Nicholson-Smith: "Not a Lock" Blue Jays Sign a Bat

[Leo Morgenstern]

In a Bluesky post about free agent Kazuma Okamoto, Sportsnet reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith noted that the Blue Jays have a big presence in the Pacific Rim and make it a point to learn about all free agents coming from NPB and the KBO. However, their level of interest in Okamoto in particular is not currently clear.

One way or another, we'll soon find out if the Jays are going to sign the six-time NPB All-Star; his posting window closes on Sunday at 5:00 pm. 

If the Blue Jays don't sign Okamoto, it might take a little longer to find out if they'll sign another free agent bat. To that point, Nicholson-Smith mentioned that it's "not a lock" they sign a bat at all.

Toronto has been linked to many of the top hitters on the free agent market, including Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Alex Bregman. Nicholson-Smith confirms that the Jays are still "in contact" with representatives for all three of those players as well as "others," although he does not specify who those others might be.

All that to say, Nicholson-Smith isn't suggesting that the Blue Jays wouldn't love to add another impact bat to their lineup. His point is simply that they might not be planning to do so at all costs.

What do Jays fans think about this rumor? Will you consider the offseason a disappointment if the team doesn't sign one of the top free agent bats? Voice your thoughts in the comments below.

Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner, Imagn Images.

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[Eat My Shatkins]

 

As of right now fangraphs has the Jays 3rd overall in projected fWAR. 

 

I really hope they land one of Bo/Tucker/Bregman, but if they don't they're still a very good team on paper.

[Ryu In My House]

Signing Bichette and Okamoto would be sweet. Combined, less cost than a Tucker signing likely. That would be a very long lineup, particularly is Santander comes back like he should. Wow.

[Spanky__99]

lol @ BNS, what a 🤡😅

[Laika]

1 hour ago, Spanky__99 said:

lol @ BNS, what a 🤡😅

Yeah it's basically trolling 

[Nexii]

It really is a lot of words to say nothing

I'd be surprised if the Jays don't get a bat, tbh

But they've already filled the main need which was pitching, so things are looking great

[Stangstag]

4 hours ago, Spanky__99 said:

lol @ BNS, what a 🤡😅

Its such a nothing quote. Obviously its not 100% that the Jays sign Bo or Tucker, because its a contract and it takes 2 to tango. Many variables.

But you have to think its like 95% they sign one.

This is like me saying its not 100% guaranteed I will die before age 100

[Laika]

Not a lock I poop this weekend 

[Jays24]

Shatkins using their reporters to help with negotiations again i see lol

[Laika]

16 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

Shatkins using their reporters to help with negotiations again i see lol

Exactly 💯 

[Spanky__99]

42 minutes ago, Stangstag said:

Its such a nothing quote. Obviously its not 100% that the Jays sign Bo or Tucker, because its a contract and it takes 2 to tango. Many variables.

But you have to think its like 95% they sign one.

This is like me saying its not 100% guaranteed I will die before age 100

Yeah, that's why I post that.

[glory]

Is MLB media collectively the worst of any major sport? I get that it's a non salary cap league and content still has to be created in the winter months when nothing is going on, but it's consistently the most engagement farming nonsense of any sport that I see. 

Kinda wish the draft was in December rather than July. At least there would be events in the winter to escape the absolute slog that MLB off-seasons usually are. I doubt we will ever see a salary cap (at least not in the next CBA) but clearly if a cap ever existed, then the BNS nonsense above and the Morosi's of the world would no longer exist, so there's an added benefit if that were to ever happen. 

[jaysblue]

Jays need to add another bat regardless, whether that is bringing back Bo or signing a bat like Tucker/Bellinger or Bregman. Need to at least bring in a player who can produce 3-4 WAR. 

After the World Series run they went on and spending big money earlier in the offseason on Cease, and signing both Rogers and Ponce, don't see why the Jays wouldn't spend money to bring in a bat. 

[John_Havok]

This aged well. BNS really had his finger on the pulse 

[Nexii]

Wait wait, it's still not a lock!

[Jonn]

I don't understand why Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden try to downplay every possibility. Are they contractually obligated by Sportnet to do so lol?

It was pretty obvious the Jays were always going to add a bat. It was a question of who.

[Spanky__99]

19 minutes ago, Nexii said:

Wait wait, it's still not a lock!

Beat me to it, damn lol.

 

[Spanky__99]

4 minutes ago, Jonn said:

I don't understand why Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden try to downplay every possibility. Are they contractually obligated by Sportnet to do so lol?

It was pretty obvious the Jays were always going to add a bat. It was a question of who.

I think Arden is gone.

[Pendleton]

If he keeps this up, we'll have to remove Nicholson from his acronym 

[Jonn]

5 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

I think Arden is gone.

Oh is he? Not really a big loss either way. 

[Stangstag]

46 minutes ago, John_Havok said:

This aged well. BNS really had his finger on the pulse 

Idk why these losers even post these types of articles. Embarrassing 

[jaysblue]

Sportsnet needs to do better. 

[Spanky__99]

3 hours ago, John_Havok said:

This aged well. BNS really had his finger on the pulse 

Sorry Big J!!! I failed ya too...

xo