The Toronto Blue Jays have an interesting situation arising with their luxury tax
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The Toronto Blue Jays management team are working diligently to lock up the last two remaining great free agents in Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso and many wonder if the Blue Jays would face the luxury tax.
Update: #BlueJays are still «favored» to land Pete Alonso. My sources indicated to me that #BlueJays offer is still on the table exceeding $75 mil across 3 years with opt outs and escalators. #Mets seemingly have closed the doors on Pete, despite Pete's willingness to return.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal had recently updated his story regarding the luxury tax, the Blue Jays and the potential long-term signing of Vladimir Guerrero Jr and that his signing bonus would not count against the luxury tax which is great news for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays pushing hard for Alonso and Bregman
Rosenthal clarified in an update that any potential signing bonus wouldn't count
toward this year's luxury tax, meaning that Toronto would have plenty of wiggle room to go after Alonso or Bregman and sign Guerrero to an extension. Henry Palattella Jays Journal
toward this year's luxury tax, meaning that Toronto would have plenty of wiggle room to go after Alonso or Bregman and sign Guerrero to an extension. Henry Palattella Jays Journal
Major League Baseball holds a cap maximum of $301 million and the Jays are currently sitting at a payroll of $273.3 million. If they ended up going over the cap, it would be the first time in Blue Jays history that they have done so and would be penalized by paying 80% for every dollar over the 301 million mark.
While there's still a chance the Blue Jays could go over the luxury tax if they signed Alonso or Bregman (it seems like an Alonso contract would start at around $90 million - the amount that the Jays signed Santander for - while Bregman is reportedly sitting on a $200 million offer), it shouldn't stop them from signing Guerrero to an extension. Henry Palattella Jays Journal
The Blue Jays have made-up ground over the past several weeks as they have signed key free agents including Max Scherzer, Anthony Santander Jeff Hoffman and Andres Gimenez which has saved their offseason.
Adding a combination or both of Alonso, Bregman and a Guerreo Jr extension along with their other additions would be considered a fantastic turnaround.
Max Scherzer signing with the #BlueJays is a game-changer, not just for the rotation, but for the team's entire mindset! Scherzer is a born winner and his presence alone is going to elevate that clubhouse
It's important that Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins find a way to make these deals happen as this would be a pivotal moment in Blue Jays history as they could go on long successful seasons and potential greatness in the postseason.
The time is now to make these changes and give the fans what they need a winning ball club who can show the rest of the Major League Baseball that the Blue Jays are back.
Source: Jays Journal
Could the luxury tax dictate the rest of the Blue Jays' offseason?
Could the luxury tax dictate the rest of the Blue Jays' offseason?
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