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It’s tempting to view the Jays missing out on Lindor as a big loss — an historically easy off-season shot at the Toronto front office — but in this case, it’s probably best to measure this winter in its totality. There’s still big business out there, after all, and lets see how it plays out for the Jays.
Still, with Lindor now out of the mix, there is no doubt that the heat just got ratcheted up some for Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins, who have both been bold and vocal in their insistence that the team will be noticeably improved this off-season.
All that said, the fact that Lindor went to the big-spending Mets (and not the Yankees or any other teams kicking tires on one of the elites at his position) may actually be a good thing to Toronto.
The hundred million dollar (plus, plus) question now is what the Lindor signing means for the bigger object of the Jays desire, free agent centre fielder George Springer. It has widely been held that the Jays and the Mets were the front-runners for the former Astro, and all indications are he is Toronto’s top target. Given the payroll commitments the Mets have made already this off-season, one wonders how much more cash they are willing to commit.
Reports out of New York are mixed on this, with suggestions that they could still be in play on Springer but unlikely on starter Trevor Bauer, the top pitcher on the market and one who has been in contact with the Jays. Others suggest that getting Springer would be a stretch, given that payroll is now inching towards the $190 million US mark for 2021.
