an example. The team finished in last place in the American League East in 2024. This was after they put their heads, hearts, and plenty of money in the pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. But they had to watch on the sidelines as the Los Angeles Dodgers swayed the Japanese icon away from them. The Dodgers won the World Series, but right now the Blue Jays are in the same conjecture as they were the last time.

Only this time it’s Juan Soto that the Toronto team is after. But the dilemma is the same—they don’t have a Plan B in case they lose out on him. In the worst-case scenario, they could even end up losing their star, Vladimir Guerrero, in the pursuit of Juan Soto. That’s what Ken Rosenthal, from the Athletic, precisely warned. Now, Soto is expecting a huge pay, supposedly going upwards of $600 million. While there are no frontrunners yet, the New York Mets and New York Yankees are the two favorites to land him.

Money and a winning team are Soto’s priorities, and both teams seem to be legit enough for him. As such, the Blue Jays in the picture aren’t that great a fit, not just because they won 74 games only this season but because it’s not a financially sound decision. Ken Rosenthal mentioned, “Signing Soto, on the other hand, almost certainly would ensure Guerrero’s departure after next season.”

This he mentions because Guerrero too has a monstrous contract, and hence retaining both Soto and him for the Blue Jays can be too much to handle. The team inevitably would have to let Guerrero go. It’s also important to note that Vladimir Guerrero’s contract is set to expire in 2025, so even that would remand a huge load of money. However, the Blue Jays have an alternative to Juan Soto that Ken suggests—Teoscar Hernandez.

Toronto Blue Jays have a way out of the Juan Soto sweepstakes

Teoscar Hernandez is coming off a stellar year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He smashed 33 home runs, drove in 99 RBIs, and was a cornerstone in the Dodgers World Series run. Hernandez, after that standout performance, is looking for a three-year deal of more than $60 million. Now the Dodgers would want him to stay, but it seems like he might just leave for the Blue Jays, believe it or not.

Rosenthal highlighted, “If Hernández somehow does not land back with the Dodgers, the Blue Jays might be his most logical destination.” There are reasons why he thinks so, but the most crucial one is that Hernandez has a history with the Toronto Blue Jays. Teoscar Hernandez has been a standout player for the Toronto Blue Jays before. He was there for a good five seasons, and then, he slashed .283 with a .819 OPS.

During his time with the team, Hernandez got two Silver Slugger awards and the first All-Star nod. He has a rich history with the team and a strong friendship with Vladimir Guerrero—that could definitely sway him to come to the Jays. For the Toronto team, it’s a great deal—they get to be financially flexible since Hernandez wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg like Juan Soto. And his addition will only bolster the lineup. Plus, they get to keep Vladimir Guerrero for more seasons to come.

Do you think that Teoscar Hernandez can make it back to the Blue Jays? Let us know in the comments.