The Toronto Blue Jays expressed clear interest in signing Shohei Ohtani, one of the premier free agents, early in the offseason. Although the Los Angeles Dodgers secured Ohtani first, the Blue Jays seemed poised to make a significant investment, especially with their starting third baseman, Matt Chapman, also hitting free agency. Despite this, negotiations between Chapman and the Blue Jays appeared to stall, leading to reports that Chapman had ultimately signed with the San Francisco Giants.
It’s uncertain how aggressively the Blue Jays pursued Chapman. The contract he inked with the Giants—a three-year deal worth $54 million with early opt-outs—wasn’t overly burdensome for the Blue Jays to match or surpass. Nonetheless, it appears the Blue Jays made a last-minute attempt to retain Chapman’s services.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Blue Jays made a late offer to Chapman for a two-year deal before he opted for the Giants, his preferred destination.
By this point, relations between Chapman and the Blue Jays seemed strained, as they allowed him to remain a free agent for an extended period. It had been evident for some time that the two sides were not in sync, with Chapman reportedly turning down a six-year, $120 million contract extension. However, this may indicate Chapman’s confidence in securing a larger contract in the future, particularly after an uneven performance in 2023.
While Chapman’s power output dipped last season, his defensive prowess ensured his continued value. Fangraphs credited him with a 3.5 WAR last season, underscoring his defensive contributions.
At just 30 years old, Chapman likely has several productive seasons ahead. It remains to be seen if the Blue Jays will rue letting him depart, particularly considering their less appealing options at third base following Chapman’s exit.
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