Blue Jays are clearly trying to get in Yankees’ head with JT Realmuto interest

Guess what, Yankees fans? The Blue Jays are interested in another high-profile free agent.

At this point, it’s gotta be a joke, right? The Toronto Blue Jays continue to immerse themselves in all of the hottest free agency/trade buzz and it seems like it’s nothing but an attempt to get in the New York Yankees’ head.

The Bombers’ rival north of the border can’t possibly be interested in DJ LeMahieu, George Springer, Brad Hand, Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley, Justin Turner, Kevin Gausman and now … JT Realmuto.

They even added JA Happ to their wish list for whatever reason! But seriously, on what planet do the Blue Jays think this is realistic strategy? During an offseason in which every franchise is exercising financial constraint, they’re the ones at the center of every high-profile rumor? This has to be some sort of mental warfare tactic to get the Yankees worried.

We know the Jays have a low payroll, with a maximum of $86 million and $78 million committed in 2021 and 2022, so they have some room to work with in terms of adding one or two big names. But this is hardly ever Toronto’s style, so the timing is bizarre.

Not only do the Jays rarely pay top dollar for free agents, but they’re now at the forefront of the rumors during an offseason clouded by a global pandemic and one in which the Yankees really need to make the right moves or else they’ll set themselves back amid their championship window.

Perhaps the Jays want to spend. Perhaps they want to drive up prices for other teams, especially the Yankees. Perhaps they’re banking on the Yankees panicking and making a short-sighted move. To be honest, we have no idea, but this is getting frustrating.

The Jays even went as far to have us write about the Yankees potentially getting backed into a corner to trade for Francisco Lindor if Toronto was serious about making an aggressive approach. But then what? New York lets LeMahieu go, potentially to the division rivals?

This free agency chess match is exhausting because the Yankees aren’t exactly taking control and the Blue Jays are leaving way too many unfavorable possibilities on the table. Can this market just come into focus so teams that actually spend money and make blockbuster trades get their hands on these guys before Toronto does?

Yankees should be thankful Kevin Gausman rejected Blue Jays contract offer

San Francisco Giants pitcher Kevin Gausman rejected a deal from the Toronto Blue Jays before accepting the QO, and New York Yankees fans should be happy.