The Toronto Blue Jays could be interested in left handed power hitter free agent out of Minnesota
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The Toronto Blue Jays need to bring in a power hitter this off-season and they might have found a left handed on in free agent Max Kepler.
Kepler had a rough season in 2024 due to injuries and could never find his rhythm as he only hit 8 homeruns in 105 games with a .253 batting average and .302 on base percentage.
In 105 games, he slashed .253/.302/.380, struck out 80 times, drew 20 walks and hit 8 home runs. Most concerning of all, his bat speed declined throughout the season, peaking at 72.8 MPH in May and ending at 68.3 MPH in September -Hunter
The Blue Jays might have found a lefty power hitter in free agent Max Kepler
While Kepler struggled last season, he has had a season of 36 homeruns in 2019 and hit 24 homeruns with 66 RBIs just last season which is why he could a smart risk to take for the Blue Jays.
Kepler is projected to sign for $10.6 million this off-season and if the Blue Jays could land him for a bit less than that, he could end up being a massive steal for them this winter.
Spotrac puts Kepler's market value at $10.6 million annually, with a market value contract of 3 years at $31.76 million total. The AAV feels accurate, but it's hard to imagine the left-hander landing a three-year deal. Something more like a pillow contract or a two-year contract would be more palatable with maybe a player or team option thrown in as well. -Hunter
The main issue with Kepler is that he has played right field for the majority of his career and if the Blue Jays ended up signing him, they would likely try and move him to left field since that is where their current hole is.
He can slide over to left field, but asking a guy entering his age-32 season to play the bulk of the campaign at a position he's never played before would be a big ask. Plus, the Blue Jays have already experimented with playing guys out of position to mixed results. -Hunter
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