Cubs Rumors: Are the Blue Jays a sneaky suitor for Carlos Correa?

When it comes to this winter’s loaded class of free agent shortstops, we’re down to two left standing in Carlos Correa and Trevor Story. Former Cubs superstar Javier Baez inked a six-year deal with the Tigers, with both Marcus Semien and Corey Seager heading to the Lone Star State and joining the Rangers on long-term contracts.

But according to a new report from Jeff Passan, prior to Seager’s signing with Texas, a surprising suitor was very much in the mix: the Toronto Blue Jays.

We’ve seen Toronto tied to a few higher-profile names this winter, but adding someone like Seager (who wound up with the Rangers on a 10-year, $325 million deal) would have been pretty unexpected – especially after the team inked George Springer to a six-year, $150 million pact last offseason.

MLBTR has a great piece on this specific rumor and what the Jays’ payroll looks like moving forward – and it’s certainly worth taking a look at. But as a Cubs fan, it makes me wonder if Toronto could come out of nowhere and make a run at Correa once the lockout ends.

Now, Passan notes that while the Jays were ‘very much’ in on Seager, they were ultimately unwilling to go to the same heights as Texas on the longtime Dodgers infielder. That alone suggests a pursuit of Correa is unlikely, but if his market isn’t as strong as he’d like post-lockout, you can never say never.

Chicago Cubs: Carlos Correa will remain a top free agent target for the team

Of course, the Jays play in a loaded AL East. AL MVP runner-up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is one of the marquee names in all of Major League Baseball at this point. Bo Bichette and two-time Silver Slugger winner Teoscar Hernandez play major roles, as well. Toronto lost AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to the Mariners in free agency but added Kevin Gausman and extended Jose Berrios, as well.

It goes without saying: adding Correa to the mix obviously improves their chances long-term. With that young core under control for the next four years, Toronto could emerge as a powerhouse in short order. That contrasts to a team like the Cubs, who, while significantly improved already over the 2021 iteration, are far from a front runner, even in their own division.

Chicago will definitely be a factor in free agency and the trade market once the lockout ends later this offseason. The Correa sweepstakes will be the headliner, of course, and we can’t rule out the Blue Jays spoiling our dreams of the Cubs adding some star power to the lineup.